How good is the DualSense / PlayStation 5 controller support in Steam?

[Xodan Rot]

I'm thinking about buying a PS5 controller for PC / Steam. I don't have a PlayStation. How well is the controller working for PC / Steam games? What's your experience with it? I read that the input lag is bad? I also read it often just stops working / disconnects? But those were old threads, maybe it's good now? I want to use it for racing games (Forza Horizon 5) and all kinds of fighting games.

[Bee🐝]

This depends most importantly on which controller you feel most comfortable holding. Both are great controllers and a PS5 controller should work fine.

But honestly, without a PS5, if the Xbox’s analogue stick placement and the lack of haptic feedback isn’t a dealbreaker, just get an Xbox controller. It’s the hassle free option - it’s updated regularly through Windows and will always work no matter what an OS update throws at you.

Edit: Note, if you plan on playing any fighting games regularly, discard the above, and get the PS5 controller. Its’s just the goto controller after a proper pro setup.

[TCR Apex]

Get the Forza Horizon 5 edition XBOX controller and connect it to your PC using bluetooth, works awesome thats what I started using and love the controller!

[Xodan Rot]

The problem with the Xbox Series X controller is that the dpad is bad for fighting games. That's why I'm considering buying the PS5 controller.

But my questions remain: How is input lag / connection stability nowadays with the PS5 controller on PC / Steam?

[uuuhhhh-Ghostly]

Originally posted by Xodan Rot:

The problem with the Xbox Series X controller is that the dpad is bad for fighting games. That's why I'm considering buying the PS5 controller.

But my questions remain: How is input lag / connection stability nowadays with the PS5 controller on PC / Steam?

I'm using a Rechon Tech XBox One controller. It has a good D-Pad. It has a rubberized diamond grip (their words) and Bluetooth. I use it plugged in so I can't comment on the Bluetooth connection.

[crunchyfrog]

Well here's the thing. Even if we assume it has improved markedly it'll never reach the convenience of a straight up Xbox One controller, because Windows 10 is built for it's use.

I use a few different controllers, and usually default to the XBox One controller simply because it's just going to work, no mess. Prompts will also show up in game correctly too, if that's relevant.

Sony controlelrs are obviously not supported officially, so they will always be a mixed bag. And from experience, not just personal, they have a tendency to just stop working or go screwy every now and then. I don't know whether whatever drivers screw up or whatever, as I've never bothered getting to the bottom of it.

But we do see that quite a bit on these forums.

Best advice I can give is to keep an eye on MS Official page where you can customise your own controller (it's caleld the workshop or something). They often have deals on, and as it's Christmas...

[uuuhhhh-Ghostly]

Originally posted by crunchyfrog:

Well here's the thing. Even if we assume it has improved markedly it'll never reach the convenience of a straight up Xbox One controller, because Windows 10 is built for it's use.

I use a few different controllers, and usually default to the XBox One controller simply because it's just going to work, no mess. Prompts will also show up in game correctly too, if that's relevant.

Sony controlelrs are obviously not supported officially, so they will always be a mixed bag. And from experience, not just personal, they have a tendency to just stop working or go screwy every now and then. I don't know whether whatever drivers screw up or whatever, as I've never bothered getting to the bottom of it.

But we do see that quite a bit on these forums.

Best advice I can give is to keep an eye on MS Official page where you can customise your own controller (it's caleld the workshop or something). They often have deals on, and as it's Christmas...

The Playstation controllers are what's called 'Direct Input' controllers. XBox controllers are 'X Input' controllers. X input is natively supported on Windows and that's why game developers don't need to do much to implement it. Direct Input support takes a little more work and not all game engines make it easy to implement it.

The last part here, is an educated guess as to why not all games work with Direct Input controllers.

[crunchyfrog]

Originally posted by uuuhhhh-Ghostly:

Originally posted by crunchyfrog:

Well here's the thing. Even if we assume it has improved markedly it'll never reach the convenience of a straight up Xbox One controller, because Windows 10 is built for it's use.

I use a few different controllers, and usually default to the XBox One controller simply because it's just going to work, no mess. Prompts will also show up in game correctly too, if that's relevant.

Sony controlelrs are obviously not supported officially, so they will always be a mixed bag. And from experience, not just personal, they have a tendency to just stop working or go screwy every now and then. I don't know whether whatever drivers screw up or whatever, as I've never bothered getting to the bottom of it.

But we do see that quite a bit on these forums.

Best advice I can give is to keep an eye on MS Official page where you can customise your own controller (it's caleld the workshop or something). They often have deals on, and as it's Christmas...

The Playstation controllers are what's called 'Direct Input' controllers. XBox controllers are 'X Input' controllers. X input is natively supported on Windows and that's why game developers don't need to do much to implement it. Direct Input support takes a little more work and not all game engines make it easy to implement it.

The last part here, is an educated guess as to why not all games work with Direct Input controllers.

Yes, I#m aware of that. My point was just to describe to the OP that one is an easy solution, and the other is a bit of a crap shoot, based on the evidence we've had on these forums.

[uuuhhhh-Ghostly]

Originally posted by crunchyfrog:

Yes, I#m aware of that. My point was just to describe to the OP that one is an easy solution, and the other is a bit of a crap shoot, based on the evidence we've had on these forums.

Ah ok. Because you said "I don't know whether whatever drivers screw up or whatever, as I've never bothered getting to the bottom of it." I thought you were unaware of this. Sorry.

[crunchyfrog]

Originally posted by uuuhhhh-Ghostly:

Originally posted by crunchyfrog:

Yes, I#m aware of that. My point was just to describe to the OP that one is an easy solution, and the other is a bit of a crap shoot, based on the evidence we've had on these forums.

Ah ok. Because you said "I don't know whether whatever drivers screw up or whatever, as I've never bothered getting to the bottom of it." I thought you were unaware of this. Sorry.

No problem. I appreciate the honesty.