I have a question(s) regarding the various types of game controllers.
I need a wireless controller which supports PC (Steam Linux mainly and maybe Windows someday). While searching online, I see various types
- xbox/ps5/switch controllers : These are for their respective consoles
- Mobile/PC controllers : These usually connect via wire/bluetooth/2.4 GHz
Source: https://www.gamesir.hk
However, I see in the product specifications page of the console controllers that they also support PC. And the PC controllers sometimes support some of the consoles. The only real difference between controllers, from a technology perspective, is that is some of them support bluetooth/2.4 GHz.
So I have two questions:
- If they are already cross-compatible, why even bother having different types?
- How should I decide which type of controller I should buy? It should support PC, console-support is not essential.
Note: I am a novice in game controllers but aware of different network stacks.
Edit: Thanks for the amazing response! These are my key takeaways from all the comments
- Hall-effect sensors are a must
- Default console controllers usually have stick drift
- If you need trackpad, take PS5
- 8bitdo is a reliable brand, as per multiple responses
- Most controllers have good support on Linux. But haptic feedback can be a hit/miss as it can be platform/game dependent
- There are various connectivity wireless standards. Dongles are the most reliable but you lose a USB port.
- Keep track of handsize/comfort and button layout
- PS controllers have excellent support on Linux/Steam
For Linux, I recommend the DualShock 4 (PS4) and DualSense (PS5) controllers. They have native support built into the kernel, so you don’t need special drivers. They’re great in Steam, emulators, Wine, and most native linux games. They work in both USB and bluetooth mode. Motion controls work. Touchpad works. Rubmle works. Dead zones are nice and small.
The only features I’m not sure about are the DualSense haptics and adaptive trigger feedback. There was work happening on those when I last looked a couple years ago; I haven’t checked recently.
A few people have reported lag with certain bluetooth adapters. I haven’t seen it with any of the hardware I’ve used, but if you encounter it, you can always get a different bluetooth adapter or exchange the controller for some other model.
Never buy a PS4/5 or switch controller they are all overpriced garbage they intentionally make for ewaste landfills in 2-4 years.
I really like my gulikit king Kong 2 and they made a elite controller style one with the 3rd version so I’d recommend that. They’re hall effect joysticks which feel real nice and are easy to repair and customize.
Using my dual shock 4 controller since 2013 on PC but sure buddy
You’re right, Im attacking you directly
Bullshit is bullshit.
Bullshit is not bullshit https://youtu.be/-H4-12ON40Q?si=k9Dz99TkqTbv5Sdw
It’s really hard to beat a branded Xbox controller, these days. I was extremely skeptical for a long time, then I gave one a shot, and there’s no going back.
Don’t buy steelseries.
I like the DualSense controller. Yes, it’s “for playstation” but all controllers work on PC nowadays. Especially on Linux, the driver for PS controllers is in the kernel, and they can work both wired and via Bluetooth.
It even supports using the special features of the DualSense in some games, like the adaptive triggers when playing Rift Apart or Forbidden West.
And the touchpad works as a mouse, which is handy.
I don’t have a ton to add to this, but the Playstation controllers even pair with mobile devices with basically no setup. It’s impressive
I had a Dualsense and I loved it. it served me well until it met its end to a can of Soda and my Cat. Now I use my Childhood DualShock 3 to game. It has no where near as many QoL features as its younger brother (like the touchpad). But it’s so fucking durable.
Like others said, driver support for console controllers is pretty good through the board.
My suggestion: try them out, maybe in a local store on their demo stations (pretty regular around here at least) or by ordering and returning the one you don’t like.
I personally like the controller layout of the XBox controller more than the PlayStation one. But it comes down to preference. So definitely test drive to find the best suit for you.
An 8bitdo Ultimate.
There, decision done, express lane service.
Bingo. Get the Pro also.
I use the 8bitdo Pro for platforming because of the d-pad makes it feel like a SNES controller. And the 8bitdo Ultimate for games where I need joysticks.
