Easiest Way to Install XOBX or XBOX-Like Gamepads in Linux

Guide to intsall xbox-controllers.
Tutorial is written for debian-based systems (including Ubuntu).

Tutorial to Install your Gamepad

Requirements for this guide:

• xbox or xbox-like gamepad ;)
  
• Debian-based systems (including Ubuntu).
  
• Take equivalent commands for Arch, Fedora, Gentoo or Suse.

Install 'Xbox360 gamepad drivers' for your system:

• 1. Open terminal.
  
• 2. Login as root with
  

   > su 

• 3. Install drivers:
  

   > apt-get install xboxdrv 

• 4. Reboot your system.
  
  
• Important Note:
  
  
  • The most commercial games should work now with your game controller.

Occuring problems? Your xbox-controller is not recognized by your favourated game?

• Reason:
  
  
  • The developers of your game forgotten to implement a working feature which allows to detect your controller. With this feature you would be able to use your gamepad.
  
  
• Solution for your problem:
  
  
  • 1. Go to this site:
    
    • http://qjoypad.sourceforge.net/
  • 2. Download an archive which is named something like this:
    
    • qjoypad-4.X.X.tar.gz
  • 3. Extract archive 'qjoypad-4.X.X.tar.gz'
    
  • 4. Open terminal and go to your extracted files.
    
  • 5. Before installing this cool tool you need to install dependencies
    

     > apt-get install libxtst6 libxtst-dev libqt4-core qt4-dev-tools

    
    
  • 6. You can install this depended package optional:
    

     > apt-get install libqt4-dev

    
    
  • 7.Install 'qjoypad' :
    

    > cd qjoypad-4.X.X/src
    > ./config
    > make
    > make install

    
    
  • 8. Now you can start gamepad-settings-editor to place regular 'keyboard key' on your gamepad:
    

     > qjoypad &

    
    
  • 9. Start & enjoy your game.

Play with any USB controller on Linux using Steam Big Picture

If you want to play only Steam games, there is a much simpler way of configuring your controller using Steam Big Picture so it will emulate a XBOX controller. It's very easy and it won't take a minute:

1. Open Steam Client
2. On the top right, click on BIG PICTURE - it opens a fullscreen Steam Client
3. On the top right, click on the Gear icon (SETTINGS)
4. Click on CONTROLLER
5. Click on EDIT CONTROLLER
6. Map your controller buttons according to whatever you want
7. Click SAVE
8. Click DONE
9. Clicke DONE again
10. Click EXIT and RETURN TO DESKTOP

And that was it! Now this controller will work with all your Steam games, just open them from your Steam library as usual.

PS 1: Note that by doing this, your controller mapping will work only with Steam Games. If you wish to play games outside Steam Client using a generic USB controller emulated as a XBOX controller, you need to install and configure xboxdrv. You can read this tutorial to learn how to play with any USB controller on Linux using xboxdrv to emulate a XBOX controller.

PS 2: If you want to use a generic USB controller to play games outside Steam Client, but these games do not demand a XBOX controller emulation, you can just use antimicro[www.ryochan7.com] to map your controller events into keyboard/mouse events.

[Vapor Dosh]

I think I answered my own question. Supertux didn't detect my gamepad before, but now it does.

[Vapor Dosh]

Does the Big Picture method work for non-Steam games added to the library?

[1-800-LOVE]

ryochan7.com link doesnt work.

[Boo Seta]

@CrisFigueira you're absolutely right. Qjoypad is abandoned for years and it's not recommended to install it. Antimicro is still supported by its developers and it's overall a much better software than Qjoypad ever was.

[CrisFigueira]

Isn't Antimicro a better alternative to qJoypad? It seems most frequently updated...
https://github.com/Ryochan7/antimicro