Gamepad for Linux Gaming?

Submitted ⁨⁨12⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago⁩ by ⁨sonofearth@lemmy.world⁩ to ⁨games@lemmy.world⁩

I’ve got a small backlog of games on my laptop (running Arch Linux with KDE) through Lutris. I usually play with a keyboard and a mouse, but since I sit pretty close to my screen (ik bad habit), it starts getting uncomfortable after a while. So I’ve been thinking about picking up a gamepad for some more relaxed, couch style gaming.

I’ve never actually owned a gamepad or a console before, so this would be my first time. From what I’ve seen on Reddit, a lot of people seem to have good experiences using Xbox controllers on Linux. I just wanted to get some more insight before buying one to make sure I’m making the right choice.

I’m also planning to grab a second controller so my girlfriend and I can play some local multiplayer games together.

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zod000@lemmy.dbzer0.com ⁨1⁩ ⁨hour⁩ ago
I have been using my Sony DS4 gamepad (wired) with no issues, requires no setup. DS5 gamepads also work well, but I had extra DS4 controllers just sitting around. I greatly prefer them to any of the Xbox gamepad personally.

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loie@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
hey here’s a post about the 11/11 sale, several controllers are listed. Gamesir nova lite for $13 looks like a good deal to me.

youtube.com/…/UgkxXw1mUwS-ZNHz22lKG4b8IC2DafU3xIF…

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prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone ⁨3⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
I use an XBone controller and it worked without having to tweak or change anything

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Nibodhika@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
I have lots of different controllers, and have had even more through the years. My personal recommendation is the 8BitDo Ultimate 2, should be plug and play either on wired, wireless or Bluetooth on most modern distros, comes with a stand for charging so you never have the issue of picking the controller and being out of batteries, has Hall-Effect track pads so you won’t get drift with time, has 2 extra back buttons which are configurable on steam. Plus specifically against each other major controller:

Pros over Xbox controllers:

No need to install any driver

Batteries included

Pros over Playstation controllers:

Most games show ABXY glyphs
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- sonofearth@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
  Thanks. Unfortunately this one’s on the expensive side and I am not a hardcore gamer. I think I will go with the ultimate C wired as it is in my budget as well as seems to work with Linux (atleast via steam; got mixed reviews with Lutris from some folks in the comments).
  
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  - Nibodhika@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
    Fair enough, the ultimate 2 is the same price as the Xbox and Playstation, so I guess those are also outside your range. The ultimate 2C wireless is only $5 more than the wired, I think that’s a good benefit for that price difference, but even the wired should be good since 8BitDo does good hardware.
    
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ampersandrew@lemmy.world ⁨12⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
Yeah, Xbox controllers are pretty much standard. Comfortable, not overpriced, great compatibility with everything, no fuss. Newer ones, from the past several years now, will have Nintendo-style d pads, now that the patent has expired, and connect via bluetooth for wireless play or with a USB C cable to save on batteries. Speaking of batteries, it uses AAs, which means that you can actually swap them when they get low, as opposed to PlayStation controllers where batteries don’t last long and they aren’t really exposed for you to access them. I’m not going to tell you Xbox controllers are the be-all, end-all, but there’s a high chance it’s all you need.

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- Zarxrax@lemmy.world ⁨12⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
  I tried out Linux a few months back, and one of the things I could never get working was my Bluetooth Xbox controller. The controller would just blink and never connect to the Bluetooth. Any idea what needs to be done to get it working? I was kind of annoyed that it didn’t just work since it’s such a popular controller.
  
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  - cecilkorik@lemmy.ca ⁨9⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
    As a veteran of gaming on Linux for several years, I have to admit I keep a small collection of various usb bluetooth dongles, because honestly, built-in bluetooth support still remains questionable and unreliable in many cases, at least for me and the systems I use it on. I don’t necessarily blame Linux as much as I blame the manufacturers of the chips and devices, but unfortunately we have to live with the chaos that their reverse-engineered-firmware-reliant devices create. Any cheapass bluetooth dongle is probably fine, the cheaper and more ubiquitous it is, the more likely it uses the same shitty chinese chip that all the others use and that a bunch of someones already hammered out drivers for, but honestly even with multiple different models and brands it still seems like a crapshoot which one feels like working properly at any given time, but usually one or the other will work and get things to connect, and it’s usually perfectly reliable once all the drivers have loaded and it’s all paired up and things start working. The struggle is real, though.
    
