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.

  • cmbabul@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    5 days ago

    Kinda surprised by all the trouble folks have had with Xbox controllers, my experience has been smooth as on any console

  • Nibodhika@lemmy.worldEnglish
    8·
    7 days ago

    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
    • sonofearth@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      2·
      7 days ago

      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).

      • Nibodhika@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        7 days ago

        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.

        • sonofearth@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
          2·
          7 days ago

          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.

  • zod000@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    7·
    7 days ago

    I have been using my Sony DS4 gamepad (wired) with no issues, requires no setup. DS5 gamepads also work well, but I had extra DS4 controllers just sitting around. I greatly prefer them to any of the Xbox gamepad personally.

  • demonsword@lemmy.worldEnglish
    5·
    6 days ago

    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.

    • jjjalljs@ttrpg.networkEnglish
      2·
      7 days ago

      I think that’s the one I have. They don’t make them like they used to. The Logitech controller I had in like 2008 lasted for ten years. The new one’s right shoulder button stopped working after like two.

      The good news is they honored their warranty and sent me a new one for free.

      But then the left joystick stopped going all the way up+left.

      But then honored the warranty again! That one is still kicking.

      So the lesson is: keep your receipt if you buy Logitech.

      Edit: it works fine on Linux (pop!_os) too.

  • MalReynolds@piefed.socialEnglish
    5·
    7 days ago

    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.

    • sonofearth@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      1·
      7 days ago

      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.

      • MalReynolds@piefed.socialEnglish
        2·
        7 days ago

        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.

  • prole@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    4·
    7 days ago

    I use an XBone controller and it worked without having to tweak or change anything. Pretty comfortable for bigger hands too.

  • stealth_cookies@lemmy.caEnglish
    2·
    6 days ago

    Xbox controllers can be a bit unreliable on Linux in my experience. I’ve got an 8BitDo Ultimate 2C wireless that I quite like. They are way cheaper than an Xbox controller, have hall effect joysticks, and low measured latency.

    • Acidbath@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      6 days ago

      i recently purchased a 8bitdo controller and just want to mention that although it’s an amazing controller, I did have trouble getting the software to work in order to rebind buttons. just a heads up!

      Other than that, great controller, feels nice, most of them are cheaper than official xbox or ps controller, happy with my purchase

  • whotookkarl@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    2·
    6 days ago

    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

    Xbox style controller with 4 back buttons and 3 buttons per shoulder

    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

  • cRazi_man@europe.pubEnglish
    2·
    6 days ago

    Gamesir Cyclone 2 has been such a premium experience. Clicky nice feeling buttons, hall effect joysticks with smooth rims, shoulder buttons can be set to hair triggers, Bluetooth or dongle, metal charging stand, customisable back buttons. It’s been such a luxury gaming experience at a relatively budget price (currently going for £48).

  • oyzmo@lemmy.worldEnglish
    31·
    7 days ago

    8bitdos work great. I got several, most happy with the Pro 2. The only downside is that they stopped supporting firmware updates in Linux, so you have to use a VM with Windows and USB passthrough to update the pad.

  • _Lory98_@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
    2·
    7 days ago

    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)

  • magic_lobster_party@fedia.io
    2·
    7 days ago

    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.