8BitDo says its controllers are now compatible with Steam/SteamOS. The announcement specifically mentions three models and advises users to update their controllers and Steam client to the latest version.
I have 3 of their controllers. All excellent hardware-wise but a bit shit when it comes to their software. Don’t think you’ll even be able to do this firmware update on Linux. Curious to see how well the Steam Input support works in any case, especially whether it includes gyro.
Well at least it’s “just” software issues, software can always be fixed, but hardware issues are usually only fixable by needing to buy a new version lol
A good example: their SN30 Pro has a bad bluetooth chip in it that makes Xinput support really laggy (I don’t know the specifics). It’s been years now, and had a few firmware updates, but there’s still been no fix. It works great for everything else though, so I still keep it around.
Just a warning for anyone thinking of buying one after reading this…
Interestingly - I have 4 (two Pro 2’s, an SN30 Pro, and one of the Ultimate C variants) and have used them all on my Steam Deck before. The past couple of years at family gatherings I’ve hooked up my Deck to a big screen and allowed the kids to play Mario Party and such.
So I’m kind of confused about what is being added now. Their post says more details to come so I guess I’ll see?
There was a post from Valve a while back, you can now remap the back pedals via Steam, so they’re now recognized as a different input button instead of having to use their software to mapping it to one of the existing buttons. At least that’s my understanding, I don’t own any 8bitdo, and this was the reason I never bought one, so that might change in the near future.
The 8bitdo Ultimate 2 is pretty close to an XBox controller and it has a gyro. The problem is that while the gyro works great on Switch, it’s severely limited on PC, as it can only emulate the right stick with very few settings. The Steam Input update could potentially fix that, but I haven’t tested it yet.
Make sure to turn the controller on when holding the B button. It’s only recognised correctly in steam when it’s in direct input mode and by default it boots into xinput
Boo, it looks like none of them so far have the back levers that the pro controller has. Sadly I really like those.
Will have to think how much I want gyro
I have 3 of their controllers. All excellent hardware-wise but a bit shit when it comes to their software. Don’t think you’ll even be able to do this firmware update on Linux. Curious to see how well the Steam Input support works in any case, especially whether it includes gyro.
Well at least it’s “just” software issues, software can always be fixed, but hardware issues are usually only fixable by needing to buy a new version lol
A good example: their SN30 Pro has a bad bluetooth chip in it that makes Xinput support really laggy (I don’t know the specifics). It’s been years now, and had a few firmware updates, but there’s still been no fix. It works great for everything else though, so I still keep it around.
Just a warning for anyone thinking of buying one after reading this…
Agreed, I hope they add some more linux support with their software in the future.
Interestingly - I have 4 (two Pro 2’s, an SN30 Pro, and one of the Ultimate C variants) and have used them all on my Steam Deck before. The past couple of years at family gatherings I’ve hooked up my Deck to a big screen and allowed the kids to play Mario Party and such.
So I’m kind of confused about what is being added now. Their post says more details to come so I guess I’ll see?
Should be the ability to freely remap their controls using the Steam Input interface. They’ve always worked on Deck as regular XInput devices.
There was a post from Valve a while back, you can now remap the back pedals via Steam, so they’re now recognized as a different input button instead of having to use their software to mapping it to one of the existing buttons. At least that’s my understanding, I don’t own any 8bitdo, and this was the reason I never bought one, so that might change in the near future.
I have one of the pro’s from a few years ago and I am just finding out now that they have software. Thanks, i will look later.
Do they have an Xbox pro like controller with gyro? I’ve been waiting for Xbox to get off their ass
The 8bitdo Ultimate 2 is pretty close to an XBox controller and it has a gyro. The problem is that while the gyro works great on Switch, it’s severely limited on PC, as it can only emulate the right stick with very few settings. The Steam Input update could potentially fix that, but I haven’t tested it yet.
The gyro works perfectly fine with this update
Good to hear. Tried running the update when the news about it came out, but it seemingly wasn’t available yet. Will try later today then.
Make sure to turn the controller on when holding the B button. It’s only recognised correctly in steam when it’s in direct input mode and by default it boots into xinput
The Gamesir Supernova has gyro, and it is very similar to an XBox controller.
Boo, it looks like none of them so far have the back levers that the pro controller has. Sadly I really like those.
Will have to think how much I want gyro
The Supernova has two back buttons, not sure if that’s what you mean by levers.
Xbox pro had 4 metal levers on the back that are mapped to the bumpers by default.
Probably I don’t need them 😅