Dicevaders Controller Support: Gamepads and Steam Deck

Dicevaders features full controller support on PC, allowing players to command alien fleets and manipulate dice rolls without touching a keyboard or mouse. Developed by Pengonauts and published by Playstack, this roguelike deckbuilder arrived on PC, Mac, and Nintendo Switch with native compatibility for popular gamepads.

Whether you plan to play from the couch with a console gamepad or on a handheld device like the Steam Deck, understanding how the game handles inputs will help you jump straight into the invasion.

Official Controller Compatibility and Supported Hardware

According to the official Steam store page, Dicevaders features full controller support. Players do not need third-party remapping software or external layout emulators to get standard gamepads running.

The game officially supports the following controller configurations:

Because Pengonauts designed Dicevaders to be playable at your own pace without timed inputs, turn-based drafting and grid placement translate naturally to standard gamepad d-pads and analog sticks.

Steam Deck and Handheld Optimizations

Handheld players can run Dicevaders on portable setups, including the Steam Deck. During development, Pengonauts focused specifically on improving the handheld experience.

In the Demo Patch 1.0 update, the development team implemented several quality-of-life adjustments targeting portable displays:

• Larger Tooltips: The developers increased the size of many tooltips specifically to enhance playability and readability on the smaller Steam Deck screen.
• Drafting Adjustments: Patch updates introduced controller improvements during the unit drafting phase to ensure smoother board building.
• Compendium Navigation: Previous issues that affected controller navigation inside the in-game compendium were resolved leading up to the official launch.

Player Feedback and Current Controller Limitations

While native support is functional, community feedback highlights areas where gamepad accessibility is still evolving.

On the official Steam discussion board, a thread titled "Controller Play?" addresses the current learning curve for gamepad users. One player noted that runs can feel difficult on a controller due to a lack of clear on-screen button prompts. Without distinct visual cues explaining button bindings on every interface, players risk pressing the wrong button during high-stakes turns.

If you find yourself accidentally misclicking perks or making unintended inputs on a controller, keyboard or mouse controls serve as an alternative while navigating complex menus.

Alternative Input Modes: Mouse and Keyboard Only

Dicevaders provides broad accessibility settings for players who prefer not to use standard gamepads. The Steam feature list confirms that the game includes both a "Mouse Only Option" and a "Keyboard Only Option."

These independent input settings allow you to play the entire roguelike campaign using only a pointing device or only keyboard strokes. Combined with the "Playable without Timed Input" and "Save Anytime" features, you have full control over your playstyle regardless of your hardware configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Dicevaders have full controller support on Steam?

Yes. The official Steam store page confirms full controller support, including dedicated compatibility for PlayStation DualShock and DualSense controllers alongside standard gamepads.

Can you play Dicevaders on the Steam Deck?

Yes. Pengonauts specifically adjusted tooltip sizes and menu navigation in update patches to improve readability and gameplay on the Steam Deck screen.

Does Dicevaders show on-screen controller button prompts?

According to a player on the Steam forums, the game needs on-screen prompts showing what the buttons on the controller do, noting that they kept hitting the wrong button during a run.

Is Dicevaders available on consoles?

Alongside its Steam release for Windows and Mac, Dicevaders launched officially on Nintendo Switch.