diff --git a/main.lua b/main.lua
index cd043d6..4c390da 100644
--- a/main.lua
+++ b/main.lua
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ function love.load()
 	end
 	
 	if not config.input then
-		config.input = {}
 		scene = InputConfigScene()
 	else
 		if config.current_mode then current_mode = config.current_mode end
@@ -110,16 +109,127 @@ function love.draw()
 	love.graphics.pop()
 end
 
-function love.keypressed(key, scancode, isrepeat)
+function love.keypressed(key, scancode)
 	-- global hotkeys
 	if scancode == "f4" then
 		config["fullscreen"] = not config["fullscreen"]
 		love.window.setFullscreen(config["fullscreen"])
+  -- reserved keys, so the user can always get back to configure input
+  elseif scancode == "return" then
+    scene:onInputPress({input="menu_decide", type="key", key=key, scancode=scancode})
+  elseif scancode == "escape" then
+    scene:onInputPress({input="menu_back", type="key", key=key, scancode=scancode})
+  elseif scancode == "left" or scancode == "right" or scancode == "up" or scancode == "down" then
+    scene:onInputPress({input=scancode, type="key", key=key, scancode=scancode})
+  -- other keys can be configured
 	else
-		scene:onKeyPress({key=key, scancode=scancode, isRepeat=isrepeat})
+    local input_pressed = nil
+    if config.input and config.input.keys then
+      input_pressed = config.input.keys[scancode]
+    end
+		scene:onInputPress({input=input_pressed, type="key", key=key, scancode=scancode})
 	end
 end
 
+function love.keyreleased(key, scancode)
+  -- reserved keys, so the user can always get back to configure input
+  if scancode == "return" then
+    scene:onInputRelease({input="menu_decide", type="key", key=key, scancode=scancode})
+  elseif scancode == "escape" then
+    scene:onInputRelease({input="menu_back", type="key", key=key, scancode=scancode})
+  elseif scancode == "left" or scancode == "right" or scancode == "up" or scancode == "down" then
+    scene:onInputRelease({input=scancode, type="key", key=key, scancode=scancode})
+  -- other keys can be configured
+	else
+    local input_released = nil
+    if config.input and config.input.keys then
+      input_released = config.input.keys[scancode]
+    end
+		scene:onInputRelease({input=input_released, type="key", key=key, scancode=scancode})
+	end
+end
+
+function love.joystickpressed(joystick, button)
+  local input_pressed = nil
+  if
+    config.input and
+    config.input.joysticks and
+    config.input.joysticks[joystick:getName()] and
+    config.input.joysticks[joystick:getName()].buttons
+  then
+    input_pressed = config.input.joysticks[joystick:getName()].buttons[button]
+  end
+  scene:onInputPress({input=input_pressed, type="joybutton", name=joystick:getName(), button=button})
+end
+
+function love.joystickreleased(joystick, button)
+  local input_released = nil
+  if
+    config.input and
+    config.input.joysticks and
+    config.input.joysticks[joystick:getName()] and
+    config.input.joysticks[joystick:getName()].buttons
+  then
+    input_released = config.input.joysticks[joystick:getName()].buttons[button]
+  end
+  scene:onInputRelease({input=input_released, type="joybutton", name=joystick:getName(), button=button})
+end
+
+function love.joystickaxis(joystick, axis, value)
+  local input_pressed = nil
+  local positive_released = nil
+  local negative_released = nil
+  if
+    config.input and
+    config.input.joysticks and
+    config.input.joysticks[joystick:getName()] and
+    config.input.joysticks[joystick:getName()].axes and
+    config.input.joysticks[joystick:getName()].axes[axis] 
+  then
+    if math.abs(value) >= 0.5 then
+      input_pressed = config.input.joysticks[joystick:getName()].axes[axis][value >= 0.5 and "positive" or "negative"]
+    end
+    positive_released = config.input.joysticks[joystick:getName()].axes[axis].positive
+    negative_released = config.input.joysticks[joystick:getName()].axes[axis].negative
+  end
+  if math.abs(value) >= 0.5 then
+    scene:onInputPress({input=input_pressed, type="joyaxis", name=joystick:getName(), axis=axis, value=value})
+  else
+    scene:onInputRelease({input=positive_released, type="joyaxis", name=joystick:getName(), axis=axis, value=value})
+    scene:onInputRelease({input=negative_released, type="joyaxis", name=joystick:getName(), axis=axis, value=value})
+  end
+end
+
+function love.joystickhat(joystick, hat, direction)
+  local input_pressed = nil
+  local has_hat = false
+  if
+    config.input and
+    config.input.joysticks and
+    config.input.joysticks[joystick:getName()] and
+    config.input.joysticks[joystick:getName()].hats and
+    config.input.joysticks[joystick:getName()].hats[hat]
+  then
+    if direction ~= "c" then
+      input_pressed = config.input.joysticks[joystick:getName()].hats[hat][direction]
+    end
+    has_hat = true
+  end
+  if input_pressed then
+    scene:onInputPress({input=input_pressed, type="joyhat", name=joystick:getName(), hat=hat, direction=direction})
+  elseif has_hat then
+    for i, direction in ipairs{"d", "l", "ld", "lu", "r", "rd", "ru", "u"} do
+      scene:onInputRelease({input=config.input.joysticks[joystick:getName()].hats[hat][direction], type="joyhat", name=joystick:getName(), hat=hat, direction=direction})
+    end
+  elseif direction ~= "c" then
+    scene:onInputPress({input=nil, type="joyhat", name=joystick:getName(), hat=hat, direction=direction})
+  else
+    for i, direction in ipairs{"d", "l", "ld", "lu", "r", "rd", "ru", "u"} do
+      scene:onInputRelease({input=nil, type="joyhat", name=joystick:getName(), hat=hat, direction=direction})
+    end
+  end
+end
+
 function love.focus(f)
 	if f then
 		resumeBGM()
diff --git a/scene.lua b/scene.lua
index f2b7a51..809a2df 100644
--- a/scene.lua
+++ b/scene.lua
@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@ Scene = Object:extend()
 function Scene:new() end
 function Scene:update() end
 function Scene:render() end
-function Scene:onKeyPress() end
+function Scene:onInputPress() end
+function Scene:onInputRelease() end
 
