Controller Support

Overview

Plug in a gamepad and it just works. TruchiEmu recognizes the controller, picks a sensible button layout for the game you're playing, and is ready in seconds. From there you can fine-tune deadzones, swap any button, or remap the whole layout per system. With v1.8.1, the input stack supports multiple players on a single keyboard plus gap-slot prioritization — your friend who grabs a gamepad mid-session slots into the next empty P-slot instead of stealing your keyboard assignment.

What You Get

• Plug and Play: USB and Bluetooth controllers are recognized the moment you connect them
• Broad Compatibility: Xbox, PlayStation, MFi, and Switch Pro pads, plus most generic USB/Bluetooth controllers
• Smart Defaults: TruchiEmu picks a sensible button layout based on the controller type and the system you're playing
• Per-Controller Profiles: Each controller has its own mapping, remembered between sessions
• Per-System Overrides: A PlayStation pad can be SNES-style on one system and Genesis-style on another
• Multi-Player Keyboard Mapping: Refactored keyboard input supports multiple players from a single physical keyboard — combine a gamepad for P1 and keyboard for P2 (or vice versa)
• Gap-Slot Prioritization: When a new controller connects, TruchiEmu prioritizes the first empty slot before substituting a keyboard player — your P2 stays P2
• Replace Keyboard with Controller Option: Toggle whether a freshly-connected controller should automatically take over a keyboard-assigned slot
• Disable & Reset: Disable a stuck controller or reset the controller list without quitting the app; keyboard inputs can also be disabled/reset independently
• Live Input Display: The mapping UI mirrors your sticks and buttons live as you press them
• Deadzone & Sensitivity: Tune stick response so drift doesn't wander the character
• Remap Anything: Swap any button to any other button, including face, shoulder, and stick clicks
• Controller Type Icons: TruchiEmu shows visual icons in the toolbar and settings for Xbox, DualShock 4, DualSense, MFi, and Arcade Stick — a generic icon otherwise
• Analog Mouse: Use a stick to control the mouse in DOS and ScummVM games — see the Analog Mouse page for full details
• Hotkeys: Per-system and per-game hotkey configuration for save states, screenshots, share, Training Mode reset, and other common actions
• Switch Keys: Switch via suyu needs a prod.keys file — see Custom Core Import for the path

Multi-Player Configuration

TruchiEmu supports up to 4 simultaneous players. The slot assignment system can be summarized:

Slot Allocation Rules (v1.8.1+)

1. P1 is "anchored"

   Player 1 is reserved — a freshly connected gamepad will never displace P1 unless you've explicitly enabled "replace keyboard with controller" and the P1 slot is keyboard.

2. First Empty Slot

   When a new gamepad connects, it's assigned to the first empty P2–P4 slot. If all are full, it queues for the next disconnect.

3. Gap-Slot Prioritization

   If the keyboard is currently filling the first empty slot, the new gamepad will only replace the keyboard if you've enabled "replace keyboard with controller" in Settings → Controllers. By default, the gamepad goes to the next gap (a slot that's truly empty).

4. Controller Disable

   If a controller is misbehaving or stuck, you can disable it from the Controllers panel without quitting — or reset the full controller list. Keyboard inputs have the same disable/reset options.

Multi-Player Keyboard

TruchiEmu lets multiple players share one keyboard in addition to gamepads. From Settings → Controllers → Keyboard, you can configure separate keys for Player 1, Player 2, and so on — up to the max players your games support. Mixed configurations (gamepad for P1, keyboard for P2) are fully supported.

Step-by-Step Configuration Guide

Basic Setup

1. Connect Controller

   Connect via USB or pair via Bluetooth. TruchiEmu auto-detects the controller and shows a notification with the detected type.

2. Verify Slot Assignment

   A notification pill shows which player slot the controller took (P1–P4). If the wrong slot, disable/reset — or simply unplug and replug.

Custom Button Mapping

1. Open Settings → Controllers

   Pick a system (or use Global Default), select your controller or keyboard, then click any button in the mapping list to remap.

2. Press a Physical Button

   Press a physical gamepad button or keyboard key to bind it to the selected action. The mapping UI shows the binding immediately.

3. Save/Load Named Profiles (Gamepad Only)

   Save named mapping configurations for reuse — handy for switching between arcade sticks and gamepads.

4. Tune Deadzone

   Adjust analog-stick deadzone and sensitivity in the same panel so drift won't wander the character.

Reset Buttons

If your controller list gets stuck or a pad stops responding, hit Disable on the row, then Reset. Keyboard inputs have the same disable/reset options.

Controller Test Sheet

The test sheet shows a live pad visualizer with buttons, sticks, and triggers. Use it to verify a new pad before play.

• Open: Settings → Controllers → Test
• Check: press buttons and move sticks; the visualizer mirrors input live
• Calibrate: set stick ranges per direction, adjust deadzone, then remap as needed

Connected controllers with P1–P4 slots and the Test Controller button

Related Features