Wish I could reply to a post, but in a new thread so I don't hijack... but
what do you mean modern controller? Like a gamepad or something? I love my x-arcade upgraded hotrod since it's USB, can be programmed to simulate various keyboard keys, and works with modern consoles (provided you could be bothered to buy the adapters for it).
There are plenty of games that simply don't play the same without an arcade controller. Hell even console games. The unicycle stage of BattleToads on the NES... I have NEVER been able to pass it using a game pad. Even back then I could only get passed it using a NES Advantage controller :P
Just broke my personal record for number of consecutive days without dying!