Best Adaptive Controllers

Gaming should be a hobby for everyone. No disability or disease should prevent a person from gaming. Back in the day, it used to be impossible for certain people to play video games because of their body condition. However, developers have since started to create ways for EVERYONE to play despite the challenges that they are currently facing.

Adaptive controllers are becoming more and more common globally. These controllers make it possible for people of all sorts of disabilities to play. There are lots of amazing inclusive controllers out there. If you’re looking for a few, here are some of the best adaptive controllers that you should get right now.

The Xbox Adaptive Controllers work on Xbox consoles and Windows PCs. If you’re using an adaptive controller with no external controls or switches, you’re limited to a directional pad and A/B buttons, which severely limits the number and types of titles and games that you can play.

There are no joysticks, bumpers or triggers that come standard with a regular Xbox controller. This is primarily because adaptive controllers are designed to be used with accessories. Any key on the adaptive controller can be assigned to act as a shift key on the keyboard, enabling alternate functions that can be assigned to the remaining keys. Holding down the Shift key turns the directional pad into A, B, X, and Y keys.

Considering the shift function, the adaptive controller itself can replicate a total of 11 functions of the standard Xbox controller. It’s something, but even for an action-packed game, it’s not enough to explore all the action. Additionally, it also limits what keys you can press at the same time. Custom presets come in handy here, giving players four different sets of features that can be quickly accessed at the touch of a button. With the press of a button, you can even switch to different profiles with RB and LB mapped to the left and right buttons on the directional pad. Add a variety of adaptive switches, joysticks, or foot controls to enhance your gameplay on one or more levels.

Since you can use multiple of these when creating media content hands-free, you can also add enough peripheral control to actually play more complex games. The hardest part of the job isn’t the physical side. You also have to memorize which buttons to press in-game, translating them into a series of devices in my lap and at my feet, trying to pull the right levers in time. After a while, you’ll feel like a one-woman band. This will come naturally with practice, and I am confident that with a little patience you will be able to play the games you love.

Pros

• Best adaptive controller around
• Great value price
• Can be used for many games

Cons

• Needs lots of attachments to fully use

The Extreme 3D Pro Joystick used to be explicitly designed for the Xbox Adaptive Controller. However, it is officially recognized by Microsoft as a supported external device so you can use this even without Xbox’s pricey adaptive controller.

The design is more complex as compared to the PDP one-handed joystick, and is actually one of the most affordable controllers for gamers with disabilities on this list. The joystick features precision rotary rudder control, 12 programmable buttons located at the base, 8-way hat switch, rapid-fire trigger, and ergonomic hand grips. Additionally, the controller also features a  weighted base for stability. This joystick is a great option available if you want to create an adaptive setup. This is the case especially if you like flight simulators.

This joystick convinces with its build quality as well as its sheer amount of features for its price. It’s all plastic, but it feels sturdy enough to withstand years of gaming abuse and drops to the floor. It also has a generous 200 x 200mm footprint on the base to keep it wide and stable. Provides incredibly secure footing on flat surfaces. The stick itself, on the other hand, feels solidly planted, with only a slight wobble in the center before resistance kicks in on each axis.

The handle of the racquet is also very pleasantly contoured in our opinion, and all the controls are in place. It is in place, and the contact surface at the end of the hand softens the arm. It’s a bit of a letdown that Logitech didn’t extend this platform at the far end, which would make the overall stick design a little more ambidextrous.

The stick movement isn’t as good as the best models, but it’s surprisingly capable and puts some more expensive models to shame. It covers everything you need to get started with spaceflight simulation.

Pros

• Great value for money
• Best for flight simulators
• Great features

Cons

• Not great for all gaming genres

One of the toughest games to play when you have limited mobility are FPS titles like Call of Duty, Overwatch 2, and more. Finding an adaptive controller that fits your needs can be hard but the Quadstick FPS makes it that much easier.

The Quadstick FPS features a joystick, four suck/puff sensors, and a lip position sensor that can be mapped to actions to any of the buttons or axis on your game controller. It can also be mapped to any mouse movement, button, or keyboard key. Mapping between inputs and outputs on the controller is user-customizable. What’s better is that it can be changed quickly during gameplay.

The QuadStick FPS is compatible with the PS3, PS4 and Nintendo Switch. If you want to make it compatible with other gaming consoles, you’ll need extra accessories. It also uses a larger and more robust joystick as compared to the original QuadStick model. FPS joysticks offer a stronger, more defined centering spring and feel. It’s worth noting that this joystick requires a little more force than the original joystick. That said, it may not actually be the best choice for gamers that have weak lip strength.

The QuadStick is shipped with two mouthpieces and a USB cable. You can choose the mouthpiece size when adding the QuadStick to your shopping cart. Adapting to limited mobility is perfectly fine, but what if you don’t have mobility in your arms or legs? QuadStick FPS Game Controller helps paraplegic gamers play the latest video games hands-free It’s designed to. Take full control of the game with just your mouth. This is actually his second iteration of QuadStick.

The new FPS model has a “clearer centering spring and more precise feel” for finer control. The QuadStick comes in three different versions, each offering different customization options and suitable for different needs. We also sell a matching articulating arm mount kit to support the Xbox Adaptive Controller.

Pros

• Takes practice to master
• Best for FPS games

Cons

• Requires adapters for other consoles