The Best Controller For The Steam Deck

[@DigitalCynics]

Do you play your steam deck in docked mode ever?

[@daved1216]

Lately im playing gta 4 lost and damned really really great experience

[@jamesvancam]

@@daved1216 Yessir!

[@Stoked4Good]

Basically the only way I play. 😅

[@jaredweiman2987]

Yes. All of the time.

[@CoffeewithGames]

I just started recently started docking it more, and it's been a bit of weird time. I got the official Dock right away, and the setup was definitely NOT straight-forward, which I found really weird and frustrating. Also, moving it from one TV to another, not very straight-forward. One TV it worked fine on after the update and changing out HDMI cables, the second one needed another Dock update... Now, it seems to be working okay though? I don't get it. Also, not 100% sure the Steam Deck Dock works well when it's docked and going through an HDMI switch box. I couldn't get it to initially work that way, which was frustrating, and just gave up on it. Haven't tried it in about 2 months, so maybe they fixed it? I did notice the latency when recently playing with a Switch Pro Controller, and it was bad. So, hearing that a 2.4g controller might be the solution, is good to know. Going to look at it now.... Thanks for doing the video!

[@jaylanpatel]

UPDATE: valve has released an update that allows controllers to wake the steam deck

[@josephiannotta838]

Is this for only the OLED?

[@absolutepryme]

He using the original Steam deck. The ones that allow to be awaken via controllers are the OLED models.

[@paulkendrick4153]

@@absolutepryme BRO I HAVE A LIMITED EDITION OLED one! Please can you show me how to do it!? This is amazing if possible

[@HustlerHorstRuediger]

Also the 8bitdo ultimate is the only 3rd party Controller I know about that can wake the switch from standby. The function is kinda hidden. You have to shake the controller.

[@stuffandnonsense8528]

2.4g or Blutooth?

[@HustlerHorstRuediger]

@@stuffandnonsense8528 The one I have can do both I think that's the BT-Version but idk. Why do you want to know?

[@stuffandnonsense8528]

@@HustlerHorstRuediger it's just that the wake function is very important to me. I gather that it is possible with either? I went for the 2.4.

[@HustlerHorstRuediger]

@@stuffandnonsense8528 does the 2.4 GHz version have the charging station as well? I have the one with the station. How to distinguish the two?

[@vorzenth4969]

the storage compartment on charging dock from the controller can be used as a usb passthrough, so you just need to plug the charging dock to the steamdeck

[@Stoked4Good]

This the perfect video i was looking for! Thank you Sir!

[@Nickbaldeagle02]

I bought the 8bitdo ultimate specifically for my Steam Deck. It's awesome.

[@alexgmrs]

Hey Nick, if I may ask, did you buy the Ultimate Wireless 2.4g? If so, based on your comment the experience while using it seems pretty good...truly considering it as well.

[@Nickbaldeagle02]

@@alexgmrs I got the Bluetooth +2.4g just to cover all the bases.

[@alexgmrs]

@@Nickbaldeagle02 thanks mate

[@Davvyk]

do you have it working with the 2.4g on steam deck? Bought mine because of this video but its still not plug and play like windows for me

[@Nickbaldeagle02]

@@Davvyk it's plug and play. Just plugged the dongle into a USB C hub and I'm away.

[@malikon6953]

Love this controller. Have it in black and it's been fantastic. Much better than the Xbox controller I was using previously.

[@deckverse]

Really cool stuff, thanks for sharing this with us! I would highly recommend learning about the "Golden 40" that leverages the 40Hz capabilities of the Deck's display or the 120Hz of your HDMI 2.1 VRR capable TV. Inevitably, you'll often end up worrying if a recent release can run at 60FPS on there. The Golden 40 would massively help here: Due to the fact you can lower the panel's refresh rate to 40Hz through the Quick Action Menu, you are able to go for 40FPS instead of 30. Why you may ask? Despite a 10FPS additional payload to the Deck's graphics APU, 40 FPS is right in the middle between 30 and 60 FPS in terms of frame pacing - meaning a nearly-60 FPS experience. Try it out! If you want to see this in action, feel free to give an older video of mine a shot, where I tried to explain this comprehensively. Cheers!

[@Cosmic-Bear.]

>No gyro controls in xinput mode >Perfect for Steam Deck >Perfect How?? lol

[@DaMu24]

But it has the Xbox layout!

