Current Events > Controller for Steam?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I see some games only support certain controllers.

I want to play New Vegas and GTA4. I beleive GTA4 only supports an Xbox controller. Im unsure on NV. Anyone got any insight? Im led to believe a wired 360 is the best choice overall but want to check.

They actually announced a new Steam controller like days ago, but it looks like a generic Xbox controller so *shrugs*

Here's the one I use:

ZD-V+ USB Wired Gaming Controller Gamepad For PC/Laptop Computer(Windows XP/7/8/10/11) & PS3 & Android & Steam - [Black] https://a.co/d/0cUEyLY5

Notable features:

- It has the dumbass Xbox button names, which is important because so does every PC game.

- It has the symmetrical joysticks because who the hell ever though having them offset was a good idea?

- Shoulders are PS2 -style (analog, but non-trigger).

I can check later if Steam says it supports mine for those games. Steam thinks it's a generic Xbox controller.

I use a PS5 controller. Only downside is some games (mostly non Steam ones) require me to run DS4Windows for the controller to work with them.

I use a PS4 controller

Just get an Xbox controller with the wireless adapter. Plug the adapter into your PC and you will be good to go.

I bought an Xbox series x controller to use for it. Windows and Steam recognize it no problem.

i've used an 8BitDo for the past few years, two different ones, and they were legit. works with every game. the one i use now is the sn30pro+, apparently. i like the way it feels, works great.

@SHRIKE

one of the best options, except cant play wired (have to use usb dongle on pc or console)

https://8bitmods.com/retro-bit-sega-saturn-pro-wireless-2-4g-controller-black/

I would just avoid a playstation controller, although I'm pretty sure steam can make them work even for games that don't support them. Personally I always liked an xbox controller, and they work without any hassle on Windows.

SocialistGamer posted...

Just get an Xbox controller with the wireless adapter. Plug the adapter into your PC and you will be good to go.

That's what I'm thinking. It seems a lot of games will work with PS controller but might needing some faffing \ joy2key or similar whereas an Xbox one is pretty much universally supported.

kind9 posted...

I would just avoid a playstation controller, although I'm pretty sure steam can make them work even for games that don't support them. Personally I always liked an xbox controller, and they work without any hassle on Windows.

Exactly the route I think I'm taking. Does it matter which one? I might even have an old Xbox 360 Wired Controller somewhere.

Do you play fighters often or games that require the 6 face buttons on the right?

SHRlKE posted...

Exactly the route I think I'm taking. Does it matter which one?

Not to my knowledge. My current one is an xbox one, but my 360 controller works just as well.

TimeCrisis posted...

Do you play fighters often or games that require the 6 face buttons on the right?

Not on PC.

Id still recommend he Retrobit I linked to (for retro games, platformers, etc) but a regular XSX controller will work just as well

SHRlKE posted...

Exactly the route I think I'm taking. Does it matter which one? I might even have an old Xbox 360 Wired Controller somewhere.

Xbox One and Series controllers work with the adapter if you want wireless. Idk about 360 controllers.

Steam Input has made things like DS4Windows obsolete. Steam will handle all controllers seamlessly. The only issue you'll have is that not all games will swap the button prompts to PlayStation or Nintendo and will simply show you the Xbox button prompts.

Probo93 posted...

I use a PS5 controller. Only downside is some games (mostly non Steam ones) require me to run DS4Windows for the controller to work with them.

Well there's also the issue of most games not having Dualshock prompts, which is dumb.

I personally use a DS4 controller but the battery life is garbage in comparison to my DS3 controller that died.

Trelve posted...

Steam Input has made things like DS4Windows obsolete. Steam will handle all controllers seamlessly. The only issue you'll have is that not all games will swap the button prompts to PlayStation or Nintendo and will simply show you the Xbox button prompts.

I didn't even consider that you can add non-steam games to steam to get the PS controller support. DS4Windows never worked right for me.

Tropicalwood posted...

Well there's also the issue of most games not having Dualshock prompts, which is dumb.

I personally use a DS4 controller but the battery life is garbage in comparison to my DS3 controller that died.

True lol any game that doesn't have the option to change prompts sucks but it's still manageable even if it trips me up from time to time

im currently playing with an Xbox Series S/X controller on Steam.

definitely my controller of choice!