 ExitScene = require "scene.exit"
 GameScene = require "scene.game"
diff --git a/scene/config.lua b/scene/config.lua
index 630cf63..3de9d0b 100644
--- a/scene/config.lua
+++ b/scene/config.lua
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ function ConfigScene:changeOption(rel)
 	self.main_menu_state = (self.main_menu_state + len + rel - 1) % len + 1
 end
 
-function ConfigScene:onKeyPress(e)
+function ConfigScene:onInputPress(e)
 end
 
 return ConfigScene
diff --git a/scene/exit.lua b/scene/exit.lua
index ba0f849..bd1fd16 100644
--- a/scene/exit.lua
+++ b/scene/exit.lua
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ end
 function ExitScene:changeOption(rel)
 end
 
-function ExitScene:onKeyPress(e)
+function ExitScene:onInputPress(e)
 end
 
 return ExitScene
diff --git a/scene/game.lua b/scene/game.lua
index 5f796c8..f896d60 100644
--- a/scene/game.lua
+++ b/scene/game.lua
@@ -2,9 +2,23 @@ local GameScene = Scene:extend()
 require 'load.save'
 
 function GameScene:new(game_mode, ruleset)
+  self.retry_mode = game_mode
+  self.retry_ruleset = ruleset
 	self.game = game_mode()
 	self.ruleset = ruleset()
 	self.game:initialize(self.ruleset)
+  self.inputs = {
+    left=false,
+    right=false,
+    up=false,
+    down=false,
+    rotate_left=false,
+    rotate_left2=false,
+    rotate_right=false,
+    rotate_right2=false,
+    rotate_180=false,
+    hold=false,
+  }
 	DiscordRPC:update({
 		details = self.game.rpc_details,
 		state = self.game.name,
@@ -13,18 +27,11 @@ end
 
 function GameScene:update()
 	if love.window.hasFocus() then
-		self.game:update({
-			left = love.keyboard.isScancodeDown(config.input.left),
-			right = love.keyboard.isScancodeDown(config.input.right),
-			up = love.keyboard.isScancodeDown(config.input.up),
-			down = love.keyboard.isScancodeDown(config.input.down),
-			rotate_left = love.keyboard.isScancodeDown(config.input.rotate_left),
-			rotate_left2 = love.keyboard.isScancodeDown(config.input.rotate_left2),
-			rotate_right = love.keyboard.isScancodeDown(config.input.rotate_right),
-			rotate_right2 = love.keyboard.isScancodeDown(config.input.rotate_right2),
-			rotate_180 = love.keyboard.isScancodeDown(config.input.rotate_180),
-			hold = love.keyboard.isScancodeDown(config.input.hold),
-		}, self.ruleset)
+    local inputs = {}
+    for input, value in pairs(self.inputs) do
+      inputs[input] = value
+    end
+		self.game:update(inputs, self.ruleset)
 	end
 
 	self.game.grid:update()
@@ -59,24 +66,25 @@ function GameScene:render()
 
