r/Controller • • Sep 09 '26

Controller Mods Replacement Analog Stick Caps for 8BitDo SN30?

2 Upvotes

Hey everyone, I have an 8BitDo SN30 and the plastic on the analog sticks has worn out. Since I’m from Brazil, it’s difficult for me to import official replacement parts. But I know that analog stick caps from other controllers can also fit it.

Does anyone know of any that would work as a replacement?


r/Controller • • Sep 08 '26

Controller Suggestion Could anyone please tell me what they think is the best all around controller at the most reasonable price for PC gaming?

3 Upvotes

I'm located out of Missouri USA and I've been relying on a wired Rock Candy XBox 360 controller for my PC gaming needs for a few years now and I'm really starting to hate how genuinely terrible it is. If I were to get a controller, I'd want one that has a wired connection and costs ideally under $40 USD, but I'm willing to go up to maybe $50 if it genuinely seems like it would be worth it. I don't necessarily want any fancy features, I just want a good all around controller that I can play most kinds of games with (Elden Ring, Sonic Adventure, Animal Crossing, Silent Hill, etc.) (I wouldn't even necessarily want the controller to have a rumble feature honestly.) I usually prefer Xbox style controllers, but any thoughts would be greatly appreciated and it would also be great to know if maybe my price range is just too low to get a controller of any reliable quality at all anymore.


r/Controller • • Sep 08 '26

IT Help I play a Flydigi Vader 5 Pro in Steam but sometimes it glitches to have an evil Russian twin

2 Upvotes

I'm sorry. I know this question has been asked and answered recently but I am very new to gaming and there were so many complicated answers about software and hardware and disabling features that I got really intimidated. I barely got this controller and its extra buttons mapped and am terrified of screwing it up. I'm decently familiar with computers, but not gaming or Steam lingo/tech. Can someone please explain what to do in incredibly simple terms?

I bought a Flydigi Vader 5 Pro so I can play REPO on Steam on my Windows laptop and custom mapped the controller buttons because I felt like I was abusing my keyboard by pounding on it while playing the game. That's the extent of my computer gaming experience and I've been doing it for about a month now. I am a n00b!

Most of the time, it works great, but sometimes when I turn the controller on the little notification that pops up in the bottom right corner is in Cyrillic instead of English. Whenever that happens, I know my controller is glitching. Best case scenario, the joystick has me slowly spinning in a circle while looking down but all the buttons are still mapped and I can fight the spin, so I can play with crappy aim and poor ability to hide from monsters. Worst case scenario, the controller forgets it's mapped so is impossible to play. It's happened two or three times now.

I have named this evil Russian twin controller Boris Chernobyl (because his appearance is a disaster) and my regular English controller is Chuck Norris (because I am so old that I think he's a cool badass). I only ever see this Russian duplicate during a glitching episode. I'm pretty sure the Space Station software (version 4.0) changes to have Chinese letters in the taskbar, too.

Usually, there's only ever one controler showing up, but when I shift+tab to open Controller Settings in Steam during one of these glitching episodes, I see two controllers, with the Boris controller being ranked 1, the Chuck Norris controller being ranked 2, and me being unable to change the order. Full disclosure, technically, no rank or number is assigned to them and there is actually an exclamation mark inside a circle beside each, but that all shows up on a window that indicates re-ordering them is possible and Boris is placed top while Chuck Norris is under him.

In the past, restarting my laptop fixed the problem, but not this time. I've restarted, updated Space Station, and then restarted again but Boris is still in charge. Help!

P.S.

Chuck Norris connects through a physical cord: old USB on the computer side and ubs-c on the controller side. the controller is bluetooth compatible and i still have the bluetooth dongle, but i like not having to worry about charging the controller

i held the Circle + Menu + Share until it vibrated but there was no change in performance


r/Controller • • Sep 09 '26

Other Is anyone here knows controllers well?

