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!
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 have four different 8Bitdo controllers and they run great!! Highly recommend
My other main gamepad is an old google stadia controller which also works really well.
FYI if you have bluetooth sync issues you just have to factory reset it by holding down Assistant and Capture for 6 seconds then pair again.
:)
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.
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.
I’ve narrowed my options and 2C is one of the contenders. The bad is it’s almost impossible to get one in my country… I believe Amazon would be solution, but I’d rather avoid it.
Same for me, I found it on proshop, they ship to my country. I think the 2c has gotten an update, maybe you can find that one!
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.
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’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€.
How is the build quality of these? They’re available locally for me, for decent price, but reviews are mixed bag. Some say it’s the cheapest and shittiest piece of plastic with questionable durability, others say it’s decent…
I’d happily recommend it to an adult on a tight budget, but it’s not premium. It’s a lightweight, soft plastic with a textured surface where you’d want it that I think feels nice but I can see why some might not. It will not survive an afternoon with an eight year old with anger issues, but I treat mine with some care and put it back in the (very cheap and flimsy, but included) plastic case it came with and I’m not worried about it. It’s decent enough, imo.
The problem with recommending controllers is that so much of this is subjective. I wanted something that felt more like the Switch buttons than my wired PDP Afterglow Xbox controller did (hate that thing), and what I got was exactly what I wanted and was impressed for what I spent on it. I don’t have an 8BitDo Ultimate 2C to compare it to which seems to be the direct competition in the price point (seriously, check out the Retro Game Corps vid ) - and there were some trade offs for both - 8BitDo was maybe slightly more premium feeling but similarly light and had Android only Bluetooth and wouldn’t work with my Switch, the GameSir has firmware upgrade issues (don’t upgrade the firmware!). Honestly, if you can get the 8BitDo, that might be the better choice for your use case - with the dongle it has a higher polling rate so less input latency, but I’m not playing anything where I’d even notice that. Also I suspect I prefer the ergonomics of the GameSir, but again that’s subjective. Or just buy one of the more expensive 8BitDo controllers, it sounds like you’re on less of a tight budget than I was.
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)
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
Try the Xbox controller.
The PS5 DualSense controller is my favorite. It’s touchpad reduces the frequency I need to reach for the mouse and keyboard which is great for the htpc
Second this, and all functionality worked over USB right out of the box. Didn’t have to config my Arch (btw) install at all. Literally plug and play. Easier than all the fiddling I had to do with windows.
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.
Gulikit make some good pads with hall effect sensors (and aftermarket hall effect sticks for things like the steamdeck). Dunno if they make versions with their own receiver tho.
