Keyboard and mouse emulation tool for gamepads
Xpadder is a premium gaming utility application for PC by developer Jonathan Firth. It is a control emulation tool that allows users to map keyboard and mouse functions to gamepads. It supports a wide variety of third-party controllers with 20 or more button inputs, which can be easily remapped using a simple and intuitive user interface.
Top Recommended Alternative
Comparable to Antimicro and DS4Windows, Xpadder allows users to assign any button, keypress, or even combination input to their gamepads for greater flexibility and customization. They can even create and upload controller images and game profiles to quickly switch between configurations on the fly.
Does Xpadder work with Xbox One controller?
If you have Xpadder, then you can link your Xbox One controller with your PC computer or laptop to integrate the keyboard and mouse buttons with the controller sticks. Additionally, the emulator can map your keyboard and mouse movements onto Xbox 360 controllers.
Does Xpadder work with PS4 controller?
There is a multitude of compatible gamepads that Xpadder can handle. If you have Xpadder, then you can play video games on your PC with a PlayStation 4 controller. Xpadder lets you use older gamepads by PlayStation: Playstation 2, Playstation 3, etc.
How do I use Xpadder for PC games?
You can easily download and install Xpadder. The joystick solution is lightweight and does not take up a lot of storage space on your PC. There is a clean user interface that is filled with features. You will be directed to click on the joypad icon to begin. A context menu will drop down from the gamepad picture.
You can click on ‘New’ beside the blank controller icon to create a layout. A new window will open with fine-tuning options for gamepad support. There are tabs within the bottom portion of the screen: ‘Image’, ‘Sticks’, ‘DPad’, ‘Buttons’, and ‘Triggers’. You can begin by copying and pasting an image of your controller model into the image portion of the UI.
The controller will need to be linked with the PC device. You can mark the box next to the first ‘Enable’ option within the ‘Sticks’ tab to synchronize your handheld equipment with your PC. The software will guide you through a calibration process that has you push the stick in different directions. Xpadder will provide you force feedback after you follow the prompts.
There will be a shaded circle on the page that you can maneuver around the gamepad image. You can configure the other controls by dragging and dropping the circle on top of the different parts of the game controller. You can repeat the process on the other side of the controller by selecting the second ‘Enable’ box. Additionally, the ‘DPad’ segment can be enabled.
You can map the commands within the ‘Buttons’ tab by pressing a button on the gamepad and adding that selection to the chart. The key can move around the chart. You can click on the mapped buttons to delete or rename them. The ‘Triggers’ tab lets you associate the outer buttons on the controller with the software.
How do I use map controller buttons on the keyboard?
You can map your keyboard on the console controller by creating a profile in Xpadder. Making multiple profiles is a possible option. The notepad icon to the right of the gamepad icon will let you create a new profile to map your full keyboard and mouse onto a joystick. The keyboard and mouse emulation process can be time consuming.
There are websites that let you copy and paste their emulated information into Xpadder. You can click on the note image to open the dropdown menu to press ‘Paste’. The data will automatically upload into the user interface. The profile management system will not automatically save the info.
You can press the save icon that is to the right of the notepad. There are files that you can download from the internet and upload into Xpadder to easily map the controller. If you use a file from a website, then you can tap on the ‘Open’ option under the notepad icon to load the mapped controls.
Alternative configuration applications
Apps like the aformentioned AntiMicro, DS4Windows, or Joy2Key are other PC alternative options to consider. AntiMicroX offers the most appealing user interface to map your keyboard and mouse controls onto your handheld device. While AntiMicro is free to download, the program requires more technical knowledge than Joy2Key and Xpadder.
DS4Windows is an easy-to-use Windows application that requires a DualShock PlayStation 4 controller. reWASD is a paid software program that is specifically made for Xbox controllers. Controller Companion functions with a variety of joysticks.
A must-try for gamepad fans
To conclude, if you’re the type of gamer who prefers using gamepad controllers when playing your favorite video games, then Xpadder is an excellent tool you should check out. It combines the accessibility of gamepads with the flexibility of a keyboard and mouse combo to achieve a nice middle ground between the two. If you don’t mind paying upfront, give this one a shot.