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  - ampersandrew@lemmy.world ⁨12⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
    Not me, sorry. On desktop Linux, I’m always wired, and the bluetooth always just worked when I needed it on Bazzite or Steam Deck, but maybe someone else here will know.
    
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  - 1adam12@lemmy.ml ⁨11⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
    Idk if it’s the solution to your problem but I install xpadneo and never have issues.
    
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  - KoboldCoterie@pawb.social ⁨11⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
    For what it’s worth, this wired alternative is almost identical to an xbox one controller except for the rumble motor, which is markedly lower quality. If that doesn’t bother you, it’s also less than half the price, and works out of the box in all distros I’ve tried.
    
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Kanzar@sh.itjust.works ⁨12⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
My favourite 3rd party controller, which according to this article is compatible with Linux: gamingonlinux.com/…/the-8bitdo-ultimate-2-wireles…

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- carotte@lemmy.blahaj.zone ⁨12⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
  can second 8BitDo, their stuff is awesome
  
  for 2D games (or games that are played with a d-pad rather), their Pro line is also very good! i have the Pro 2, and it works fantastic with Linux. idk about the Pro 3 but i can’t imagine it would be much different, and i heard the d-pad on that one is even better
  
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- LiveLM@lemmy.zip ⁨11⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
  This is also my recommendation.
  Even if you don’t care about any of the extra features, the fact you get a dock, 2.4g dongle and hall effect sticks makes it a better purchase that any Xbox controller
  
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darkreader2636@lemmy.zip ⁨6⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
Logitech’s F310 and F710 still holds up today(and they’re pretty cheap)

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- jjjalljs@ttrpg.network ⁨1⁩ ⁨hour⁩ ago
  I think that’s the one I have. They don’t make them like they used to. The Logitech controller I had in like 2008 lasted for ten years. The new one’s right shoulder button stopped working after like two.
  
  The good news is they honored their warranty and sent me a new one for free.
  
  But then the left joystick stopped going all the way up+left.
  
  But then honored the warranty again! That one is still kicking.
  
  So the lesson is: keep your receipt if you buy Logitech.
  
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who@feddit.org ⁨10⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
Sony’s DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers are plug & play on Linux. (IIRC, Sony contributed native drivers.) They work nicely over USB or Bluetooth. Their motion controls are great if you ever play certain console emulators or want to map them to mouse-like movement in Steam Input. (I use this for free look in flight sims.) The built-in touchpad is nice for navigating menus on PC games without having to reach for the mouse.

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- Holytimes@sh.itjust.works ⁨8⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
  Dualsense controllers are likely the best controllers you can buy for PC gaming.
  
  Fully supported feature set, including microvibrations the pressure triggers and even the mic and speaker. The touch pad is a god send for PC gaming too.
  
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  - Link@rentadrunk.org ⁨58⁩ ⁨minutes⁩ ago
    Haptic vibrations aren’t supported over Bluetooth and aren’t supported in all games when using Proton even though it works correctly on Windows.
    
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  - prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone ⁨3⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
    DualSense are just the best controllers out there, in terms of features, period.
    
    I think I prefer the feel and layout of XBone controller though
    
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oyzmo@lemmy.world ⁨5⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
8bitdos work great. I got several, most happy with the Pro 2. The only downside is that they stopped supporting firmware updates in Linux, so you have to use a VM with Windows and USB passthrough to update the pad.

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salacious_coaster@infosec.pub ⁨11⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
8bitdo USB controller was plug and play for me

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- sonofearth@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
  Yeah I was looking at that as a lot of folks mentioned the brand. The wireless is super expensive, even more than the original xbox controller. But the wired one is literally half the price.
  
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  - BurgerBaron@piefed.social ⁨2⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
    I wouldn’t use bluetooth due to input delay, but the 2.4Ghz wireless dongle 8bitdo sold separately at the time I was buying Pro 2 controllers was plug and play on Linux. Same goes for their Arcade Sticks.
    
    If wired is okay then yeah that’ll work well. I always try to list flaws in stuff I own as well, so: Pro 2 the input method sliding switch on the rear of the controller is the weak spot in the design. If you frequently use that it’ll eventually cause spotty connection issues according to complaints I’ve read over the years. The D-Pad isn’t something you’d want to use for fighting games, but I love it for retro. Very NES-like.
    
    Mine very rarely leave xinput so it’s been fine for me.
    