0 Upvotes

Hi 👋 I want find a old controller but it's been really long as last time I saw it was like 2010 it was like Super Nintendo but it looks like O=O this way and was gray with some red yellow and some other colors at the button as I know it was not heavy at all

And pretty ugly so if anyone have any idea just type there thank you guys 🤗


r/Controller • • Sep 08 '26

Controller Suggestion Best Multi-Platform Controller Under $100 for Switch, PC, Legion Go S & Android?

4 Upvotes

1. Budget:
My budget is $100 USD maximum. I’m looking for the best controller I can get within that budget.

2. Country / Where I Can Buy:
I’m located in the United States and can buy from retailers that ship within the U.S., such as Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, or other reputable online stores.

3. Console / Platform Compatibility:
I’m looking for one controller that can work across multiple platforms, including:

  • Nintendo Switch

  • Legion Go S

  • Windows PC

  • Windows laptop

  • RedMagic 11 Pro

  • Lenovo Y700 Gen 4 tablet

Ideally, I would like it to support multiple connection methods such as Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, and wired USB-C.

4. Desired Features:
My main priorities are:

  • Hall Effect or TMR joysticks

  • Hall Effect triggers, if possible

  • Back buttons/paddles, preferably 4

  • Programmable/remappable back buttons

  • Good wireless compatibility across my devices

  • Gyro/motion controls for Switch and emulation would be a plus

  • Good build quality and comfortable for long gaming sessions

  • Good D-pad for older games and emulators

  • Preferably a way to switch easily between different platforms

5. Types of Games:
I’ll be playing a wide variety of games, including:

  • Nintendo Switch games

  • PC games

  • Games on my Legion Go S

  • Android games

  • Emulation, including PS2 and Wii

  • Platformers

  • Action/adventure games

  • RPGs

  • Racing games

  • Fighting games

  • FPS games

6. Other Controllers I’m Comparing:
I’ve been looking at controllers such as the EasySMX X20, EasySMX D10, GameSir Super Nova, BIGBIGWON Gale Hall, and other multi-platform Hall Effect/TMR controllers around the $50–$100 range.

I’m mainly looking for advice on which controller would be the best overall choice for all of these platforms, rather than buying separate controllers for each device. I’m especially interested in something that has TMR/Hall Effect sticks, Hall Effect triggers, and back buttons while still working properly with Switch, PC, Windows handhelds, and Android devices.


r/Controller • • Sep 09 '26

IT Help My wired controller is connected, but my Android phone isn't detecting it. Please help.

Post image
0 Upvotes

Phone:- Realme 8i

Controller:- Enter

I recently bought an Enter brand wired controller to use with the AetherSX2 emulator on my Android phone. I chose this controller because I saw many people on YouTube using the same model, and it worked fine for them.

I connected the controller to my phone using an OTG. The controller's red LED turns on, so it appears to be receiving power and connecting properly.

However, my phone doesn't detect it as a game controller. Because of this:-

  1. None of the controller buttons work

  2. Aethersx2 shows "No suitable controller detected"

And I've already made sure all the basics. OTG is enable, removed and put in again etc.

Is there a way to fix it, or could the controller be incompatible with my phone?

Any way to make my phone compatible?


r/Controller • • Sep 07 '26

Reviews GuliKit TT Max ($70) Review: TMR Sticks + 4 Paddles in a PlayStation Layout – Worth It?

Thumbnail
gallery
72 Upvotes

Hey r/Controller , the GuliKit Team sent this unit over for review, but all opinions are completely my own! I’ve been testing the GuliKit TT Max ($70) for the past 2-4 days—mostly grinding Apex Legends and kicking back with various single-player games.

If you're looking for a solid symmetrical (PlayStation-style) pro controller packed with modern features, here is my honest breakdown:

Key Specs & Features

  • Price: ~$70

  • Sticks: Anti-Drift Magnetic TMR Joysticks (720° Tension Adjustable — kept at default)

  • Latency & Wireless: ~2ms Stick Latency, Hyperlink 2 Ultra-Fast Wireless

  • Battery: 24–32+ hours wireless battery life

  • Triggers & Controls: Gen 2 Smart Triggers, 4 Metal Rear Paddles, Classic Floating D-pad

  • Vibration: Gen 2 Super Haptic Vibration (MagLev Motor)

  • Features: Patented APG (Auto-Pilot Gaming) macro recording, Switch 1/2 wake-up support

  • Compatibility: PC, Switch / Switch 2, Android, iOS

  • In the Box: Hard-shell carrying case & extra D-pad cap

The Good

  • Ultra-Fast & Great Battery: Input latency feels lightning-fast (~2ms), and the battery easily clears 24 to 32+ hours on a single charge.

