Hello lemmings, I’d like to buy some sort of gamepad I can use on my PC (running opensuse tumbleweed linux).
Since my youth I’m a die hard keyboard & mouse player, but since I’d like to try co-op with my wife I’d need second device. What is currently considered a good buy? Should be good in terms of price/quality ratio. I don’t want to spend a lot on a thing with questionable future, might as well end up being ultimate dust collector. On the other hand I don’t want to buy ultra cheap POS that would have terrible build and insta drifting joypads.
Wireless is a plus, but should have its own USB receiver (box PC without bluetooth).
Last thing: I’m based in EU, so should be available there.
Thank you very much!
Most controllers should work, if getting an Xbox one controller pay attention that it has Bluetooth connection (not all of them do, I think the first ones didn’t). If getting a PlayStation controller the glyphs might not match on most games.
I have a Trust GXT 590, nothing special, but works well enough for about everything with about everything. It can do both Bluetooth, USB-Dongle and USB cable (iirc)
Try the Xbox controller.
I’ve had a Gamesir Nova Lite since September, and I strongly prefer playing games with a controller whenever possible so I’ve used the heck out of it, and I’ve had no problems. I really like how the buttons and joysticks feel and it’s supposedly got hall effect joysticks. I only use it on Bluetooth so not sure how it is with the dongle, but it has one. It’s on Amazon and they’ve got their own site to order from that does worldwide shipping. For the $25 I spent on mine, it’s a lot nicer than you’d expect from the price, I’d assume it’s similarly cheap in the EU. Retro Game Corps did a side by side video with an 8BitDo a while ago. The company marketed the shit out of it to influencers, but it’s legitimately good. (It doesn’t have a headphone jack and gyroscope, fyi, in case you care about that.)
I have been using the Nova Lite for a month now with no issues. I only use the dongle and it works well on both linux and windows. It is availible on MaxGaming for 23.90€.
The boring answer is going to be an Xbox controller – as that’s what most PC games and Steam have mappings for. I assume those play nice with Linux?
This is what I am using. I have a cheap USB bluetooth dongle and use an xbox controller. Playing Lords of the Fallen with it and it’s been perfect. It really is a “it just work” situation.
Yep they work great and they’re ubiquitous. Xbox360 gamepad might be cheaper than one from a newer console model. I finished Elden Ring with one 100% on Linux.
I’m using a PS4 controller since my Xbox controllers are an older design that doesn’t use Bluetooth. With Steam mapping the controls across in everything from UI symbols to functionality, it works spectacularly.
Can’t speak to Xbox Series controllers, but Xbox One controllers on Linux are a mess in terms of the drivers situation. Running 'em over USB with xpad, the default kernel driver is fine, but you might need to install xone or xow to get them working wirelessly with the dongle, or xpadneo for Bluetooth. Maybe other people have had a better time but it’s a total fucking headache IME.
I’ve been using an Xbox one controller on pop os and never had any issues personally. I just use a regular USB Bluetooth receiver. Sometimes it takes a bit to connect when I turn it on but that’s about it.
Yeah I figured I was just unlucky (I might’ve fucked something up by messing around too much)
I’m a big fan of my 8bitdo gamepads. They have 2.4ghz USB ones that work really well on Linux (steam deck or desktop).
I have the Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller
And I paid about 25€ for it. My other main gamepad is an old google stadia controller which also works really well.
I second this recommendation! Steam sometimes shows that the controller isn’t supported completely/at all, but I haven’t had issues - except one game (can’t remember which), but disabling Steam Input for that game fixed that too.
I have four different 8Bitdo controllers and they run great!! Highly recommend
Do the extra bumpers, R4 and L4, actually do anything? I have the older version of this, where the extra buttons are on the back of the gamepad, and they only let you map the buttons to buttons that are already on the gamepad, like Start or X. So, kinda useless.
Normally on a controller, that’s up to you. Linux will report button presses. Games might or might not have configurable gamepad bindings – they almost always used to do so before controller layouts were standardized, but in 2024, it’s often common to just have a fixed layout or maybe an option for it. You can also set up software yourself that could use it.
8BitDo Ultimate but make sure you buy the Nintendo Switch version because it’s the only one with gyro. You could also just buy a DualSense.
I like DS4 because it has gyro. You can bind it to mouse in antimicrox or steam and have very organic precision aiming
Haven’t used DS5, though
And since I’ve went through a few “non-big-corp gamepads”, unfortunately I’d suggest the big-corp ones. They do last longer
The Logitech F310 (wired) and F710 (wireless) are ok. The F710 has a big 2xAA battery compartment which is uncomfortable for some.
Save your receipt, because Logitech’s warranty is better than their construction. I destroyed my first F710’s control pad on my second play of Crosscode, but they sent me a new one.
Do not use either one to operate a manned submarine.
I have an F710 which I used and enjoyed for years, but it uses a proprietary 2.4 GHz protocol, and at some point, something wireless near me started interfering with it – occasionally, it’d stop responding to me for a second, which was frustrating in action games. I didn’t see the problem with Bluetooth controllers.
Pretty much any USB controller will work. Don’t normally need any special software support, and USB specifies the protocol, unless you’ve got some kind of oddball features on the thing. You can’t go too far wrong.
Of the ones that I’ve used, I’ve currently settled on the 8Bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth (there’s also a non-Bluetooth Ultimate controller that they make, but it doesn’t have Hall effect thumbsticks, which I want). Only downside is that it’s only available with a Nintendo face button layout, whereas I’d prefer the Xbox face button layout. They do sell replacement buttons, and Steam lets you flip the layout for games using Steam Input. Works with both USB and Bluetooth, and it comes with a charging cradle if you use it wirelessly.
You might want to check for software support if there are any programmable features.
I’m a big fan of the 8BitDo Pro 2. Best pad I’ve ever used.
Second this. I have used a lot. Imo better than the switch pro and the ps5 controller at least. I use it a lot for competitive games.
Honestly I’m a huge fan of Sony’s Dualsense controller. It’s got a whole bunch of features that are sometimes lacking in other gamepads. A trackpad, gyro, audio in/out, analogue triggers with force feedback. Unfortunately, as far as I know, it only connects via Bluetooth or USB.
Razer wolverine is wired but the best controller I’ve ever owned. 8 years and counting.
