I currently use keyboard and mouse or a Dualshock 4 controller for most games, but i’m tired of so many games being really terrible with my controller. For example, Cemu swaps the two triggers with the two axes of the right stick. So i’m considering just buying a new controller that will hopefully be easier to make work.
I was thinking about getting an Xbox controller, but i’ve never been an Xbox guy so i have no idea what controller is good for gaming on Linux. I assume most of them are good for Windows, but i don’t use that. While looking up some differences between 360 and One, Reddit reminded me that other controllers than PlayStation/Xbox/Nintendo exist, like the ones from 8BitDo.
What i’m looking for in a controller is:
- I usually prefer using the Dpad to the sticks, but something that won’t easily develop drift problems is still important to me.
- I like being able to use my controller over a wire instead of just wireless, so bluetooth or a dongle is nice but a wired connection is essential.
- Generic cords are more convenient than ones that are proprietary or just weird (it took me so long to figure out my Wii U pro controller uses mini-USB), though i understand that what’s still common changes with the times and i can’t expect an old controller to use USB-C. Something that’s easy to replace if it breaks is really what i want for the cord.
- And i also have a Wii U, so something that can connect to that as a Wii U pro controller, Wii classic, or GameCube (natively or via Bloopair/Koopair) is nice but not essential.
- I have Steam, AntiMicroX, and Input Remapper and i can use them to fix inputs for some games, but not all games.
So what controllers do you all use? What’s good and will actually work for most games that have controller support at all?
I just bought an 8bitdo Ultimate 2C with hall effect sticks, and it’s been amazing! Highly recommend, and the D-Pad is great
Just bought one, thanks!
Is xbox360 emulator a thing on linux? Last time I used it only a windows machine it was pretty much a “just works”, and i was using some random ass Chinese controller.
Xinput is native to the vast vast majority of games. That’s why they all “just work”
It is Dinput that causes issues. Though Steam has done a lot to massage that paint point.
Dinput these days is basically just Dual Sense.
Back in the day you had to place an Xinput mapper inside every single game install directory, and use black magic to get it to work.
I have an xbox elite pro series 2 that my wife bought me last christmas. I love it. It has a good weight and is a joy in your hands. The triggers have 3 resistance levels. D-pad and thumbsticks are magnetic and easily swappable. Four back paddles can be removed easily if they’re not wanted or needed. It connected to Pop_OS via bluetooth with no issues. I have not tried using the xbox accessories app on Linux because I was able to calibrate it with Steam just fine. Thry’re not cheap but it was worth it.
Edit to add: someone mentiomed drift and I did have a slight issue but was able to adjust for it through Steam. There is also a common complaint that the controllers snap back to center with enough force to actually hit the opposite direction; most commonly noticed in metroidvanias or other 2d platformers where it can make you turn around unintentionally. I was also able to adjust for this with Steam calibration.
Hyperkin Xenon
Don’t waste money on an xbox controller. Get a Dual Sense or an 8bitDo
Hard disagree. Xbox uses Xinput.
It literally “just works”
Dual Sense is Dinput which is why it’s a pain in the ass
Xbox controllers work fine for me, but some of them drift. 🙄 Get something with hall effect analog sticks.
I’m waiting for the Steam Controller 2
Don’t hold your breath…
It’s been over 10 years. If he can make that long. He either dead or anerobic.
I’m so glad I hoarded a couple of Steam Controllers back when they announced the discontinuation.
It’s my favourite controller so far.
8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller.
It uses the xbox layout. It has hall effect triggers and TMR joysticks (similar to hall effect), 2 back paddle buttons, 2 extra bumper buttons, and gyro.
The software does not work, or at least didn’t work on Linux with wine when I tried a few months ago. However for just regular controls and if using Steam Input it doesn’t matter.
I was actually able to get the software working by adding it to steam as a “non steam game”. Proton (GE in my case) was able to run it just fine, which is great, as that was one of the last reasons I had to boot into Windows.
Thank you. I’ll be sure to try it later.
The one you use while playing a game you love.
Yes, pretty much this. I have the 8bitdo’s Pro controllers (the first one and the 2) and I’m pretty happy with them. But that’s me.
The 8bitdo controllers are nice. I would also check out the Flydigi Vader 4 Pro. I use the Vader 3 Pro and like it a lot. Very nice tech for a good price.
Overall I would stick to 3rd Party. The console manufacturers offer outdated tech for high prices. Most people still think of 3rd party controllers as the inferior cheap ones the little sibling had to use as kids.
Madcatz ruined the idea of 3rd party controllers for me. MY mind refuses to believe that 3rd party controllers could ever be good enough to use in pinch much less good overall.
8bitdo are about as good as it gets when it comes to modern third party controllers, but my experience has been that it’s always worth spending a little bit more to get the first party controllers.
Yeah, these days they can be expensive as fuck. But the way I see it, I’m going to be using this thing for hundreds, if not thousands, of hours, so it’s worth it.
Kind of like what people say about mattresses…
Yeah considering the total amount of time I’ll spend with a controller in my han it’s fractions a cent per hour, money well spent to not end up with the little sibling controller.
Lucky for Nintendo & Co. Their Brand seems to be enough to outsell better competitors.
I can vouch for the Vader 4. One caveat is that you currently need Steam running to get full functionality but that should be fixed relatively soon.
Controllers I’ve had (all of which should work on Linux easily, some with minor adjustments needed) in the order I think you should consider them:
- 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless
- PS5 Controller
- Xbox One controller
- PS4 controller
- PS3 controller
- Xbox 360 controller (only connects through dongle)
- Steam Controller (doesn’t have d-pad)
Most controllers should work wired, but I haven’t tested any of them like that because I like my controllers wireless.
- 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless
I have two of these, they work fine with my steam deck and my PC which is running Mint, in all 3 modes, wired, BT, 4G.
The face buttons have a bit of wiggle room horizontally, which does feel a bit cheap unfortunately. It’s just that though, they do work flawlessly.
DS4 was the last good controller to come out IMO.
Just get another one, they will last longer and function better than anything made since.
You can map the controls to whatever buttons you want in the Cemu settings
Cemu isn’t the only game that breaks with this controller, and if i could just set right stick right to C stick right, i wouldn’t have ever noticed this issue for Cemu. I’ll bear this in mind though if every Linux build of every game i’m interested in playing announces support for DS4 though.
I have been using a Nintendo ProController since 2017 for all my gaming needs. It’s a solid controller and can be use any USB-C cable to connect to your PC. Solid battery life if you ever need to go wireless. I am monster though and just deal with the buttons being mapped to Xbox layouts so ‘X’ and ‘Y’ are always mapped backwards. I now know that Steam has a feature for mapping buttons now.
With all of that said, I also am looking for a new controller. My palms have been hurting as of late when I use the ProController.I will always recommend this controller but my hands are hurting more during longer play sessions. It never used to feel like this so I think I need to start stretching these old hands prior to playing.
If anyone has any input on comparing 8bitDuo’s Pro 2 or Gulikit’s KingKong 2 Pro Controller to Nintendo’s ProController, I’d like to read your thoughts :)
Are you connecting the pro controller to Linux? Which distro version etc?
8BitDo Pro 2 is the best pad I’ve ever used.
I got an 8bitdo pro 3 for now after the birds destroyed my old one but I’m really just waiting for steam controller 2. I got used to having the trackpad grids and extra buttons to map every single input, but the deck just isnt powerful enough for some of the games I want more expensive visuals on.
