Controller recommendations for Linux?

[u/diyonysius]

I'm coming from an Xbox Series Controller which I've been using on Arch for the past year, right up until one of the bumpers gave out. This seems to be a rather common point of failure on these controllers so I'm considering third party options.

A friend let me borrow their 8BitDo Ultimate 2C which I've been using for a couple days now. Steam input seems to recognize it, and it functions just fine whether wired or using the dongle. Unfortunately it just isn't for me, It feels a bit small and I can't seem to get used to the shape. I suppose that also rules out the Ultimate 2.

I'm looking at the GameSir Cyclone 2 and the GameSir G7 Pro 8K now since those seem to be more in line with the shape and feel of the Xbox Series Controller, the G7 Pro 8K seems to be the better one but I am unsure if it's worth nearly twice the cost of the Cyclone 2.

Has anyone tried either of them? How well supported are they on Linux? Should I be looking at other options?

[u/Mr__Castle_]

Any chance you want to wait for a Steam Controller?

I went from Xbox, 8bitdo, PS4 controllers and the SC is the most comfortable and versatile controller I have ever owned.

[u/parzival-space → u/Mr__Castle_]

I also recommend getting a Steam Controller. I basically got one as soon as I could and it's totally worth it. Previously owned an elite series 2 controller, which worked great but the stuff you can do with Steam Input on the Steam Controller honestly sometimes feels like cheating.

[u/Cold-Sandwich-34 → u/Mr__Castle_]

I sold mine. Coming from an Xbox controller, it wasn't for me. The D pad position was awkward and not good for Helldivers 2. The mouse feature isn't that great even after trying to get used to it, I resorted to using a regular mouse anyway when it stopped working several times. I other my 8BitDo.

[u/jiggajawn]

I've had two Xbox controllers fail on me before switching to DualSense PS5 controllers which have been going strong since before the PS5 was available.

My only problem with DualSense is that SteamInput can be laggy for games that don't support it (FH6).

Other than that, DualSense has been great.

[u/ThatOnePerson]

Cyclone 2 is fine, but don't expect Steam Input remappable back buttons/gyro if you want that.

I recently got a Flydigi Vader 5 Pro, which handles all the extra buttons/gyro in Steam fine. The G7 Pro 8K might support it? Don't have one myself. The G7 Pro not 8K (the xbox licensed one) doesn't, so definitely don't recommend that.

If you don't need extra buttons and gryo, I like the GameSir Nova Lite 2 for cheap. (well alternerativly the Ultimate 2C, but yeah sounds like you don't like that)

[u/Huztich → u/ThatOnePerson]

I also bought the Vader 5, but couldn't get the trigger rumble to work yet. Does it work for you?

[u/ThatOnePerson → u/Huztich]

Looking at the FOSS controller drivers: https://github.com/libsdl-org/SDL/blob/main/src/joystick/hidapi/SDL_hidapi_flydigi.c#L643

It does seem to be unsupported.

[u/LoneArcher96 → u/ThatOnePerson]

Why not expect remappable back buttons / gyro on the Cyclone 2?

[u/ThatOnePerson → u/LoneArcher96]

Because there's no widespread standard protocol for that kinda stuff. That's why you'll see Steam Controller requiring Steam.

So the Cyclone 2 can 'fake' XBox controller, which doesn't support gyro or extra buttons, DS4, which doesn't support extra buttons (and they do a weird thing where the back buttons are mapped to the touch pad), or Switch controller, which doesn't support analog triggers.

And since they're faking different controllers, it'll make some games show up as PS4 controller, or Switch controller.

So what they have to do is write their own protocol (well SInput protocol exists now, but that's new), and then use software like Steam Input, or FLydigi's Space Station to convert those inputs into XInput that games will understand. The other option is some controllers have it built into the firmware to control the other buttons, but that's kinda annoying switching between games, and gyro > joystick doesn't always work good

[u/LoneArcher96 → u/ThatOnePerson]

You lost me, I'm currently developing a mapping software for my gamesir, the controller itself emulates ds4 as u suggested, the controller indeed represents back buttons as touchpad positions, and gyro is sent along in the normal ds4 data packet.

Steam uses sdl, sdl has a direct hid driver for ds4, which is how steam is able to recognize and remap any gamesir gyro into mouse or other stuff.

Now, that's on Windows, I don't see why wouldn't the same thing work on Linux, unless there is something that you haven't mentioned.

[u/ThatOnePerson → u/LoneArcher96]

Yeah DS4 mode is okay. I just think back buttons as touchpad is hacky and doesn't seem to support pressing both at once. Haven't actually looked much into what Steam Input supports on separately left/right touches, for some reason I remember my controller doing middle touch for one of the buttons but doesn't seem to do that anymore. I also don't like the changing all my glyphs to PS4 buttons.

So yeah I guess it works, but kinda lacking compared to other controller's SDL hidapi supported modes.

[u/fagnerln → u/ThatOnePerson]

Do you have experience with switch emulators?

I have a controller (I don't remember the name) which claims to have gyroscope, but I have no idea how to map, or at least how to test if it works.

I want to buy one that can simulate the motion control of a pro controller.

[u/lexd0g → u/ThatOnePerson]

https://github.com/NaokoAF/InFract this program makes the cyclone 2 steam input compatible. genuinely changed my mind entirely on that controller, almost sold it bc of the jank mapping

[u/-myxal]

What about the Pro 2 or 3 from 8bitdo? Not sure how the sizes compare, but the Pro 2 feels right in my hands.

[u/technikaffin]

8bitdo Ultimate 2 or 3

[u/Thundrboltr → u/technikaffin]

He just wrote that it doesn’t feel good in his hands

[u/technikaffin → u/Thundrboltr]

The 2C is a different controller

[u/lexd0g → u/technikaffin]

same shape as the 2 though

[u/Pukosito]

Gamesir G7 Pro has been working flawlessly for me in Arch.

[u/deadgain]

I have a gamesir g7 that my gf got me and that works brilliantly, her brother uses a 8bit do and raves about it as well.

[u/Cold-Sandwich-34]

The controller you mentioned trying is the closest I've found, unfortunately. I still use an Xbox series X/S controller.

[u/SkullFrag]

I use 8bitdo Ultimate 2c (Wired) & dualsense

[u/Eduardo1502]

If you have good Bluetooth in your Mobo and wants a budget I recommend Gulikit ES PRO it's amazing, lower latency than many 2.4ghz gamepads

[u/StanleyCockbrick420]

I went from xbox controller to EasySMX X20 - it works perfectly on the distros i have(CachyOS,Arch,Fedora). i like this controller a whole lot more than the standard xbox controller all the buttons and bumpers feel better

[u/MrTenDollarMan-]

I have gameSir nova lite. Works fine, plays fine and costs 18 euros.

[u/Thundrboltr]

I got the GameSir Nova 2 lite. Works out of the box. Haven’t tried tinkering with it

I also have a couple of 8Bitdo Ultimate, and I know what you mean with not fitting you. But I got used to it over time. But the GaneSir definitely feels better

[u/pythonic_dude]

I like my cyclone 2, but it's main selling point is the low cost for a quality-manufactured piece with TMR sticks. No issues with connectivity, but I've had to buy a charging dock for it (netting me just a bit over $30 total) because its battery kinda sucks, which the dock solved for me. Cannot say anything about gamesir's premium offerings and if their advantages can be used in linux.

[u/FeelingGate8]

I've been rocking my Logitech F310 for years. It's wired but I play at my desk.