Reply To: use controller only in retropie, no keyboard??

there is a file called es_input.cfg that can be added manually (file path is /home/pi/.emulationstation I believe.):

This is for an xbox controller and a keyboard

You just have to modify the device name and buttons to match your own controller. you can type lsusb to see what your devicename is

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<inputList>
    <inputConfig type="keyboard" />
    <inputConfig type="joystick" deviceName="Xbox Gamepad (userspace driver)">
        <input name="a" type="button" id="4" value="1" />
        <input name="b" type="button" id="5" value="1" />
        <input name="down" type="button" id="1" value="1" />
        <input name="left" type="button" id="2" value="1" />
        <input name="menu" type="button" id="13" value="1" />
        <input name="pagedown" type="button" id="11" value="1" />
        <input name="pageup" type="button" id="10" value="1" />
        <input name="right" type="button" id="3" value="1" />
        <input name="select" type="button" id="8" value="1" />
        <input name="up" type="button" id="0" value="1" />
    </inputConfig>
    <inputConfig type="keyboard">
        <input name="a" type="key" id="13" value="1" />
        <input name="b" type="key" id="8" value="1" />
        <input name="down" type="key" id="274" value="1" />
        <input name="left" type="key" id="276" value="1" />
        <input name="menu" type="key" id="109" value="1" />
        <input name="pagedown" type="key" id="281" value="1" />
        <input name="pageup" type="key" id="280" value="1" />
        <input name="right" type="key" id="275" value="1" />
        <input name="select" type="key" id="108" value="1" />
        <input name="up" type="key" id="273" value="1" />
    </inputConfig>
</inputList>