I need a wireless controller for my linux laptop (Kubuntu 23.04).
I don’t care how it connects (bluetooth dongle). I just want one that works. The most intense game I play is stardew valley.
8Bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth. I use it with the included dongle and it works just fine on my distro (Nobara). Kubuntu should also be fine I guess, just make sure you’re on a recent kernel (6.3+)
The main reason why I’d recommend this over others is that it has built-in macros - which is really handy for some games where you may need to press a complicated button sequence (like in fighting games), and of course, it also has the classic “turbo” feature which is handy for platformers.
The other reason is that the controller also works great with the Nintendo Switch as well as Android, so if you ever decide to game on these platforms you can reuse the same controller.
Edit: I just remembered that when I first got mine, I needed to update the firmware to get it to work correctly. You’ll need to update the firmware on both the receiver (v1.03) and the controller (v1.05). You’ll need to do this one at a time (update the receiver first, disconnect it, then connect the controller directly via USB and update it). Unfortunately the firmware updater tool works only in Windows or macOS, so that’s one drawback I guess. But maybe in the future it could get updated via LVFS/fwupd.
Came here to say this. IMO, the 8bitdo controllers are the best out there.
Agreed. The ultimate is great, and the charging dock is super convenient
Likewise I use an 8Bitdo Pro 2. Works great for me on Linux, Android, and Switch. Even has gyro support on Switch.
DK Bongo Drums
I’ve had really good experiences with PS5 DualSense controllers. They connect via Bluetooth or USB-C and have official support for the Linux kernel. The touchpad also works as a mouse out of the box which is really convenient.
Anything 8bitdo.
The new 8bitdo one with hall effect joysticks is very nice. Has both Bluetooth and a wireless dongle and there’s a hardware switch on the back so you can switch between them on the fly (meaning you can connect two devices and easily switch between)
If you have bluetooth on your PC you can use any Xbox controller (from Xbox One up). They are the perfect standard. Grab some rechargeable double As and the controller will last literally forever and is compatible with everything. Or a battery pack even from third party brands. I know many people complain about it using double As but its actually a great thing, double As last 20x longer than any battery and you can use rechargeable ones and don’t worry about your controller dying as it ages.
I can’t get Xbox controllers to work over Bluetooth.
You mean you have an Xbox controller that supports bt but you can’t get it to work on Linux, or you have an Xbox controller and it doesn’t seem to support bt?
Because they started adding bt to xbone controllers half way through their cycle, so not all of them have it. Refer to msft’s picture to tell them apart.
IMO Xbox controllers are the way to go. BT works fine for me on Linux these days. Not sure if it’s steam doing it or what.
Has bt. Linux says it’s connected. But the Xbox light doesn’t stop blinking. Then just goes dark…
Ok, I definitely had that happen before. I’m trying to remember what I did to fix it. Are you trying to use one of the xpad or xboxdrv packages? I think the solution that’s currently working for me is not using either of them. I removed them and I think it must be steam that’s making it work for me.
Or if you’re not using either of those, then maybe try them out lol. It sucks how finicky it can be to get it working, but I still prefer Xbox controllers.
The latency with Bluetooth is really bad.
This is mostly a myth with modern controllers. Either your pc Bluetooth is very old, or you are using very old controllers. Modern bluetooth controllers connected to modern bluetooth receivers do not give any noticeable latency.
No, I am not. I have used the current Xbox controllers on both windows and Linux on multiple modern systems with Bluetooth and they’re completely unusable without the dongle every single time. I’ve never had anyone not notice.
The latency is obscene.
Out of curiosity, are you using WiFi, and what frequency?
A little while ago I had an issue where my controller would interfere with my 2.4GHz WiFi and make my computer basically unusable for online games. This isn’t really the same situation but I imagine something similar could happen in reverse.
Otherwise I’ve never had any issues with controller latency though. It’s weird that it’s so significant for you.
Multiple physical locations and network setups. It doesn’t matter.
Bluetooth is substantially higher latency and lower stability than the proprietary adapter. It’s fine if you can tolerate it, but the performance isn’t the same.
