Gamepads
Switch, 8BitDo and others
Most third-party gamepads can pretend to be an Xbox pad: you just need the right mode.
Switch Pro
Connects with a cable or over Bluetooth (pair button on top). Turn on its support in Steam: Settings → Controller. Outside Steam most games won't understand it.
8BitDo and budget gamepads
They usually have two modes:
- X-input: pretends to be an Xbox gamepad. This is the one you want.
- D-input: the old DirectInput. In this mode many games don't see the gamepad or mix up the buttons.
The mode is set with a switch on the case or a button combo at power-on. Check the gamepad's manual for the exact combo.
Testing
Press Win+R and type joy.cpl. In X-input mode the gamepad is usually called "Controller (XBOX 360 For Windows)" or similar. More in How gamepads work.