[@randymccoy2527]

No macro adjustment isn't a minor issue. Personally it's required at this point after using the Deck for so long. I was just about to buy this from your video then heard you address the back buttons are unusable on Deck

[@MrKinein]

I should say that the title is kinda clickbait'y given that you didn't really test a lot of controllers. You said from the get go that your other controllers are invalid for you because of the bluetooth, here is 8bitdo option with 2.4 ghz connection and that's it. No comparison or real arguments why it is best for the Steam Deck. From my experience I kinda agree that bluetooth sucks. Moreover it fails to maintain stable connection with my steam deck for some reason (tried 3 controllers). Wired experience has some problems too, especially with the TV. So yeah, 2.4 ghz as a connection itself seems the way to go. Question only is this the best one or the other. Which wasn't brought up in the video...

[@mattihp]

The weird thumbstick layout would annoy me. Luckily I am too much of a casual to notice lag, so I am running with Stadia controllers. That charging dock looks sweet though.

[@gymggang46]

Thanks for the review man!

[@jackcollins5394]

This ... This is just a good review!! awesome job!!

[@user-tm8jt2py3d]

my 8bitdo started driving me crazy lately. While it's plugged in, games will launch to a black screen, then never load. I can wait minutes and then unplug the controller and the game continues instantly. It will also disconnect itself while in steam controller settings, then be unrecognized until I pair it again.

[@timsarai]

People reviewing this on Amazon are saying that they are having problems with it on Steam Deck

[@DigitalCynics]

As I stated in the video, It seems to have been fixed with an update.

[@timsarai]

@@DigitalCynics this include the rumble? Reviews as of only 4 or 5 weeks ago 😳. Really tempted by it but I’m a bit wary. You done much gaming with it in your PC? If so what’s it like?

[@Mingodough]

@@DigitalCynics is it fixed on stable? I’ve been on beta for a month or so. I want to go back to stable if the stable update has it now.

[@Tekrow]

​@@DigitalCynicsfalse

[@acraen]

I find that the 8bitdo has two shortcomings on steam deck. The abxy button layout is inversed compared to steam deck and the buttons on the back don’t work

[@DaMu24]

You broke it. Fix it.

[@Davvyk]

still unable to get mine working on steam deck with the 2.4 dongle. Just disconnects. Getting returned.

[@DaMu24]

lol you broke it.

[@Sayhello2nick]

Used your affiliate link to buy the dock. Hope it gives you a bunch of money

[@Aethelbeorn]

4:50 They eventually got that feature implemented... xD

[@absolutepryme]

For the OLEDs models. Not the OG/LCD models of the Steam Deck.

[@woltiv]

My dumbass was wondering where the USB dongle was, thank you lol

[@antwanowens4013]

Hey bud do I have to buy a dock station to use this controller because you never really explained the functionality/u glaced over and just plug it in a dock station please explain

[@ilikewater666]

Does the wireless dongle work for more than one controller or do you have to plug in separate dongles for each controller?

[@jaredweiman2987]

I can't bring up the performance overlay menu with mine. It seems like hitting what should be the steam button (the one with the ring around it) just brings up the steam menu but pressing it with the "B" button, or any face button for that matter, doesn't seem to perform any other function.

[@jaredweiman2987]

I fixed this. You need to disable "Use Nintendo Button Layout" or whatever it's called in controller settings. For some reason it interferes with the dual button press required to bring up other steam menus (Keyboard, Performance tab, etc). Not ideal, but it's fine.

[@Ryan-1337]

Why is this plug and play on steam OS, but not the official wireless dongle for the Xbox controller?

[@scott5476]

I bought this and regret it. I have to sit about 6 feet from my TV otherwise it loses connection.

[@sbell2571]

How does the 2.4 gHz option affect the overall performance of the connection??

[@Dmoney8720]

I got the dock from valve and I have the same controller w/o Bluetooth. The controller just won’t connect. I can’t do anything with it

[@davidhopper6645]

I just bought the updated version with the hall effects joysticks. I'm having a problem with my steam deck with most games. TMNT shredders revenge doesn't work at all using the dongle. But Bluetooth works fine. The updated version has Bluetooth now apparently. My wife also has a deck so I want to just leave it hooked up to the dock so no matter who hooks up to it can use the controller. Anybody have any tips?

[@markdillon9588]

I can't get the original dongle to work with the deck :( does the ultimate work after your deck is in sleep? Bluetooth controllers don't

[@DigitalCynics]

I believe I mentioned in the video that I have to manually turn on the steam deck before using the controller. Other than that, I've had no issues using it.

[@markdillon9588]

@@DigitalCynics ah yes but if you are connected, sleep the deck turn on the deck does the controller work then? Bluetooth ones don't if mid game

[@DigitalCynics]

Ok so if I am playing a game and put the deck to sleep with the controller connected & then manually wake up the Steam Deck the controller still works (likely have to wake the controller too). At least I'm 99% sure I did these EXACT things on my playthrough of outer wilds. I'll have to check after work tho as you have me second guessing myself now 😂.

