this post was submitted on 02 Sep 2024
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How to decide what kind of controller one should purchase? (lemm.ee)
submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by [email protected] to c/games
100 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

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

  1. xbox/ps5/switch controllers : These are for their respective consoles
  2. 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:

  1. If they are already cross-compatible, why even bother having different types?
  2. 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

  1. Hall-effect sensors are a must
  2. Default console controllers usually have stick drift
  3. If you need trackpad, take PS5
  4. 8bitdo is a reliable brand, as per multiple responses
  5. Most controllers have good support on Linux. But haptic feedback can be a hit/miss as it can be platform/game dependent
  6. There are various connectivity wireless standards. Dongles are the most reliable but you lose a USB port.
  7. Keep track of handsize/comfort and button layout
  8. PS controllers have excellent support on Linux/Steam
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[–] Copernican 5 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (8 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 months ago (5 children)

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.
[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

Their support sucks though. I had one of their controllers die on me after only 8 months of moderate use and after a way-too-long back and forth they demanded $15 to send me a new controller. Eventually we settled on $5, which is still $5 more than it should have been.

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