Recommend me a good game controller

[Dos_Box]

I've been getting quite a bit us use out of my emulator PC since it started to live under my living room TV, but one thing that is annoying me now. I've been using my Xbox Series X controller with it, but it is not quite suited to various platforms, and, TBH, feels very awkward in regards to button\controller feedback and overall 'feel'.
I would have preferred to use my Wii U Pro Controller, but Windows 11 has issues with this and I can't get it to connect or (with the use of a third party program to force the drivers and controller to work correctly).

 

Can anyone recommend a third party controller I could use? Ideally it should follow the modern controller layout and be wireless. I have taken a look on the Amazon best sellers, but am very cautions of these, and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

[Jaan]

i like the look of this: https://www.manba.cc/products/manba-one-black?srsltid=AfmBOopZ5KvgI5WGbMUP5DckezD4Ltz1UQFu4tThNQzp2TWPMbSLAjjJ

[BKGarry]

Depends how quite retro you wish to go, but 8bitDo do quite a selection

https://thepihut.com/search?q=controller&narrow_by=Brand%2C8BitDo&sort_by=relevency&page=1

[Dos_Box]

I do like the look of the Mamba One. May have to check out some reviews of it.

[ovenchips]

+1 for 8BitDo controllers, support for multiple platforms / input types, built well and offer plenty of shapes, best of all they last years without any issues.

[Valentine]

Recently got a 8Bitdo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller just for playing those few PC games which really require a gamepad and not wanting to spend £50+ on an official one.   It has a very nice feel to it and has decent tech inside (hall-effect sticks, a couple of remappable buttons).

 

They do like their pastel colour scheme which may or not be your thing!

[Dos_Box]

Well, I can say one thing. None of these appeared on the Amazon lists (most popular, highest reviewed etc.), so it really does pay to ask those who know 😊

[LeMarchand]

If you have a PlayStation controller would that work?

 

I got one of these for £20 from eBay and have been pleased with it, but the Manba does seem rather nice. https://www.amazon.co.uk/EasySMX-Controller-Bluetooth-Replacable-Mechanical/dp/B0CQBZGQPF

[Dos_Box]

I do have PS1/2/3 controllers, but they are getting on a bit now, and I don't mind spending a bit extra for the better features and components and build quality.
Out of all the console controllers I have (far, far too many), I still prefer the Wii U pro controller over all the others. It's just a shame about the Windows 11 connectivity issues.

[LeMarchand]

Have you tried WiinUSoft/Pro: 

 

[pete]

I've got the 8Bitdo Ultimate (v1) for use on Windows, Switch, iPad and (very occasionally) Android.  Does Bluetooth and wireless dongle and can store 3 different profiles / button maps.

[Dos_Box]

1 hour ago, LeMarchand said:

Have you tried WiinUSoft/Pro: 

 

Yes, that's the method I was using. It just didn't want to connect at all. It would see it, but would never pair. By all accounts Windows 10 would do it natively without fuss, but something had changed in Windows 11.
I may give it another try now that I've got all of the awkward parts of setting up the PC out of the way.
 

[Dos_Box]

On 14/10/2025 at 11:19, Jaan said:

i like the look of this: https://www.manba.cc/products/manba-one-black?srsltid=AfmBOopZ5KvgI5WGbMUP5DckezD4Ltz1UQFu4tThNQzp2TWPMbSLAjjJ

Well, I went for that and it arrived yesterday. It's a very good controller and has played well on various emulated platforms so far.
It's just a shame it isn't (currently) natively Xbox compatible, which is strange as the wireless dongle that comes in the box appears as an Xbox controller receiver in device manager. I may have a play later to see if I can't make it work in some way.
Also confusing (and of course I didn't read the setup instructions!) is that you have to select in the controller interface if you are using Bluetooth or the supplied dongle. You also have to select between PC, Android and Switch in the menu to connect between platforms.
I have to give particular credit to the A-B-X-Y buttons, which now use mouse button switches. They feel amazing! 

[Jaan]

25 minutes ago, Dos_Box said:

Well, I went for that and it arrived yesterday. It's a very good controller and has played well on various emulated platforms so far.
It's just a shame it isn't (currently) natively Xbox compatible, which is strange as the wireless dongle that comes in the box appears as an Xbox controller receiver in device manager. I may have a play later to see if I can't make it work in some way.
Also confusing (and of course I didn't read the setup instructions!) is that you have to select in the controller interface if you are using Bluetooth or the supplied dongle. You also have to select between PC, Android and Switch in the menu to connect between platforms.
I have to give particular credit to the A-B-X-Y buttons, which now use mouse button switches. They feel amazing! 

 

Funny... i ordered one on the weekend also! the black version! 😄 

[Dos_Box]

15 minutes ago, Jaan said:

 

Funny... i ordered one on the weekend also! the black version! 😄 

I got the transparent one, but you can buy the black cover separately from them, and I think that is a great look with that combination.
Let me know how you get on with yours. One to watch is that the V2 comes in the same packaging as the original, so just make sure you haven't been scammed!

[Jaan]

4 minutes ago, Dos_Box said:

I got the transparent one, but you can buy the black cover separately from them, and I think that is a great look with that combination.
Let me know how you get on with yours. One to watch is that the V2 comes in the same packaging as the original, so just make sure you haven't been scammed!

 

Well i hope mines the v2! that's what i paid for...... how you checking v1 vs v2? firmware or any physical differences? 

[Dos_Box]

The screen has a fitted screen protector and the A-B-X-Y buttons have moved from a membrane backing to mechanical mouse switches. They feel soooo good!
They also give you a spare screen protector.
Hopefully there will be a firmware update in the future to make Xbox compatibility easier without having to buy a third party dongle.

[Jaan]

From what i understand, the xbox compatibility is a licensing thing..... i'm sure the v1 had a fw update to allow it....to work on the xbox 

[Dos_Box]

Yeah, I do see they already have one (to fix a Switch connection issue) - https://www.manba.cc/pages/manba-one-connection-of-switch2 - but I had to search for that, I couldn't find any direct links on the site.

[Dos_Box]

@Jaan Did you get yours ok? If so, how are you getting on with it? I'm quite impressed tbh, and the button switches are a joy (no pun intended)!

[Jaan]

It's due today 😁

[Dos_Box]

22 hours ago, Jaan said:

It's due today 😁

Wow, that took it's time, I think mine came from a UK supplier via Amazon. Took 2 days 😊
I hope you have fun with it this weekend. My son wants one now for his Xmas pressie.

[BKGarry]

You know what, I am very tempted now

[Dos_Box]

It is very good, no Xbox compatibility, but seeing as Microsoft seem to be keen in putting the Xbox in its grave, there's no loss there (mental note, reduce Xbox Live subscription).

For its price, you are looking at paying a lot more from other vendors for similar specs although, you may get nice extras suck as joystick tensioners, but it's a hell of a price jump to there.
My son brought his Steam Deck with him, and it worked fine with that too with the deck linked to the TV via a Steam Link box. I've had this years and it was the first time it had ever been used.
It worked very well!

[BKGarry]

I don't own an Xbox, I just use one of their controllers on my PC. Should look at getting a dock or something for my Deck to plug into my TV, but sometimes I just like sitting at the PC.