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Reviewed by Benjamin Barr
Everyone’s body is different, and while most gaming devices are designed to accommodate as many people as possible, no single design can be universal. This is especially true for differently abled gamers. There are times where the standard ergonomic design just doesn’t cut the mustard.
Everyone should be able to game comfortably. So, what do you do when even the best controllers don’t suit your needs? You look for something a little more tailored. That’s why we decided to put together this list of the best adaptive video game controllers and devices.
10 Best Adaptive Video Game Controllers
Ready to take a look at some of the best video game controllers for disabled gamers? It’s time to list our top ten!
1. Xbox Adaptive Controller
Best for gamers with limited mobility
Manufacturer: Microsoft | Compatibility: PC, Xbox | Price: 💰💰💰
Let’s start off our list with one of the best. Did you know there’s actually an official Xbox controller for disabled gamers? It’s true!
Microsoft developed the Xbox Adaptive Controller “primarily to meet the needs of gamers with limited mobility.” It comes with two large button pads, a d-pad, and some system control buttons, but the best thing about the Xbox adaptive controller is how users can customize it with additional parts to suit their individual needs.
You can combine it with the PDP One-handed Joystick, the AbleNet Switches, and various other officially (and unofficially) supported add-ons. It features nineteen 3.5mm ports, two USB 2.0 ports for external inputs, and one 3.5mm headphone jack.
Spencer Allen is a gamer who had an accident in 2016 that left him with limited mobility from the chest down. He used the Xbox adaptive controller to build his own custom gaming station out of a few licensed attachments, some 3D printed parts, and a lap-desk.
This one is so popular that people have discovered ways to use it as a Nintendo Switch and PS4 adaptive controller, even though it isn’t officially licensed for those consoles.
2. Logitech Adaptive Gaming Kit
Best for gamers with limited mobility
Manufacturer: Logitech | Compatibility: Xbox | Price: 💰💰💰
If you decide to go with the Xbox adaptive controller, you’re probably going to need some attachments. There are ways to build up your gaming station out of individual bits and pieces, but one of the easiest (and cheapest) solutions is to get the Logitech Adaptive gaming kit.
Logitech is one of the biggest names in gaming peripherals. I personally use a Logitech mouse and keyboard in my own set-up. Microsoft approached them as a trusted partner to develop the standard adaptive gaming kit to use with their adaptive controller.
The kit comes with three small buttons, three large buttons, two variable triggers, four light touch buttons, a rigid hook-and-loop gaming board, a flexible hook-and-loop gaming board, and various labels so you can customize them all however you like.
The only thing not included is the joystick.
3. Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick
Best for general use
Manufacturer: Logitech | Compatibility: PC | Price: 💰💰
The extreme 3D Pro Joystick wasn’t explicitly designed for the Xbox adaptive controller, but Microsoft has officially acknowledged it as a supported external device. It’s a much more advanced design than the PDP One-Handed Joystick, and it’s actually one of the cheapest controllers for disabled gamers on this list.
It has precision twist rudder control, twelve programmable buttons at the base, an eight-way hat switch, a rapid-fire trigger, an ergonomic hand grip, and a weighted base for stability.
No controller is suited to everyone, but this joystick is one of the more advanced options available as part of an adaptive set-up, especially if you like flight simulators.
4. 3DRudder Foot Motion Controller
Best for gamers with leg mobility & people with hand/arm disabilities
Manufacturer: 3DRudder | Compatibility: PC, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index, Xbox Adaptive Controller | Price: 💰💰💰
The 3DRudder Foot Motion Controller was primarily designed for VR. It works with all of the best VR headsets like the Valve Index and the HTC Vive and allows gamers to move around the field with their feet, keeping their hands free. It’s actually fully capable of being used as a partial keyboard in standard PC gaming, however, taking on the role of the WASD keys like a joystick. This makes it an ideal candidate for gamers with limited mobility in their hands and arms.
It’s also supported by the Xbox Adaptive controller.
5. QuadStick FPS Game Controller
Best for quadriplegic gamers
Manufacturer: QuadStick | Compatibility: PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch | Price: 💰💰💰💰💰
Adapting to limited mobility is all well and good, but what about if you don’t have any mobility in your arms or legs? The QuadStick FPS Game Controller was designed to give quadriplegic gamers a hands-free way to play modern video games. It allows you to control the game entirely with your mouth. This is actually the second iteration of the QuadStick. The new FPS model comes with a “more definite centering spring and feel” for a finer degree of control.
