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?
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.
https://www.8bitdo.com/ultimate-2-wireless-controller/
https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2025/04/8bitdo-ultimate-2-is-getting-full-steam-input-support-for-more-buttons/
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.