Utilities Reviews
13,695 Reviews

Xpadder review

£5.99 inc VAT

Manufacturer: XPadder

Our Rating: We rate this 3.5 out of 5

XPadder is inexpensive software that lets you use a game controller with your PC. Here's our XPadder review.

XPadder is software that emulates a mouse and keyboard with the buttons and directional thumbpad of your game controller. (If you are interested in XPadder you should read our story: How to use an Xbox 360 wireless controller on a PC.)

Many casual web or flash games would do well to implement gamepad controls. Platformers and bullet-hell titles are a perfect example. Sure, you can get by with WASD and the space bar, but it's not 1992 anymore. You shouldn't be forced to just get by when you've got that shiny, wireless gamepad sitting two feet away. The answer here is a £5.99 program called Xpadder.

Xpadder emulates a mouse and keyboard with the buttons and directional thumbpad of your game controller. It supports multiple profiles, rumble feedback, and chorded input, which allows for more commands than the number of buttons would normally permit. This technique can also be used to refine emulated mouse movement, with quick or precise modes for the analog directional stick switchable by toggling a preassigned button.

Configuration screens are easy to decipher and present you with a visual representation of your gamepad for easy key assignment. You can also use it to control desktop software: For example, the video player of your Media Center PC can use your wireless controller like a remote. Xpadder isn't currently free, but it's well worth the money developer Jonathan Firth is asking. Older, free versions are still around if you'd like to give a try before purchase.

XPadder Expert Verdict »
Post Review
Supports Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8 (32 and 64 bit)
Full keyboard and mouse emulation
Supports up to 16 controllers at the same time (multiplayer)
Rumble force feedback and advanced fine-tuning options
Create a layout for any controller that Windows can see
Multiple profile management using sharable files
Designed for gamepads, joysticks and arcade sticks
  • Overall: We give this item 7 of 10 overall

XPadder emulates a mouse and keyboard with the buttons and directional thumbpad of your game controller. It supports multiple profiles, rumble feedback, and chorded input, which allows for more commands than the number of buttons would normally permit.

There are currently no price comparisons for this product.
  • Hori Tactical Assault Commander 3 review

    Hori Tactical Assault Commander 3

    The Hori Tactical Assault Commander 3 mouse-and-keyboard combo promises PC first-person shooter fans a chance to dominate their PS3 brethren.

  • Eclipse Vengeance i5357r795 OC review - gaming PC falls behind the competition

    Eclipse Vengeance i5357r795 OC - gaming PC falls behind the competition

    The Eclipse Vengeance i5357r795 OC is a gaming PC that offers reasonable value, but only reasonable performance. Here's our Eclipse Vengeance i5357r795 OC review.

  • Nintendo Wii U review

    Nintendo Wii U

    Nintendo got the whole family into gaming with its simple and fun console, the Wii. See what we make of the highly anticipated follow-up in our Nintendo Wii U review.

  • x360ce review

    x360ce

    x360ce is a free piece of software that lets you use old controllers for newer PC games. Read our review to find out more.

  • Scan 3XS Performance GTX review

    Scan 3XS Performance GTX

    The Scan 3XS Performance GTX may be pricey, but is has excellent performance, high build quality and that amazing 27in monitor make for fluid and immersive gameplay that’s hard to match. Read our Scan 3XS Performance GTX review to find out more.

Send to a friend

Email this article to a friend or colleague:


PLEASE NOTE: Your name is used only to let the recipient know who sent the story. Both your name and the recipient's name and address will not be used for any other purpose.