Midnight gamepad (controller support)
by 1Studios
With Midnight gamepad installed, a controller can replace the keyboard and mouse for playing Minecraft Java Edition.
What it does
The mod lets players play Minecraft Java Edition with a gamepad in place of a keyboard and mouse. The author describes the aim as making play more absorbing and easier on the hands for people who favor a gamepad. Basic controller gameplay is supported, and the author recommends pairing it with Midnight Assist for a better controller experience.
Midnight gamepad is a Fabric mod for 1.21.11 only, released under the MIT License and not open source. Only the client needs it, so the server and other players do not have to install anything. Fabric API and Fabric Language Kotlin are required, while Cloth Config API and Mod Menu are optional. The current file is 0.3, published 2026-06-06 on the alpha channel.
Key features
Gamepad play
Controller input drives Minecraft Java Edition in place of the keyboard and mouse for everyday play.
Controller vibration
Certain in-game actions produce controller rumble, giving haptic feedback when they happen.
On-screen keyboard
A virtual keyboard lets players type chat messages with a controller, without a physical keyboard.
Pre-alpha status
The mod is an early pre-alpha release, and some features are unfinished and unstable. Its features and interface, including the virtual keyboard, are still being improved.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Requirements
Dependencies declared by the latest file for each loader.
Required 2
Optional 2
Use cases
Couch and handheld play
Players who sit away from a desk can use a controller for the whole session, including typing in chat through the on-screen keyboard.
Pairing with Midnight Assist
The author suggests Midnight Assist as a companion for a better controller experience, so players who want more controller support can add it.
Who it’s for: Players who prefer a controller over a keyboard and mouse in Minecraft Java Edition on Fabric 1.21.11. Because the mod is in pre-alpha with incomplete features, it suits players who accept unstable behavior while the controls are still being reworked.
How it compares
Use My Keyboard is a Fabric client mod for 1.21.8 under a custom license, and it is not open source. Gamepad Hotbar is open source under the MIT License, client-side only, and covers 1.21.1 – 1.21.11 on both Fabric and NeoForge. Keyboard/Mouse Input Detection is open source under the MIT License and needs to run on both client and server for 1.21.5 – 1.21.10, so it differs in environment from this mod.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midnight gamepad (controller support) | Fabric | 1.21.11 | Client-side only | 2026-06-06 |
| Use My Keyboard | Fabric | 1.21.8 | Client-side only | 2025-08-29 |
| Gamepad Hotbar | Fabric and NeoForge | 1.21.1 – 1.21.11 | Client-side only | 2026-01-03 |
| Keyboard/Mouse Input Detection | Fabric | 1.21.5 – 1.21.10 | Client and server | 2026-01-07 |
Questions
Does Midnight gamepad need Fabric API?
Does the server need Midnight gamepad?
Can Midnight gamepad be used on NeoForge or Forge?
In the catalog
Midnight gamepad (controller support) is one of 36,990 Utility mods on ModsFinder, and one of 25,772 Utility mods for Fabric. 19,862 mods support Minecraft 1.21.11.
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What the author says
-This is a pre-alpha version of the mod. Features are incomplete and may change over time. THIS IS NOT A FORK OF MIDNIGHT CONTROLS # What it does?: This mod adds controller support to Minecraft Java Edition, allowing players to play the game using a gamepad instead of a keyboard and mouse.
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/midnight-gamepad
- Owner
- 1Studios
- Published
- 2026-04-20
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-06-06
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15