Just checked, looks like they are wired. I get it for certain games, but generally I prefer the convenience of wireless.
They come wired and wireless.
I second this, great manufacturer. The 8BitDo Pro 2 is my personal preference. It looks like a Playstation and SNES controller did the fusion dance. I liked it so much I bought two: one for my PC and one for my Switch. It has a quality feel to it, excellent tactile response, and feels very comfortable in my hands.
I chose the Ultimate BT variant because you know, Bluetooth and the Hall Effect joystick.
I bought a pack of ABXY buttons with the Xbox color scheme and layout just to make it look like the non-BT variant.
The Ultimate 2.4 has right now bluetooth and hall effect sensors as well. I couldn’t get it to pair with the switch though I didn’t try super hard. It works on Bluetooth with my Android TV but for whatever reason ignores the customized buttons (I keep accidentally pressing the wing buttons on the bottom) so I use the dongle on the TV.
I recommend going to a pawn shop. They likely have a variety of late model controllers. You can then hold them and see which speaks to you. I bought a ps5 controller from a pawn shop for like $50 over a year ago and I’ve loved it. I use it over Bluetooth with steam and I get rumble and all that.
For PC, I would personally suggest looking for a controller with two things. Number 1, Hall effect sensors. Eliminate stick drift entirely with that alone. Number 2, replaceable joysticks. If the sticks last a long time, then the controller is expected to last longer. I just think having a way to replace work rubber is a good thing. Personally, I have loved Gulikit. My controller also happens to work on switch as well. Here is a link of you are interested in checking it out. Note that that is the controller I have, but you should definitely look at the different models. My controller has lasted about 3 years now. I used to go through PS5 controllers in about 6 months.
How does Gulikit have a whole-ass website with zero links to actually buy their products?
That is a totally fair question and one that I simply overlooked. Technically you can buy Gulikit through Amazon. I personally appreciate that the cost of it doesn’t go up over like a regular controller. Scuf did me dirty, I had a scuf for all of two months before the lb button fell apart and they refused to repair it. That thing cost me $185. This controller cost me $70.90 and has lasted me about two years. Here is a link to the Gulikit store on Amazon. I do recommend making sure it is from that store. I don’t know anything about it, but there is a AKNES store which sells gulikt controllers. https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/BCC8C06B-7BF5-4D6C-A9A0-6290B8091F02?ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_ast_store_VJNBFMTJC962ENMFECCM
On an unrelated note, if you have joy cons with stick drift (who doesn’t have these) then Gulikit also sells just the stick modules so you can fix it for good.
Amazon still does that dumb shit where they allow them to sell a dozen different products on the same listing. And the names are all mislabeled so I don’t even know what product I’m looking at.
If you want wireless, one thing to be concerned about is the latency of the gamepad. https://gamepadla.com tests many controllers for their latency.
Personally, I’ve just gone with xbox with their PC dongle. I only like controllers with the sticks in the xbox/nintendo configuration and the latency is great with their dongle. I also like that it uses standard batteries so I just keep some rechargables at hand for when it runs out. On the downsides, there is no low battery indication on the controller, so occasionally it just dies in the middle of use.
I also use and recommend Xbox controllers. Although I wish I knew about these cool high end brands before I bought. I grew up in a time where all third party controllers were trash, and I carried that opinion for too long.
Unfortunately even the “cool high-end brands” don’t seem to beat the Xbox controller.
I read this thread and I saw 8bitdo recommended a lot and I’ve seen them recommended elsewhere. The hall effect sticks seem to be the gold standard.
My main issue with the Xbox controllers (mine are for Xbox one) is the d-pad. It’s not terrible but it’s not even as good as say a super Nintendo controller for fighting games and retro games in general.
8bitdo ultimate v2 via dongle is alright except it disconnects by itself every now and then and refuses to reconnect unless you walk right up to the dongle and try turning the controller on a few times.
Same and the reviews seem good but not great. Cheap feel, mushy buttons, trigger issues when used long term, and the sticks not being ultra-precise.