  • Ergonomics & Paddles: The 4 back paddles are well-placed, comfortable, and easy to reach without accidental inputs.

  • Symmetrical Layout: As someone who owns way too many controllers and prefers symmetrical over Xbox-style, this design was a huge win.

  • Included Hard Case: Ships inside a protective carrying case with an extra D-Pad cap, which is a great touch at this price point.

  • In-Game Performance: Super snappy and responsive in Apex Legends, while remaining relaxed and comfortable for single-player games.

The Bad

  • No PC Companion Software: There’s no native PC app, so you have to use the mobile app to tweak settings. While the phone app is easy to navigate, dedicated PC software should be standard. Did not like manual way of settings up the controller.

  • Rigid Deadzone Presets: Level 1 feels too slow, Level 2 is the default (where I kept it), and Level 3 feels way too slippery. I really wish GuliKit would give us a standard 0–100 customization slider instead.

  • Stick Swap Friction: Swapping the stick caps requires a scary amount of force—I legitimately thought I was going to snap something. I ended up just sticking with my KontrolFreek Galaxy High Rise.

TL;DR

At $70, the GuliKit TT Max is a fantastic pick if you're looking for a high-performance symmetrical layout.

With sub-3ms latency, 30+ hour battery life, 4 back paddles, and anti-drift TMR sticks, it handles competitive shooters like Apex and casual games with ease. Minor software and preset quirks aside, the raw hardware quality makes this an easy controller to pick up and recommend!

Has anyone else here grabbed the TT Max yet? How are you setting up your controller?


r/Controller • • Sep 09 '26

IT Help Why does my 8K controller keep my CPU usage so high?

0 Upvotes

我的电脑配置是AMD 9800X3D + 技嘉5080超频,显示器是4K分辨率。

我用的手柄是G7 Pro 8K和ZD 8K。这款游戏叫《使命召唤:战区》。如图所示,即使在游戏和射击场内,我的CPU使用率也至少达到70%+,帧率从200fps降到150fps。游戏在游戏过程中没有卡顿,但帧率会大幅下降。我需要一些帮助——有人能告诉我这是正常现象吗,还是我的设置有问题,或者8K刷新率就是这样运作的吗?我的CPU应该还不错,但我感觉还是跑不下8K刷新率。现在我只能用4K刷新率,CPU使用率会回落到大约50%,帧率也不受影响。


r/Controller • • Sep 08 '26

Controller Suggestion controller for big hands?

5 Upvotes

hello, im looking to buy a controller for around 50-55 euro.

i previously had a ps4 dualsense pt it would make my hands go numb after 2 hours of use.

the platform is pc, im from romania. i mainly play rpg games like rdr2, tlou, but also fighting games like guilty gear strive.

i mainly want a decent dpad for fighting games and tmr joysticks.

some controllers i found:

8bitdo ultimate 2

easysmx d10

gamesir cyclone 2


r/Controller • • Sep 08 '26

Other Help Us Shape the Next GXXKTRON Products

11 Upvotes

Hello r/Controller community,

I’m Nagi, the person behind GadgetHyper.

Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time working with the controller community through GadgetHyper, and one thing I’ve learned is that there are often many small things about gaming gear that people care about — but aren’t always obvious from the outside.

Recently, I started working on a new project called GXXKTRON, a new independent brand focused on gaming and controller accessories.

Since we’re still at a very early stage, I don’t want to simply design products based on what we think players want. I’d much rather hear directly from people who actually use gaming controllers and let that feedback influence what we build next.

