Getting Steam to recognize SNES controller as a Nintendo controller

[SA-X]

I’m using this adapter [www.amazon.com] to use a SNES controller on my pc (steam deck). The controller works fine, but Steam thinks it’s an xbox controller, so it swaps AB and XY in the interface. I know this doesn’t really matter but it bothers me when it says “press A” and I have to press B. For other Nintendo controllers (like switch pro), Steam properly recognizes them and I can apply the “Nintendo button layout” so the buttons are correct in Steam. Is there any way to tell Steam that my SNES controller is a Nintendo controller?

Edit: Recent update to Steam allows all controllers to use “Nintendo button layout”

[Ettanin]

No, there is not, as there is no offical button mapper for SNES nor any official method to connect a SNES controller to a PC.

This adapter emulates an XBOX controller which is why Steam thinks it's an XBOX controller. As it is third-party, expect no support for it.

[tintingaroo]

You could opt into the Steam Deck client beta
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1675200/view/3425577645359615159
"All controller types can each now optionally choose to use a Nintendo-style layout. This flips the A and B button and X and Y button universally in Steam and in games."


As for your question, I believe it can be done - can do it on big-boy PCs. I don't own a Steam Deck to know, but the steps, I guess, would be...: go to desktop mode (don't know if that also quits Steam) > quit Steam > find the Steam installation folder > 'config' folder > open config.vdf > search for: Xbox
If it takes you to something that starts off looking like
030003f05e0400008e02000014010000,Xbox 360 Controller

you'd add dev:switchgen: before Xbox, so you'd have
030003f05e0400008e02000014010000,dev:switchgen:Xbox 360 Controller

Save and close the file, then start Steam.

I presume you'd opt for the beta but if you try the editing steps the instructions are rough, for example it may not be Xbox you want to search for. If you are interested in the editing method we'll figure things out properly, sea what's what aboard the Deck.

[crunchyfrog]

Yeah not going to happen, as Ettanin says.

What you need to remember is that you are using an adapter to MAKE the SNES controller work on PC. That means it has to emaulate an Xbox controller. It will never appear as a SNES one as that's simply not something that's ever in the system.

The easiest way to get buttons changed around is probably using in-game options if they are there.

But you're never going to get Windows to say "SNES controller".

[tintingaroo]

In fact thinking about it if you can get Steam in Large mode or old Big Picture mode on the Deck, then you won't need to manually edit the files to tell Steam to have your Xinput device as a Nintendo controller.
Might need to be on the beta then if you can get Steam in Large mode: Steam > Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings
or BPM: Gear icon/Settings > Controller Settings

Then just select the controller > Define Layout > Save and there you are given the option to choose which controller type. Choose 3rd Party Switch (not so important which Switch type you choose though).

[SA-X]

Originally posted by tintingaroo:

You could opt into the Steam Deck client beta
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1675200/view/3425577645359615159
"All controller types can each now optionally choose to use a Nintendo-style layout. This flips the A and B button and X and Y button universally in Steam and in games."

This feature just got pushed to the stable branch. Problem solved!