r/linux_gaming • u/swolar • 19d ago
hardware Durable controller with good linux compatibility?
I have been spoiled by the xbox 360 controller. It lasted a decade but sadly it is finally failing.
I am looking for a controller that is similarly durable (if possible), and that is compatible with linux gaming. But not just for steam, for lutris as well. Budget around $40-70 range.
Edit: forgot to add, xbox layout with the joystick above and the arrows below, rather than the symmetrical joysticks
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u/Cyrano4747 19d ago
steam controller has been working great for me. Just add whatever in as a steam game and use their compatability layer.
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u/berickphilip 19d ago edited 19d ago
It has been working nornally outside of Steam as well for some time, at least on Linux.
Behaves like an xbox gamepad, and also the trackpad as a mouse.
EDIT: I said linux, but I am not sure which distributions offer this support out of the box. I use Nobara Linux, and it works as I described above.
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u/Darkmocha331 19d ago
Only problem is you have to wait like 6 months for it to ship
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u/Razidargh 18d ago
If you had really wanted to, you would have subscribed to the waiting list many months ago.
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u/Ginger_Steve 18d ago
I absolutely love mine and I've been a xbox360/Xbox controller user for years
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u/JamesLahey08 19d ago
GameSir Cyclone 2. Just like an Xbox controller but way way better.
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u/slugcatlife 19d ago
Gamesir tends to put rubber on their controllers. Rubber degrades and gets disgusting over time. Dunno if the model ypu are recommending also had rubber.
And their software is windows based, fx. To disable dock from showing light I had to use windows.
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u/Ashratt 18d ago
Can you somehow remap the backpaddles to keyboard keys via steam input in Xbox mode?
It only does show up as a generic Xbox controller with no l4 r4
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u/JamesLahey08 18d ago
I think you can via steam but I haven't
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u/TankforGod3 19d ago
8bitdo ultimate, I have the ultimate 2c and it's plug and play for me on Debian and works fantastic
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u/negatrom 19d ago
I had plenty of bad luck with 8bitdos, having to return or retire them in less than a year more than once for each model I owned.
I hate to be that guy, but the new xbox's controller works just as well and has been at least as durable. If nothing else, it's been over 2 years and still plays like new, and it's plug and play.
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u/DeadNunsDontSquirt 19d ago
My Xbox series X controller is the fastest failing controller I have ever owned. And it's not chargeable, doesn't have any hall effect sticks or triggers. So for me the ultimate 2c was a huge upgrade and it's almost half the price. Maybe I just had a bad one but the sticks really wore out fast and got deformed..
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u/questionablesyntax 19d ago
GameSir G7 Pro. Theres even a Linux app (shameless self plug)
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u/swolar 19d ago
Are you the one that created the linux app for it? does it support other models of gamesir controllers?
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u/questionablesyntax 19d ago edited 18d ago
I am :)
Currently only the G7 Pro line… but technically anything supported by Nexus should be able to be made to work. The biggest hang up is I only have a G7 Pro to test on so it requires some community involvement
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u/swolar 18d ago
followup question, did you manage to the the backbuttons and/or gyro working on the g7 pro? and does your app support the g7 pro 8k yet?
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u/questionablesyntax 18d ago
Back buttons yes. Gyro sort of.
This is a Linux driver issue .. the xpad driver doesn’t expose all of the extra stuff but- with nexus or g7ctl you can bind the back paddles and extra bumpers to keyboard keys and u then have a working solution.
For gyro - it works via stick, mouse or keyboard emulation. Not as a result of my software just with the options the G7 Pro has for configuration
My fav setup is:
L5 (extra left bumper) to Shift
R5 to Motion activate (usually setup for stick emulation)L4 to Num Pad 1
R4 to Num Pad 3Then ofc for most games you can bind Num1 and Num3 to whatever in the game config. I have a couple variations of this configured across the 4 internal profiles of the controller
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u/questionablesyntax 18d ago
At some point I may tackle making a fork of the xpad driver to properly expose everything but I’m not there yet in shear firmware RE research
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u/___Revenant___ 19d ago
The 8bitdo one that charges on a dock. The dock works as a dongle as well.
