I’ve got a small backlog of games on my laptop (running Arch Linux with KDE) through Lutris. I usually play with a keyboard and a mouse, but since I sit pretty close to my screen (ik bad habit), it starts getting uncomfortable after a while. So I’ve been thinking about picking up a gamepad for some more relaxed, couch style gaming.
I’ve never actually owned a gamepad or a console before, so this would be my first time. From what I’ve seen on Reddit, a lot of people seem to have good experiences using Xbox controllers on Linux. I just wanted to get some more insight before buying one to make sure I’m making the right choice.
I’m also planning to grab a second controller so my girlfriend and I can play some local multiplayer games together.
Update: I went with 8BitDo Ultimate C wired as it was cheaper and a lot of folks below suggested it over the original Xbox Controller. It worked out of the box. I have only tested it with Marvel’s Spiderman 2 from Fitgirl repacks installed and running via Lutris. Worked w/o any issues.
hey here’s a post about the 11/11 sale, several controllers are listed. Gamesir nova lite for $13 looks like a good deal to me.
https://www.youtube.com/post/UgkxXw1mUwS-ZNHz22lKG4b8IC2DafU3xIFV
I’ve had good luck with generic Logitech and ps4 controllers, at least on steam + Linux.
If you are broke, then go for the generic Logitech. But otherwise, I would recommend staying away. My experience has been that they actually made playing games less fun because they are so shoddy.
Play a couple dozen hours with a XBone or DS controller, and you will understand why they are more expensive.
If I’m going to be holding this thing for potentially hundreds of hours, I’m gonna get something that’s comfortable and works well.
I will forever swear by the 8BitDo Pro 2
Xbox controllers need a Windows PC to update their drivers.
Need is a very strong word, I’ve had Xbox controllers for years that have never seen a Windows PC.
And how often do you need to update a controller’s drivers?
It could be right out of the box. Happened to me with 2 controllers.
Refund that trash.
I never updated my controller even once, and it never had any software issues whatsoever.
Yeah I dunno about all that.
I’ve been using an Xbox pro controller for a while on my Mint setup, just plugged in. I can’t get the Bluetooth to connect and I assume it’s because I need to update the drivers for the controller via Windows. 🤷 Whatever.
But my controller bit the dust somewhat recently, so I grabbed a PS5 controller this time and it works right out of the box, no issue. I haven’t tried the Bluetooth to be honest because I’m so used to playing plugged in, but meh. The little trackpad thing on the PlayStation controller also works well as a mouse trackpad when I’m far away from my PC (like if I have it running in the living room instead of at a desk).
Re: xbox
You need drivers for it.
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Gamepad#Xbox_Wireless_Controller_/_Xbox_One_Wireless_Controller
While the package names and how to install them will be different since you’re on mint, this section in the Arch wiki discusses your options for Xbox controllers.
2d/3d: I want to keep both thumbs on the sticks for 3d so I prefer a controller like this 3rd party Xbox with back buttons and extra shoulder buttons
Fighting: leverless is a lot of fun, I have a slab mini and a junk food micro lite I prefer the micro it’s way lighter
I’ve been using the same base Xbox One controller for a while. It was easy to set up for Linux. Just had to install some extra package but after that it was good to go.
Out of all the mainline console controllers, Xbox One’s is my favorite. They really nailed it with that one.
I love my 8Bitdo Ultimate controller. It’s comfortable to use and holds a decent charge. Having a charging stand is really useful too. If you have multiple non-PC devices, I would recommend getting the Pro version so that you can use Bluetooth. Otherwise, the USB one will work well.
Only other minor negative is that the d-pad is a little mushy so I will occasionally hit the wrong direction accidentally. So not the greatest for fighting games.
If you don’t need the charging stand, there are cheaper USB only controllers too.
Lastly, if you want to try to improve your posture, my family bought some chair restraint straps for my grandma who kept tilting in her chair. The ones I linked aren’t what we got her but they were the cheapest I could find. You may also want to get your eyes checked. Could be the reason you’re leaning forwards so much is because you can’t see as clearly as you think.
