My description of the perfect controller:

• nice size and hand fit
• left joystick is “up” at a natural spot (sorry PS enthusiasts, those low sticks suck)
• buttons are “chicklet” style (Xbox round buttons feel awkward)
• one set of trigger buttons are “throttle” style
• sits on a flat surface without any buttons being pressed

Not sure if there’s one out there that meets all of those. But I have a certain fondness for the GameCube controller. Always felt comfortable, and I actually liked the asymmetric button layout.