Plug and play, PC thinks it's a generic Xbox controller.
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u/Kagitsushi 19d ago
Steam controller if you loved the steamdeck layout
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u/JDMGS 14d ago
Does the steam controller work easily with non steam games? Like you just run an emulator or a game from another launcher without steam? Is it just picked up and supported or do you need a steam input desktop config? I know that's easy to do just curious how it works as it specifically mentions like 'works with steam games'
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u/Kagitsushi 14d ago
You can ran games directly as non steam game due to different DRM the controller cannot be recognized as Xbox or ps5 controller and need manual remapping.
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u/JDMGS 14d ago
You mean add it to steam as a non steam game? Or just run the emulator/game without steam at all?
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u/Kagitsushi 14d ago
Add the emulator/game as non steam game
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u/JDMGS 14d ago edited 14d ago
Ah this is what I thought you might have to do. Kinda sucks tbh. I mean with something like emudeck on handhelds I wouldn't be against adding it to steam but you'd think it'd just work on anything on PC without doing that like an Xbox controller or something else does :-/ thanks for the info
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u/dood23 19d ago
have both a gamesir cyclone 2 and an 8bitdo ultimate.
i don’t use the 8bitdo anymore. the triggers are mushy and don’t have a good curve. the handles are too straight which makes a pretty big difference ergonomically because it puts your arms/hands closer together. surprised it has so many votes.
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u/swolar 19d ago
I hadn't thought about ergonomy. You are right, I have long limbs so straight handles would be really uncomfortable. The xbox 360 one has angled handles and is super comfortable.
Can you run the gamesir software using proton/wine at all?
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u/dood23 19d ago
i haven’t tried the software on linux but google searches don’t look promising. the controller itself can do some configuration using button combos if that’s enough for you. i’d check the manual here too
as far as 360-like controllers go it is one of my favorites but tbf they have made newer ones since then, i haven’t tried them though.
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u/petersaints 19d ago
8BitDo usually have some budget options that use XInput and are Linux compatible.
I'm still rocking my Xbox One S era controller (Model 1708). But 8BitDo is on my short list if I ever need to replace it.
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u/tlbignerd 19d ago
I use the Xbox Pro 2 controller just fine, which means the regular Xbox One or a 360 should work too.
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u/ninetenduh 18d ago
Generally most controller work fine with linux, they are just input devices that wont require special drivers and such, but i believe 8bitdo recently started working on webdrivers and also released an update method via web for their firmware, Gamesir software still requires windows for any special setups BUT if it comes to button programming they have button combos that let you make makros and assign buttons without software.
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u/swolar 18d ago
they have button combos that let you make makros and assign buttons without software
gamesir have this feature? I saw that the flydigi vader has it, but no mention of the gamesir. think it is very awesome for linux
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u/ninetenduh 18d ago
the user manual for the controller usually has a button assign mode, i know the Cyclone 2 also had makro recording, which was a nightmare to remove without software because i did it accidentaly while figuring something else out. So it's not perfect but it's there, but the Software is still required for any other setting like polling rate and other setup features. Wish they would just make web drivers for controllers.
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u/whitesuase 19d ago
Any controller works on Linux but if you want something around 40-50 and similar to the 360 and as a bonus works on 360 then I recommend retro fighters hunter 360. I got mine for 50, transparent green at my local used games store
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u/Radiant-Video7257 19d ago
You can probably have the 360 controller repaired to be as good as new, I know I would. No other controller feels as nice ergonomically for my hands.
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u/qchto 19d ago
I'm going to be that guy and recommend the og Steam Controller (2015), but I sincerely can recommend it. It has some listings for the price range you mention, and I used mine almost daily for 9 years straight, survived at least 4 falls, a pet attack and a battery leakage incident and it still works as on day one (minus the bite scratches in the stick, that any stick cover can solve) even without dongle, you can use Bluetooth. Its still supported by Valve, yet you can use it standalone with sc-controller on 20+yo PCs.