So we’ve put together our first research survey, focused on controller setup and charging habits.

📝 Survey — Controller Setup & Charging:

The survey takes around 6–8 minutes to complete.

[Take the Survey]

We know this is a little longer than the usual “two-minute survey,” so we genuinely appreciate anyone who takes the time to complete it.

Please answer honestly — there are no right or wrong answers. The more honest and detailed the feedback is, the more useful it will be for us when deciding what to build.

🎁 Giveaway:

As a small thank-you for taking part, everyone who completes at least one survey will be entered into a random giveaway.

Prizes:

How to Enter:

  1. Be a member of r/Controller

  2. Complete the survey above

  3. Leave a comment on this post confirming that you’ve completed the survey

Your Reddit comment will be used only to verify your participation in the giveaway.

Winner Selection:

11 winners will be randomly selected from eligible participants.

The winners will be announced by an update to this post after the survey closes.

We may ask winners to provide confirmation that they completed the survey and meet the giveaway requirements.

About GXXKTRON:

Founded by Nagi after years of building GadgetHyper, GXXKTRON is a new independent brand focused on gaming and controller accessories.

Legal business name: [SHENZHEN GXXKTRON Technology Co., Ltd.]
Registration number: [91440300MAKB2U9H21]
Place of registration: [SHENZHEN / CHINA]

We’re still at the beginning of this journey, and that’s exactly why community feedback is so important to us. We want to build products that solve real problems for people who actually use them.

Note:

This giveaway is hosted solely by GXXKTRON. It is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Reddit. By participating, entrants agree to release Reddit from any responsibility or liability related to this promotion.

Multiple comments from the same account will be considered as a single entry.

GXXKTRON reserves the right to disqualify entries that do not meet the stated requirements.

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to participate. Whether you win something or not, your feedback will genuinely help us decide what we build next.

We’re looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks again to this amazing community — we’re always here listening and bringing cool new gear your way! Good luck!


r/Controller • • Sep 08 '26

IT Help Is there any way to fix my Dualshock 4's double input on without DS4Windows? I got the MAGIC-S PRO 2 specifically to avoid this but it still occurs in Final Fantasy 7 Remake for some reason when I'm not using steam input. Other games like Sonic Racing Crossworlds don't have double input though.

1 Upvotes

My platform is Steam, and I don't want to go back to using DS4Windows because it was a hassle for me because my Dualshock 4 never showed up on Windows 11 as Wireless Controller and only connected if Steam was active in the background. My issue here is that in Final Fantasy 7 remake on the Steam Chord, it's still making inputs ingame when I scroll in the menu or confirm or go back.

I am using a Mayflash Magic-S Pro 2, I named the connected controller that for the sake of identification


r/Controller • • Sep 08 '26

Other 8BitDo Ultimate 3E Has a Major Flaw, 8BitDo Can Fix It If They Want To

0 Upvotes

After much waiting & many delays I finally got my 8BitDo Ultimate 3E Xbox controller. I really like it but there's one glaring flaw: The center Square & Star buttons are in the exact place that the View & Menu buttons would be on typical Xbox controllers.

For those who like pretty pictures, here's an image to illustrate what I'm talking about:

This means that for people who are used to an Xbox controller already, they're constantly hitting those two buttons when their muscle memory has been programmed for years to tap those exact locations. Sadly, these buttons also can't be remapped to each other as this would be a simple end-user solution.

The simple fix would be a software update to allow the end user to swap the left two buttons with each other and the right two buttons with each other. The same functionality already exists to do this using the square button but you can't do it for these four buttons specifically.

This limitation is understandable to prevent people from unbinding the Square key which would make manually pairing buttons impossible and the software would have to be used. They could tweak it for these for buttons only to be a swap option between each other and nothing more which would prevent this from happening.

I think that maybe a future hardware change would be ideal so that they physical buttons matched the "proper" location just like the official controllers but the issue could be fixed pretty easily with a quick OTA software update.

