Linux controller with xinput over bluetooth

[u/1371113]

Hi there,

I've spent quite a lot of time searching the web with various search engines and asking LLMs these questions but the tools available on websites aren't answering the questions I have (especially around xinput over bluetooth). The 'AI' responses are usually wrong and I'm sick of telling LLMs to stop guessing. Hoping the folks here can help by either pointing me in the direction of the resources I'm looking for, or help me narrow down how to do that. There's just so many controllers these days and this old nerd had no idea....

Problem statement:

My wife prefers to use a controller as she grew up with consoles. I am a PC gamer who has used a mouse and keyboard pretty much exclusively since the late 80s, but have no issue (from a technical standpoint) making anything from any source run on either Windows or Linux. I would prefer Linux support over windows.

After 6 months of faffing around it's become clear to me that a lot of games do not do well with DS (playstation type) protocol over bluetooth to Steam, even with Steam Input enabled. Have had a lot of trouble with several games my wife and I play, e.g. Witcher series, Uncharted, Skyrim, Horizon series... I could go on. I've fixed most issues using DS4 for WIndows where Steam Input was unable to help but I'd prefer to use Linux and native XInput support.

We need to use bluetooth. The lounge PC/TV is too far from the couch for a cable to not be a tangled mess people trip over. I am happy to use something like DS4 for windows or PS not PS for linux on a Nobara distribution to make xinput work if I have to but would prefer if it ran natively so we can use Bazzite.

I've read the buying guide and rules (shame the buying guide is hidden from old.reddit users, I'm lucky I found a mention of it in another users controller suggestion thread).

To answer the required questions for a suggestion thread:

1. Your budget and currency (do not say "doesn't matter" or "unlimited", include a sensible range or maximum) 200 NZD
2. Your country (not just region) and where you can buy from (product availability, pricing, and aftersales support vary around the world). New Zealand. Happy to buy from Amazon US, Australia or AliExpress.
3. Console or platform compatibility needed. Linux, pref Bazzite support for XInput with no OS layer remapping required.
4. Desired features. XBox, Steam Controller or PS layout all fine, XInput over bluetooth absolutely essential. The longer the battery life the better. My wife tends to hammer the analog sticks pretty bad and kills them quickly so durability there would be appreciated
5. Types of games you'll be playing with a controller. Mostly 3rd person single player Action RPGs
6. Other controllers you're comparing to (demonstrate that you have used the buying advice pages, and searched existing posts). Found 8bitdo pro 2 and Gulikit Es Pro in another thread. Buying guide is pretty light on xinput advice. A lot of posts and websites conflate xinput over USB with xinput over bluetooth as the manufacturers list bluetooth AND xinput support but fail to list that xinput is only over USB.

My questions:

Would like advice on which controllers are the least hassle to get running in Bazzite/Linux over bluetooth (if I have to use a dongle I will but have found them troublesome in the past). Prefer a cheaper controller I can buy a a bigger after market battery for myself rather than pay a premium for battery life, if there is anything like that out there. Want something that will run natively through Bazzite or Nobara linux to Steam without intervention. Durable analog sticks. Happy to buy from Aliexpress so not worried about stuff just available in NZ. Frankly there's sweet FA available here.

[u/AutoModerator]

Hi /u/1371113, your 'Controller Suggestion' post is in a queue for review. Please ensure you have included all of the required information, have used a meaningful and descriptive title, are not repeating frequently asked questions.

Include the following information and follow this structure so the post can be approved and the community can help you more effectively:

1. Your budget and currency (do not say "doesn't matter" or "unlimited", include a sensible range or maximum)
2. Your country (not just region) and where you can buy from (product availability, pricing, and aftersales support vary around the world)
3. Console or platform compatibility needed
4. Desired features
5. Types of games you'll be playing with a controller
6. Other controllers you're comparing to (demonstrate that you have used the buying advice pages, and searched existing posts)

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[u/No-Operation-6554]

gamepadla says that gulikit-es-pro has xinput over bluetooth which seems to be the same as my last experience with the brand (KK2)

[u/1371113 → u/No-Operation-6554]

Ever used it on Linux over bluetooth? I'm getting weird things like reconnect failing after sleep with other devices. EDIT: Ignore this one - think I've found the issue is around bluetooth device trust in BlueZ stack. I'll test that tomorrow.