Bluepad32

A Bluetooth gamepad "host" for the ESP32 / ESP32-S3 / ESP32-C3.

Add Bluetooth gamepad support to your projects easily.

Where to start

Choose your target platform:

Platform	Start here	Further info	Community projects
Arduino IDE		Doc	Controller for Tello drone
Arduino using ESP-IDF toolchain	Template project	Doc	Lego Robot (video), gbaHD Shield (a GameBoy consolizer)
Arduino + NINA coprocessor	Arduino Library	Doc	Philips CD-i meets Bluetooth
CircuitPython + AirLift coprocessor	CircuitPython Library	Doc	Quico console, Controlling 4 servos (video)
Unijoysticle	Unijoysticle2	Doc
MightyMiggy	Unijoysticle for Amiga	Doc
Custom		Doc

Features

• Supports most, if not all, modern Bluetooth gamepads and mice (see below)
• Fast (very low latency)
• Small footprint
• Uses only one core (CPU0). The remaining one is free to use.
• C11 based
• Open Source (see below)

Supported controllers

• Sony DualSense (PS5)
• Sony DUALSHOCK 4 (PS4)
• Sony DUALSHOCK 3 (PS3)
• Nintendo Switch Pro controller
• Nintendo Switch JoyCon
• Nintendo Wii U controller
• Nintendo Wii Remote + accessories
• Xbox Wireless controller (models 1708, 1914, adaptive)
• Android controllers
• Steam controller
• Stadia controller
• PC/Window controller
• 8BitDo controllers
• iCade
• Mouse
• And more

NOTE: Original ESP32 supports all listed controllers. ESP32-S3 and ESP32-C3 support only a subset.

See: Supported gamepads and supported mice

Pre-compiled binaries

• https://gitlab.com/ricardoquesada/bluepad32/-/releases

How to compile it

1. Install ESP-IDF

   Install the ESP32 toolchain. Use version 4.4 or 5.0. Might work on newer / older ones, but not tested.

   • https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-idf/en/latest/esp32/get-started/

2. Clone repo

   git clone --recursive https://gitlab.com/ricardoquesada/bluepad32.git

3. Integrate BTStack into ESP32

   cd ${BLUEPAD32}/external/btstack/port/esp32
   # This will install BTstack as a component inside Bluepad32 source code (recommended).
   # Remove "IDF_PATH=../../../../src" if you want it installed in the ESP-IDF folder
   IDF_PATH=../../../../src ./integrate_btstack.py

4. Compile Bluepad32

   Choose target platform (default is Unijoysticle):

   cd ${BLUEPAD32}/src
   idf.py menuconfig

   The Bluepad32 options are in: Components config -> Bluepad32 (find it at the very bottom) -> Target platform

   And compile it:

   idf.py build

5. Flash it

   idf.py flash monitor

Support

• Documentation
• Discord

License

Bluepad32 is open source, licensed under Apache 2.

However, Bluepad32 depends on the great BTStack library. Which is free to use for open source projects. But commercial for closed-source projects. Contact them for details. They are very friendly + helpful (I’m not affiliated with them).