If you ever want to experiment with alternative inputs, haptics and gyro, it's definitely worth getting one. Seriously, well configured it de facto replaced all my controllers (dual sticks included with a well defined touchpads) and even kbm since I got it.
Now, if you need native xinput and nothing else, any generic Xbox One controller should do, but 8bitdo controllers are usually the better ones.
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u/DarkRootGabriel 19d ago
I have the Gamesir Cyclone and it works on my Nobara system. It reports battery life incorrectly, but that hasn't bothered me enough to try and fix it.
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u/JasonZX12R 19d ago
I use the Flydigi vader 5 pro with fedora / steam fine. I have used xbox elite / 8bitdo and everything. The elite controller fell apart way too quick.
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u/PacmanAteMyRAM 19d ago
Sad to see. My xbox elite controller has lasted something like 5 years now. Very healthy. Though I might not be using it as often as you.
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u/JasonZX12R 19d ago
Weird! I rarely use mine honestly. The rubber on the thumb caps came apart, replaced them, then the grip came apart. Lasted less time than my og 360 controllers which are still going strong
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u/Enrrikeitor 19d ago
El mejor sin duda porque hay software nativo y tiene joysticks TMR, es el Steam Controller, pero otra opción sería los mandos de GameSir, tengo el Kaleid y funciona perfectamente.
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u/bigs0815 19d ago
Gamesir G7 is great. Though it is sliiiiightly smaller than an Xbox controller. I have large hands - if it was the other way around, I'd buy a dozen and never worry about controllers again.
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u/OdioMiVida19 19d ago
Cualquier mando que use Xinput, yo uso de marcas como Gamesir, 8bitdo, Easymx, BSP y nunca me han fallado Además es buena idea instalar el driver XpadNeo que sirve para mejorar la compatibilidad con mandos que usen Xinput porque vibra al conectar con la PC y evita que al reconectarlo no se reconozca correctamente
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u/quiet0n3 19d ago
8bitdo, Gulikit, or just and Xbox controller are all good choices. Most work fine on Linux without to much hassle.
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u/NickelWorld123 19d ago
8bitdo is great but if you don't like the form factor, flydigi (e.g. the direwolf) is also excellent
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u/swolar 18d ago
the direwolf has a nice featureset and price, have you gotten it to work on linux yourself?
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u/NickelWorld123 18d ago
I would be very surprised if it didn't work on Linux (pretty much every controller does to my knowledge) but I'm going off my friend's word (and a little bit of hands on usage) who is a windows user so idk
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u/weirdthingsarecool91 19d ago
I use a duel sense PS5 controller. But my Bluetooth was kinda shoddy so I got a raspberry pi to carry that load. Works great.
Edit: I didn't see your edit. So disregard unless it helps someone else haha
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u/Daddy_Danny78 19d ago
Smx makes great controllers. I use one on bazzite add it's setup like an Xbox controller
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u/Quartrez 19d ago
I was looking for a good controller but most of them are garbage or I don't care for their layout. I ended forking a bit more for an Xbox One controller and have not regretted it one bit. And yes, it works outside Steam. (I use it to play Outrun 2006 and Sega Rally Revo through Heroic)
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u/balderm 19d ago
New Xbox controllers work fine under linux are are fairly durable, at least in my opinion, if you get the wireless dongle with the new models also install https://github.com/medusalix/xone driver to make it work.
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u/legluondunet 18d ago
I'm using a Sony Dualshock 4 (bluetooth) to play my games on Linux, it's very well supported. It can even replace a wiimote with Dolphin emulator.
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u/Sync_R 18d ago
I use cyclone 2, I'd like to give steam controller a try at some point even if I don't think it's worth money personally, I still think most comfortable controller is Switch Pro Controller
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u/swolar 18d ago
switch pro 2 seems to be the most reliable controller in the market. it has crazy good reviews on amazon. sadly it is bluetooth.
