Joypad OS is an open-source controller firmware platform built around a simple but powerful idea, gamers should be able to use whatever controller they want, wherever they want. The project, formerly known as USBRetro, is being developed in the open by Robert Dale Smith, who recently summed it up perfectly in a X post calling it a “totally open source, anything to anything controller adapter firmware platform.”
At its core, Joypad OS focuses on real-time input handling and protocol translation across Bluetooth, USB, retro consoles, and modern systems alike. Instead of one-off firmware builds per adapter, Joypad OS acts as a shared foundation that can power GameCube, Dreamcast, PC Engine, 3DO, Nuon, and other adapters, while accepting input from modern Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, and generic controllers.
What makes the project especially interesting is its scope and philosophy. This isn’t just about retro preservation, it’s about flexibility, accessibility, and future-proofing controller input as a whole. Being fully open source under an Apache-2.0 license, it invites experimentation, community contributions, and new ideas that go far beyond a single product.
If you’re into controller adapters, DIY hardware, or just like seeing ambitious open-source projects gain momentum, Joypad OS is well worth following, and starring, on GitHub.