Games

• Microsoft has their own controller protocol, xinput, it only works with xbox and PC

• Sony and Nintendo both use BT HID, but add their own non-standard extras to deal with trackpads and gyros, on PC there are drivers to deal with this (inc. w/Linux kernel, extra on Windows)

• For Wireless, Sony and Nintendo both use standard Bluetooth, you can pair a Switch or PS4/5 controller straight to a PC (though you will need extra software on Windows)

• Microsoft uses either their somewhat proprietary 802.11AC implementation (only works with their dongles - you will need extra software on Linux, fully supported in Windows ootb) or standard Bluetooth, their BT has the highest latency of any of the 3 major controllers, but their 5ghz 802.11AC has the lowest. BT mode requires no extra drivers and will work fine ootb on Linux or Windows. You can't use a headset plugged into the controller or connected by BT (to the controller) if you're connecting the controller via BT.

• MS has additional trigger rumbling/tension on the Xbox One/Series controllers, in Windows it will only work with MS Store apps - it won't work on any Steam game :( on Linux it will work, but nothing really supports it either.

• Sony has a much better implementation in the PS5 controller, nothing outside Sony published games use it though - but it's compatible on Windows with additional drivers (DS4Win) (not sure about Linux here)

• For Nintendo Switch on Windows you will need BetterJoy (previously, BetterJoyForCEMU) to support switch controllers properly, this also makes a DS4Win style gyro server, so anything that support ds4win will support Switch gyro too.

An 8bitdo Ultimate.

There, decision done, express lane service.

xbox series controller is my fave controller and works flawless with linux

If you want wireless, one thing to be concerned about is the latency of the gamepad. https://gamepadla.com tests many controllers for their latency.

Personally, I've just gone with xbox with their PC dongle. I only like controllers with the sticks in the xbox/nintendo configuration and the latency is great with their dongle. I also like that it uses standard batteries so I just keep some rechargables at hand for when it runs out. On the downsides, there is no low battery indication on the controller, so occasionally it just dies in the middle of use.

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.

Easy? Xbox Series. Fancy? DualSense. Comfy? Switch Pro. Beeg? Duke.

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

Gonna be quite honest:

The Nintendo Switc Pro Controller is probably the highest quality Controler I've ever had in my hands.

I recommend going to a pawn shop. They likely have a variety of late model controllers. You can then hold them and see which speaks to you. I bought a ps5 controller from a pawn shop for like $50 over a year ago and I've loved it. I use it over Bluetooth with steam and I get rumble and all that.

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

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.

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

I love the ps5 controller but I’m now kind of scared about stick drift as one of mine had to be replaced because of it.

The second one doesn’t show any sign of this happening, but I’m not so confident anymore although Sony had never disappointed me before regarding reliability.

I was debating buying an official Xbox controller with back buttons/paddles, but the price of the pro controller + quality issues were a turn off.

Ended up picking up a Flydigi Vader 3 pro and I’ve loved it, especially since I got it on sale up for <$50.

Didn't a Japanese company make a controller with native steam input? Is that controller any good? The thing with 8bitdo and the like is you can't map back paddles to unique inputs via steam and they only can duplicate face buttons by programming the controller iirc.

I have a gulikit kk3, but I don't love the dongle and don't love the lack of native steam controller configuration for back paddles. Other than that, the hardware has been good for me.

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.

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.

Unrelated to the actual question but related to the title: Check if the controller fits your hand size. For example, I don't like the Xbox controller and much prefer the ps4 ones since they fit in my small hands better.

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.

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

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

I bought some cheap PS and Xbox controller clones on eBay and they all work amazingly well OOTB on Linux

For Linux, I recommend the DualShock 4 (PS4) and DualSense (PS5) controllers. They have native support built into the kernel, so you don't need to install drivers. They're great in Steam, emulators, Wine, and most native linux games. They work in both USB and bluetooth mode. Motion controls work. Touchpad works. Rubmle works. Dead zones are nice and small.

The only features I'm not sure about are the DualSense haptics and adaptive trigger feedback. There was work happening on those when I last looked a couple years ago; I haven't checked recently.

A few people have reported lag with certain bluetooth adapters. I haven't seen it with any of the hardware I've used, but if you encounter it, you can always get a different bluetooth adapter or exchange the controller for some other model.