 end
 
-function GameScene:onKeyPress(e)
-	if (self.game.completed) and
-		(e.scancode == "return" or e.scancode == "escape") and e.isRepeat == false then
-		highscore_entry = self.game:getHighscoreData()
-		highscore_hash = self.game.hash .. "-" .. self.ruleset.hash
-		submitHighscore(highscore_hash, highscore_entry)
-		scene = ModeSelectScene()
-	elseif (e.scancode == config.input.retry) then
-		-- fuck this, this is hacky but the way this codebase is setup prevents anything else
-		-- it seems like all the values that get touched in the child gamemode class
-		-- stop being linked to the values of the GameMode superclass because of how `mt.__index` works
-		-- not even sure this is the actual problem, but I don't want to have to rebuild everything about
-		-- the core organisation of everything. this hacky way will have to do until someone figures out something.
-		love.keypressed("escape", "escape", false)
-		love.keypressed("return", "return", false)
-	elseif e.scancode == "escape" then
-		scene = ModeSelectScene()
-	end
+function GameScene:onInputPress(e)
+  if self.game.completed and (e.input == "menu_decide" or e.input == "menu_back") then
+    highscore_entry = self.game:getHighscoreData()
+    highscore_hash = self.game.hash .. "-" .. self.ruleset.hash
+    submitHighscore(highscore_hash, highscore_entry)
+    scene = ModeSelectScene()
+  elseif e.input == "retry" then
+    scene = GameScene(self.retry_mode, self.retry_ruleset)
+  elseif e.input == "menu_back" then
+    scene = ModeSelectScene()
+  elseif e.input and string.sub(e.input, 1, 5) ~= "menu_" then
+    self.inputs[e.input] = true
+  end
+end
+
+function GameScene:onInputRelease(e)
+  if e.input and string.sub(e.input, 1, 5) ~= "menu_" then
+    self.inputs[e.input] = false
+  end
 end
 
 function submitHighscore(hash, data)
diff --git a/scene/game_config.lua b/scene/game_config.lua
index 37c8a84..0fa2585 100644
--- a/scene/game_config.lua
+++ b/scene/game_config.lua
@@ -51,26 +51,26 @@ function ConfigScene:render()
 	end
 end
 
-function ConfigScene:onKeyPress(e)
-	if e.scancode == "return" and e.isRepeat == false then
+function ConfigScene:onInputPress(e)
+	if e.input == "menu_decide" then
 		playSE("mode_decide")
 		saveConfig()
 		scene = TitleScene()
-	elseif (e.scancode == config.input["up"] or e.scancode == "up") and e.isRepeat == false then
+	elseif e.input == "up" then
 		playSE("cursor")
 		self.highlight = Mod1(self.highlight-1, optioncount)
-	elseif (e.scancode == config.input["down"] or e.scancode == "down") and e.isRepeat == false then
+	elseif e.input == "down" then
 		playSE("cursor")
 		self.highlight = Mod1(self.highlight+1, optioncount)
-	elseif (e.scancode == config.input["left"] or e.scancode == "left") and e.isRepeat == false then
+	elseif e.input == "left" then
 		playSE("cursor_lr")
 		local option = ConfigScene.options[self.highlight]
 		config.gamesettings[option[1]] = Mod1(config.gamesettings[option[1]]-1, #option[3])
-	elseif (e.scancode == config.input["right"] or e.scancode == "right") and e.isRepeat == false then
+	elseif e.input == "right" then
 		playSE("cursor_lr")
 		local option = ConfigScene.options[self.highlight]
 		config.gamesettings[option[1]] = Mod1(config.gamesettings[option[1]]+1, #option[3])
-	elseif e.scancode == "escape" then
+	elseif e.input == "menu_back" then
 		loadSave()
 		scene = TitleScene()
 	end
diff --git a/scene/input_config.lua b/scene/input_config.lua
index a16aa23..bcc4263 100644
--- a/scene/input_config.lua
+++ b/scene/input_config.lua
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ ConfigScene.title = "Input Config"
 require 'load.save'
 
 local configurable_inputs = {
+  "menu_decide",
+  "menu_back",
 	"left",
 	"right",
 	"up",
@@ -18,10 +20,18 @@ local configurable_inputs = {
 	"retry",
 }
 
+local function newSetInputs()
+  local set_inputs = {}
+  for i, input in ipairs(configurable_inputs) do
+    set_inputs[input] = false
+  end
+  return set_inputs
+end
+
 function ConfigScene:new()
-	-- load current config
-	self.config = config.input
 	self.input_state = 1
+  self.set_inputs = newSetInputs()
+  self.new_input = {}
 
