Xbox controller support for both Dead Rising 2 and Dead Rising 2 Off The Record is, sadly, a thing of the past. At the time of writing this guide, Dead Rising 2 is 14 years old...so the hope of Capcom ever resolving this issue is as hopeful that Dead Rising 4 will ever be a good (Dead Rising) game.

Whilst I've read numerous guides with the exact same fix, I've found it easier to break it down step-by-step to make this fix as accessible as possible; regardless of your technical ability. Ultimately, we all just want to play Dead Rising 2!

NOTE: Full credit goes to Reddit User 'Caven_D_Ish' who's guide actually made sense to me:
https://www.reddit.com/r/deadrising/comments/18x76e7/how_to_use_xbox_controller_on_pc_for_dr2/

Before we can get started, we'll need to install a executable file called 'x360ce' which will allow Dead Rising 2 to recognise our Xbox controller and its inputs.

1. Right click Dead Rising 2 within your Steam Library
   
2. Select Properties > Installed Files > Browse
   
3. Open a browser of your choice and navigate to https://www.x360ce.com/
   
4. At the top of the page, select 'Download For All Games'
   
5. Once this has been downloaded, move 'x360ce.exe' into the Dead Rising 2 location in Step 2
   
6. Right click x360ce.exe > Properties > Compatibility
   
7. Ensure 'Run this program as an administrator' is TICKED and select Apply
   
8. Connect your Xbox controller to your PC as normal and launch x360ce.exe

Now that you've installed x360ce and placed it in your Dead Rising 2 folder, we need to configure the controller to ensure it works within the game.

1. In the upper right corner, select 'Add...'
   
2. Select your Xbox Controller in the list and then 'Add Selected Device'
   
3. Copy the below text and then select 'Paste Preset' at the bottom of the screen
   
   <PadSetting>
   
   <PadSettingChecksum>eaa0fc01-7597-c8ea-07c4-bcfd72694605</PadSettingChecksum>
   
   <ButtonA>1</ButtonA>
   
   <ButtonB>2</ButtonB>
   
   <ButtonBack>7</ButtonBack>
   
   <ButtonStart>8</ButtonStart>
   
   <ButtonX>3</ButtonX>
   
   <ButtonY>4</ButtonY>
   
   <DPad>p1</DPad>
   
   <GamePadType>1</GamePadType>
   
   <LeftMotorPeriod>60</LeftMotorPeriod>
   
   <LeftShoulder>5</LeftShoulder>
   
   <LeftThumbAxisX>a1</LeftThumbAxisX>
   
   <LeftThumbAxisY>a-2</LeftThumbAxisY>
   
   <LeftThumbButton>9</LeftThumbButton>
   
   <LeftTrigger>x3</LeftTrigger>
   
   <RightMotorPeriod>120</RightMotorPeriod>
   
   <RightShoulder>6</RightShoulder>
   
   <RightThumbAxisX>a4</RightThumbAxisX>
   
   <RightThumbAxisY>a-5</RightThumbAxisY>
   
   <RightThumbButton>10</RightThumbButton>
   
   <RightTrigger>x-3</RightTrigger>
   
   <ButtonADeadZone>8192</ButtonADeadZone>
   
   <ButtonBDeadZone>8192</ButtonBDeadZone>
   
   <ButtonBackDeadZone>8192</ButtonBackDeadZone>
   
   <ButtonStartDeadZone>8192</ButtonStartDeadZone>
   
   <ButtonXDeadZone>8192</ButtonXDeadZone>
   
   <ButtonYDeadZone>8192</ButtonYDeadZone>
   
   <LeftThumbButtonDeadZone>8192</LeftThumbButtonDeadZone>
   
   <RightThumbButtonDeadZone>8192</RightThumbButtonDeadZone>
   
   <LeftShoulderDeadZone>8192</LeftShoulderDeadZone>
   
   <RightShoulderDeadZone>8192</RightShoulderDeadZone>
   
   <DPadDownDeadZone>8192</DPadDownDeadZone>
   
   <DPadLeftDeadZone>8192</DPadLeftDeadZone>
   
   <DPadRightDeadZone>8192</DPadRightDeadZone>
   
   <DPadUpDeadZone>8192</DPadUpDeadZone>
   
   </PadSetting>
   
   
4. Select the 'Games' tab towards the top of the screen
   
5. Under the section titled 'XInput Files' ensure ALL 32-Bit boxes are ticked
   
6. Select the 'Issues' tab and ensure there are no alerts. If there is, they usually provide an automated fix next to the alert

Now that you've fully configured your Xbox controller using x360ce, we only need to do a few more steps!

1. Navigating back to Steam, right click Dead Rising 2
   
2. Select Properties > Controller Settings > Disable Steam Input
   
3. Launch Dead Rising 2
   
   NOTE: You may need to navigate to the Dead Rising 2 PC Settings and enable controller inputs. However, my Xbox controller worked without having to do this.

And that's it! You should now be able to cleanse Fortune City with your Xbox controller as nature intended.

It is important to note that you will need to open x360ce before launching Dead Rising 2; as the game will not remember your controller configs without it. You can minimise x360ce with no issues whilst the game is running and it will be accessible within your Windows System Tray (the upwards facing arrow in the bottom right corner, next to your WiFi and date/time).

I sincerely hope this guide was easy to follow. If you're still struggling, there are PLENTY of other guides on both Steam and Reddit which may be more beneficial to you. I've created this guide in the hope it can help others play a game they love, the way they want to!