[@THEboemannew]

I got the bluetooth model so i can quickly switch between my switch an pc

[@legoobear6810]

I bought the 8BitDo Pro 2 controller-- and it does not work with the Steam Deck as of the time of writing this comment. The system kinda seizes up until you unpair it. And no game works properly. 😤

[@DaMu24]

Yo update

[@itzdcx]

it's either this controller or Gulikit

[@TheGunGAME1000]

That ultimate software in the controller lets you customize the buttons.

[@DigitalCynics]

Does it let you assign a keyboard press to one of the macros? That's what I was trying to figure out. Sometimes I like to bind like an "f5" for quick saving and couldn't figure it out

[@jamesvancam]

I love this controller

[@greenglow5724]

I don’t see much of a difference between latency for the controllers. I guess it’s a personal preference and never hurts to be patient.

[@verynick]

I want to know too hehe

[@foxinthebox7456]

Does it has vibration? Mine doesn't

[@BenQuiles]

I don’t understand why everyone pronounces 8bitdo like this. It’s a play on Nintendo, isn’t it?

[@DigitalCynics]

The company officially stated once that it was pronounced "dew" But I think the spelling is probably intentional as a Nintendo reference as well

[@reginaldlucas1205]

Can two people play on Steamdeck using controllers at the same time??

[@DigitalCynics]

Yup!

[@reginaldlucas1205]

@DigitalCynics An you can play in the HDMI so it comes up on the TV with the controllers connected??

[@DigitalCynics]

Do you mean the steam deck connected to a dock on the TV? Yes! You can do this with more than one controller and play couch co-op/multiplayer

[@reginaldlucas1205]

@DigitalCynics Yeah like connect both controllers an that the HDMI an have in one the big screen playing it like an XBOX or PLAYSTATION, will I be able to do that??

[@DigitalCynics]

Yup!

[@Heihachi_Joestar]

I dont like this controller man. The button configuration was all messed up. I know you can change it but cba

[@marcotavares319]

Will this only work with a docked steam deck?

[@dexterseamusgaming3338]

you can get an adaptor, usb c male usb a female so u can plug the receiver there

[@bohenian]

Does it have gyro?

[@cosmicdioxide]

No. But the bluetooth variant does, but the gyro only works specifically on bluetooth mode, which has noticeable input delays. As soon as you switch to wireless dongle, the gyro doesn't work. Tldr, this controller is dogshit. I suggest you spend more money on better controller: the dual sense.

[@DaMu24]

​@@cosmicdioxidemother fucjer you are so wrong. The Xbox one has much more problems than the Bluetooth, but don't use the Bluetooth, just stay on the 2.4Ghz

[@jackherbert7694]

Does this work with an Nvidia Shield?

[@DigitalCynics]

Can't say for certain. But if the shield recognizes Xbox or dualshock controllers then this SHOULD in theory work

[@akrihydro840]

sell only 25.83 USD in China 0:54 😂

[@userrand2127]

I bought this controller a while back and returned it promptly. The software to customize the button layout is AWFUL and the app that is REQUIRED for you to change button layouts always wants to make it self inconvenient. EVERY time you want to use your custom layout, you NEED to open the app and wait for the controller to connect to your phone. Not to mention random occurrences of buttons not registering when pressed, although admittedly that can be attributed to a bad apple, software will be a detriment to everyone. The only controller so far worth a damn for me has been the POWER A enhanced wireless controller. If anyone else has found a controller that is wireless and has back buttons that can be customized without external software -this controllers back buttons can be customized by pressing a button in the back, then the button you want to register, then the whichever back paddle you want to register it to- please tell me.

[@DaMu24]

Lol don't even have gyro 😞

[@AbleistSL]

8bitdo is a Mainland Chinese company, which means their hardware may contain firmware that drops PRC spyware onto your devices.

[@dexterseamusgaming3338]

Best Reviewer

[@Anima_EB]

Dont recommend thia garbage to people. I picked this up after watching this and its horribly broken. I cannot get it to connect or function without horrendous input lag. There is a guide to get it working but its a ton of work when it should be seamless. 0/10

[@MrEtherlord]

>no trackpad >for steam deck is this a joke?

[@amoretpax199]

You can just get the Steam Deck controller then.

[@Ralphunreal]

trackbad is lame, not needed

[@kyan892]

Quit playin with your greentext shit. The only times you need the trackpad are temporary and can be done in handheld mode.

[@thesnipersnestandmore7461]

Which button for hot key?