 	DiscordRPC:update({
 		details = "In menus",
@@ -41,40 +51,118 @@ function ConfigScene:render()
 	)
 
 	love.graphics.setFont(font_3x5_2)
-	for i, input in pairs(configurable_inputs) do
+	for i, input in ipairs(configurable_inputs) do
 		love.graphics.printf(input, 40, 50 + i * 20, 200, "left")
-		if config.input[input] then
-			love.graphics.printf(
-				love.keyboard.getKeyFromScancode(config.input[input]) .. " (" .. config.input[input] .. ")",
-				240, 50 + i * 20, 200, "left"
-			)
-		end
-	end
+    if self.set_inputs[input] then
+      love.graphics.printf(self.set_inputs[input], 240, 50 + i * 20, 300, "left")
+    end
+  end
 	if self.input_state > table.getn(configurable_inputs) then
-		love.graphics.print("press enter to confirm, delete to retry")
+		love.graphics.print("press return to confirm, delete/backspace to retry" .. (config.input and ", escape to cancel" or ""))
 	else
-		love.graphics.print("press key for " .. configurable_inputs[self.input_state])
+		love.graphics.print("press key or joystick input for " .. configurable_inputs[self.input_state] .. ", tab to skip" .. (config.input and ", escape to cancel" or ""), 0, 0)
+    love.graphics.print("return, delete, backspace, tab, arrows, and escape can't be changed", 0, 20)
 	end
 end
 
-function ConfigScene:onKeyPress(e)
-	if self.input_state > table.getn(configurable_inputs) then
-		if e.scancode == "return" then
-			-- save, then load next scene
-			saveConfig()
-			scene = TitleScene()
-		elseif e.scancode == "delete" or e.scancode == "backspace" then
-			self.input_state = 1
-		end
-	else
-		if e.scancode == "escape" then
-			loadSave()
-			scene = TitleScene()
-		else
-			config.input[configurable_inputs[self.input_state]] = e.scancode
-			self.input_state = self.input_state + 1
-		end
-	end
+local function addJoystick(input, name)
+  if not input.joysticks then
+    input.joysticks = {}
+  end
+  if not input.joysticks[name] then
+    input.joysticks[name] = {}
+  end
+end
+
+function ConfigScene:onInputPress(e)
+  if e.type == "key" then
+    -- return, delete, backspace, tab, arrows, and escape are reserved and can't be remapped
+    if e.scancode == "escape" and config.input then
+      scene = TitleScene()
+    elseif self.input_state > table.getn(configurable_inputs) then
+      if e.scancode == "return" then
+        -- save new input, then load next scene
+        config.input = self.new_input
+        saveConfig()
+        scene = TitleScene()
+      elseif e.scancode == "delete" or e.scancode == "backspace" then
+        -- retry
+        self.input_state = 1
+        self.set_inputs = newSetInputs()
+        self.new_input = {}
+      elseif e.scancode == "escape" and config.input then
+        -- cancel only if there was an input config already
+        scene = TitleScene()
+      end
+    elseif
+      e.scancode ~= "delete" and
+      e.scancode ~= "backspace" and
+      e.scancode ~= "return" and
+      e.scancode ~= "left" and
+      e.scancode ~= "right" and
+      e.scancode ~= "up" and
+      e.scancode ~= "down"
+    then
+      if e.scancode == "tab" then
+        self.set_inputs[configurable_inputs[self.input_state]] = "skipped"
+        self.input_state = self.input_state + 1
+      else
+        if not self.new_input.keys then
+          self.new_input.keys = {}
+        end
+        self.set_inputs[configurable_inputs[self.input_state]] = "key " .. love.keyboard.getKeyFromScancode(e.scancode) .. " (" .. e.scancode .. ")"
+        self.new_input.keys[e.scancode] = configurable_inputs[self.input_state]
+        self.input_state = self.input_state + 1
+      end
+    end
+  elseif string.sub(e.type, 1, 3) == "joy" then
+    if self.input_state <= table.getn(configurable_inputs) then
+      if e.type == "joybutton" then
+        addJoystick(self.new_input, e.name)
+        if not self.new_input.joysticks[e.name].buttons then
+          self.new_input.joysticks[e.name].buttons = {}
+        end
+        self.set_inputs[configurable_inputs[self.input_state]] =
+          "jbtn " ..
+          e.button ..
+          " " .. string.sub(e.name, 1, 10) .. (string.len(e.name) > 10 and "..." or "")
+        self.new_input.joysticks[e.name].buttons[e.button] = configurable_inputs[self.input_state]
+        self.input_state = self.input_state + 1
+      elseif e.type == "joyaxis" then
+        if math.abs(e.value) >= 0.5 then
+          addJoystick(self.new_input, e.name)
+          if not self.new_input.joysticks[e.name].axes then
+            self.new_input.joysticks[e.name].axes = {}
+          end
+          if not self.new_input.joysticks[e.name].axes[e.axis] then
+            self.new_input.joysticks[e.name].axes[e.axis] = {}
+          end
+          self.set_inputs[configurable_inputs[self.input_state]] =
+            "jaxis " ..
+            (e.value >= 0.5 and "+" or "-") .. e.axis ..
+            " " .. string.sub(e.name, 1, 10) .. (string.len(e.name) > 10 and "..." or "")
+          self.new_input.joysticks[e.name].axes[e.axis][e.value >= 0.5 and "positive" or "negative"] = configurable_inputs[self.input_state]
+          self.input_state = self.input_state + 1
+        end
+      elseif e.type == "joyhat" then
+        if e.direction ~= "c" then
+          addJoystick(self.new_input, e.name)
+          if not self.new_input.joysticks[e.name].hats then
+            self.new_input.joysticks[e.name].hats = {}
+          end
+          if not self.new_input.joysticks[e.name].hats[e.hat] then
+            self.new_input.joysticks[e.name].hats[e.hat] = {}
+          end
+          self.set_inputs[configurable_inputs[self.input_state]] =
+            "jhat " ..
+            e.hat .. " " .. e.direction ..
+            " " .. string.sub(e.name, 1, 10) .. (string.len(e.name) > 10 and "..." or "")
+          self.new_input.joysticks[e.name].hats[e.hat][e.direction] = configurable_inputs[self.input_state]
+          self.input_state = self.input_state + 1
+        end
+      end
+    end
+  end
 end
 
