No installation. Drop x360ce.exe and xinput1_3.dll into the game’s .exe folder. No registry changes, no background services. This is a major plus for retro-PC gamers using portable SSDs or multiple Windows installations.
Close x360ce and start your game. The game will see your controller as an Xbox 360 controller. No further configuration needed inside the game’s options.
Newer versions generate multiple files (x360ce.ini, xinput9_1_0.dll, xinput1_4.dll, etc.) and a cache folder. Version 2.0.2.163 typically requires just three files: x360ce version 2.0.2.163
This simplicity makes manual backup and restoration effortless.
If you are playing PC games from 2006–2018 (e.g., Dark Souls Prepare to Die, FIFA 14, Grid Autosport, Fallout 3/NV), this version works flawlessly. It supports force feedback (vibration) mapping, axis inversion, and deadzone calibration that many newer generic gamepad tools lack. No installation
| Limitation | Description |
|------------|-------------|
| 64-bit game support | Partial; required manual creation of 64-bit DLL using the x360ce_x64.exe tool (separate download at the time). |
| Wireless controller pairing | Bluetooth or dongle-based controllers sometimes experienced input lag or disconnection. |
| Trigger axis inversion | Some controllers required manual checking of "Pass through" or "Invert" options for LT/RT triggers. |
| No cloud sync | Controller profiles were local to the machine (saved as x360ce.ini and x360ce.gdb). |
To understand the importance of 2.0.2.163, one must distinguish it from the subsequent "3.x" branch: Newer versions generate multiple files ( x360ce
Microsoft introduced the XInput standard with the Xbox 360 to standardize controller inputs on Windows. However, thousands of existing game controllers used the older DirectInput standard. Many game developers began coding games strictly for XInput, meaning generic controllers (logitech, Saitek, older gamepads) would not function in games like Grand Theft Auto IV or Batman: Arkham Asylum, even if the controller was physically connected.