Is anyone using xbox wireless controllers with PC games e.g. minecraft ?

Forums › Gaming › Is anyone using xbox wireless controllers with PC games e.g. minecraft ?

xlinknz

754 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 64

Topic # 188966 11-Dec-2015 18:53

My 7 year wants an xbox wireless controller to use with his PC edition minecraft

Anyone done that setup ?

mdooher

Hmm, what to write...
970 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 484

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 1448851 11-Dec-2015 19:10

I used one for steam games (then I just purchased an Xbox ) it worked just fine

Matthew

richms

20892 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4101

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 1448852 11-Dec-2015 19:14

I use one for the driving parts of GTA5

Wireless adapter is pretty pathetic. Im waiting for my reciever for the xbox one controllers to arrive in my latest USA shipment to see how much better it is. The 360 controller keeps dropping out and lagging. Does the same on the console as well. They are 2.4GHz after all.

Richard rich.ms

Try Wrike: fast, easy, and efficient project collaboration software

toejam316

608 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 168

Reply # 1448854 11-Dec-2015 19:16

The adapter and controllers work fine, but Minecraft doesn't have native gamepad support, so you'll need to delve into mods. http://www.minecraftforum.net/forums/mapping-and-modding/minecraft-mods/1283271-joypad-mod-usb-controller-split-screen-over-132k

TwoSeven

1212 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 115

Reply # 1448860 11-Dec-2015 19:20

I have the Xbox elite wireless controller along with the Windows 10 wireless adaptor and the Xbox universal application, it shows a few of my games (the non-steam ones) in the app but I have not had the chance to try any of them out yet. As pointed out it probably also works with steam games, but I have not tried yet. I think without the adaptor, it just requires having the USB cable plugged in (cant remember if a driver is required for the USB cable).

Software Engineer

xlinknz

754 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 64

Reply # 1448862 11-Dec-2015 19:28

Thank you all for the very prompt replies

Being xbox naïve... do xbox wireless controllers come with a wireless receiver [I assume I cannot use the Win7 laptops Bluetooth] or do I have to buy one, if so are they generic or do I have to buy a xbox specific receiver ?

Are all xbox controllers the same ?

What is "steam" ?

lastly - to complete this what suggestions do you all have to stream/mirror the Win7 Laptop to my 60" TV [which I started a thread on here]

richms

20892 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4101

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 1448866 11-Dec-2015 19:37

Steam is where you buy PC games.

They also have a controller which is interesting and different to the others, and they make a steam link which is a box made to stream gaming from your PC to your TV with minimal latency. I have managed to get it streaming my desktop a few time inadvertantly and its worked great for that, the steam controller is an ok mouse substitute as well.

The wireless controller reciever is seperate. There are clones of the 360 one around and they seem to be universally aweful for connection compared to the real microsoft one.

Richard rich.ms

michaelmurfy

Meow
7275 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3477

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 1448882 11-Dec-2015 20:31

I personally use PS4 controllers with my PC, works well. I don't know about Minecraft however.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
A quick guide to picking the right ISP | The Router Guide | Community UniFi Cloud Controller | Ubiquiti Edgerouter Tutorial

reven

3303 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 613

Trusted

Reply # 1448905 11-Dec-2015 21:33

the java version of minecraft doesnt work great with a controller, there is no controller support so you need to use a controller to keyboard app like xpadder.

the new windows 10 version of minecraft has built in gamepad support, but currently no mod support.

if you were going to use gamepad, I'd recommend the windows 10 minecraft edition.

my 6 year old plays a lot of minecraft (more Ark Survival Evolved these days though) and he uses KB/M (rather him learn to use these, he uses gamepad if he's playing in bed though, but 95% of the time its KB/M).

the new windows 10 xbox adapter works great with the xbox one controller, the older xbox 360 controller wireless adapter also works great. or you can just use a mini usb cable to plug in a xbox one controller.

