Hello all, I’m looking to buy 4-8 controllers for some couch coop games and haven’t found any clear winners so far. I’m leaning 2.4Ghz as I’ve heard problems about bluetooth controllers disconnecting on the steam deck and always appreciate less latency. I also don’t need any fancy features like gyro or touchpads, just the generic xbox-like style would be great. Also my last problem is that every one I’ve found requires a dongle per controller, to which I’m wondering if 4-8 dongles next to each other would cause interference?

In essence: if anyone has recommendations on controllers for couch coop games on the steam deck where the main priority is connection stability, it’d be much appreciated!

  • simplymath@lemmy.world
    3·
    2 months ago

    I have 4 of the 8bitdo controllers (various Bluetooth models) and games have varying levels of support for them. Sometimes all the controllers show up as 1st player, but mostly steam handles it fine. I’ve also use Microsoft branded controllers in the past with 0 issues, but then you’re locked into to that as mixing those with playstation or 3rd party ones can lead to the same player mapping weirdness. Also, the Xbox variety needs a 2.4Ghz dongle to work with the deck, but I’ve found this to be superior to Bluetooth in crowded environments.

  • SuzyQ@sh.itjust.works
    2·
    2 months ago

    I second 8bitdo. I have the ultimate bluetooth model and I love it. That one can switch between bluetooth and 2.4ghz. Unsure how multiple controllers using the dongles would work though.

  • entropicdrift@lemmy.sdf.org
    1·
    2 months ago

    If your top priority is connection stability (and latency is right behind that), consider going wired with a USB extender and a big USB splitter at the couch-end. You’ll save a bundle and the connections won’t ever drop

  • xfc@lemdro.idEnglish
    1·
    2 months ago

    I’ve been using the 8bitdo ultimate but I’ve had a few issues with it over time. For starters the rb button sticks, which I’ve been able to work around using the back paddles, but it’s still not ideal. Recently though I’ve had a few games misinterpret the buttons, playing through animal well the a and b buttons performed the same action so I had to get my old 360 wired controller out to play through it. Looking in the software (only available on phone and windows, no Linux support as far as I’m aware) showed no mismatch of setup or anything so no idea what’s happening there. Playing death stranding recently also had issues, it was as if it was trying to switch inputs from the controller to m+kb constantly.