My USB controller is shot. Any suggestions on which brand SNES USB controllers are best at taking the usual beatings that Super Metroid runs require? ;)

If you want a SNES-style controller, 8bitdo is probably the most common third-party brand. Several people also use USB adapters to use original SNES controllers or SNES Classic controllers on emulator.

If you're willing to try other controller styles, personally I use a Logitech F310. I really like the dpad for running SM, and the controller is also very good for playing modern games that use joysticks. It only costs $20 brand new, and I just replaced mine after two years of pretty hard abuse doing runs with it, and before that I had one that lasted about ten years of casual gaming.

Thanks for the input.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VAHYQY?pf_rd_r=TZ2AT5RX53XWEEWV89QY&pf_rd_p=5ae2c7f8-e0c6-4f35-9071-dc3240e894a8

Is this the one you were talking about??

Yep, that's the one.

Can vouch for 8bitdo, I've only used them and they're very good. Currently have 3 that I rotate around

https://smile.amazon.com/8Bitdo-Gamepad-Nintendo-Windows-Raspberry-pc/dp/B07R481CVY/ref=sr_1_16?dchild=1&keywords=8bitdo&qid=1610250299&sr=8-16