I have an X-Arcade dual joystick that I’m trying to use with Arcade games via EmulationStation on the Steam Deck.

The joysticks work but I’m having two problems that I’m looking to solve. They should be universal problems, not just about this joystick unit, so I’m hoping someone here can guide me.

  1. How to set controller order within EmulationStation? I use a Steam Controller to navigate the Deck otherwise but have to turn it off when I start an arcade game or the X-Arcade won’t work. I think it’s the controller order I’ve read about but can’t see where to set this.

  2. How to set controller inputs for a specific game in EmulationStation? I see the input settings menu but I believe this overrides all games. I don’t see how I can bring up the old MAME menu for game specific inputs. Do I have to do this via config file in desktop mode instead?

The joystick unit has the PCB upgrade that allows X-input. I can see both joysticks as XBox 360. The deck is updated as of August 1st stable release. EmulationStation with 2.1.1 and all other desktop application updates applied including EmuDeck emulators and flatpaks. Based on some other issue and advice, I have previously pointed EmulationStation to a different and newer MAME emulator vs the one that came with the EmuDeck install.

  • FubarberryMEnglish
    3•1 year ago

    For controller order, have you tried reordering the controllers in the steam UI?

    When you press the QAB (the “…” button), one of the menus there should have a “reorder controllers” button if any extra controls are connected. By switching those around you should be able to change which controller is which for whatever game is running. I’ve used this with other emulators in game mode successfully.

    • @ToffeeIsForClosersOP
      1•1 year ago

      Thanks for that!

      For whatever reason, the interface was difficult to navigate, jumping up and down, but once I got it on the Quick Settings I was able to rearrange the controllers.