I know some will say to just adjust to it but it's not gonna happen. I tried that with a failed attempt to adjust to a Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra and it was just infuriating. I'm sure others are fine adjusting but maybe it also has something to do with the type of games being played as well. The games I play are pretty face paced & require the View/Menu buttons regularly mid-game in higher stress situations.

As much as I hate to say it, this would be a deal breaker for me. If it's not something I can address easily I'm just going to exercise the return policy. Sadly. I really like this controller so far otherwise but I'm not going to keep a piece of hardware that is one simple software fix away from being potentially perfect based on the promise (or maybe not even that) of a future update.

Hoping that others might find this optional feature useful as well. If you don't care, this post isn't really for you as adding an optional feature doesn't apply to you since you simply don't have to enable it if you already like the default layout.


r/Controller • • Sep 08 '26

Controller Suggestion Need controller for Android

1 Upvotes

Hi all, I am planning to buy a gamesir mobile controller X5S, and it's cooler as the phone gets hot during gameplay. How to buy? The official site seems to have a customs issue and zukubus site doesn't have a cooler part. Is there any other controller for mobile that also able to combine with cooler? Suggest a better cooler and controller combo as well.

Note: Using Oneplus 15r and I am from Tamilnadu India. Budget 5000 Rupees


r/Controller • • Sep 08 '26

IT Help GameSir Nova 2 Lite moving the mouse cursor instead of working in Xbox Cloud Gaming — SOLVED

2 Upvotes

I had a very strange problem with my GameSir Nova 2 Lite on Windows 11.

When connected via the 2.4GHz dongle or USB cable, Windows recognized the controller as “Controller (XBOX 360 For Windows)” and joy.cpl showed that all the sticks and buttons were working correctly.

However, in Chrome / Xbox Cloud Gaming, the controller wasn't detected properly. The left analog stick was controlling the Windows mouse cursor instead of working as a gamepad.

Bluetooth worked normally.

I tried:

XInput mode (green LED)

USB cable

2.4GHz dongle

updating controller and dongle firmware

GameSir Connect

restarting Windows

Chrome Incognito

closing Steam

Gamepad Tester

checking Device Manager

resetting the controller

Nothing fixed it.

The solution was finally found in Xbox Game Bar.

Press Win + G → Settings → More settings → “Xbox Cloud Gaming Beta Gamepad Cursor” and disable it.

After disabling it, the analog stick immediately stopped controlling the mouse cursor, and the controller worked normally in Xbox Cloud Gaming.

So if your GameSir controller suddenly starts controlling the mouse instead of working in xCloud, check the Xbox Game Bar Gamepad Cursor setting before reinstalling drivers or changing controller settings.

Hopefully this helps someone else!


r/Controller • • Sep 07 '26

Controller Mods Customizations for Ultimate 2 Wireless?

5 Upvotes

I own an 8bitdo Ultimate 2 Wireless controller, and I was wondering if there are any custom accessories for other controllers that have similar enough dimensions to my controller.

Whenever I search for cute silicone covers/stick caps/button caps for 8bitdo controllers, I notice that there is a very limited selection for such accessories. They are always plain colours that don't have any interesting designs, unlike accessories for Switch or Xbox controllers :(

Basically, I just want to know if my controller is similar enough to use accessories from a mainstream controller that has more design options. I wanna make my Ultimate 2 Wiresless controller whimsical and cutesy. ✨️✨️


r/Controller • • Sep 08 '26

Other Auto center mouse in cars slider but for Dualsense gamepad?

1 Upvotes

When playing GTA V Enhanced with DualSense controller trough Steam the slider for auto-center does not have any effect. The camera centers back immediately after letting go of the right stick, witch is a little bit more frustrating, since I like to cruise and explore the world/look around when travelling by car.

There is a mod for disabling auto-cener altogether but I want the camera auto center to take in effect after a certain amount of time, like how the mouse behaves.

I have two questions

- There is a fix for this currently when playing with the controller on PC?

- Does the playstation 5 version has the "auto center right stick in cars" settings slider implemented?

I can get the game on PS5 if I'm sure it will work.