I use and Xbox Elite 2.

get a series X controller and a cheap ass Bluetooth adapter if your PC doesn't already support it.

https://www.8bitdo.com/ultimate-bluetooth-controller/

Trelve posted...

Steam Input has made things like DS4Windows obsolete. Steam will handle all controllers seamlessly. The only issue you'll have is that not all games will swap the button prompts to PlayStation or Nintendo and will simply show you the Xbox button prompts.

this.

RetuenOfDevsman posted...

They actually announced a new Steam controller like days ago, but it looks like a generic Xbox controller so *shrugs*

looks like it's JP only for now?

SHRlKE posted...

Im led to believe a wired 360 is the best choice overall

360 has the most overrated controller of all time

Use a Nintendo controller

The dpad sucks on the 360 controller

MagiMarthKoopa posted...

360 has the most overrated controller of all time

100% agree, but the Xbone and XSeX really improved upon the design

MagiMarthKoopa posted...

Use a Nintendo controller

can't agree here though, never could get a Switch Pro controller working just right on PC

8BitDo Pro 2 is what I use

Xbox Series X controller rocks.

Supports Bluetooth control for wireless and regular USB-C cable if you want to go wired. No special drivers or set up required

wireless 8bitdo

i used to be very anti-wireless but the tech is finally here. Input lag is around 15-20ms, which is shorter than 1/60 of a second--meaning no input lag for precision gaming (Street Fighter, platformers, etc).

it's great!

FL81 posted...

can't agree here though, never could get a Switch Pro controller working just right on PC

I just use a cheap Mayflash wireless adapter that makes them recognized as an xinput controller

8bitdo ultimate is almost perfect. almost perfect for 50 bucks isn't a bad deal. if it had switch's exact form factor and flatter face buttons like playstation, i'd never need another pc controller. integrates seamlessly, turns off and on with no issue (xbox and dual sense gave me issues), good battery. could be improved with feel, but i have no real complaints aside from that.

I use a PS4 controller

I've had no problems w/ 90% of games using a Nacon wired ps4 controller.

the only games that gave issues were older games from pre-2010, two that come to mind are hitman blood money and fallout new vegas.
blood money didn't work at all w/ a controller plugged in, and new vegas only reads controller input if a controller is connected when the game starts

i was able to play GTA4 w/o any issues using that controller, the only thing is that the game shows xbox control prompts rather than playstation (not an issue imo)

Every controller has its pros and cons and it often boils down to really miniscule personal tastes.

If you want the easiest, zero-bullshit experience, go with an Xbox Series or One controller. The Series controller is a lot more comfortable than the previous gen but is extremely loud. You'll be missing out on gyro/motion support though. I'd avoid the 360 controller as the d-pad hasn't aged well and the triggers are greatly improved on newer models.

If you enjoy the PlayStation layout, go with a DualSense. It's the most comfortable PS controller while having all the modern features like haptics, gyro/motion and the touchpad. Playing non-Steam games can sometimes require something like DSX/DS4Windows to spoof an Xbox controller but a lot of games are being released (and updated) with native SDL support.

If you want a controller with insanely long battery life, go with a Switch Pro controller. It's comfortable, has great feeling buttons and has haptics and gyro/motion support but lacks analog triggers and has a crappy d-pad.

If you want to use something from a different brand, go with an 8BitDo Ultimate. It's pretty much the best of the Xbox/Switch controller and has software to let you fine tune your experience.

My own ranking would be this: PS5 > Xbox Series > 8BitDo Ultimate > Xbox One > PS4 > Switch Pro > Xbox 360

If you just want something that mindlessly works, you can't go wrong with an Xbox controller. I don't think I've run into a single game from the last 20 years or so that doesn't work out of the box with it.

The Elite controller was fantastic, except the shoulder buttons kept on crapping out. Had mine replaced 3 times before it went out of warranty and crapped out the same way a 4th time.

I'm currently using a PS5 controller after having an awful time with the Elite controllers and have basically no problem with anything that runs through Steam. Increasing numbers of games have the proper prompts and I prefer the design over Xbox. However, you do have to do the odd bit of troubleshooting at times.