nkruzan / bluepad32

Bluetooth gamepad support for the ESP32 (mirror)

Bluepad32

A Bluetooth gamepad "host" for the ESP32.

Add Bluetooth gamepad support to your projects easily. Supported platforms:

• Arduino + ESP32 boards: further info, template project
• Arduino + boards with the NINA coprocessor: further info, library
• CircuitPython + boards with the AirLift coprocessor: further info, library
• Or in custom boards like:
  • Unijoysticle v2, to play games on the C64
  • Unijoysticle v2 for the Amiga
  • ULX3S, an FPGA console

Features

• Supports most, if not all, modern Bluetooth gamepads (see below)
• Fast (very low latency)
• Small footprint
• Uses only one core (CPU0). The remaining one is free to use.
• C99 based
• Open Source (see below)

Supported controllers

• Sony DualSense (PS5)
• Sony DUALSHOCK 4 (PS4)
• Sony DUALSHOCK 3 (PS3)
• Xbox One S
• Nintendo Switch Pro
• Nintendo Wii U
• Nintendo Wii
• Android gamepads
• PC/Window gamepads
• 8BitDo
• iCade
• And more

See: Supported gamepads

How to compile it

1. Install ESP-IDF

   Install the ESP32 toolchain. Use version 4.2. 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
• Google groups

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).