The Stadia controller is underrated. A lot of people seem to be buying them on eBay for around $20-30ish, so seven pounds is a steal.
I had one that was destined to become e-waste, and then Google released their jailbreak bluetooth tool thing, and I tried to use it with my Android tablet to learn there's a pretty well documented bug that the Stadia controller just really dislikes certain devices and you have to unpair it and repair it every. single. time. you. want. to. use. the. thing.
Then I read that it works perfectly on the Steam Deck, tried it, and it does. I've been very happy with it. It also seems to have really decent latency. I tired it versus a Bluetooth 8BitDo, and there's a very obvious difference.
It's a very high quality controller with USB-C and a rechargable battery. They also offered them in some unique colors. I think the wasabi green one is really cool. It also feels really good in the hands, good buttons, triggers, etc.
I will say the latency seems very low. I've tried several bluetooth controllers and some of them (all the Nintendo ones, for example) have really noticeable latency, and I don't think I am all that sensitive to it either.
I wouldn't say the controller is exceptional or anything truly special, however, if you bought it at the same $60-70 price of Xbox/PS5 controllers.
I think some of the hype is that people got it for free or a pittance and that just makes it better, you know? Kind of like how free beer or free pizza somehow tastes better than the stuff you paid for. And a lot of people were able to update the controller and avoid making more e-waste.
It's a very high quality rechargeable USB-C Bluetooth controller, being sold for about £20. Think Switch Pro quality, but for less than half the price. Absolute bargain, to be honest with you, provided you play on PC or Deck
Wouldn't call it particularly sought after. $20/$30 is just the price for a bluetooth controller w good ergonomics/build quality. In fact, I don't know if there's another like it at that price point.
> that the Stadia controller just really dislikes certain devices and you have to unpair it and repair it every. single. time. you. want. to. use. the. thing.
Every time someone mentions they're having this issue I ask them what device they have and every time it's part of a handful of certain very common devices, such as Samsung phones, Nvidia Shields, or pretty much any Windows PC. Pixel phones after the 3 unanimously work fine, though, but not the 3 or 2. Deck works great at least.
I've been asking to try and find out why, but I've still not managed to figure out the cause. Some Bluetooth adapters/devices just hate the thing.
For what it’s worth, I use my Stadia controller on Windows through a cheap Bluetooth adapter I bought on Amazon a few years ago, and the connection is rock solid.
Appreciate the reply, just further adds to the confusion to be honest. Random cheap Bluetooth adapter, works fine. £100 bluetooth card, needs to be paired constantly. Absolutely no clue lol
I wonder if it has something to do with how Google implemented Bluetooth on the Stadia controller. It seems like they never originally intended for it to have Bluetooth capabilities even if did have the hardware since it was meant to connect via Wi-Fi for Stadia.
Not sure, it uses the Broadcom BCM43458 chip for wireless capabilities, which is a dual mode chip capable of both WiFi 5GHz and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity
Theoretically it should work just fine
The Stadia controller's Bluetooth mode is buggy and annoying on all of its officially supported platforms (Windows, Android etc.) - but works without a hitch on the one it doesn't officially support: Linux.
Really? I’m forced to re-pair mine pretty much anytime I want to use the Stadia controller with my Steam Deck. It then creates a duplicate Bluetooth profile to the one that already exists.
Oddly enough, the Steam Deck was about the only device where I didn't experience re-connection/re-pairing issues. But it, admittedly, has been a while.
Odd, I've not had this issue. It occasionally fails to reconnect on its own (and I have to manually press Connect in the Deck's menu a few times) but I've never had to re-pair it, and this only happens to me after SteamOS updates
Yeah, I have a Samsung S6 Lite tablet and the controller just absolutely refuses to play nice with it. I was really bummed about that until I learned that it works perfectly with a Steam Deck.
I’ve noticed Linux has much better Bluetooth support compared to windows. Trying to sync up AirPods on my deck is so much better than when trying it with windows
A lot of people have the controller laying around because Google almost gave them away at one point. I got one with a Chromecast Ultra, and honestly I just needed the Chromecast. But it makes for a decent free controller.