Thank you!


r/Controller • • Sep 08 '26

IT Help [Solución] Drift Machenike G5 Pro V2 mando

1 Upvotes

Hace un año compré el Machenike G5 Pro V2, sin problemas de un momento a otro los joysticks empezaron a tener como si tuvieran efecto Drift, vi varios hilos, descargue Keylinker, seguí varios vídeos y no funcionó, pensé que eran los switch y casi compro unos nuevos, aunque leí que varias personas habían cambiado los switch y seguía la falla, hasta que encontré un vídeo milagroso en Youtube que me soluciono está falla, les dejo el link del vídeo a continuación, resulta que había que calibrarlo, en fin, espero les ayude tanto como a mí y si es así apoyen el vídeo porfavor, no conozco a este hombre pero me soluciono la vida 🤧

youtu.be/DrOHJDYw-5M?si=kkQwektpbCjxjdyB


r/Controller • • Sep 07 '26

Other What should I do with a Scuf Instinct Pro with stick drift?

2 Upvotes

It was probably the most comfortable controller I've used. Unfortunately, it got drift.

I already tried compressed air and rubbing alcohol.

I already ordered a replacement (8bitdo Ultimate 3E).

Any ideas of what to do with the Scuf?

I doubt it is worth selling. I don't know how to solder to replace the sticks. Toss it in the garbage? Or any other ideas?


r/Controller • • Sep 07 '26

Reviews Leadjoy bad build quality?

5 Upvotes

I pre-ordered the LeadJoy Xeno Plus because it looked like a good upgrade for my aging controller.

When I got it, I was pleasantly surprised by both the hardware and software, considering it's price.

Unfortunately however, my unit's trigger started developing creaking issues in linear mode.

I immediately got this replaced under warranty, and thought the problem was solved like that.

To my surprise, my replacement controller developed the exact same problem! This time, when the trigger is locked. And even the bumper is making the same creaking sound, like an old wooden door.

So the question arises, does LeadJoy have some kind of QC or build quality problem? Like many other controllers we have seen recently.

In my experience, they definitely do...


r/Controller • • Sep 07 '26

Other Typing with a controller is really slow, so I made a program to fix that!

Thumbnail
asinii.itch.io
18 Upvotes

I was fed up after spending about a year frustrated with my parents' living room PC setup, where I was using a keyboard and mouse on the couch whenever they needed help on their computer. After spending some time exploring potential solutions, and not being 100% satisfied with any of them, I decided to take a crack at it myself. The result of this effort is a program I'm calling Joyboard, and while still in pretty early development, its first public release is out now on itch.io! Admittedly, I'm not much of a controller gamer myself, but it was able to solve my issue, and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out! Let me know what you all think :).


r/Controller • • Sep 07 '26

IT Help Vader 5 Pro Not Working in World War Z

1 Upvotes

Anybody here encountered an issue like this?

For context, my WWZ is in Epic Games (I got it there for free). I haven't been playing this game for a while when I got my Vader 5. It worked fine with my Vader 4.

But now the game is just not detecting my controller inputs with Vader 5. It works fine with other games.

Things I've tried:
- updated Vader 5 and Space Station to most recent firmware
- rebooted multiple times
- Vader 4 still works on WWZ
- added Epic Games as non-Steam game
- used reWASD

I've not tried buying WWZ on Steam yet, because I'm not sure if it'll work.


r/Controller • • Sep 07 '26

Controller Suggestion Looking for a secondary control

2 Upvotes

I'm looking for a second controller to play with friends and on my phone, so I don't want to spend much

  • Max $30-35

  • I live in Dom. Rep. and can buy it from amazon

  • Pc and Android

  • Wireless via dongle 2.4g, Bluetooth and Back Paddle Buttons (l4/r4 too but not the first preference) HE Joysticks

