I just bought an 8bitdo Ultimate 2C with hall effect sticks, and it's been amazing! Highly recommend, and the D-Pad is great

Don't waste money on an xbox controller. Get a Dual Sense or an 8bitDo

8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller.

It uses the xbox layout. It has hall effect triggers and TMR joysticks (similar to hall effect), 2 back paddle buttons, 2 extra bumper buttons, and gyro.

The software does not work, or at least didn't work on Linux with wine when I tried a few months ago. However for just regular controls and if using Steam Input it doesn't matter.

https://www.8bitdo.com/ultimate-2-wireless-controller/

https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2025/04/8bitdo-ultimate-2-is-getting-full-steam-input-support-for-more-buttons/

I’m waiting for the Steam Controller 2

8BitDo Pro 2 is the best pad I've ever used.

The 8bitdo controllers are nice. I would also check out the Flydigi Vader 4 Pro. I use the Vader 3 Pro and like it a lot. Very nice tech for a good price.

Overall I would stick to 3rd Party. The console manufacturers offer outdated tech for high prices. Most people still think of 3rd party controllers as the inferior cheap ones the little sibling had to use as kids.

Is xbox360 emulator a thing on linux? Last time I used it only a windows machine it was pretty much a "just works", and i was using some random ass Chinese controller.

Controllers I've had (all of which should work on Linux easily, some with minor adjustments needed) in the order I think you should consider them:

• 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless
• PS5 Controller
• Xbox One controller
• PS4 controller
• PS3 controller
• Xbox 360 controller (only connects through dongle)
• Steam Controller (doesn't have d-pad)

Most controllers should work wired, but I haven't tested any of them like that because I like my controllers wireless.

I like the Xbox controller on PC because it's the safe, always supported option. I use a generic PDP Xbox One controller because they are one of the few brands available in my country that have a very "vanilla" shape and look while having a wired connection. I'm on my second one now after my old one had some phantom button presses on one of the triggers after 5 years of use, for what they cost that's a damn good lifespan.

I have an xbox elite pro series 2 that my wife bought me last christmas. I love it. It has a good weight and is a joy in your hands. The triggers have 3 resistance levels. D-pad and thumbsticks are magnetic and easily swappable. Four back paddles can be removed easily if they're not wanted or needed. It connected to Pop_OS via bluetooth with no issues. I have not tried using the xbox accessories app on Linux because I was able to calibrate it with Steam just fine. Thry're not cheap but it was worth it.

Edit to add: someone mentiomed drift and I did have a slight issue but was able to adjust for it through Steam. There is also a common complaint that the controllers snap back to center with enough force to actually hit the opposite direction; most commonly noticed in metroidvanias or other 2d platformers where it can make you turn around unintentionally. I was also able to adjust for this with Steam calibration.

XBox One controller is my current favourite:

Well built

Long lasting

Decent prices secondhand

Always worked first time on every OS I've tried it on

USB C as long as you get the newer generation version for wired play

Most comfortable size and layout IMO

I got an 8bitdo pro 3 for now after the birds destroyed my old one but I'm really just waiting for steam controller 2. I got used to having the trackpad grids and extra buttons to map every single input, but the deck just isnt powerful enough for some of the games I want more expensive visuals on.

Hyperkin Xenon

If you have problems with the controller mapping to a specific game, try adding it as a “non-Steam game” to Steam so that you can use Steam Input. You can do a LOT with Steam Input.

Also I just got the GCUltimate from https://handheldlegend.com/ and I think it matches what you are looking for. You might also look at their “ProGCC”.

Basically they are Nintendo-style controllers, work great with the Switch, but also are designed to work great with PC. Charge or connect wired via USBC or connect via Bluetooth. Hall effect joysticks that won’t drift. Can also be used as a GameCube controller if you buy their USBC to GameCube cable (note that this cable only works with their controllers; it won’t convert any USBC controller to GameCube).

The Nintendo Pro gamepad doesn't have the same drift issue that the JoyCons have. I dont know if it's backwards compatible with tge Wii U tho. The one from the WiiU era is exactly the same controller, tho so you may just wanna find an older one.

I just use a DualSense (PS5) controller, but the D-pad isn't very nice for actually controlling a character. Too stiff, too segmented. It's perfect, otherwise.

The one you use while playing a game you love.

Ps5 pro controller. Mainly for the replacement sticks and the extra buttons. It’s also got a nice USB cable holder so that it never falls out or damages the port. Overall controller design is definitely the best I’ve ever held. Certainly overpriced but so far it’s been nice.

8bitdo ultimate. Had it a few years, never had compatibility issues. My previous gamepad was an xbox elite series 2. Total piece of garbage. Drifty sticks and the shoulder buttons failed within 90 days.

I use an Xbox one controller with the xone Linux driver and it works like a charm over wired and dongle. If you do use it make sure to use the linked repo which is an active fork of the original driver, which was abandoned.

DS4 was the last good controller to come out IMO.

Just get another one, they will last longer and function better than anything made since.

You can map the controls to whatever buttons you want in the Cemu settings

The ones I tested on Linux that I remember:

• Original PS3 controller on Ubuntu 20.04; cable works great, bluetooth is extremely temperamental
• PS2 controller with adapter on a handful systems; works well but maybe due to age of the adapter, has some ghost inputs
• Xbox Series X controller on recent Mint systems up to iirc 21.3; works great on cable, can't get bluetooth to work
• Previous controller on an Android 13 phone; bluetooth works great, didn't look if you can run on cable
• 8bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller also on Mint; can't get bluetooth to work, 2.4G adapter needed a small change in the system env to work
• 8bitdo Ultimate C 2.4G Wireless Controller also on Mint; bluetooth same story, 2.4 adapter and cable work out of the box
• Previous controller on a Raspberry Pi 5 with Android (KonstaKANG's AOSP fork) and Recalbox (independent Linux distro according to distro watch); Android didn't work on either cable, adapter or bluetooh, and Recalbox iirc tested with both the adapter and bluetooth and both worked fine

I've been using a GameSir Cyclone 2 for about a year. Have the occasional issue where a game doesn't detect it properly, but is great when it works.

I have been using a Nintendo ProController since 2017 for all my gaming needs. It's a solid controller and can be use any USB-C cable to connect to your PC. Solid battery life if you ever need to go wireless. I am monster though and just deal with the buttons being mapped to Xbox layouts so 'X' and 'Y' are always mapped backwards. I now know that Steam has a feature for mapping buttons now.

With all of that said, I also am looking for a new controller. My palms have been hurting as of late when I use the ProController.I will always recommend this controller but my hands are hurting more during longer play sessions. It never used to feel like this so I think I need to start stretching these old hands prior to playing.

If anyone has any input on comparing 8bitDuo's Pro 2 or Gulikit's KingKong 2 Pro Controller to Nintendo's ProController, I'd like to read your thoughts :)

I will +1 all the 8bitdo recommendations. They make great, reliable and sturdy hardware.