A new batch of input subsystem patches has been submitted during the Linux 7.1 kernel cycle, bringing native support for several popular gamepads to Linux users. According to reporting by tech media outlet Phoronix, the patches have already been queued into the input subsystem’s “for-linus” Git branch, targeting inclusion as input fixes for the ongoing Linux 7.1 development cycle.

The most notable addition involves the XPad universal controller driver, which has long served as the foundation for Xbox-compatible gamepad support on Linux. The update adds device IDs for the ASUS ROG Raikiri II — the latest in ASUS’s premium gaming controller lineup — as well as the budget-friendly GameSir Nova 2 Lite wireless controller.

Premium Controller
ASUS ROG Raikiri II
  • Price: ~$160 USD
  • TMR anti-drift joysticks
  • Dual-mode triggers (analog + micro-switch)
  • Full micro-switch button set
  • USB-C, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz tri-mode
  • PC/Xbox hardware toggle switch
  • 1000Hz polling rate (PC/wired)
Budget Controller
GameSir Nova 2 Lite
  • Price: ~$27–$30 USD
  • Hall effect joysticks & triggers
  • 1000Hz polling rate (wired/dongle)
  • USB-C, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz tri-mode
  • PC, Switch, Android compatible
  • Remappable buttons

Because the update only involves adding device IDs, the risk is minimal — making it well-suited for direct integration into the current Linux 7.1 cycle rather than waiting for the next merge window.

The ASUS ROG Raikiri II is a premium wireless controller retailing for approximately $160 USD, designed for both PC and Xbox gaming. The device features TMR (Tunnel Magnetoresistance) joysticks, which provide drift-resistant precision beyond conventional Hall-effect technology, along with dual-mode triggers that toggle between full-travel analog and short-travel micro-switch operation. The controller supports tri-mode connectivity — USB-C wired, 2.4GHz wireless via dongle, and Bluetooth — and includes a physical switch on the back for toggling between PC and Xbox modes. Because this toggle changes the device’s USB ID, extra identifiers were required in the patch to cover both operational modes.

On the more affordable end, the GameSir Nova 2 Lite is a wireless gamepad priced at roughly $27–$30. Despite its modest price point, it ships with Hall-effect joysticks and triggers, 2.4GHz wireless with a 1000Hz polling rate, and broad platform compatibility including PC, Nintendo Switch, and Android devices.

In the same input subsystem update batch, the Synaptics touchpad driver received an adjustment to enable the Lenovo ThinkPad E490’s touchpad to operate in RMI (Register Mapping Interface) mode. This mode can improve touchpad responsiveness and feature support on affected hardware, rounding out a practical set of low-risk improvements targeting the ongoing Linux 7.1 cycle.

Because all changes in this patch set involve only device ID additions and minor driver adjustments rather than architectural code changes, they carry a low integration risk. This makes them appropriate for the current 7.1 cycle without needing to wait for the following 7.2 merge window.