I have lots of different controllers, and have had even more through the years. My personal recommendation is the 8BitDo Ultimate 2, should be plug and play either on wired, wireless or Bluetooth on most modern distros, comes with a stand for charging so you never have the issue of picking the controller and being out of batteries, has Hall-Effect track pads so you won’t get drift with time, has 2 extra back buttons which are configurable on steam. Plus specifically against each other major controller:
Pros over Xbox controllers:
- No need to install any driver
- Batteries included
Pros over Playstation controllers:
- Most games show ABXY glyphs
Thanks. Unfortunately this one’s on the expensive side and I am not a hardcore gamer. I think I will go with the ultimate C wired as it is in my budget as well as seems to work with Linux (atleast via steam; got mixed reviews with Lutris from some folks in the comments).
Fair enough, the ultimate 2 is the same price as the Xbox and Playstation, so I guess those are also outside your range. The ultimate 2C wireless is only $5 more than the wired, I think that’s a good benefit for that price difference, but even the wired should be good since 8BitDo does good hardware.
The ultimate 2 is over 100$ more expensive than the ultimate c wired and 50$ more than the official Xbox one. (All of this in rough ₹ to $ conversion) Interestingly, I just searched Amazon and I had to scroll down quite a bit to find the 2c wireless which is actually cheaper than Ultimate C wired (at 81% discount like wtf?!), so now I might go for that one. Thanks.
Edit: Sorry that 2C was just for the Nintento Switch. The reviews mentioned it didn’t support PCs. So now the actual 2c is 20$ more expensive than the Xbox. Now I am confused to put in the extra and go for the ultimate 2 lol.
Not sure how the prices are in your location, but these are the rough prices here in Europe that I had in mind when replying to you, I assumed the relative prices would be similar in your location, apparently I was wrong:
- 8BitDo Ultimate 2: €60 https://amzn.eu/d/56fZr1E
- PS5 controller: €75 https://amzn.eu/d/0yjVEDP
- Xbox controller: € 65 https://amzn.eu/d/7w1Q3Ib
- 8BitDo Ultimate 2C: €35 https://amzn.eu/d/43BPDAh
- 8BitDo Ultimate Wired: €31 https://amzn.eu/d/4PLthC1
I bought 2x Ultimate 2 for a total of 108€ and that was with a relay fee, I’m surprised at the prices you mention
Most people here are recommending controllers with the Xbox layout. They are correct in most cases.
However, if you’re a weirdo like me that mostly plays 2D games, I highly recommend getting a Sony DS5 instead as the Dpad is in a far more ergonomic position for that.
I don’t think there’s much difference. Any standard USB gamepad should work equally fine. I find the Xbox layout more comfortable than the PlayStation one, but this may be different for different people.
The regular PS4 controller works fine. Works well in steam, lutris, retroarch and the few native games I own, never had any (unsolvable) problems with it.
I’ve used a PS4 controller myself, so I can confirm that.
Do you have issues using it wirleessly ? I do
I’ve got it working but, unfortunately, when wireless the controller has unacceptable input lag. Might be something interfering with the bluetooth signal, I don’t know.
Ah. I have never had lag, but the constant disconnecting and having to manually reconnect sucks.
Xbox controller is the right choice.
I have an 8bitdo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth (so the switch version) and it works well. I had to add the line manually to the SDL DB, as I was using the beta firmware. Default firmware works out of the box.
I’d suggest the Ultimate 2 Wireless instead as it should have full SteamInput support.
I couldn’t get the customization and update app to work under wine. It’s not a huge issue, but if you want that functionality you need to boot into windows.
Xbox Series X controller works out of the box on USB. Haven’t tried Bluetooth, but I couldn’t get the proprietary wireless dongle to work (it should work with the xone driver)
I have an 8bitdo and like it as well, one thing to consider tho is Steam Controller 2 is “extremely close”, might be worth holding out for that to drop atm, the original is pretty legendary and 2 seems based on steamdeck layout.
Does 8bitdo work well with Lutris? I saw a video posted 5 years ago where you had to add Lutris to Steam and launch it from there for the controllers to work.
Sorry, don’t use Lutris, either Steam or straight to Bottles. But I’ll guess yes, with the dongle it comes up as a normal XBox controller unless you jump through hoops to get extra buttons going.
