If DOS compatibility is your primary factor, I would stay away from everything that isn't four buttons. Basic four button gamepads will work with everything and don't require any software running at the same time. Which WILL conflict with some game or other inevitably.

Unfortunately, I can't recommend anything specific. I eventually gave up and made my own adapter 😀

GiSWiG wrote:

Gravis made DOS drivers

Gamepads and joysticks do not generally require drivers. The reason the DOS drivers for the Sidewinders exist is because by default the Sidewinders use digital signals that are incompatible with what DOS games generally expect.

If I'm not mistaken, Gravis gamepads were either exclusively analog, or had a toggle switch on the back between standard analog mode and the digital mode (which they referred to as "GRiP").

I've never bothered going past a Gravis pad for DOS - I've mainly used the dogbone but own a Pro too; both are supported natively by some games depending on the era and work fine I think.

Yeah, I might go Gravis, Pro most likely. I've made XBOX to USB adapters so I'll see how well they work with the XBCD in Win98