There are three different versions of the QuadStick, which all offer varying degrees of customization and are suited to different needs. They also sell articulated arm mounting kits to go with them and have Xbox Adaptive Controller support.
6. Evil Accessible Gaming Controllers
Best for gamers with various disabilities
Manufacturer: Evil | Compatibility: PS4, PS5, Xbox One S, Xbox Series X/S, (Other) | Price: 💰💰💰💰
Evil Controllers is a fairly well-known manufacturer of third-party controllers for both Xbox and PlayStation. They entered into a partnership with a non-profit organization called The AbleGamers Foundation in order to create adaptive video game controllers that meet the needs of any differently abled gamers.
According to their website, they’re “the only company that offers complete controller customization.” They don’t just have a store where you can simply purchase one of their accessible gaming controllers — instead, you must submit an inquiry where you tell them about your console choice and your specific needs and budget. They will then reply with a spec design. Evil Accessible Gaming Controller pricing varies depending on the modifications involved, but they start at $150 and the most expensive designs top out at $500.
7. Single Hand Joy-Con Adapter
Best for one-handed gamers
Manufacturer: Julio Vesquez | Compatibility: Nintendo Switch | Price: Free
Julio Vasquez is an active member of the 3D printing maker community. He has a friend named Rami Wehbe who loves Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, but lost the use of his right hand in a cerebrovascular accident. Vasquez designed a 3D printable customized grip which made it possible for his friend to play using the Joy-Cons with just his left hand.
Rather than trying to make a profit, Vazquez then decided to freely share the blueprint for his designs on the popular Thingiverse and MyMiniFactory platforms. He also developed two more versions of his design (one and two) after receiving feedback from other differently abled users. He made a flat one that has the Joy-Cons side-by-side and a U-shaped one that is more tailored to right-hand-only users.
Contact any local schools, colleges or libraries if you don’t have a 3D printer and don’t know anyone who has one. There may be a maker-center nearby that would be willing to print it for you. There are also plenty of places online willing to do custom 3D prints for a small fee.
8. Accessibility Stand for Nintendo Switch Joy-Con
Best for gamers w/ compromised muscle strength or dexterity
Manufacturer: Julio Vesquez | Compatibility: Nintendo Switch | Price: Free
This is another design by Julio Vazquez. The Accessibility Stand for the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con is designed to help “users who suffer a condition that compromises their muscle strength or dexterity” by making the petite controller larger and easier to safely set down on a table or their laps. It also makes the SL and SR buttons larger and easier to press, and has an optional cross-shaped cover to go over the buttons. This makes it easier for gamers that struggle with fine motor functions to press the button they intend to.
Like the single-handed adapter, this isn’t a product sold in a store. It’s a free design that Vasquez has shared so that anyone with access to a 3D printer can have one made.
9. BlueTip Gaming Axis 6 Pro
Best for disabled or mobility-limited gamers
Manufacturer: BlueTip Gaming | Compatibility: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, OR Xbox One | Price: 💰💰💰💰💰
The Axis 6 Pro is the latest in BlueTip’s line of accessible, arcade-style adaptive video game controllers. It was designed for gamers of varying abilities. It features two premium analog joysticks, a precision eight-way digital stick, and large buttons for every switch on controllers with Xbox or PlayStation layouts. They even sell analog and digital bite switches, which are compatible with all their controllers.
Their adaptive video game controllers aren’t cheap, but they’re functional and have a clean design.
10. Optima Joystick
Best for gamers with limited mobility
Manufacturer: Pretorian Technologies | Compatibility: PC, Xbox, iOS | Price: 💰💰💰💰
Pretorian Technologies is a UK-based company that makes “a vast range of computer input and related devices for Special Educational Needs and Industrial / Commercial Applications.” Their Optima Joystick is their most popular item, as it’s designed to not require fine motor skills in order to navigate any sort of desktop application, though it’s also compatible with the Xbox Adaptive Controller when it comes to gaming.
They also make a trackball for curser control and giant color-coded buttons.
Become a High Grounder
Thanks for reading our list of the adaptive video game controllers and devices. If you’ve tried one of these products or think there’s an important one we missed, let us know in the comments. Also, be sure to follow High Ground Gaming for news, reviews and more lists like this one.
Happy gaming!
Related Reading
- Ergonomic Guide for Gamers
- Best Ergonomic Mice
- Best Ergonomic Keyboards
- Best Ergonomic Desks
- Best Ergonomic Office Chairs
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