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
  • SomeGuy69@lemmy.worldEnglish
    91·
    2 months ago

    If you can get a controller with Hall effect sensor that would be top. Else just get an Xbox series controller and call it a day. If you’re generally ruff with your joystick, you might look into cheaper controller, as all with no hall joysticks might start to drift earlier.

    I’m very happy with my xbox series controller but others have less luck. But my mainboard has Bluetooth, so I can easily connect the controller. Some say you need the adapter, but I don’t, probably because it uses the newest Bluetooth version protocols.

    The best controller was my original Xbox cable controller. It lasted me 15 years or more.

  • Defaced@lemmy.worldEnglish
    5·
    2 months ago

    Is you need one with a track pad get a dualsense, otherwise 8bitdo all the way. Best third party controllers I’ve ever used.

  • AliasAKA@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    2 months ago

    I’m personally looking for a Hall effect joystick, ps5 style layout, wireless capable, plays nice with Linux game controller. Seems like I’ve seen flydigi as a potential option, and maybe some 8bitdo ones. Maybe scuf?

    One major issue I’ve had is my ps4 controller doesn’t have multipoint, meaning it will only Bluetooth pair to a single device at a time. Wanna use it on your phone? Gotta pair it. Wanna use it again on your pc — yep, gotta pair it again. Reaaaaallly annoying.

    • ipkpjersi@lemmy.mlEnglish
      2·
      2 months ago

      My PS4 controller doesn’t even pair to my Linux desktop, I’ve tried just about everything you can think of but it only works via USB cable. My Xbox 360 controller, Xbox One X, and Xbox Series X controllers all work on Linux just fine and work better on Linux than they would on Windows thanks to xpadneo.

  • raiun@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    2 months ago

    Flydigi Vader 3/4 Pro. Been using one for a couple months. Hands down best controller I have used. Hall effects, trigger locks, rear buttons, mechanical face buttons, glorious d pad. The not so fun is the crap software and joystick defaults. Once you update on pc it is great. Under $100 for either model.

  • giantofthenorth@lemmy.worldEnglish
    34·
    2 months ago

    Never buy a PS4/5 or switch controller they are all overpriced garbage they intentionally make for ewaste landfills in 2-4 years.

    I really like my gulikit king Kong 2 and they made a elite controller style one with the 3rd version so I’d recommend that. They’re hall effect joysticks which feel real nice and are easy to repair and customize.

  • EntropyPure@lemmy.worldEnglish
    6·
    2 months ago

    Like others said, driver support for console controllers is pretty good through the board.

    My suggestion: try them out, maybe in a local store on their demo stations (pretty regular around here at least) or by ordering and returning the one you don’t like.

    I personally like the controller layout of the XBox controller more than the PlayStation one. But it comes down to preference. So definitely test drive to find the best suit for you.

  • bokherif@lemmy.worldEnglish
    6·
    2 months ago

    I would just go for a PS5 controller. You get type c charging, great haptics and good compatibility (either via Steam or ds4windows). Only issue is the stick drift

    • CptEnder@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      2 months ago

      Yeah I use a DS5E and it’s a really well engineered controller, and I’ve always preferred the DS ergonomics. Just gotta use DS4Windows tool for some games remapping. But basically really whatever design ergonomic you prefer and buy that, they all support Windows now even Switch Pro.

    • HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      2 months ago

      I didn’t care too much about controllers until I used one of those. Fucking amazing controllers. I was playing Cyberpunk 2077 the other day on it and when driving you felt it shift gears on the R2. Fantastic use of the haptics.

        • n1ckn4m3@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          2 months ago

          Trigger haptics can work on PC but it is game by game/implementation by implementation. Returnal works when connected via USB but not wirelessly (unless you enable Steam Input for DualSense, but that completely removes haptic trigger capabilities, turns the touchpad into buttons, and switches to Xbox button glyphs), but Ratchet & Clank works wired or wirelessly (without Steam Input enabled for DualSense). The DualSense support on PC is kind of hit or miss, I wish they’d just standardize a library that offers the base features wirelessly – the controller is really nice.

  • carl_dungeon@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    2 months ago

    Ps5 controller is Bluetooth, works for me without any special drivers. Has native support in some games for the haptic triggers and touch pad. It’s a fantastic general purpose unit. The Nintendo switch classic NES controllers are awesome for retro emulation too- also Bluetooth. They make NES/SNES/N64 variants- but really the ps5 will handle all those use cases and feel just fine for any modern gaming.

  • lefixxx@lemmy.worldEnglish
    6·
    2 months ago

    I refuse to buy anything without hall effect sticks. So that’s limiting enough.

  • BlackLaZoR@fedia.io
    31·
    2 months ago

    Have some experience with Xbox controllers and steam controller

    First official Xbox One X controller is absolute shit via bluetooth. Proprietary dongle works well, as long as its on windows - getting it to work under linux is a pain.

    As far as compatibility goes Xbox 360 Dualshock with 2,4ghz wireless dongle is the best - dongle identifies as wired controller, it works correctly with everything.

    Steam controller works with everything except ergonomics is IMO garbage. Dualshock rules in this area

    And don’t even think about connecting anything via bluetooth to android - bluetooth drivers are broken since android 10, causing massive input lag. Use either wired, or Xbox 360 2,4ghz wireless dongle controller

    • all-knight-party@fedia.io
      2·
      2 months ago

      Steam Controller’s ergo is great for me. It’s absolutely fucking weird compared to anything else, but I like larger grips on controllers since I have long fingers.

