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JoyShockMapper
What it is
JoyShockMapper converts supported controller input into keyboard, mouse, or virtual controller events for playing PC games. It supports gyro controls and flick stick, along with button mappings such as tap and hold, chorded press, and simultaneous press. Sticks can control the mouse or trigger key inputs, including scroll wheel and flick stick modes. The project lists DualSense, DualShock 4, paired JoyCons, and Nintendo Switch Pro Controller support. Commands can be loaded from text configuration files, and the download includes example gyro configurations. JoyShockMapper is free and primarily developed for Windows; it can also be built for Linux, though the project warns that Linux builds may not always work. Linux use requires read and write access to /dev/uinput and the relevant /dev/hidraw device, and focused-window detection works only on X11. Virtual Xbox or DS4 controller output requires installing separate ViGEm bus software. The releases page lists v3.6.1 as the latest release.
For and against
For
- Free download
- Supports gyro controls and flick stick
- Offers button and stick mapping options
- Supports several PlayStation and Nintendo controllers
- Loads commands from text configuration files
Against
- Primarily developed for Windows
- Linux builds may not always work
- Linux focused-window detection works only on X11
- Virtual controller output needs separate ViGEm bus software
The verdict
JoyShockMapper offers controller remapping and gyro-oriented controls for PC games, with Windows as its primary development platform. Linux users should account for device permissions, X11-only focused-window detection, and possible build issues.
Who it suits
JoyShockMapper suits PC players who want to map supported controllers to keyboard, mouse, or virtual controller inputs. It may also suit players who want gyro or flick-stick controls and are prepared to configure Linux device access if needed.
Plans and prices
Free/open-source JoyShockMapper
downloadable executable · source available · Windows and Linux builds
Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
JoyShockMapper
Free download; Windows release; Linux can be built from source
Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Additional software
- Using virtual controller output requires installing the latest ViGEm bus release linked by the project.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Analog triggers
- Analog triggers can have separate soft-pull and full-pull bindings; digital-trigger controllers cannot use this feature.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Binding modifiers
- The command system includes tap-and-hold, simultaneous, chorded, diagonal, double-press, and gyro-button bindings.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Bluetooth limitation
- The documentation says some Bluetooth adapters introduce lag with JoyCons or Pro Controllers, especially when multiple devices are connected.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Button mapping
- Controller buttons can be mapped to keyboard or mouse inputs, with options including tap and hold, chorded press, and simultaneous press.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Changelog development
- The changelog lists a 3.6.2 entry covering SDL3 migration, reconnect scripts, adaptive-trigger fixes, Linux FIFO command listening, and diagonal-handling improvements.raw.githubusercontent.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- It can load commands from text configuration files, and its download includes example gyro configuration files.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Configuration model
- Users configure the program through text files and console commands, with sample files in the GyroConfigs directory.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Controllers
- The project describes support for DualSense, DualShock 4, JoyCons used in pairs, and Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Developer language and build
- The application is C++ and uses CMake, with platform-specific source directories.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Developer reference
- The repository describes older versions as reference implementations for reading controller input with JoyShockLibrary.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Digital bindings
- Buttons and stick directions can be mapped to keyboard keys, mouse buttons, scrolling, volume, and media controls.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation depth
- The README contains command references, calibration procedures, configuration-file behavior, troubleshooting, and known issues.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Flick stick
- The right stick supports a flick-stick mode for rapid horizontal camera turns.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Flick-stick origin
- Wikipedia credits Julian Smart with designing flick stick in 2018 and says JoyShockMapper first implemented it publicly in early 2019.en.wikipedia.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Gyro aiming
- Gyroscope movement can control the mouse for precision aiming.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Gyro and flick stick
- It supports gyro controls and flick stick for aiming and turning in PC games.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Independent directory description
- SaaSHub describes the project as customizable, advanced, actively developed, and compatible with multiple controllers.saashub.com · read 15 Oct 2026
