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?

  • Keegen@lemmy.zipEnglish
    10·
    4 days ago

    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.