The Xbox controller remains to be the best controller for PC gaming. Should you sport on a Home windows 10 or Home windows 11 PC, it’s best to have one. Right here’s why we advocate an Xbox controller as a substitute of a PS5 DualSense controller or one other third-party choice.
Positive, mouse and keyboard are nonetheless king, however PCs are all about alternative and adaptability. Controllers are the best choice for a lot of varieties of video games, together with platformers, racing video games, and combating video games. There’s a motive many PC video games will encourage you to play with a controller. Elden Ring and the favored Darkish Souls collection had been made to be performed with a controller, for instance.
Trendy Controllers Assist Bluetooth and USB-C
Now you can use mainly any fashionable console controller for PC gaming. We’re recommending the usual Xbox “Core” controller that’s additionally used with the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S right here. However the dearer higher-end Xbox Elite Wireless Controller additionally works—if you need a high-end controller experience.
Even Sony and Nintendo controllers work. You may take a PS5’s DualSense controller and connect it to your PC, and you may even connect a Nintendo Switch Pro controller or Joy-Cons to a PC.
Trendy controllers from Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo all use commonplace Bluetooth to wirelessly hook up with your PC. Should you favor a wired connection, these controllers can all use a standard USB-C cable to plug in—other than the Nintendo Swap Pleasure-Cons, after all, that are wi-fi controllers except you snap them onto a Nintendo Swap.
When this text was initially written again in 2014, we really useful wired Xbox 360 or Xbox One controllers as a result of they plugged in by way of USB. To make use of an Xbox controller wirelessly with a PC, you wanted an “Xbox Wireless Adapter” USB dongle. That’s now not the case—it’s all Bluetooth.
Tip: As a result of an Xbox controller connects by way of Bluetooth, you may wirelessly pair it with different gadgets, too. Along with Home windows 10 and Home windows 11 PCs, your Xbox controller might be paired with Android telephones, iPhones, iPads, Macs, sensible TVs, and another gadget that helps Bluetooth controllers.
Why an Xbox Controller for PC Gaming Is the Finest
Whereas Sony’s PS5 DualSense controller works surprisingly effectively with PCs, and you can even choose up different controllers from all kinds of manufacturers, we nonetheless advocate the Xbox controller.
Many PC video games are ported from the Xbox. Even video games that aren’t ported from the Xbox usually assume you’ve gotten an Xbox controller in the event that they’re designed for controllers. Should you’re utilizing a controller with a PC sport, there’s likelihood the on-screen prompts will robotically change from mouse and keyboard to Xbox controller buttons. When you’ve gotten a PS5 controller, some video games might present DualSense button prompts as a substitute—however not at all times.
In addition to all that, the Xbox Wireless Controller, additionally typically referred to as the “Core” controller or Xbox Wi-fi Core Controller, is a really well-made piece of {hardware}. It’s an inexpensive worth at $59 MSRP, though you may typically discover it on sale for $49 or maybe even $39. It provides quite a lot of colours: Black, White, Purple, Blue, and a yellow-green “Volt” shade, along with different limited-time shade schemes.
It doesn’t cost by way of USB, nevertheless—it makes use of commonplace AA batteries.
Finest for PC Gaming
Xbox Core Wireless Controller
Need a controller for PC gaming? That is the one we advocate. It is obtainable in all kinds of colours, so select your favourite one.
Methods to Join an Xbox Controller to a PC
To connect a modern Xbox Wireless Controller to a PC, you may both pair it by way of Bluetooth or join it by way of USB.
On a Home windows 10 PC, head to Settings > Gadgets > Bluetooth & Different Gadgets. Click on “Add Bluetooth or different gadgets” and choose “Bluetooth.”
On a Home windows 11 PC, head to Settings > Bluetooth & Gadgets. Click on the “Add System” button and choose “Bluetooth.”
Now, flip in your Xbox controller and put it in pairing mode. Press the Xbox emblem button in the course of the controller and maintain it down for just a few seconds, till the button lights up.
As soon as the sunshine is on, press and maintain the “Pairing” button on the prime of the controller, between the shoulder buttons, for just a few seconds. The Xbox emblem will begin blinking quickly, indicating the controller is in pairing mode. Now you can launch the Pairing button.
The controller will seem as an choice within the Bluetooth gadget checklist in your PC. Click on it, and your controller shall be paired.
To make use of the controller in wired mode, merely join it to your PC utilizing a USB-C cable. The USB-C port is on the highest of the controller, and you should utilize both a USB-C-to-C cable in case your pc has USB Type-C ports, or use a USB-C-to-A cable in case your pc has USB Type-A ports.
You probably have an older wired Xbox 360 or Xbox One controller, simply plug it into your pc utilizing its USB cable.
You probably have an older wi-fi Xbox 360 or Xbox One controller, you’ll seemingly want an “Xbox Wireless Adapter” dongle to attach it to your PC.
RELATED: How to Connect an Xbox Wireless Controller to a PC
Methods to Replace Your Xbox Controller’s Firmware on PC
Obtain the Xbox Accessories app from the Microsoft Retailer in your Home windows 10 or Home windows 11 PC to update your Xbox controller’s firmware and customise its buttons.
You may solely configure the controller and replace its firmware when it’s linked by way of a USB-C cable, so the app will ask you to plug your controller in by way of a cable when you launch it.
XInput vs. DirectInput
On a technical stage, Xbox Controllers are totally different from different controllers as a result of they use the XInput API to ship enter information to video games. That is totally different from the older DirectInput API that different controllers used. XInput is simpler for builders to make use of (in response to Microsoft) and provides assist for analog triggers and controller vibration.
Whilst you can join a PS5 DualSense controller to a PC, it’s price noting that it makes use of DirectInput rather than Xinput—and this will likely trigger compatibility points.
Many video games are constructed with XInput assist and an Xbox controller in thoughts. Some video games might not even embody DirectInput assist in any respect, so they might not work with different controllers. In the event that they do assist DirectInput, you’ll must configure the controls by yourself, whereas the default controls shall be designed by the developer with Xbox controllers in thoughts. You need to use a device like x360ce to emulate XInput, translating DirectInput controller calls to XInput, however it will require configuration and should not work completely.
RELATED: DirectInput vs. XInput for Game Controllers: What’s the Difference?
How the Xbox Controller Took Over on PC
Many PC video games are ported from the Xbox. These video games usually include built-in assist for a similar controller they use on the Xbox. Plug in a controller, and also you’ll often see the on-screen button prompts change from mouse and keyboard to Xbox controller buttons. A number of the worst ports to PC don’t even embody on-screen prompts for keyboard and mouse controllers–they present you Xbox controller buttons on display whether or not or not you plug in an Xbox controller. Mouse and keyboard customers are left struggling to determine the suitable buttons on their very own.
This controller assist was additionally superior by way of Microsoft’s Video games for Home windows certification program, launched again in 2006 and discontinued in 2013, which required native assist for Xbox 360 controllers. This allowed individuals with Xbox 360 consoles to plug their controllers straight into their pc’s USB ports and use them with none configuration.
At the moment, Xbox controllers have grow to be such a standardized controller that even indie video games developed for PC are sometimes designed with it in thoughts. They weren’t designed for Xbox and aren’t anxious about passing Video games for Home windows certification–they’re simply supporting the most effective, most typical PC controller.
They’re are additionally nice for playing classic console games in emulators on your PC. Hook up two or extra, and you may play outdated multiplayer console video games. It ought to be plug-and-play for PC video games, however you’ll must do a bit extra work when configuring emulators to work with an Xbox controller.
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