Valve has been a major contributor to the Linux gaming scene since it launched the Arch-based SteamOS alongside the Steam Deck, and the company's latest contribution to the Linux gaming ecosystem comes by way of a series of patches by Vicki Pfau, a developer working on hardware support on behalf of Valve Software. In the patch notes, Pfau notes that the preliminary driver supports "general input for the Joy-Con 2, Pro Controller 2, and GameCube NSO controllers," including Bluetooth for all controllers and USB mode for the Pro Controller. The Linux kernel version 7.4 is slated to land in a fully stable form in January 2027.
Crucially, the Nintendo Switch 2 controllers were already largely supported on Linux via Steam, but kernel support means the controller won't need to run via Steam Input and can work in other game launchers without Steam being open. In addition to the Nintendo Switch 2 controllers, Linux 7.4 should bring hardware enablement and several features for a host of other peripherals, both gaming and otherwise, including additional sensor support for new AMD SoCs, better trackpad handling on T2 Macs, a new HID driver for Pulsar gaming mice—with support for reading the battery level, voltage, and charging status over both wired and wireless connection modes. On the topic of mice, the Kysona M600V2 also gets an HID driver. There are also new fixes incoming for the ASUS ROG Ally power management, and support was improved for the Lenovo Legion Go S controllers and lighting.[](https://www.techpowerup.com/img/QvFmFlpoBTJZQWnH.jpg) [](https://www.techpowerup.com/img/44gVxpTJMtGxIloc.jpg) [](https://www.techpowerup.com/img/NiGp7LbDLGatA5ov.jpg)
Source: TechPowerUp News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing