Editing Game controller (section)

== Use on PCs and other devices ==
Although [[gamepad]]s are generally developed for use with consoles, they are also often used for [[PC gaming]] and [[Mobile game|mobile gaming]]. Modern controllers, such as Sony's [[DualShock]] 4 and Nintendo's [[Nintendo Switch Pro Controller|Switch Pro Controller]], support [[USB]] and [[Bluetooth]], allowing them to be directly connected to most PCs. Older [[gamepad]]s can be connected through the use of official or third-party adapters. Controllers typically require the installation of [[device driver]]s to be used on contemporary [[personal computer]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 30, 2011 |title=Best PC Gamepad: 6 Reviewed and Rated |url=http://www.techradar.com/news/computing-components/peripherals/best-pc-gamepad-6-reviewed-and-rated-984559 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161217112934/http://www.techradar.com/news/computing-components/peripherals/best-pc-gamepad-6-reviewed-and-rated-984559 |archive-date=December 17, 2016 |access-date=March 28, 2013}}</ref> The device may be directly supported, or it may require the use of a specialized program which maps controller inputs to mouse and keyboard inputs. Examples of this kind of software include JoyToKey,<ref>{{Cite web |title=JoyToKey Official Homepage |url=https://joytokey.net/en/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130212407/https://joytokey.net/en/ |archive-date=2021-01-30}}</ref> Xpadder,<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2, 2012 |title=Xpadder: Play PC Games with a Game Controller Instead of a Keyboard |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2010931/xpadder-play-pc-games-with-a-game-controller-instead-of-a-keyboard.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315202920/http://www.pcworld.com/article/2010931/xpadder-play-pc-games-with-a-game-controller-instead-of-a-keyboard.html |archive-date=March 15, 2013 |access-date=March 28, 2013}}</ref> and antimicro, which is [[Free and open-source software|free, open-source]], and [[cross-platform]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Schaaf |first=Tobiasa |title=Gamestation Turbo |work=ODROID Magazine |issue=July 2014 |page=17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryochan7 |title=Graphical Program Used to Map Keyboard Keys and Mouse Controls to a Gamepad |url=https://github.com/AntiMicro/antimicro/releases |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828163619/https://github.com/AntiMicro/antimicro/releases |archive-date=August 28, 2016 |access-date=July 6, 2016 |website=[[GitHub]]}}</ref>

Some controllers are specially designed for usage outside of consoles. In this case, support for mapping to different devices is built into the controller itself, such as with the [[Nostromo SpeedPad n52]], which can act as either a [[Keyboard (computing)|keyboard]], [[Mouse (computing)|mouse]], or joystick; or with the [[Samsung]] [[Android GamePad]], designed for use with [[Android (operating system)|Android]] [[mobile phone]]s.

The usage of gamepads over the mouse and keyboard has been referred to as a debate, with players of [[MMORPGs]], [[Real-time strategy|RTS]] games, and [[first-person shooter]]s tending to prefer the mouse and keyboard due to the wider variety of inputs and the high precision of the mouse when compared to an [[analog stick]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mouse and Keyboard Vs. Controller: Which Is Better for PC Gaming |url=https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/gaming/resources/keyboard-controller.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121185156/https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/gaming/resources/keyboard-controller.html |archive-date=2021-01-21 |website=Intel}}</ref> Likewise, players of [[racing games]], [[fighting games]], and [[action role-playing game|action RPGs]] tend to prefer controllers for their analog inputs and ergonomic button layouts.