Joystick Gremlin

Spec sheet

Purpose

Joystick Gremlin configures joystick-like devices, including devices from different manufacturers and custom devices that appear as joysticks to Windows.Read 3 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Intended users

The documentation describes the software as intended for simple and advanced joystick configuration and management.Read 2 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Axis configuration

It supports axis response curves and dead zones.Read 2 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Compatibility note

When configuring multiple vJoy devices, they must differ in the number of axes, buttons, or hats, or Gremlin may fail to start.Read 2 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Dependency

The installation guide identifies vJoy as a major dependency and says Gremlin and vJoy require VC++ redistributables.Read 3 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Device merging

It can merge multiple physical devices into a single virtual device.Read 3 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Device support

It works with joystick like devices from different manufacturers, including custom devices that appear as DirectInput devices to Windows.Read 2 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Device visibility limitation

Joystick Gremlin cannot hide physical device inputs, and the FAQ suggests HidHide as a way to hide them from a game.Read 3 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Input mapping

It can map joystick inputs to keyboard and mouse inputs.Read 3 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Macro limitation

For macros to work in a game running with administrator privileges, the FAQ says Joystick Gremlin must run at the same or a higher privilege level.Read 3 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Macros

Macros can play back sequences of events and repeat a fixed number of times, until the action is activated again, or while the physical input is pressed.Read 2 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Mapping features

It can merge multiple physical devices into one virtual device and map joystick inputs to keyboard or mouse inputs.Read 2 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Modes

Profiles can use multiple modes with inheritance, so a child mode can use mappings from a parent when it has none of its own for an input.Read 2 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Modes and actions

It supports configurable modes with inheritance, customizable mode switching, and conditional action execution.Read 3 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Notable limitation

Joystick Gremlin cannot hide physical device inputs from games; the FAQ recommends HidHide as the most reliable way to hide them.Read 2 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Profile compatibility

The release notes say profiles from before the Release 14 rewrite are not compatible and that no conversion tool is currently available.Read 3 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Python scripting

It supports Python scripts for advanced and specialized configurations, with script variables configurable through the UI.Read 3 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Recent release

Release 16, dated 2026-09-26, adds a redesigned UI, session log viewing, a system tray option, and XInput device detection.Read 3 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Scripting

User scripts are written in Python and can define configurable variables and callbacks triggered by inputs.Read 2 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Setup requirement

Both Joystick Gremlin and vJoy require VC++ redistributables to be installed.Read 2 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Tools

The software includes an input viewer, device calibration, an automatic 1:1 mapping tool, and a tool for swapping device bindings in profiles.Read 2 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Virtual device dependency

Joystick Gremlin uses vJoy virtual joysticks to forward physical inputs as virtual inputs.Read 2 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Virtual devices

It uses virtual joysticks provided by vJoy to map physical inputs to virtual inputs and apply transformations such as axis response curves.Read 3 Oct 2026 · whitemagic.github.io

Where Specifiction places it

• Controller Mapping Software#21 of 297.3