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  - cecilkorik@lemmy.ca ⁨9⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
    Its wireless is much more compatible, supporting several different connection methods for use with different proprietary systems, and is just generally a better and more capable device. They’re worth every penny, IMHO. 8bitdo’s quality changed my opinion on gaming controllers that had developed after years of being frustrated by cheap, wonky, second-rate, third-party garbage controllers like MadCatz and Logitech that used “features” to cover for the fact that they were cheaply made, overpriced, and deeply inferior. 8bitdo controllers are the only ones I trust anymore. Even Nintendo apparently can’t be trusted to make quality controllers for their own systems anymore. But 8bitdo can.
    
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missingno@fedia.io ⁨11⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
I will forever swear by the 8BitDo Pro 2

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impudentmortal@lemmy.world ⁨10⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
I love my 8Bitdo Ultimate controller. It’s comfortable to use and holds a decent charge. Having a charging stand is really useful too. If you have multiple non-PC devices, I would recommend getting the Pro version so that you can use Bluetooth. Otherwise, the USB one will work well.

Only other minor negative is that the d-pad is a little mushy so I will occasionally hit the wrong direction accidentally. So not the greatest for fighting games.

If you don’t need the charging stand, there are cheaper USB only controllers too.

Lastly, if you want to try to improve your posture, my family bought some chair restraint straps for my grandma who kept tilting in her chair. The ones I linked aren’t what we got her but they were the cheapest I could find. You may also want to get your eyes checked. Could be the reason you’re leaning forwards so much is because you can’t see as clearly as you think.

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DesolateMood@lemmy.zip ⁨12⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
I would recommend grabbing a third party controller since for some reason ($$$), none of the big three consoles make first party controllers with hall effect sticks. Search on Amazon for “Xbox hall effect controller” and 99% of the results will work fine. Off the top of my head, I know 8BitDo and GameSir are reputable brands

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- hissingmeerkat@sh.itjust.works ⁨10⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
  I have a couple Beitong Asura 2 Pro+s with hall effect sensors. They work great and haven’t worn out like the litany of xbox and ds4 controllers that preceded them.
  
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MalReynolds@piefed.social ⁨8⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
I have an 8bitdo and like it as well, one thing to consider tho is Steam Controller 2 is "extremely close", might be worth holding out for that to drop atm, the original is pretty legendary and 2 seems based on steamdeck layout.

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- sonofearth@lemmy.world ⁨8⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
  Does 8bitdo work well with Lutris? I saw a video posted 5 years ago where you had to add Lutris to Steam and launch it from there for the controllers to work.
  
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  - MalReynolds@piefed.social ⁨8⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
    Sorry, don’t use Lutris, either Steam or straight to Bottles. But I’ll guess yes, with the dongle it comes up as a normal XBox controller unless you jump through hoops to get extra buttons going.
    
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_Lory98_@discuss.tchncs.de ⁨7⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
I have an 8bitdo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth (so the switch version) and it works well. I had to add the line manually to the SDL DB, as I was using the beta firmware. Default firmware works out of the box.

I’d suggest the Ultimate 2 Wireless instead as it should have full SteamInput support.

I couldn’t get the customization and update app to work under wine. It’s not a huge issue, but if you want that functionality you need to boot into windows.

Xbox Series X controller works out of the box on USB. Haven’t tried Bluetooth, but I couldn’t get the proprietary wireless dongle to work (it should work with the xone driver)

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Godort@lemmy.ca ⁨11⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
Most people here are recommending controllers with the Xbox layout. They are correct in most cases.

However, if you’re a weirdo like me that mostly plays 2D games, I highly recommend getting a Sony DS5 instead as the Dpad is in a far more ergonomic position for that.

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schnurrito@discuss.tchncs.de ⁨10⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
I don’t think there’s much difference. Any standard USB gamepad should work equally fine. I find the Xbox layout more comfortable than the PlayStation one, but this may be different for different people.

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rumschlumpel@feddit.org ⁨12⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
I’ve used xbox 360 controllers forever, works great and doesn’t rely on batteries.

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Multiplexer@discuss.tchncs.de ⁨9⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
Logitech F710, works pretty seamlessly for me on Kubuntu and Mint with GoG/Lutris.

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Suck_on_my_Presence@lemmy.world ⁨12⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
I’ve been using an Xbox pro controller for a while on my Mint setup, just plugged in. I can’t get the Bluetooth to connect and I assume it’s because I need to update the drivers for the controller via Windows. 🤷 Whatever.