Seems like a good controller but if I’m going to buy another one I want to buy a great controller.
My current focus:
- hall effect sensor to avoid stick drift
- i prefer the xbox layout for sticks
- abxy button layout, because not all pc games support ps buttons
- cabel, cuz lighter and no sudden loss of input
xbox series controller is my fave controller and works flawless with linux
I use an Xbox controller with Linux. Only issue I ran into was a firmware update for the controller before it would work with Linux. I had to do the firmware upgrade through a Windows VM.
I’m personally looking for a Hall effect joystick, ps5 style layout, wireless capable, plays nice with Linux game controller. Seems like I’ve seen flydigi as a potential option, and maybe some 8bitdo ones. Maybe scuf?
One major issue I’ve had is my ps4 controller doesn’t have multipoint, meaning it will only Bluetooth pair to a single device at a time. Wanna use it on your phone? Gotta pair it. Wanna use it again on your pc — yep, gotta pair it again. Reaaaaallly annoying.
My PS4 controller doesn’t even pair to my Linux desktop, I’ve tried just about everything you can think of but it only works via USB cable. My Xbox 360 controller, Xbox One X, and Xbox Series X controllers all work on Linux just fine and work better on Linux than they would on Windows thanks to xpadneo.
Didn’t a Japanese company make a controller with native steam input? Is that controller any good? The thing with 8bitdo and the like is you can’t map back paddles to unique inputs via steam and they only can duplicate face buttons by programming the controller iirc.
I have a gulikit kk3, but I don’t love the dongle and don’t love the lack of native steam controller configuration for back paddles. Other than that, the hardware has been good for me.
8BitDo Pro 2 is one of the best controllers I’ve tried.
- PlayStation Analog Stick Placement
- New version has hall effect sticks.
- Compatible with everything.
- They offer replacement parts.
- Decent battery life.
I’m not a PS layout kind of person. I looked at the more Xbox designed ones, but don’t folks say the ergonomics aren’t great? They have yours wrists or hands almost at parallel angles instead of a more open position based on the grip design? I almost went
Hori just made one but I think it’s Japan only and I don’t think it has back buttons. The KK3 is my current favorite. You don’t have to use the dongle. Bluetooth and wired work as well but Bluetooth is slow compared to the dongle.
I game on PC every day, and I always use a controller. I’ve tried many different controllers over the years, and most of them have had issues right out of the box. Only one controller has been perfect. The razer wolverine v2.
https://www.razer.com/ca-en/console-controllers/razer-wolverine-v2
It is super well built, and has a nice heavy feel that feels great if your hands are slightly larger than average. The thumb sticks are very grippy, have uniform resistance in every direction so you can be super accurate, and have zero stick drift after years of intense gaming. The face buttons have a mouse click feel to them, which I love. I always hated the face buttons on other controllers, including the genuine Xbox Controller, because they felt mushy and have inconsistent press and release.
I’ve tried 8bitdo, they felt cheap and uncomfortable. I’ve tried the Xbox Elite Controller, but it had tons of quality issues. I haven’t tried Scuf, so I can’t comment on that. But this razer controller is by far the best. Once you’ve used these clicky face buttons, you’ll never want to go back to a normal controller.
I highly highly highly recommend it. The only downside is that it’s wired, but they have a more expensive version that is wireless.
Unrelated to the actual question but related to the title: Check if the controller fits your hand size. For example, I don’t like the Xbox controller and much prefer the ps4 ones since they fit in my small hands better.
This.
My husband swears by his Nintendo Pro controller, but he also has historically liked Xbox controllers.
Those options are too large to be comfortable in my hands, so I tend to go for undocked JoyCons and PlayStation controllers because they are better fits for me.
I use a PS4 controller for PC gaming. I definitely wouldn’t buy a specific controller for my PC without actually holding a sample in my hands first.
Pro tip: Buy silicone ergonomic grips for your joycons, they’ll stay small but your palms will be able to rest on them instead of floating in the air
