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Joystick Gremlin

Free plan Windows

What Joystick Gremlin is

Joystick Gremlin is free Windows software for configuring joystick-like devices and directing their physical inputs to virtual controls, keyboard keys, or mouse actions. It uses vJoy virtual joysticks to forward inputs and apply changes such as axis response curves and dead zones. You can combine multiple physical devices into one virtual device, and profiles can organize mappings into modes that inherit actions from parent modes. Macros replay event sequences according to settings such as a fixed repeat count or how long an input is held. Python scripts can add specialized behavior through configurable variables and input-triggered callbacks. Included tools cover input viewing, device calibration, automatic one-to-one mapping, and swapping device bindings in profiles. Installation requires VC++ redistributables for both Gremlin and vJoy. Gremlin cannot hide physical device inputs from games; its FAQ points to HidHide for that purpose. Release 16, dated 2026-09-26, adds a redesigned interface, session log viewing, a system tray option, and XInput detection.

Who it suits

It suits Windows users who need simple or advanced joystick configuration, device merging, or custom input behavior. It may also fit users who want to create modes or Python-scripted configurations.

What it does well

Free software for Windows.
Merges multiple physical devices into one virtual device.
Supports axis curves, dead zones, and macros.
Includes calibration and automatic 1:1 mapping tools.
Python scripts can define variables and input callbacks.

What to know first

Requires vJoy and VC++ redistributables.
Cannot hide physical device inputs from games.
Pre-Release 14 profiles have no conversion tool.
Macros need matching or higher privileges for admin games.

Limits

Joystick Gremlin has no listed paid-plan limits. It cannot hide physical device inputs from games, and profiles created before the Release 14 rewrite do not work with the current version; no conversion tool is available.

Getting started

Open the Joystick Gremlin website.
Install Joystick Gremlin and vJoy.
Install the VC++ redistributables required by both programs.
Connect joystick-like devices recognized by Windows.
Create a profile and configure mappings, modes, or macros.

Verdict

Joystick Gremlin offers extensive input mapping and configuration options for Windows, including virtual-device output and Python scripting. Account for its vJoy and redistributable requirements, its device-visibility limitation, and the incompatibility of older profiles.

Questions

How much does Joystick Gremlin cost?

It is free, with a free plan.

Which platform does it support?

Windows.

Does it support virtual controller output and remapping?

Yes. It uses vJoy virtual joysticks, can merge physical devices, and can map joystick inputs to virtual controls, keyboard, or mouse.

Can I use profiles and macros?

Yes. Profiles support multiple modes and inheritance, and macros can repeat event sequences under configured conditions.

Can Joystick Gremlin hide physical inputs from games?

No. Its FAQ recommends HidHide as a way to hide them.

What dependencies are required?

Joystick Gremlin uses vJoy, and both programs require VC++ redistributables.

Facts from Joystick Gremlin's own pages

Axis configuration: It supports axis response curves and dead zones. · whitemagic.github.io, 2 Oct 2026
Compatibility note: When configuring multiple vJoy devices, they must differ in the number of axes, buttons, or hats, or Gremlin may fail to start. · whitemagic.github.io, 2 Oct 2026
Dependency: The installation guide identifies vJoy as a major dependency and says Gremlin and vJoy require VC++ redistributables. · whitemagic.github.io, 3 Oct 2026
Device merging: It can merge multiple physical devices into a single virtual device. · whitemagic.github.io, 3 Oct 2026
Device support: It works with joystick like devices from different manufacturers, including custom devices that appear as DirectInput devices to Windows. · whitemagic.github.io, 2 Oct 2026
Device visibility limitation: Joystick Gremlin cannot hide physical device inputs, and the FAQ suggests HidHide as a way to hide them from a game. · whitemagic.github.io, 3 Oct 2026
Input mapping: It can map joystick inputs to keyboard and mouse inputs. · whitemagic.github.io, 3 Oct 2026
Intended users: The documentation describes the software as intended for simple and advanced joystick configuration and management. · whitemagic.github.io, 2 Oct 2026
Macro limitation: For macros to work in a game running with administrator privileges, the FAQ says Joystick Gremlin must run at the same or a higher privilege level. · whitemagic.github.io, 3 Oct 2026
Macros: Macros can play back sequences of events and repeat a fixed number of times, until the action is activated again, or while the physical input is pressed. · whitemagic.github.io, 2 Oct 2026
Mapping features: It can merge multiple physical devices into one virtual device and map joystick inputs to keyboard or mouse inputs. · whitemagic.github.io, 2 Oct 2026
Modes: Profiles can use multiple modes with inheritance, so a child mode can use mappings from a parent when it has none of its own for an input. · whitemagic.github.io, 2 Oct 2026
Modes and actions: It supports configurable modes with inheritance, customizable mode switching, and conditional action execution. · whitemagic.github.io, 3 Oct 2026
Notable limitation: Joystick Gremlin cannot hide physical device inputs from games; the FAQ recommends HidHide as the most reliable way to hide them. · whitemagic.github.io, 2 Oct 2026
Profile compatibility: The release notes say profiles from before the Release 14 rewrite are not compatible and that no conversion tool is currently available. · whitemagic.github.io, 3 Oct 2026
Purpose: Joystick Gremlin configures joystick-like devices, including devices from different manufacturers and custom devices that appear as joysticks to Windows. · whitemagic.github.io, 3 Oct 2026
Python scripting: It supports Python scripts for advanced and specialized configurations, with script variables configurable through the UI. · whitemagic.github.io, 3 Oct 2026
Recent release: Release 16, dated 2026-09-26, adds a redesigned UI, session log viewing, a system tray option, and XInput device detection. · whitemagic.github.io, 3 Oct 2026
Scripting: User scripts are written in Python and can define configurable variables and callbacks triggered by inputs. · whitemagic.github.io, 2 Oct 2026
Setup requirement: Both Joystick Gremlin and vJoy require VC++ redistributables to be installed. · whitemagic.github.io, 2 Oct 2026
Tools: The software includes an input viewer, device calibration, an automatic 1:1 mapping tool, and a tool for swapping device bindings in profiles. · whitemagic.github.io, 2 Oct 2026
Virtual device dependency: Joystick Gremlin uses vJoy virtual joysticks to forward physical inputs as virtual inputs. · whitemagic.github.io, 2 Oct 2026
Virtual devices: It uses virtual joysticks provided by vJoy to map physical inputs to virtual inputs and apply transformations such as axis response curves. · whitemagic.github.io, 3 Oct 2026

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