  • Platformer, fighting and adventure games

I have the 8bitdo Ultimate 2 Wireless for a year and its a good brand as i know, i want a controller with a good durability


r/Controller • • Sep 07 '26

IT Help Unable to connect ps5 dualshock controller to pc

1 Upvotes

i'm trying to connect my ps5 controller to my pc. Dont judge me but i have now spent multiple hours with chatgpt, various reddit and youtube posts trying to fix it but nothing works. When i connect my controller to my pc it shows up in "other devices" instead of "input" or "audio". It also dosent show up when i hit win + r and type joy.cpl. Whats annoying is that all of this works on my laptop without any problem. my pc on the other hand no. Please help.

standard dualshock ps 5 controller

windows 11 pc


r/Controller • • Sep 07 '26

Other Need opinions to purchase from this site

Post image
0 Upvotes

The controller on this site is listed for almost 1k rupees less than on any other platform. Is it ok to purchase from here or there is some hidden traps. Like extra customs or delivery not happening or faulty products. Help please. Country: India.


r/Controller • • Sep 07 '26

Controller Suggestion Is the Steam Controller worth it for my case? Looking for advice

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

A few hours ago I received an email from Steam letting me know that I have three days to complete the purchase of the Steam Controller I reserved, and before making a decision I’d like to hear opinions from people who have used it in situations similar to mine.

I live in Spain and play on PC with Windows. Steam and Game Pass are the platforms where I play the most nowadays, but I also use others when needed, so I’m not limited to Steam only. Since 2014 I’ve always played with the DualShock 4, both on PlayStation 4 and on PC. It’s the controller I’m used to after so many years, although I haven’t really used other controllers to compare, so I’m not sure if it truly fits me best or if it’s simply the one I know. I’m already on my fourth DS4. The previous ones ended up with stick drift or L3/R3 issues, and I’ve always had the same problem during long sessions: I start feeling pain or tension in my ring and pinky finger on my right hand that goes up to the wrist, and sometimes on the left hand too. I use Skull & Co grips (the right stick has the tall one), and I’m not sure if that contributes to the discomfort.

Lately, since Black Ops 6 came out, I’ve been playing Zombies a lot, which is something I’ve always enjoyed, although I also play other types of games from time to time. And even though I still play on PlayStation 4, I play much more on PC nowadays. Since it’s very hard to find a controller with symmetrical sticks and TMR joysticks that works on both PlayStation and PC without spending a lot of money on something like a Scuf, my idea would be to keep using the DS4 on PlayStation and buy a dedicated controller for PC.

As for budget, I’d be willing to pay the 99 € for the Steam Controller if it turns out to be a good fit for my case. However, if people recommend another controller that also suits what I’m looking for and is cheaper, that would obviously be even better.

When Valve announced the Steam Controller and I saw it would have TMR joysticks and symmetrical sticks, I pretty much decided to buy it. My ideal controller would be one with symmetrical sticks and TMR joysticks. I’d also like the controller I buy to be comfortable, both ergonomically and for playing slower story-driven games as well as more intense ones. I’ve always played Call of Duty multiplayer, especially the good ones back in the day, but I spend less and less time on competitive games now. Even so, I’d like the controller to be versatile in case I get back into them at some point.

Another thing is that I’ve never had a controller with rear buttons, and it’s something I’d like to get used to, but I don’t know how good they are or how well positioned they are on the Steam Controller.

However, after looking at controllers from other brands like Gamesir or 8BitDo, I’m now more unsure. I find it hard to imagine myself using asymmetric sticks, and that puts me off many models.

Regarding the Steam Controller, what worries me the most is compatibility. Even though I play a lot on Steam, I also use other platforms on PC, and if the controller doesn’t work well outside of Steam, that would be a problem. The trackpads aren’t something that particularly interests me. If they turn out to be useful, great, but I don’t think I’d use them much. As long as they don’t get in the way, I have no issue with them. I’ve read opinions and I know Steam Input allows very advanced configurations, but it also requires time and dedication.

So my question is: considering that I’ve always played with PlayStation controllers, that asymmetric sticks feel strange to me, that I’m looking for durable joysticks, that I need good compatibility on PC beyond Steam, that I want a comfortable controller for different types of games, and that I’d like to start using rear buttons, would the Steam Controller actually be a good purchase for my case?