Joy2Key

Joy2Key

Joy2Key is a software that allows users to map joystick buttons, joystick axis, and other joystick inputs to keyboard keys and mouse actions. It enables using a joystick as an alternative input device instead of a keyboard or mouse.
joystick gamepad controller remapping keyboard-emulation mouse-emulation

Joy2Key: Map Joystick Inputs to Keyboard Keys

A software solution allowing users to customize joystick inputs for keyboard keys and mouse actions, offering an alternative input device setup.

What is Joy2Key?

Joy2Key is a lightweight software utility that enables users to map game controller buttons, axes, and other inputs to keyboard keys and mouse actions. It allows using a gaming joystick or gamepad as an alternative input device instead of a traditional keyboard and mouse.

Some of the key features of Joy2Key include:

  • Intuitive graphical user interface for setting up joystick-to-keyboard mappings.
  • Supports mapping joystick buttons, axes, POV hats, and slider controls.
  • Map joystick inputs to single keys, mouse buttons, mouse movement, or key sequences.
  • Use start, stop and toggle modes for mapped actions.
  • Configure multiple profiles to quickly switch mappings.
  • Runs in the background with minimal resource usage.
  • Free and open source software with portable and installable versions available.

Joy2Key is useful for those looking to use a game controller for applications, games or systems that don't inherently support joysticks out of the box. It can help provide alternative control schemes in cases where keyboard and mouse prove difficult, tiring or are not the preferred input methods.

Joy2Key Features

Features

  1. Map joystick buttons, axes, and other inputs to keyboard keys and mouse actions
  2. Use a joystick as an alternative input device instead of a keyboard or mouse
  3. Customize button and axis mappings
  4. Support for multiple joystick devices
  5. Ability to save and load custom configurations

Pricing

  • Free

Pros

Allows users to use a joystick for games and applications that don't natively support joystick input

Provides a way to use a joystick as an alternative to a keyboard or mouse

Customizable button and axis mappings

Supports multiple joystick devices

Cons

May require some configuration and setup to get working properly

May not work with all games or applications

Limited support for advanced joystick features or functionality


The Best Joy2Key Alternatives

Top Gaming Software and Game Controllers & Remapping and other similar apps like Joy2Key


ReWASD icon

ReWASD

reWASD is a powerful and highly customizable gamepad emulator and mapper software for Windows. It allows users to customize and remap controls when playing games with a controller on PC.Some key features of reWASD include:Button remapping - Remap any controller button to keyboard, mouse, joystick and other buttons.Macro customization -...
ReWASD image
Joystick Mapper icon

Joystick Mapper

Joystick Mapper is a powerful and customizable tool for remapping controls and customizing gaming devices like joysticks, gamepads, steering wheels, and other gaming controllers on Windows PCs. It allows gamers to fully optimize and personalize their controls for a wide range of games and simulations.With Joystick Mapper, you can easily...
Joystick Mapper image
Xpadder icon

Xpadder

Xpadder is a third-party software that provides advanced gamepad and controller customization for Windows PC games. It allows users to map keyboard keys, mouse buttons, and other inputs to buttons and axes on their gamepad or joystick.Some key features of Xpadder include:Enables using gamepads and joysticks for games that don't...
Xpadder image
JoyToKey icon

JoyToKey

JoyToKey is a lightweight software that bridges the gap between PC games and game controllers. It intercepts joystick input from controllers such as Xbox or PlayStation controllers, and translates the signals into simulated keyboard and mouse actions.This allows you to configure and customize controller buttons to keys on the keyboard...
JoyToKey image
Gaming Keyboard Splitter icon

Gaming Keyboard Splitter

A gaming keyboard splitter is a handy device for gamers who use a single high-performance keyboard with multiple gaming systems. The splitter connects between the keyboard and the devices, enabling you to use the keyboard with all connected systems without having to unplug and switch back and forth.The splitter will...
Gaming Keyboard Splitter image
InputMapper icon

InputMapper

InputMapper is a free, open-source software application developed to provide enhanced support for gamepads and other controllers in games that don't natively support them. It allows full customization and remapping of gamepad buttons to translate controller inputs into simulated mouse and keyboard actions.Some key features of InputMapper include:Supports most major...
InputMapper image
AntiMicro icon

AntiMicro

AntiMicro is an open-source application that enables PC keyboard, mouse, or other input devices to mimic an Xbox or PlayStation game controller. It allows users to map keyboard keys and mouse buttons to gamepad buttons and analog sticks. The software provides an intuitive graphical interface to set up control profiles...
AntiMicro image
Pinnacle Game Profiler icon

Pinnacle Game Profiler

Pinnacle Game Profiler is a powerful piece of software used to customize and enhance the gaming experience. It allows users to create custom controller profiles for games that lack native controller support or have limited customization options. The software works by intercepting inputs from gaming controllers such as gamepads, racing...
Pinnacle Game Profiler image
QJoyPad icon

QJoyPad

QJoyPad is an open source game controller mapping utility for Windows that allows you to map gamepad buttons and analog sticks to keyboard keys and mouse buttons. This allows you to use your game controller of choice to control games and applications that don't have native gamepad support.Some of the...
QJoyPad image
SDL2 Gamepad Tool icon

SDL2 Gamepad Tool

SDL2 Gamepad Tool is an open-source program used to test game controllers and remap buttons and axes.It supports connecting multiple gamepads simultaneously and visualizing their inputs in real-time. You can test that all buttons and axes are working properly and calibrate any deadzones or inconsistencies.A major feature of SDL2 Gamepad...
SDL2 Gamepad Tool image
Jstest-gtk icon

Jstest-gtk

jstest-gtk is a graphical utility program for testing joystick devices in Linux. It provides a simple interface for viewing joystick axis and button input events, calibrating joysticks, and troubleshooting joystick functionality.With jstest-gtk, users can:View real-time joystick axis and button input as the joystick is manipulatedCalibrate joystick axis centers and deadzonesTest...
Jstest-gtk image
Joystick 2 Mouse icon

Joystick 2 Mouse

Joystick 2 Mouse is assistive software that enables those with disabilities to use a joystick device as a mouse input. It works by translating movements and button presses from a connected joystick into equivalent mouse clicks, drags, and cursor movements on the screen.This allows those who have difficulty using a...