I want to buy a game controller that will work with Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows. (Big bonus points if it will work with old OS versions.) I want it to be able to physically clip on with my phones.
(EDIT: If it’s a common enough controller then it doesn’t need to have a clip for phones because there are probably separate clips i can buy and add on myself.)
There are so many controllers out there that I’m overwhelmed! What’s a great works-with-everything controller?
From my experience, trying to use one bluetooth controller with all your devices will become a pairing nightmare. You’ll be doing a lot of un-pairing, pairing and cursing the bluetooth protocol, but I guess it’s what are you willing to put up with.
Most of my experience is with Windows, Steam Deck and Steam Link. Also, most PC games are going to use the Xbox style button layout, so you’ll have to get used to converting the buttons in your head.
With Windows I keep a PS4 (DS4) controller and a whatever the newest Xbox controller is called, paired. The DS4 is nice because it has the touch pad that can be configured to use as a mouse through Steam (or whatever else you want to assign to it). DS4Windows probably also has this functionality but I just let Steam’s config control it. I don’t know if Android or iOS supports the touch pad. If I have the hankering to play an MMO with a controller the DS4 is the way to go.
The newer Xbox S? controller I feel has a better directional pad over the Xbox One controllers. I use it more often than the DS4 since the button layouts usually match the game.
I keep two 8bitDo SNES controllers paired to my Steam Deck. They are great, but they are small and use the Nintendo layout.
I keep 2 Xbox One and 2 PS4 controllers paired to my Steam Link for couch gaming. I also have a Steam Controller paired but that’s usually a last resort since it can take a lot of configuration to feel good.
I also have a SteelSeries Stratus that I attempted to use with some Android devices and some other things. Pairing on Android and Windows yielded inconsistent controls. I don’t think it would ever recognize the triggers or shoulder buttons. I gave up trying to use it.
I’ve also owned one of the older Razer wired controllers. It failed not long after I bought it. Razer sent me a replacement and it died not long after too. I would stay away from Razer.
I’m not worried about dealing with Bluetooth pairings, i usually keep Bluetooth turned off on all my devices until i have a specific reason to turn it on.