Skip Navigation

EmulationStation Controller and Game-Specific Input Settings

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.

2
2 comments