Steam Deck

I wish so many games didn't default to the Xbox layout with no option to change it. Having grown up with the SNES layout, the prompts fuck me up every time.

You can! They have replacement buttons for whichever layout you want for fairly cheap. I'm using the original ultimate Bluetooth with an Xbox layout.

Upside, usually the controllers are extremely easy to fix. I'm not sure if they give free replacement pads still, but they used to if you asked support.

I've had other problems than shoulders on my pros, and never with the ultimate one I got, those seem to have a pretty solid build.

I only use controllers when docked personally

Ultimate 2 wireless I use with 2.4Ghz through the docking station. It works well but it was annoying that the back paddles and L4/R4 buttons (secondary bumpers) could only be mapped as another button, instead of being their own function. It will be nice to have the extra buttons if that is what’s working now. I had the beta firmware on them but steam still did not recognize them yet (but the beta firmware did allow Switch 2 to recognize them!)

Having the same issue and I don't know how to update to the latest firmware without the app.

Ultimate 2. It’s got a gyroscope and back paddles.

I'm in the same boat. But I'm still using my steam controller right now. Really hope a V2 comes out sometime this year or next 🤞

I have a Pro 2 too and switched from Xinput to Dinput at the back of the controller and my Steam Deck now identifies the back buttons like L4/R4 (but with the name PL/PR) and I can map it to anything I want

This is my main complaint about my 8bitdo pro controller. Shame this seems to be only for the newer generation 😔

So if this update brings full Steam Input support that would be awesome

It does!

I just map it to the abxy that steam suggests. Works great when I wanna keep using the trackpad or joystick at all times.

I play a lot of beamng drive an having them for extra binds is nice, like the horn and changing gears

I mostly use them for mode shifts. For instance, shifting to emulated mouse when holding R4, so I can use desktop stuff easier.

Back buttons are essential in any competitive action game.

On my steam controller when the shoulders crapped out, I bound the back paddles as shoulder buttons.

I immediately changed them to L3 and R3, and never looked back.

On the deck I use them all the time. For FPS games I frequently bind them to be ABXY, lets you jump/reload/etc without having to take your thumb off of the joystick. Absolutely mandatory for games like Doom Eternal and Deep Rock in my opinion.

In games with heavy dpad use for cycling abilities/items (like Elden Ring) I usually use them for that. Being able to cycle spells or potions while running is very necessary sometimes. You can also use them in combination with mode shift settings, things like while I hold R4 down it will temporarily turn my ABXY into a second DPAD.

You can use them for steamOS features, stuff like opening keyboard or toggling zoom for games with small text.

A lot of people dislike clicking thumbsticks, so it's common for people to use them for that. L4 to toggle sprint instead of L3 is very popular for example. Also nice for when L3/R3 do something you don't want to trigger accidentally during combat (Ys 8 and 9 toggle a minimap overlay with L3, which is very distracting during combat. So I've disabled L3 on the thumbstick and instead have L4 open the minimap overlay).

In any PC game with more inputs it can be great for common button presses that didn't make the cut onto the standard controller. Things like map/journal shortcuts, quick save, etc. Setting left trackpad to a touch menu is also great for this.

Overall they're pretty great, I don't use them in every game, but there are a lot of games I refuse to play on a standard controller without them.

If you don't use them to relax your grip in specific types of games (delegating common functions to them and away from thumbs) you might like to use them for DVR capability like instant replay?

If your controller has a gyroscope, you may use them to toggle engagement? Gyro aim can be surprisingly effective once you're accustomed to it.