Introduction:
Gone are the days when gaming was restricted to a single platform or device. Today’s gamers demand versatility and ease-of-use when it comes to their preferred gaming controllers. One such controller is the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con, gaining popularity among PC gamers due to its Bluetooth connectivity and compact design. In this article, we will guide you through the process of connecting your Joy-Cons to Steam for an enhanced gaming experience.
Step 1: Check Your Bluetooth Connection
Before you can use your Joy-Cons on Steam, make sure you have a computer with integrated Bluetooth or an external Bluetooth adapter. Ensure that your device is compatible with the Joy-Con controllers as well.
Step 2: Install vJoy and JoyToKey
To make your Joy-Con work seamlessly with Steam, you’ll need to download and install two essential programs:
1. vJoy: A device driver that acts as a virtual joystick for Windows, enabling support for various controllers.
Download link: https://github.com/shauleiz/vJoy/releases
2. JoyToKey: Joystick-to-keyboard mapping software that allows your controller inputs to be recognized by Steam.
Download link: https://joytokey.net/en/download
Install both applications before proceeding to the next step.
Step 3: Configure vJoy
Open vJoy after installation and follow these steps:
1. In the “Configure vJoy” window, choose “1” under “Number of devices.”
2. Ensure “Enable vJoy” is checked.
3. Set all sliders and checkboxes as shown in this image:
Configuration Image: URL (Replace URL with an actual image reference if available)
4. Click “Apply,” then close vJoy.
Step 4: Configure JoyToKey
Open JoyToKey after installation and perform these steps:
1. In the “Profiles” tab, create a new profile, and name it “Steam.”
2. In the “Joystick 1” and “Joystick 2” tabs, set up the desired button mappings for your Joy-Con controllers.
3. Make sure to save your configuration before closing JoyToKey.
Step 5: Connect Your Joy-Cons to Your PC
Now that both software applications are configured, you can connect your Joy-Cons to your PC:
1. Enable Bluetooth on your PC.
2. Press and hold the small Sync button on the side of each Joy-Con until its LED lights start flashing.
3. In the Bluetooth settings on your PC, search for devices, and select the Joy-Con controller to pair it with your computer.
Step 6: Launch Steam
Once both Joy-Cons are connected to your PC through Bluetooth, open Steam in Big Picture mode:
1. Click the Gear icon in the top right corner of Steam.
2. Navigate to “Controller Settings.”
3. Click on “Detected Controllers,” then select “Define Layout” for each Joy-Con.
4. Assign buttons for each controller according to your preferred layout.
And that’s it! You can now play your favorite Steam games using Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons as controllers. As an added bonus, you can also create custom profiles for individual games using JoyToKey if you want a more tailored gaming experience. Happy gaming!