Glossary:Controller
Controllers are an alternative to keyboard and mouse input. Almost all recently released PC games support controllers, although many only support the newer XInput controllers by default.
For specific controllers see Category:Controller.
DirectInput
DirectInput is Microsoft's older controller API (used with nearly all games until 2006). XInput controllers operate in DirectInput mode for these games. Logitech's F310 and F710 gamepads have a physical switch which should be set to "D" for these games.
XInput
XInput is Microsoft's API for Xbox 360-compatible controllers such as the official Xbox 360 Controller.
Windows
Multiple controllers
Some older games do not allow you to select which controller to use, instead using the first controller reported by Windows; if you have multiple controllers the one you want may not be selected. To set the first controller open Game Controllers (joy.cpl) and click the Advanced button, then choose the controller you want. This setting is only relevant if you have multiple controllers connected; if you only connect one controller at a time it will always be reported as the first controller.
Some special controllers (e.g. certain HOTAS setups) report the separate physical pieces as individual controllers, making it difficult to use the entire controller with games that can only see a single controller. For these controllers you will need to set the main portion of the controller as the preferred device and then use another method to set up controls for the other parts (see controller with keyboard-only game).
Keyboard to controller input
- If the game runs as an administrator, the controller program must also be run as an administrator otherwise it can't interact with the game.
Xpadder
- Xpadder official site ($10 USD, lifetime license. Versions up to 5.3 are free.)
JoyToKey
- Completely portable, with multiple configurations at once.
- Up to four multiple keys can be set per trigger.
- Might appear complicated to use at first.
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Pinnacle Game Profiler
- Official site and 30 day trial ($25 USD, lifetime license)
- Games/application profile downloads
DirectInput and XInput
- For using a non-Xbox 360 controller with games that require an Xbox 360-compatible controller
x360ce
- Can be used to force DirectInput controllers to be detected as XInput ones (Microsoft's API used for Xbox 360 controllers).
- Does not work with games using the Unity engine due to implementation differences.[1]
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Durazno
- Customize XInput controller settings. Adjust axis inversion, vibration strength and various other settings.
Force feedback driver
- Some games will still not see the controller as force feedback-compatible even with this driver installed.
OS X
Xbox 360 Driver
ControllerMate
Linux
- Most distributions come with the xpad driver already. If you're expereniencing problems with using controllers in your game, or want to bind your keyboard to the controller, you might try xboxdrv.
QJoyPad
QJoyPad allows you to create profiles for different games and switch between them via the interface or system tray icon.
List of controllers
Logitech controllers
- Logitech Gamepad F310
- Logitech Rumble Gamepad F510
- Logitech Wireless Gamepad F710
- Logitech Extreme 3D Pro
Microsoft controllers
Xbox:
PC:
Nintendo controllers
Sony controllers
Miscellaneous