But my controller bit the dust somewhat recently, so I grabbed a PS5 controller this time and it works right out of the box, no issue. I haven’t tried the Bluetooth to be honest because I’m so used to playing plugged in, but meh. The little trackpad thing on the PlayStation controller also works well as a mouse trackpad when I’m far away from my PC (like if I have it running in the living room instead of at a desk).

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- ArsonButCute@lemmy.dbzer0.com ⁨10⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
  Re: xbox
  
  You need drivers for it.
  
  wiki.archlinux.org/title/Gamepad#Xbox_Wireless_Co…
  
  While the package names and how to install them will be different since you’re on mint, this section in the Arch wiki discusses your options for Xbox controllers.
  
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warmaster@lemmy.world ⁨12⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
Xbox controllers need a Windows PC to update their drivers.

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- prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone ⁨3⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
  Yeah I dunno about all that.
  
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- rumschlumpel@feddit.org ⁨12⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
  And how often do you need to update a controller’s drivers?
  
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  - warmaster@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
    It could be right out of the box. Happened to me with 2 controllers.
    
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- Nibodhika@lemmy.world ⁨8⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
  Need is a very strong word, I’ve had Xbox controllers for years that have never seen a Windows PC.
  
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etchinghillside@reddthat.com ⁨12⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
Xbox controller is the right choice.

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_Nico198X_@europe.pub ⁨6⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
I love my Gulikit KK2! one of the best controllers i’ve ever used in 40 years of gaming. just pick up the latest one, i think the KK3.

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mesamunefire@piefed.social ⁨11⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
I’ve had good luck with generic Logitech and ps4 controllers, at least on steam + Linux.

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- prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone ⁨3⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
  If you are broke, then go for the generic Logitech. But otherwise, I would recommend staying away. My experience has been that they actually made playing games less fun because they are so shoddy.
  
  Play a couple dozen hours with a XBone or DS controller, and you will understand why they are more expensive.
  
  If I’m going to be holding this thing for potentially hundreds of hours, I’m gonna get something that’s comfortable and works well.
  
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Localhorst86@feddit.org ⁨8⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
I do have quite a few different controllers, all work fine on linux for me:

Xbox One controllers (newer models, older ones don’t support bluetooth)

8bitdo SN30 Pro 2

Gulikit KK3 Pro

Google Stadia

The Stadia Controller is not my favourite, but it still works well. I mainly use the Gulikit and 8bitdo ones, depending on the game and wether my main input is meant to be d-pad or left joystick.
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- dukemirage@lemmy.world ⁨7⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
  The Xbox controllers don’t have built-in chrager circuit, so a separate charger is needed, which is quite inconvenient. Do the others have that?
  
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  - Localhorst86@feddit.org ⁨6⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
    The Stadia Controller and the Gullikit KK3 Series have built in batteries and therefore come with their own charging circuit.
    
    The Steam Controller does not charge the batteries, you have to use an external AA charger
    
    The 8bitdo Pro 2 comes with a rechargable battery pack that sits in the AA compartment of the controller (similar to the old xbox 360 play-and-charge kits) and can be charged via USB. I don’t know if that charge function is limited to their battery pack, or if it will work with AA rechargables as well. My guess is, though, that it doesn’t, because it would have to somehow identify if the cells are actually rechargable, or if they are just alkaline batteries - trying to charge alkalines can be dangerous.
    
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magic_lobster_party@fedia.io ⁨8⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
I’ve been using the same base Xbox One controller for a while. It was easy to set up for Linux. Just had to install some extra package but after that it was good to go.

Out of all the mainline console controllers, Xbox One’s is my favorite. They really nailed it with that one.

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ArsonButCute@lemmy.dbzer0.com ⁨10⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
If you like Offset sticks, the Xbox elite series controllers are phenomenal, it will require additional drivers.

I prefer my sticks aligned, so I usually use my custom DS4 from scuf.

Sometimes I like my stadia controller, it just feels nice in the hands.

I hate the switch pro Controller, it feels… Off somehow.

For retro gaming I use an OG Xbox controller (custom USB bodge job) or my 8bitdo sn30pro+ while I like the 8bitdo, its bluetooth is Unreliable so I recommend using a cable.

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- sonofearth@lemmy.world ⁨10⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
  Well I have never used any controller or a console before. For almost 20 years I have been a keyboard+mouse guy. So for me, a plug and play controller would be nice. Bluetooth is not a priority for me rn. Given that as well as all the advice in the comments, I am leaning towards this one.
  
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