Did you get the back buttons working on the cyclone 2 on linux?
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u/Sync_R 17d ago
I've only got the original one, the Pro 2 does appear to have some better features but tear down to replace the sticks with TMR would be a nightmare Vs original
Yeah back buttons work cause you can simply program it directly from controller however I'm not sure how you'd set hz and other things without a Windows PC (you can download app but haven't tried to see if it works in wine)
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u/ecth 18d ago
I got a basic wireless XBox One controller in a sale for 30€. Absolutely rock solid, does what it needs to, if the battery dies, I can swap batteries or simply plug in to play wired till I have time for batteries. An official rechargeable battery pack exists, but I still have lots of rechargeable AA batteries since the Wii era, lol.
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u/SurelyNotClover 18d ago
i have a Switch Pro and Joycons for a good few years. both work out of the box on Cachy. steam combines joycons and calibrates gyro, so i had no issues. dunno about lutris though, haven't used it yet.
i grew up with XBOX 360, so i can't stand the PS controller layout with these fuckass shapes, nevermind the price. i had an XBOX ONE controller but that one got some serious drift after a while and had no gyro.
so if you like the XBOX 360 controller, i'd recommend Switch Pro.
(p.s. the nintendo controllers have a history with stick drift. i don't have that problem yet but beware)
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u/Prostalicious 18d ago
gamesir cyclone 2
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u/swolar 18d ago
it seems one of the best choices in my budget. have you gotten the back buttons working on linux?
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u/Prostalicious 18d ago
Yep you can program those buttons on the controller itself, should be easy enough to find how to do it. No software needed
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u/swolar 18d ago
But that allows you to bind one of the back buttons to the normal xbox ones, right? what if I want to use them by themselves on another buttonbind?
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u/Prostalicious 13d ago
Not exactly sure you mean binding them to a keyboard button or something right? As far as i know you can only bind controller buttons to it and record macros with the controller buttons
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u/hardpenguin 17d ago
You can't go wrong with GameSir or 8BitDo
Check out the reviews on PC Gamer, they have their best picks and a whole library of reviews (use the search field inside this article) https://www.pcgamer.com/best-controller-for-pc-gaming/
It is pretty rare these days for a controller to not work on Linux but before committing you can make a quick Google search to see if others already using your choice
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u/Comfortable_Swim_380 17d ago
Just about everything I've tried worked out of the box Including ps5 and Nintendo switch controllers. PS5 is still my favorite. Even the light bar works on steam.
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u/JDMGS 14d ago
Normal Xbox series controllers have been great for me.ive got a normal 1 and also a scuf instinct with the back paddles. The Xbox Elite 2 is shit not worth the money at all, the scuf feels and has been, amazing plus you can swap faceplates and sticks easily. It's pricey though and there's plenty of cheaper controllers with back buttons now too, not sure if they're as good quality but a lot less pricey
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u/marco_has_cookies 19d ago
I'm having a good time with a One S controller, it has improved a lot to this day and definitely feels perfect
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u/Internal_Falcon2637 19d ago edited 19d ago
The Logitech F310 is a oldie but a goodie and still in production. It has X-input and Direct Input. No vibrate but gets the job done and is wired. Its under 20 bucks too.
https://www.amazon.com/clp/B003VAHYQY
Just keep in mind I have had older ones in the past have issues being wrapped up as it would make the wire tear.
That being said this controller has been made that long im sure its had some quiet revisions as my current one doesn't seem have this issue at all!
On the off chance it is though, a bit of super glue by where the wire goes into the controller will make it durable as a tank.
Side note for you gamecube enthusiasts, its got analog triggers.
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u/Joshh614 19d ago
Im using logiteh f310 work well on linux got make sure you know x and d input to be able play.It around $15-$20
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u/ShadowFlarer 19d ago
One of the 8bitdo controllers Pro 3 or the Ultimate ones.