PS4 controllers can be a bit of a PITA at times, if you're playing a game and the controller battery dies, the driver doesnt properly disconnect the controller so if you pull out a second charged controller, that becomes controller 2 and a lot of games wont let you use it. I'm hoping with playstation making their streaming PS4 software available on windows/mac they release official drivers for the DS4 which solves all the issues (which theres only a few of) for that controller. In the meantime I recommend an xbox one controller.

theres also the new steam controller which you can buy from amazon, that might be worth getting as it should work with KB/M games as well. I have yet to try one of these though.

Blanch

236 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 17

Reply # 1449085 12-Dec-2015 10:46

xlinknz: Thank you all for the very prompt replies

Being xbox naïve... do xbox wireless controllers come with a wireless receiver [I assume I cannot use the Win7 laptops Bluetooth] or do I have to buy one, if so are they generic or do I have to buy a xbox specific receiver ?

Are all xbox controllers the same ?

What is "steam" ?

lastly - to complete this what suggestions do you all have to stream/mirror the Win7 Laptop to my 60" TV [which I started a thread on here]

You will need either a xbox 360 or a xbox one wireless receiver (or steam, Logitech, etc) depending what you chose, they are not interchangeable

You will also need to upgrade to windows 10 to use the xbox one wireless receiver. my boys would rather play Minecraft with KB/M.

What is "steam" ? Google steampowered and wait for a sale

I posted on your other link.

toejam316

608 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 168

Reply # 1449092 12-Dec-2015 11:05

Odd timing, MS released a driver for win 7 and 8.1 for the xbox one adapter.

xlinknz

754 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 64

Reply # 1449208 12-Dec-2015 15:29

toejam316: Odd timing, MS released a driver for win 7 and 8.1 for the xbox one adapter.

Yes I noticed that last night too !

All, thank you again for the replies

It would seem the obvious thing to do is get a xbox one controller? as it is the same cost as the 360 one but has the advantages of a] that if we get a xbox one console later it would work whereas a 360 one wouldn't. b] The xbox one controllers now also work with Win7 and 8 [if I get the new $30 adapter] and c] can also work off a usb cable if needed

Why wouldn't I get a one controller rather than a 360 one ?

Note I assume the xbox one controller works with a mod version of Minecraft [as that is what my son likes]

Then I'll use a Chromecast or Miracast to allow him to use the 60" TV without a cable but more on that in the other thread

toejam316

608 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 168

Reply # 1449219 12-Dec-2015 15:44

As long as you're confident with modding Minecraft, sounds like you have a plan. I'd recommend grabbing an Xbox One controller bundled with the Play and Charge kit, as well as the wireless adapter. Also, Chromecasting games I imagine would be... Subpar. I'd suggest a long HDMI cable first, then maybe Miracast if you had to.

Also definitely look into some of the simpler games available on Steam, there are some good Co-op games now if you want to join in the fun, and they're all tagged to id them.

richms

20892 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4101

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 1449244 12-Dec-2015 16:43

One person supports this post

Chromecast and miracast are too laggy to be able to do anything interactive on a TV.

Richard rich.ms

reven

3303 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 613

Trusted

Reply # 1449245 12-Dec-2015 16:43

ideal solution = long hdmi cable + xbox one controller + wireless adapter

streaming solution = I'd actually suggest getting a steam link. and if youre going to get that, I would then also recommend the steam controller over the xbox one controller.

I personally run long HDMI cables to 3 of my rooms and the xbox 10 adapter reaches those room fine (well just, one room occasionally looses connection for a second). Streaming is ok, its actually great on an xbox one and windows 10, but HDMI is a lot more reliable and easier. streaming via a chromecast would be less than subpar I would imagine.

BTR

1444 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 420

Reply # 1453007 18-Dec-2015 13:48

I use one for games like construction simulator, GRID, GTA, and first person shooters.

Works well and batteries last ages, there is a wired version available if you want to spend less but I prefer wireless.