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?
[hr] I got a Logitech F310. It works fine so far for Hollow Knight and Tunic. It doesn’t work with my Wii U but i didn’t really expect it to.
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XBox One controller is my current favourite:
Well built
Long lasting
Decent prices secondhand
Always worked first time on every OS I’ve tried it on
USB C as long as you get the newer generation version for wires play
Most comfortable size and layout IMO
I have a series x/s controller. The joystick drifted after 6 months. My second one, for no reason what so ever, the right trigger started to stick when it was pressed in. Months later it seems to have sorted itself out.
Other than that I do like the controllers and they do work well with Linux.
I haven’t ever tried a series X/S controller but I had a couple of 360 controllers that lasted through many many years of abuse then moved on to the ‘one’ controllers and the only issue I have had with those is an older micro USB version that I dropped with the cable plugged in and it smash the port off the board inside.
That issue was my fault so in general I have had very good experiences with them all.
I recommend getting the “wireless” packs. You just drop the controller on the charger and pick it up when you’re done. There are so many.
They even sell them with extra batteries so you can hot swap if you truly use up the 8 hours up.
Had the same issue with the ports with Micro UsB. Shite durability but that goes for basically ALL micro UsB all devices
I did consider it when I broke that port as I used batteries on that controller for a short while but as weird as it sounds I like using it wired.
Micro USB is utter trash for sure but now with USB C I’m happy. I only had that one time when my own clumsiness ruined that one controller.
Appreciate the recommendation though :)
Ps5 pro controller. Mainly for the replacement sticks and the extra buttons. It’s also got a nice USB cable holder so that it never falls out or damages the port. Overall controller design is definitely the best I’ve ever held. Certainly overpriced but so far it’s been nice.
8bitdo ultimate. Had it a few years, never had compatibility issues. My previous gamepad was an xbox elite series 2. Total piece of garbage. Drifty sticks and the shoulder buttons failed within 90 days.
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.
I’ve got a couple Beitong Asura 2 Pros with hall effect sensors, and they work great, and haven’t worn out like xbox controllers and dualshock 4s do.
I use them with USB-C cables instead of the wireless dongle or bluetooth because they just work forever that way.
The buttons are reprogrammable; I make back buttons on everything I can into the thumbstick buttons so I never have to depress the thumbsticks. It also has a d-pad/thumbstick switch mode if you want to use d-pad on games that use thumbstick.
They have a nintendo mode, but I’ve never tried it.
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 controllers I use:
Steam controller
Wired xbox controller (Hyperkin branded)
Wired switch controllers (pdp and hori branded)
I have some ps4 controllers that worked well but they don’t hold a charge now so they’re just e-waste.
Sticking with wired or rechargable AAs. Any wired switch and xbox controller I’ve plugged in has gone fine.
I can’t speak for the wireless switch controllers (we have 2 that run on rechargeable AAs), because I’ve never paired them onto a PC. But eneloops last about 6 months in my steam controller, I’ve just been recirculating the same 4 batteries in it since 2017.
I like the Xbox controller on PC because it’s the safe, always supported option. I use a generic PDP Xbox One controller because they are one of the few brands available in my country that have a very “vanilla” shape and look while having a wired connection. I’m on my second one now after my old one had some phantom button presses on one of the triggers after 5 years of use, for what they cost that’s a damn good lifespan.
There was a recent discussion about controllers that may help you, here: https://lemmy.world/post/35100527
To add to my recommendation in that thread of the Logitech F310, for your question specifically:
- The wires on both it and the F510 are built-in, not socketed. In my experience usually only wireless controllers have socketed cables.
- I’ve never had the buttons on it get swapped around on any OS.
- I’ve never had any of them develop drift, and they’re all 8-12 years old at this point.
- They don’t support the WiiU.
I have the Logitech F310 and I can also say it’s a good controller. Works flawlessly on Linux, and has never given me any trouble. Buttons always worked, no drift issues. Can’t really ask for more.
I realize it’s a fairly basic controller, but every time I’ve taken a look at maybe upgrading I’ve ended up concluding that just sticking with using the F310 is the best option.
The ones I tested on Linux that I remember:
- Original PS3 controller on Ubuntu 20.04; cable works great, bluetooth is extremely temperamental
- PS2 controller with adapter on a handful systems; works well but maybe due to age of the adapter, has some ghost inputs
- Xbox Series X controller on recent Mint systems up to iirc 21.3; works great on cable, can’t get bluetooth to work
- Previous controller on an Android 13 phone; bluetooth works great, didn’t look if you can run on cable
- 8bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller also on Mint; can’t get bluetooth to work, 2.4G adapter needed a small change in the system env to work
- 8bitdo Ultimate C 2.4G Wireless Controller also on Mint; bluetooth same story, 2.4 adapter and cable work out of the box
- Previous controller on a Raspberry Pi 5 with Android (KonstaKANG’s AOSP fork) and Recalbox (independent Linux distro according to distro watch); Android didn’t work on either cable, adapter or bluetooh, and Recalbox iirc tested with both the adapter and bluetooth and both worked fine
The Nintendo Pro gamepad doesn’t have the same drift issue that the JoyCons have. I dont know if it’s backwards compatible with tge Wii U tho. The one from the WiiU era is exactly the same controller, tho so you may just wanna find an older one.
I just use a DualSense (PS5) controller, but the D-pad isn’t very nice for actually controlling a character. Too stiff, too segmented. It’s perfect, otherwise.
I use an Xbox one controller with the xone Linux driver and it works like a charm over wired and dongle. If you do use it make sure to use the linked repo which is an active fork of the original driver, which was abandoned.
If you have problems with the controller mapping to a specific game, try adding it as a “non-Steam game” to Steam so that you can use Steam Input. You can do a LOT with Steam Input.
Also I just got the GCUltimate from https://handheldlegend.com/ and I think it matches what you are looking for. You might also look at their “ProGCC”.
Basically they are Nintendo-style controllers, work great with the Switch, but also are designed to work great with PC. Charge or connect wired via USBC or connect via Bluetooth. Hall effect joysticks that won’t drift. Can also be used as a GameCube controller if you buy their USBC to GameCube cable (note that this cable only works with their controllers; it won’t convert any USBC controller to GameCube).
Steam Input is incredible, and it’s integration with the Steam Deck, and the availability of community created presets, is such an underrated, overlooked feature.
You can create friggin on screen menus and shit. The amount of stuff you can do with it is truly impressive.
Fly digi apex 4
Seriously the best d pad I’ve ever used. Crappy software, but the hardware is top notch. I’ve abused it for probably a little less than a thousand hours, and still no drift or dead spots.
8BitDo Pro 2 is the best pad I’ve ever used.
