MoltenGamepad

Spec sheet

Purpose

MoltenGamepad is a Linux daemon that translates or remaps input events and can replace input devices with virtual ones.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

License

The repository identifies its license as MIT.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Community configurations

The companion MG-Files repository provides community-contributed device configurations and control profiles.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Configuration

Configuration files are human-readable and editable, and event mappings can be loaded, saved, and changed while the daemon runs.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Controller plugins

Optional plugins listed by the project include support for Wii remotes, Joy-Cons, and Steam Controllers; only the Wii remote plugin is enabled by default when building.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Device support

A generic driver framework can describe supported kernel input devices with configuration files; specialized drivers can provide additional functionality.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Gamepad compatibility

It creates virtual gamepads so different controllers can appear as a standardized controller that games understand.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Generic device support

A generic driver can describe an input source with a text configuration file when the kernel already sends events from that device.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Included driver

The default installation activates only the Wii Remote driver; other devices may need generic driver configuration or plugins.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Installation requirements

The software needs permission to access input event devices and write to uinput to create virtual gamepads.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Known issues

The README reports that changing mappings can leave stuck inputs, multiple inputs mapped to one output can clobber each other, and input latency may be added but has not been measured beyond playtests.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Known limitations

The README notes that remapping may leave previous values active, multiple inputs mapped to one output can clobber each other, and input latency may be added but has not been measured beyond playtests.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Permissions

MoltenGamepad needs write access to uinput and read access to input event devices; its installation guide recommends running it as a dedicated system user and says running as root is not secure or recommended.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Persistent devices

Its virtual gamepads persist across controller disconnections, addressing games that break when a controller disconnects.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plugins

Optional plugins listed by the project are for Wii Remotes, Joy-Cons, and Steam Controllers; the Steam Controller plugin requires scraw and scrawpp.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Rumble

Virtual devices can process rumble events, but rumble is disabled by default and requires write access to the input devices.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Runtime control

A running instance can receive commands through standard input, a FIFO, or a socket, including for scripting.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Runtime limits

A default installation activates only the Wii remote driver, so other devices may require generic driver configuration or additional plugins.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Scripting

A running instance can receive commands through a FIFO or a bidirectional socket, including for scripted control.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Steam and games

The --mimic-xpad option makes virtual controllers appear as wired Xbox 360 controllers, which the README says most games and Steam expect.Read 10 Oct 2026 · github.com

Support and contribution

The project welcomes bug reports, pull requests, feature suggestions through GitHub issues, and device configurations through the MG-Files repository; its contribution page says a GUI is not currently feasible.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Virtual controllers

It creates persistent virtual gamepads intended to work with games that expect a standard controller and may break when a controller disconnects.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Where Specifiction places it

• Controller Mapping Software#25 of 297.0