How to use

a PS3 controller

on PC, and play any games with it?

Back in the days when controllers became popular for PC games, it was hard to use them wirelessly. Later, some third-party drivers started taking over, but since they're mostly open-source, they may be unstable. Nowadays, how to pair PS3 controller to PC is no longer a question: with reWASD you get a driver that permits using the controller via Bluetooth connection, and also remapping the hell out of it!

What about the available adapters, you may say? Well, some of them report the PS3 triggers as digital controls, which means no speeding up gradually in racing games with PS3 controller on PC, or while controlling a spaceship. Usable, but not fun. reWASD will keep your triggers analog, and the controller — connected wirelessly ;)

The world is not a perfect place, but we try our best to make it better. Even though not every game supports controllers, reWASD helps setting up PS3 controller on PC and use it even for games with no controller support. Set up the binds the perfect way, tune mouse sensitivity, assign new actions to stick zones to make the gameplay more intuitive. What can make this process even more pleasant, is that you can grab a ready-to-go custom config to use for PS3 controller on PC from the community. A lot of users have shared their presets for hundreds of games, so this will be as easy as pie!

Remember when I said that reWASD is an emulator too? Let's clear some things up, XInput controllers are more likely to have support in games. However, PS3 controller on PC with Windows 11, 10 also has a huge potential. When you create a config, you will see the Magic Wand below the image of a controller. Click it once, choose the needed controller, and Apply this configuration. Three clicks, as promised, now PS3 controller is hidden from the system and seen as an Xbox One or Xbox 360. Say again that magic doesn't exist ;)

Wikipedia says that PS3 controllers were no longer produced after 2008, so if you have one at home, it's far from new. Back to reality, you need to do something before you use PS3 controller on PC. Rickety sticks? Increase the deadzone to avoid unwanted actions. Triggers are too sensitive? Adjust the deadzone to be stealth-y, no accidents allowed. Change the Stick response: pick one of the existing profiles, or create your own custom curve. Invert the X and Y axes, swap sticks… In other words, the world is your oyster!

It can be hard to fit all the desired mappings you want to use with PS3 controller on PC. You have 25 keys at your disposal, and many games need way more controls. reWASD offers you a lot of features to assign more keys to one controller, and here they are:

• Activators: set Single, Double, Triple and Long press mappings to one key. Assign Start and Release press too, they will execute when the key goes down and then up, responsively.
• Shortcuts: execute a mapping when 2, 3 or 4 buttons are pressed.
• Shift mode: create a Shift layer of mappings, and activate it with a Shift modifier (which can be pressed and held, or Toggled). Add up to 4 Shift layers to each config.
• Slots: Apply up to 4 configs to one PS3 controller at the same time.

Sidenote on Slots, reWASD helps you use PS3 controller on PC in a full swing: Player LEDs can display the Slot that is currently in use.

With reWASD, you can create the combos of any complexity. Start with something simple to copy-paste the files, end up with a combo with Breaks, Pauses, and use them for quick edits in Desktop applications. Imagine, how easier your life can be with a PS3 controller on PC and reWASD?

What about the Toggle and Turbo mappings? Toggle starts firing the mapping after the first click and stops after the second one. Turbo executes the mapping with a customizable pause as long as you hold the button. Both are very powerful, and once you try them, you can never go back ;)

A good tip while setting up PS3 controller to PC is to make it as intuitive as possible. Autodetect permits adding associated files to game Profiles in reWASD, and activates certain configs when the game is in focus. Set it and forget it! Or what about some useful commands? Lock the PC, turn off your controller, save screenshots to a customizable folder in one click. Anything you need is at the tip of your fingers!