 return ConfigScene
diff --git a/scene/mode_select.lua b/scene/mode_select.lua
index e810bd3..51ee21e 100755
--- a/scene/mode_select.lua
+++ b/scene/mode_select.lua
@@ -58,8 +58,8 @@ function ModeSelectScene:render()
 	end
 end
 
-function ModeSelectScene:onKeyPress(e)
-	if e.scancode == "return" and e.isRepeat == false then
+function ModeSelectScene:onInputPress(e)
+	if e.input == "menu_decide" then
 		current_mode = self.menu_state.mode
 		current_ruleset = self.menu_state.ruleset
 		config.current_mode = current_mode
@@ -67,17 +67,16 @@ function ModeSelectScene:onKeyPress(e)
 		playSE("mode_decide")
 		saveConfig()
 		scene = GameScene(game_modes[self.menu_state.mode], rulesets[self.menu_state.ruleset])
-	elseif (e.scancode == config.input["up"] or e.scancode == "up") and e.isRepeat == false then
+	elseif e.input == "up" then
 		self:changeOption(-1)
 		playSE("cursor")
-	elseif (e.scancode == config.input["down"] or e.scancode == "down") and e.isRepeat == false then
+	elseif e.input == "down" then
 		self:changeOption(1)
 		playSE("cursor")
-	elseif (e.scancode == config.input["left"] or e.scancode == "left") or
-		(e.scancode == config.input["right"] or e.scancode == "right") then
+	elseif e.input == "left" or e.input == "right" then
 		self:switchSelect()
 		playSE("cursor_lr")
-	elseif e.scancode == "escape" then
+	elseif e.input == "menu_back" then
 		scene = TitleScene()
 	end
 end
diff --git a/scene/title.lua b/scene/title.lua
index a21ce24..b688eb7 100644
--- a/scene/title.lua
+++ b/scene/title.lua
@@ -57,17 +57,17 @@ function TitleScene:changeOption(rel)
 	self.main_menu_state = (self.main_menu_state + len + rel - 1) % len + 1
 end
 
-function TitleScene:onKeyPress(e)
-	if e.scancode == "return" and e.isRepeat == false then
+function TitleScene:onInputPress(e)
+	if e.input == "menu_decide" then
 		playSE("main_decide")
 		scene = main_menu_screens[self.main_menu_state]()
-	elseif (e.scancode == config.input["up"] or e.scancode == "up") and e.isRepeat == false then
+	elseif e.input == "up" then
 		self:changeOption(-1)
 		playSE("cursor")
-	elseif (e.scancode == config.input["down"] or e.scancode == "down") and e.isRepeat == false then
+	elseif e.input == "down" then
 		self:changeOption(1)
 		playSE("cursor")
-	elseif e.scancode == "escape" and e.isRepeat == false then
+	elseif e.input == "menu_back" then
 		love.event.quit()
 	end
 end