Joycons and BetterJoy: Unlocking the Potential of Nintendo Switch Controllers on PC

Joycons and BetterJoy

Introduction

Joycons and BetterJoy, the detachable controllers for the Nintendo Switch, have become famous for gamers due to their versatility and innovative features. 

These compact controllers pack a punch with various buttons, joysticks, and motion controls, making them suitable for multiple gaming experiences.

However, Joycons’ potential extends beyond the Nintendo Switch ecosystem. BetterJoy, a driver software, allows users to seamlessly connect their Joycons to a PC, enabling them to enjoy their favorite games and emulators with the familiar and comfortable Joycon controls. 

This introduction will delve into the functionalities of Joycons and how Joycons and BetterJoy can enhance your PC gaming experience.

How to Use BetterJoy with Joycons

How to Use Joycons and BetterJoy

Pre-requisites 

Before using Joycons and BetterJoy, you must have the necessary software and hardware. Here are the essential pre-requisites:

  • Required Software: Download and install BetterJoy, an open-source program that maps the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and Joy-Cons to XInput.
  • ViGEmBus: Install ViGEmBus, essential for Joycons and BetterJoy to function correctly.
  • Bluetooth Connectivity: Ensure your PC has Bluetooth capability to connect the Joycons wirelessly.

Downloading and Installing BetterJoy and ViGEmBus

To begin the process of using Joycons and BetterJoy with Joycons, follow these steps for downloading and installing the required software:

  1. Download BetterJoy: Visit the official Joycons and BetterJoy GitHub page and download the latest version of BetterJoy.
  2. Extract the Files: Once downloaded, extract the contents of the BetterJoy zip file and put them in a folder of your choice.
  3. Install ViGEmBus: Within the extracted Joycons and BetterJoy folder, locate the “Drivers” folder and run the setup file for ViGEmBus.
  4. Reboot Your Computer: After installing ViGEmBus, restart your computer as instructed to ensure the drivers are correctly installed.

Connecting Joycons with BetterJoy

After you have downloaded and installed BetterJoy and ViGEmBus, you can proceed with connecting your Joycons to your PC using Joycons and BetterJoy:

  1. Pairing Joycons: Make sure your Joycons are fully charged. Press and hold the sync button on the top of each Joycon until the LEDs start flashing.
  2. Enable Bluetooth: You can access your PC’s Bluetooth settings by going to Windows Settings, then Devices, and selecting Bluetooth & Other Devices.
  3. Pair Joycons: Pair the Joycons with your PC via Bluetooth. Windows should recognize them as connected devices.
  4. Launch BetterJoy: Open the Joycons and BetterJoy executable (BetterJoyforCemu) as an administrator. BetterJoy will detect and configure your Joycons as XInput devices.
  5. Button Mapping: If needed, customize the button mapping within BetterJoy to suit your preferences.

Following these steps, you can use BetterJoy to connect and utilize your Joycons on your PC for an enhanced gaming experience.

Benefits of Using BetterJoy with Joycons

PC Gaming with Joycons

BetterJoy serves as a bridge between Nintendo Switch Joycons and PC gaming, offering a seamless experience for gamers. Here are the key benefits of using Joycons and BetterJoy for PC gaming with Joycons:

  • Enhanced Compatibility: BetterJoy translates DirectInput commands from Joycons into XInput commands, making them compatible with most modern PC games that support XInput. This compatibility ensures that Joycons can be used effectively in various PC games.
  • Various Input Methods: BetterJoy emulates XInput devices and allows Joycons to function like Xbox controllers on PCs. Gamers can enjoy their favorite PC games using the Joycons’ familiar layout and controls, providing a comfortable and intuitive gaming experience.

Enhanced Emulation Experience

BetterJoy enhances PC gaming and elevates the emulation experience, especially when using emulators like Cemu and Dolphin. Here’s how Joycons and BetterJoy enhance the emulation experience:

  • Support for Emulators: BetterJoy is designed to work seamlessly with popular emulators such as Cemu and Dolphin, enabling users to utilize Joycons for emulation purposes. This support opens up new possibilities for gamers to enjoy classic games with the unique features of Joycons.
  • Motion Controls: One of BetterJoy’s standout features is its ability to enable motion controls for specific emulators like Cemu and Citra. This functionality allows gamers to fully immerse themselves in games that rely on motion input, enhancing the overall gaming experience and authenticity when using Joycons for emulation.

By leveraging Joycons and BetterJoy, gamers can unlock the full potential of their Joycons on PC, whether for playing modern PC games or enhancing the emulation experience with motion controls and compatibility across various platforms.

Conclusion

Joycons with Better Joy, the versatile controllers from Nintendo Switch, have found a new home in PC gaming and emulation thanks to Joycons and BetterJoy. 

This innovative driver software bridges the gap between Joycons and PC, allowing gamers to enjoy these controllers’ unique features and controls in a wide range of games and emulators.

Following the simple steps outlined in this guide, you can easily set up BetterJoy and connect your Joycons to your PC. Once connected, you can dive into PC gaming with the familiar and comfortable Joycon controls, thanks to BetterJoy’s seamless XInput emulation.

Moreover, BetterJoy takes the emulation experience to new heights by enabling motion controls for specific emulators, immersing you in classic games like never before.

FAQs

1. What is BetterJoy?

BetterJoy is an open-source driver software that enables users to connect Nintendo Switch Joycons to a PC and use them as X-input devices for gaming and emulation purposes.

2. What are the prerequisites for using BetterJoy?

To use BetterJoy with Joycons, you need to have the following:

  • BetterJoy software
  • ViGEmBus driver
  • A PC with Bluetooth capability to connect the Joycons wirelessly

3. How do I download and install BetterJoy?

You can download the latest version of BetterJoy from the official GitHub page. Extract the zip file’s contents, install ViGEmBus from the “Drivers” folder, and then reboot your computer.

4. How do I connect Joycons to my PC using BetterJoy?

  1. Press and hold the sync button on each Joycon until the LEDs start flashing.
  2. Enable Bluetooth on your PC and pair the Joycons.
  3. Launch BetterJoy as an administrator, and it will detect and configure your Joycons as XInput devices.

5. What are the benefits of using BetterJoy with Joycons on PC?

BetterJoy enhances PC gaming by enabling Joycon compatibility with XInput games. It also improves the emulation experience by supporting motion controls in specific emulators, such as Cemu and BetterJoy for Dolphin.

6. Does BetterJoy work with all PC games and emulators?

BetterJoy is compatible with most modern PC games that support XInput. For emulators, it works seamlessly with popular ones like Cemu and Dolphin, but compatibility may vary depending on the specific emulator and game.

Visit betterjoy.net for more tips and guidance on managing your website. They offer great resources for website management and security.

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