Recommended Gamepads - EmuELEC/EmuELEC GitHub Wiki

Since this question seems to pop-up every once in a while I decided to write this, please keep in mind this is my personal opinion, it does not mean that you will agree with my list.

The best (in my opinion by far) gamepad for EmuELEC hands down is the Logitech F310, it works out of the box on EmuELEC as it is the gamepad I use to test and play, the dpad is very responsive for retro games, and it includes enough buttons and analog sticks to support almost all games emulated by EmuELEC if you are in the market for a controller to use with EmuELEC (or PC, Android, Retropie, etc) consider this one! there is also a wireless version (Logitech F710) but I do not have that one.

Other controllers I have personally tested and sorted by most recommended to least (Again this is in MY opinion, a gamepad I hate you could love)

  • 8BitDo SN30 Pro+ (Bluetooth in Switch mode and USB in Windows mode seems to be what works, otherwise try different modes until one of them works!)
  • 8BitDo SF360 Pro (BT and cable; BT analogue sticks only seem to work in Switch-mode (Start+Y))
  • Hori Horipad Switch controller
  • USB RetroPad Adapter (to use original gamepads)
  • Xbox one (wired) It does NOT work over BT!
  • Xbox 360 (Most compatible, but the dpad is bad)
  • Sony DS5
  • Sony DS4
  • Sony DS3
  • SHANWAN PS3 GamePad, a 3rd-party DS3-type controller
  • Amazon Fire TV-Gamecontroller
  • Xbox S (Original)
  • Switch joycons (They do not work and really not recommended at all!)
    • CuleedTec Wireless Switch Game Controller (Does not connect in ES so NOT working).
  • Gamesir T3 (Works via dongle, no issues so far).
  • Gamesir T4 Pro (Works but the dongle connectivity is not the greatest).

Note that the way I am rating these controllers is in how easy they are to use with EmuELEC and how good they control retro games, I know the DS3 and DS4 have a great following, but the dpad on those things is HORRIBLE for older NES platform games and they are not easy to set up for all emulators in EmuELEC, but if you like it then by all means use the one you like the most/have at hand!

Keep in mind almost all gamepads that use standard USB/BT will work with EmuELEC that includes most Arcade sticks as well!

If you have tested other gamepads and would like to add it to this list please let me know!