Evil Controllers’ One-Handed Controllers | Video

Evil Controllers is a company based in the US that make custom and modded gaming controllers. One of the types of modded controllers that they make are one-handed controllers. These controllers aim to enable a person to use the majority of the controller with just one hand.

We use these controllers in our work here at SpecialEffect. We often use these controllers alongside additional buttons or joysticks, controlled with another part of the body.  In this video, we will look at the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox versions of these controllers and the adaptations that are available.

Right-Hand Option

First, we will look at the right-hand version of these controllers. The L1, L2 and L3 buttons have been moved over to the right-hand side of the controller. The L1 and L2 buttons have been relocated, using digital buttons, over to the right arm of the controller. These are designed to be pressed with the individual’s middle, ring or little finger. The L3 button is also a digital button and has also been relocated over to the right side and is situated just below the right thumbstick. This is designed to be pressed with the individual’s right thumb.

At SpecialEffect we nearly always use the thumbstick extension option. This is where the left thumbstick has been placed in its own individual housing. This is so the stick can potentially be positioned and used with another part of the body. We often use this by someone’s finger or arm, or potentially by their foot or their chin. You could also think about swapping the stick functions over by either remapping in-console or in the game settings.

Left-Hand Option

We will now look at the left-handed versions of these controllers. The R1, R2 and R3 buttons have been relocated over to the left side of the controller. The R1 and R2 buttons have been relocated over to the left arm of the controller using digital buttons. These are designed to be pressed by either the middle, ring or little finger. The R3 button has also been relocated over to the left side of the controller using a digital button. This is situated just below the left thumbstick and is designed to be pressed using the left thumb.

Again, at SpecialEffect we almost always have the thumbstick extension option. This is where the right thumbstick has been placed in its own external housing. This is so the thumbstick can potentially be positioned and used with another part of the body. We often use this by someone’s finger, by their arm, or potentially by their foot or their chin. Again, you could remap this on your console or by using the in-game settings to swap the stick functions over.

With all versions of these controllers, the face buttons remain situated on the right side of the controller.

For the left-hand version of these controllers, we often recommend remapping the face buttons with the D-pad. So, for example, the Cross button on Playstation or A button on Xbox, we would remap over to Down on the D-pad. Or potentially the Circle button on PlayStation or the B button on Xbox, we would remap with Right on the D-pad. This is so that the individual does not have to keep reaching over to the other side of the controller to access these buttons.

This remapping can be done at a system level on PS4, PS5 and on Xbox. There is a link in the description to this video that explains how to do this.

The modifications made to these controllers are pretty much identical across all three platforms. However, one difference that’s worth mentioning is the digital buttons used on the PS5 version of these controllers are slightly different to the ones used on the PS4 and Xbox versions. The buttons used on the PS5 version are smaller than the PS4 and Xbox and some people may potentially find them harder to press.

Mounting the Controller

We find that some people find mounting these controllers, on either a laptray or on a desk can make them easier to use. You can use either a wedge or a piece of foam to hold them at a comfortable angle.

Accessing the Optional Thumbstick Extension

Some people might find that they can access the thumbstick extension with their weaker hand, especially if they are using their stronger hand to access the majority of the controller. Fixing the thumbstick onto a tray using Velcro will make it more secure and might make it easier to use.

If this is difficult, then it is possible to use another part of the body such as by the foot, or some people find using their chin can be effective.

If selected, you can purchase the thumbstick extension with a handle base. This is so the thumbstick can be mounted underneath the controller and used by the individual pushing it against their leg.

Optional Controller Features

Evil Controllers offer many additional options to help you customise the controller to your needs, such as hairpin or tactile triggers, regular or tactile buttons, additional thumbstick tension, game mods and a range of thumbstick options such as cable length and the type of base for the thumbstick.

Outro:

Thank you for watching this video. If you would like any more information on alternative controllers for accessing games, please contact SpecialEffect.