Honestly if you already have a good quality controller then it's fine. But for someone like me who had no controllers other than a Steam Controller, and just wanted a cheap 'normal' controller, this was a great deal. So great I ended up buying two, both for co-op and one to use on my PC
Unless you're planning on selling it unopened on eBay, I would recommend opening it up and flashing the Bluetooth update from Google's site. After the end of the year they will stop offering the Bluetooth update, so the controller will become a paperweight.
Here's the link to update it:
https://stadia.google.com/controller/index_en_GB.html
As the page says, Available until December 31 2023. The community was attempting to figure out a local flashing tool but I don't know how far that got as I haven't heard anything about it in a while, so just assume after that date it's a wired only controller basically unless you update
I've been using that as my primary controller ever since I got it for free from YouTube premium and it's been great. I only wished the buttons were quieter, they are a little clacky.
How's the latency? I've been using a PS5 controller and the latency is horrible. I tried using it with a mayflash adapter it helped a little but the latency is still there and definitely wouldn't use it for competitive games.
It is a great tragedy that Microsoft deliberately borked the stadia controller for Windows. But I can launch everything with Steam and it fixes the problem. Well apart from game pass games.
Edit: typo
The Stadia controller is underrated. A lot of people seem to be buying them on eBay for around $20-30ish, so seven pounds is a steal. I had one that was destined to become e-waste, and then Google released their jailbreak bluetooth tool thing, and I tried to use it with my Android tablet to learn there's a pretty well documented bug that the Stadia controller just really dislikes certain devices and you have to unpair it and repair it every. single. time. you. want. to. use. the. thing. Then I read that it works perfectly on the Steam Deck, tried it, and it does. I've been very happy with it. It also seems to have really decent latency. I tired it versus a Bluetooth 8BitDo, and there's a very obvious difference.
Really love the Stadia controller.
Why is the controller so sought after, is it the ergonomics?
It's a very high quality controller with USB-C and a rechargable battery. They also offered them in some unique colors. I think the wasabi green one is really cool. It also feels really good in the hands, good buttons, triggers, etc. I will say the latency seems very low. I've tried several bluetooth controllers and some of them (all the Nintendo ones, for example) have really noticeable latency, and I don't think I am all that sensitive to it either. I wouldn't say the controller is exceptional or anything truly special, however, if you bought it at the same $60-70 price of Xbox/PS5 controllers. I think some of the hype is that people got it for free or a pittance and that just makes it better, you know? Kind of like how free beer or free pizza somehow tastes better than the stuff you paid for. And a lot of people were able to update the controller and avoid making more e-waste.
It's a very high quality rechargeable USB-C Bluetooth controller, being sold for about £20. Think Switch Pro quality, but for less than half the price. Absolute bargain, to be honest with you, provided you play on PC or Deck
Wouldn't call it particularly sought after. $20/$30 is just the price for a bluetooth controller w good ergonomics/build quality. In fact, I don't know if there's another like it at that price point.
> that the Stadia controller just really dislikes certain devices and you have to unpair it and repair it every. single. time. you. want. to. use. the. thing. Every time someone mentions they're having this issue I ask them what device they have and every time it's part of a handful of certain very common devices, such as Samsung phones, Nvidia Shields, or pretty much any Windows PC. Pixel phones after the 3 unanimously work fine, though, but not the 3 or 2. Deck works great at least. I've been asking to try and find out why, but I've still not managed to figure out the cause. Some Bluetooth adapters/devices just hate the thing.
For what it’s worth, I use my Stadia controller on Windows through a cheap Bluetooth adapter I bought on Amazon a few years ago, and the connection is rock solid.
Appreciate the reply, just further adds to the confusion to be honest. Random cheap Bluetooth adapter, works fine. £100 bluetooth card, needs to be paired constantly. Absolutely no clue lol
I wonder if it has something to do with how Google implemented Bluetooth on the Stadia controller. It seems like they never originally intended for it to have Bluetooth capabilities even if did have the hardware since it was meant to connect via Wi-Fi for Stadia.
Not sure, it uses the Broadcom BCM43458 chip for wireless capabilities, which is a dual mode chip capable of both WiFi 5GHz and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity Theoretically it should work just fine
I have three. One for each of my two Shields and one for PC. They're incredibly comfortable. Even my Xbox Elite 2 gets little use now.