I play Dirt Rally 2, I’m not seeing any issues.
If it doesn’t bug you, more power to you. Maybe it’s because you’re playing a racing game where an input doesn’t immediately hit the screen anyways. Hitting the gas takes time to accelerate, steering is about gradually modifying your lines, etc.
But it’s definitely there, in both windows and Linux.
Sim racers are pretty demanding on reaction time, rally in particular, where all controls have to work instantly (including gear shift, handbrake and clutch).
Also, what else am I going to play on controller? Racing and platformers are the most demanding games for it, I’m not going to play shooters with controller. 🙂
I had compatible issues with an Xbox series controller via Bluetooth. Even after installing all the proprietary drivers and such.
Well I use one Series X original controller that came with my Xbox series X on my Nobara desktop almost daily. Zero issues. Maybe it depends on the distro or kernel version. I didn’t have to install any drivers whatsoever
My Xbox Wireless Controller couldn’t connect with Bluetooth until after a firmware update. The update required a Windows machine and the Xbox Accessories app (VM didn’t work) or an Xbox One (360 didn’t work).
Damn how old is your controller? My series X controller worked from day one. Zero configuration needed. Nobara Linux. I use it almost everyday for hours, zero problems
I looked it up and it seems to be the 2020 version. I recently got it with a Steam Deck that I bought second hand.
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I use a DualSense, an 8BitDo Pro2, and a Switch Pro controller.
My favourite by far is the DualSense: motion control works (unlike the 8BitDo), and the touchpad is really useful to control the mouse cursor in menus. The buttons are also shorter and real more reactive. It’s on the bigger size, which may or may not be a good thing for you. I have smaller hands, so for me it’s not as comfortable as the 8BitDo, but it’s definitely bearable, and I still use it over my 8BitDo Pro2.
The Switch Pro controller is a pain in some games (last time I tried, it was so bugged it was unusable with Dead Cells), and I don’t see any real advantage it would have over an 8BitDo Pro2. Maybe the motion control? I don’t know if it works or not, I have never tested it.
The Xbox one is good and it’s the standard layout on PC, so this is probably your pick.
I love my Steam Controller since is very customizable and a pretty unique hardware, but it may require config steps.
8bitdo stuff is usually good but pay attention on layout buttons.
Never tested a PS controller on PC but Steam should allow to play some game with the PS buttons on screen.
Personally waiting for the leaked Xbox controller to come out.
I like the dualsense5 controllers for the PS5. The trackpad is a handy feature to have.
@TxTechnician Xbox One S controllers work pretty well on Bluetooth. I can connect 4 controllers at the same time but more than 2 is not really stable. And if you don’t mind some tweaking, they work better with https://atar-axis.github.io/xpadneo/.
I also used Logitech F310 without any problem. Oh, and steam controller works well too.Three PCs two different containers. I cannot get Xbox controllers to work with Linux over Bluetooth.
@TxTechnician interesting, are you sure your controllers support BT? I’ve been successfully using them with both of my laptops and steam deck. The key configuration can be a problem but xpadneo solves that. I love their ergonomics.
Well, now I remember that I couldn’t connect one of the latest generation controllers to one of my laptops. It needed BT LE and the laptop didn’t support it. But One S controllers are fine.
I know they work with windows. Maybe it is the bt version.
DS5 is probably the best you can choose. The build quality is good and they work fine with Linux via Bluetooth. Also it is not some exotic choice and is widely supported.
The Xbox controllers are also working fine, but they are lacking the gyro and touchpad. Also the build quality wasn’t great when I used one the last time (A button not registering every press and wonky d-pad). They are a bit cheaper, but also much worse imo.
I am using the Xbox One controller. I had to pair it with Windows once to fix a connection problem, but now it’s problem-free. I’m pretty sure that the problem and solution was described on Arch Wiki but I can’t find it now. Basically it was stuck on disconnecting and connecting again until Windows didn’t update its firmware
You should be able to use pretty much any Bluetooth controller just try to avoid the Bluetooth low Energie LE controller my stadia controller that i resenty bought doesn’t work on many distos Nobara no problem if you use arch forget it
