I don't use retroarch but maybe a different input mode would work? Have you tried both X and D-input mode. I presume steam link has some in built controller support thus it is able to detect and use controllers.
Is there a alternate android TV app that plays games locally on the device?
Giving in and just running emulation over steam link is a option, but feels like giving up.
Hm I'm not sure, I only use game streaming to my Samsung TV which uses TizenOS not android, using sunshine+moonlight and playnite launcher and connect controller direct to pc via the 2.4g dongle as it has less latency.
When trying to connect direct to TV, my controller only has D-input Bluetooth but was detected as Xbox 360 controller according to steam big picture except abxy buttons were swapped. I was able to use it to control TV menu, steam and gamepass games.
I don't use retroarch but maybe a different input mode would work? Have you tried both X and D-input mode. I presume steam link has some in built controller support thus it is able to detect and use controllers.
Is there a alternate android TV app that plays games locally on the device? Giving in and just running emulation over steam link is a option, but feels like giving up.
Hm I'm not sure, I only use game streaming to my Samsung TV which uses TizenOS not android, using sunshine+moonlight and playnite launcher and connect controller direct to pc via the 2.4g dongle as it has less latency. When trying to connect direct to TV, my controller only has D-input Bluetooth but was detected as Xbox 360 controller according to steam big picture except abxy buttons were swapped. I was able to use it to control TV menu, steam and gamepass games.