I too am having controller issues with this game. Mine is with the 8bitdo SN30 Pro Wired. I also have an 8bitdo M30 which works great. But the SN30 Pro Wired is what's having this issue. The buttons work fine, but my issue is being unable to swap the stick with the D-Pad. I'm told the game works better with D-Input controllers. The information saying that the SN30 can be put into multiple modes by using a macro is only for the wireless version. According to every other source, the WIRED one I am using only supports X-Input.

Regarding D-Input being preferred by this game: Are there possible exceptions? I also own a Logitech F310 and am able to do this (regardless of whether the switch is on X or D input) simply by pressing Mode. However, on 8bitdo's SN30 Pro Wired, I cannot figure out how to do it and information online addressing this is not available even on their support Reddit.

I want to be able to solve this issue and use the D-Pad without resorting to apps like Joy2Key. Any suggestions?