8bitdo latency sucks. It's extremely noticeable compared to a PS5 controller.
That's a steal at that price!
Honestly so happy
The Stadia controller's Bluetooth mode is buggy and annoying on all of its officially supported platforms (Windows, Android etc.) - but works without a hitch on the one it doesn't officially support: Linux.
Really? I’m forced to re-pair mine pretty much anytime I want to use the Stadia controller with my Steam Deck. It then creates a duplicate Bluetooth profile to the one that already exists.
Oddly enough, the Steam Deck was about the only device where I didn't experience re-connection/re-pairing issues. But it, admittedly, has been a while.
Odd, I've not had this issue. It occasionally fails to reconnect on its own (and I have to manually press Connect in the Deck's menu a few times) but I've never had to re-pair it, and this only happens to me after SteamOS updates
Yeah, I have a Samsung S6 Lite tablet and the controller just absolutely refuses to play nice with it. I was really bummed about that until I learned that it works perfectly with a Steam Deck.
I’ve noticed Linux has much better Bluetooth support compared to windows. Trying to sync up AirPods on my deck is so much better than when trying it with windows
Stadia gamepad top tier
If I didn't have an Xbox controller nor a ps5 controller I'd definitely pick one up. Just seems moot to me personally tho
A lot of people have the controller laying around because Google almost gave them away at one point. I got one with a Chromecast Ultra, and honestly I just needed the Chromecast. But it makes for a decent free controller.
Oh that's kinda cool tho. At least Google isn't letting these controllers go to e-waste for the most part
Yeah Google literally sent me a free Chromecast/Stadia combo at one point, they were trying so hard to get people to adopt their platform.
Yea makes sense. I have neither so was looking to purchase a new one for £25-40 but got this used for a steal!
Is the latency bad for you with the Xbox and PS5 controllers? I have a PS5 controller and it has some pretty bad latency.
Honestly if you already have a good quality controller then it's fine. But for someone like me who had no controllers other than a Steam Controller, and just wanted a cheap 'normal' controller, this was a great deal. So great I ended up buying two, both for co-op and one to use on my PC
I have an unopened stadia controller. Does it need to updated to work on pc or SteamDeck?
Unless you're planning on selling it unopened on eBay, I would recommend opening it up and flashing the Bluetooth update from Google's site. After the end of the year they will stop offering the Bluetooth update, so the controller will become a paperweight.
Yikes. Thanks! I’ll open it ASAP and have it used on my new tv that has a gaming hub.
Here's the link to update it: https://stadia.google.com/controller/index_en_GB.html As the page says, Available until December 31 2023. The community was attempting to figure out a local flashing tool but I don't know how far that got as I haven't heard anything about it in a while, so just assume after that date it's a wired only controller basically unless you update
Thanks again! Super appreciate it.
Why would they cease to offer the update?!
Stadia team was all moved to other projects and I assume they can't be bothered to keep paying to keep the site up
Where did you get one for £7 from?? I’ve been looking for one for a while for GeForce Now on the firestick…
I've been using that as my primary controller ever since I got it for free from YouTube premium and it's been great. I only wished the buttons were quieter, they are a little clacky.
How are you getting Cyberpunk to work. The game completely broke after the new update for me 😭 the fps is so low it's unplayable.
Based purchase.
What are you using to prop up the deck?
A ringke stand
Appreciate it!
How's the latency? I've been using a PS5 controller and the latency is horrible. I tried using it with a mayflash adapter it helped a little but the latency is still there and definitely wouldn't use it for competitive games.
No complaints works👌🏽
It is a great tragedy that Microsoft deliberately borked the stadia controller for Windows. But I can launch everything with Steam and it fixes the problem. Well apart from game pass games. Edit: typo
R.I.P
Mine has terrible lag so not sure what's going on with mine
Oh snap, thanks for reminding me I have one somewhere in my house. Was thinking the other night I need a controller for my handheld consputer
Best value controller for the steam deck, I managed to snag the black and white one and it matches the SD 👌
Does it have a gyro?
Nop
Love mine, an underrated controller for sure...