[Review] reWASD - An accessibility review
I've been using an input remapper called reWASD for a few years, and it's become an integral part of my gaming arsenal. I've used other input remappers like JoyToKey and Xpadder, both of which I've been using off and on for about 20 years. However, reWASD has become my favorite of the three by a country mile.
It's admittedly been a while since I've used JoyToKey but I know that Xpadder only allows you to map keystrokes and mouse to controller. reWASD does this too but it also lets you map controller binds, which gives it an edge over JoyToKey and Xpadder. It also supports every first party Xbox controller, DualShock 3 and 4, DualSense, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and Joy-Cons, along with other controllers, as well as all keyboards and mice.
Oh and when I say every first party controller, this includes the Xbox Adaptive Controller, as well as the PlayStation Access. reWASD also has a “Supported devices” page in the Help section of their site, but it’s woefully incomplete. I’ve tested multiple controllers not listed on that page, including the both versions of the 8BitDo Lite SE — Bluetooth, and 2.4G wireless — and they’ve all worked perfectly.
On top of all the features you’d expect from an input remapper, such as toggle and turbo, there are several features that set reWASD apart: first is that it can mask one controller as another by setting it as a Virtual Controller, e.g.: Xbox as a Virtual DualShock 4; second is you can group up to 4 devices as 1, so for example, you can have “one controller” with 68 separate buttons; third, you can set up unlimited layouts, meaning you can have one or more layout for every game
reWASD is also the only input remapper I know of that lets you connect your remapped controller to consoles. Your computer needs Bluetooth but you can also use a USB adapter for this. reWASD reclassifies your Bluetooth so other devices and consoles see your computer as a controller, which lets reWASD connect to the console.
The fact that you can use your remapped controller on consoles is a humongous plus for me. This opens up so many Switch, Switch 2 and PS4 games for me to play. For example, reWASD is the only way I can play the demo for Metroid Dread, a game that has no accessibility whatsoever.
However, reWASD can also add to a game's accessibility. As examples, let's take Mass Effect 2 and 2014's Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, both of which feature aim assist but still require you to hold L2 to aim, or the former's weapon and ability wheels which are brought up by holding L1 and R1 respectively. In reWASD, you can set the buttons themselves as toggles, removing the need for you to physically hold them.
You can technically use reWASD to play PS5 games but not in the same way you can do it on Switch, Switch 2 and PS4. There is no way to set your controller as a Virtual DualSense. So, the only way for you to play on PS5 is for you to set it a Virtual DualShock 4 and use RemotePlay or Chiaki. That is, unless you have a converter like the BrookWingman P5. It supports wireless connections, so reWASD connects to it, thereby letting you play directly on PS5.
As of version 6.5, reWASD supports ESP32 Bluetooth connections. The ESP32 is a low-cost and low-power micro-controller that has integrated Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities. To connect to a Switch console, reWASD suggests using an ESP32 adapter since not all Bluetooth adapters can work correctly in this setup.
The keyword there is “suggests”. I’m using a TP-Link UB500 USB Bluetooth 5.4 adapter and I’ve had zero problems when connecting to other Brook controller converters like the aforementioned P5. Controller converters are USB adapters that make it so a controller from one system can work on another, e.g.: I can use the 8BitDo Lite SE 2.4G, which is an Xbox controller, on my PS5.
Speaking of Brook converters, every one that I’ve tried that supports wireless connections has connected to reWASD, including the Wingman PS2, the Wingman XE, the Wingman XE 2, and the Wingman P5. The only Brook converter that I’ve tried that did not connect to reWASD is the Wingman FGC 2, and that’s simply because the FGC 2 only supports wired connections. So of course reWASD cannot connect to it.
Regardless of how you have to do it being able to use reWASD with PS5 games has been a tremendous help, especially in Ghostwire Tokyo. The game is twin-stick and has a lot of holding the shoulder buttons. Within reWASD, I've remapped the sticks so I have legacy sticks or “tank controls” and I've made it so my shoulder buttons are toggles. These adjustments have made Ghostwire Tokyo so much more enjoyable for me to play.
When you're disabled having better accessibility makes all the difference even if you have to take matters into your own hands and do it yourself. If you have limited mobility and have access to a DualShock 4 or DualSense, I would highly recommend you get reWASD. You can set six extra inputs to the touchpad.
The only slight downside is the cost reWASD is not free but it does have a seven-day free trial. After that you will have to buy a Basic license which is $9.99 USD for 1 PC, $17.99 USD for 2 PCs, and $24.99 USD for 3 PCs. There’s also an All-In license that includes all the features, like advanced mappings, combos, and rapid fire. $39.99 USD for 1 PC, $74.99 USD for 2 PCs, and $99.99 USD for 3 PCs.
That being said, reWASD regularly runs special offers where you can get All-In licenses for discounted prices. It's also worth noting that it's a one-time payment and you get lifetime updates for free.
All of my Twitch streams, and subsequently my playthroughs on YouTube are powered by both reWASD, and Brook Gaming. You can use my reWASD Affiliate link to purchase a license.