    • Carighan Maconar@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      2 months ago

      Yeah. I love my 8bitdo Ultimate for PC use (and it just so happens to be extremely close to the Switch Pro in layout and sizing) but the actual thing is still works better in raw quality. Except no hall effect joysticks but eh, could always mod it yourself if you’re so inclined.

    • nantsuu@fedia.io
      5·
      2 months ago

      This is probably true for most casual use, but after a couple months of constant weekly Smash tournaments, my stick eventually wore down and started drifting. The D-pad is also notoriously mushy and often picks up ghost inputs when moving quickly back and forth.

      Both of these issues are fixable with some not so difficult controller modding, but I wasn’t willing to make the effort.

      I ended up with the 8bitdo Pro 2 for general use like someone else in this thread suggested and the Nintendo Wii U Pro Controller with an adapter for Smash that has been with me for years now. The only difference is that the Wii U controller doesn’t have the built in accelerometers that the Switch controller and Pro 2 have.

    • ladicius@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      2 months ago

      Support that. MS Xbox controller falls far behind it, and the third party devices are a lot of miss and no hit.

    • Tetsuo@jlai.luEnglish
      21·
      2 months ago

      I don’t share the positive feedback. The directional pad was especially terrible from the get go.

    • catloaf@lemm.eeEnglish
      1·
      2 months ago

      Really? Mine is laggy for some reason, and feels mushy. I can see there’s a firmware update for it when I connect it to a switch, but it won’t update. I hardly ever use it.

  • Grass@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    2·
    2 months ago

    Consoles have used different wireless tech/protocols but mostly use bluetooth now. Bluetooth devices should be able to work on pc but may require extra hassle like non standard protocol and no official drivers if they weren’t intended to be used that way. For the ones that do work the main takeaway is no additional dongle if your system already has bluetooth, but there may be addititonal input latency.

    2.4ghz is kinda silly naming because bluetooth and wifi are both 2.4ghz, though wifi also has 5ghz, but it usually refers to presumably proprietary protocol over 2.4ghz and uses a usb dongle. It will generally be faster/lower latency but that isn’t even guaranteed as the 2.4ghz mentioned never refers to any standard.

    The latency difference will only be noticible to cats or birds or something unless the controller tries to pass the headset audio to the pc. Bluetooth audio has a noticable delay compared to most ‘2.4ghz’ options, particularly noticable in rhythm games, games with inputs timed to audio cues, voice chats where everyone else has low latency audio and fast internet, and probably other stuff I’m not personally into.

    Deciding your controller comes down to a lot of things. If the means exist in your area, try as many as you can to determine your most comfortable size, shape and layout. Other than that you absolutely must do yourself a favour and get a controller with hall effect sticks. The console companies all love stick drift. Don’t be fooled by Sony’s replacable stick controller either, the sticks are always out of stock and if you can solder you can get a regular controller and swap to hall effect yourself, both sticks, when drift starts for like $5 CAD vs $25 for 1 that will eventually die in the same way.

    But probably just don’t give m$ sony or nint your money since they all get drift and I have replaced the battery and charge circuit on 8 separate ps4 controllers and drifting sticks on so so many of every big3 console controller. 8bitdo has a few stick and trigger hall effect controllers which I can mostly recommend, I have the hall stick only version of the ultimate controller and several of their older regular stick controllers. They are noted for their very close replica feel of snes dpad and face buttons but the configuration and firmware update software was windows only last I checked. I also quite like retro fighters controllers but all of their hall effect options are on closed preorder pending fulfillment. There are other highly regarded non big3 brands that I haven’t tried that seem to have pretty solid feature set and build quality too.

    The used market is also an option. Arrange for testing though, and pass or haggle on drift, charging problems, filth, etc. Ifixit teardown guides for swapping parts or just cleaning the shells and button caps in soapy water with a soft rag. Watch out for devices originally sold with ‘soft touch’/‘smooth grip’/etc finish as all of them have degraded and become sticky even unopened in box by now.

  • sumguyonline@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    2 months ago

    Bought a wired eswap thrustmaster pro. Refuse to use anything else ever again. Been a default controller that came with the console guy for most of my life before that. An actual game changer. Button pushes always register, the joysticks are damned responsive, and it feels quality with internal parts being made of metal. It was pricey, but it was damn worth it.

    • glitches_brew@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      2 months ago

      I 100% agree and you didn’t even mention the biggest selling point in my eyes. The joysticks are modular so you can swap them out if they ever get drift. The sticks are extremely high quality but drift is inevitable in most scenarios so it’s nice to only need to spend $20 instead of $200 for no more drift.

    • stealth_cookies@lemmy.caEnglish
      1·
      2 months ago

      I’ve heard nothing but problems about the reliability of these. One streamer for my main game is sponsored by them through their org and occasionally rages about how many they have broken just playing.

  • Dr. Wesker@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
    11·
    2 months ago

    It’s really hard to beat a branded Xbox controller, these days. I was extremely skeptical for a long time, then I gave one a shot, and there’s no going back.

  • PapstJL4U@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    2 months ago

    My current focus:

    • hall effect sensor to avoid stick drift
    • i prefer the xbox layout for sticks
    • abxy button layout, because not all pc games support ps buttons
    • cabel, cuz lighter and no sudden loss of input