accessible.tips/content/tips/gaming-controllers.md

title	author	publishDate	lastMod	toc	draft	categories	tags	changelog
Controller Gaming	KemoNine	2023-03-25	2023-03-25	true	false	tips gaming	controller	date text 2023-03-25 Initial creation

Attribution

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This tip is a syndicated copy of KemoNine's blog post. It has been adapted to our site's format by KemoNine.

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The Only Consideration

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Before we get too far, I'd like to point out the only considerations I consider important.

They are:

• What works for your hands?
• Is it comfortable?
• Does it cause health issues or pain? (It should not)
• It doesn't get in the way of you enjoying a game
• Paddles should be a consideration as a requirement. They allow your thumbs to remain on look/move and still retain the ability to jump/reload/etc while also moving and looking around
• Ensure there are at least two buttons/paddles on the controller grips OR it has 3 total buttons per 'shoulder': standard shoulder button, trigger, additional button that can be bound to any other button

If the above considerations are met, I think it's a perfectly valid and acceptable controller for use.

This page is about how I got controllers to "get out of my way" and be comfortable for regular use. Nothing more.

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Controller Clips

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While reviewing the below I'd like to note the 8bitdo controller clip works very well with a number of Xbox styled controllers. It works so well, I use it with my Microsoft Elite Series 2 as well as my Scuff Instinct. I also have a short usb-c cable I use to connect the controller to the phone.

It can be a really good option for phones that won't work with some of the nicer, more phone focused controllers.

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Some Considerations

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• Very good options available
• Lets you use a lot of 'good' controllers freely
• Weight/portability can be an issue
• Center of gravity can be a problem depending on the controller

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Controllers

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Microsoft Elite Series 2

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• Hard to beat for comfort
• I especially like the paddle layout and where the rear paddles are placed
• The paddles do not seem to work over Bluetooth
• I do not recommend this controller if you need Bluetooth connection support
• The tuning app is second to none, it's worth the extra cost to me

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Scuff Instinct

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• Next best controller to the Microsoft Elite Series 2
• The paddles are more horizontally laid out and its difficult to push both paddles on the same side concurrently
• The 'rear' paddle is a 'push' motion which confuses my mind slightly
• It works with paddles over Bluetooth
• The profiles for button mappings to the paddles works
• The tuning is far less than the Microsoft Elite Series 2 but more than enough for general gaming

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Razer Kishi v1 and v2

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• v1 not worth it due to lack of paddles/grip buttons and it's End Of Life, avoid this version
• v2 is very nice if your phone can be used with it
• The app is required for extra button mapping the two extra shoulder buttons
• Light and portable
• No first party case but third party cases work well

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8bitdo NES Controller

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• Works great with bluetooth
• If you need an original style NES controller, this is the one to buy in my opinion

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PowerA MOGA XP-7

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• Has 2 paddles, one on each grip
• Worth considering for mobile and or bluetooth needs if the Kishi v2 isn't an option in my opinion
• Can hold most phones in cases in my light testing
• Big and semi-heavy, worthy of xbox controller licensing
• It works with paddles over bluetooth
• Way to large and unwieldy with my phone in my hands
• The charging is via Qi (wireless) only

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Links

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The following links are in no particular order and my recommended starting points for finding controllers.

• https://www.powera.com/
• https://www.gamesir.hk/collections/types?q=Gamepads
• https://www.8bitdo.com/
• https://www.nacongaming.com/en-US/peripherals/controllers
• https://scufgaming.com/
• https://www.razer.com/mobile/controllers
• https://playbackbone.com/

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Related Pages

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• [Controller Configurations]({{< ref "/tips/gaming-controllers-configs.md" >}})
• [In Game Controller Configurations]({{< ref "/tips/gaming-controllers-in-game.md">}})

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