diff --git a/input/common/hid/device_ds3.c b/input/common/hid/device_ds3.c
index 9af43ac1c6..569d4d7f79 100644
--- a/input/common/hid/device_ds3.c
+++ b/input/common/hid/device_ds3.c
@@ -16,12 +16,38 @@
 
 #include "hid_device_driver.h"
 
+struct ds3_instance {
+  hid_driver_t *driver;
+  void *handle;
+};
+
+static void *ds3_init(hid_driver_instance_t *hid_driver)
+{
+  return NULL;
+}
+
+static void ds3_free(void *data)
+{
+  struct ds3_instance *instance = (struct ds3_instance *)data;
+  if(!instance)
+    return;
+
+  free(instance);
+}
+
+static void ds3_handle_packet(void *data, uint8_t *buffer, size_t size)
+{
+}
+
 static bool ds3_detect(uint16_t vendor_id, uint16_t product_id)
 {
   return vendor_id == VID_SONY && product_id == PID_SONY_DS3;
 }
 
 hid_device_t ds3_hid_device = {
+  ds3_init,
+  ds3_free,
+  ds3_handle_packet,
   ds3_detect,
   "Sony DualShock 3"
 };
diff --git a/input/common/hid/device_ds4.c b/input/common/hid/device_ds4.c
index 7c90ebaf0a..6c8b77ac2f 100644
--- a/input/common/hid/device_ds4.c
+++ b/input/common/hid/device_ds4.c
@@ -16,12 +16,38 @@
 
 #include "hid_device_driver.h"
 
+struct ds4_instance {
+  hid_driver_t *driver;
+  void *handle;
+};
+
+static void *ds4_init(hid_driver_instance_t *hid_driver)
+{
+  return NULL;
+}
+
+static void ds4_free(void *data)
+{
+  struct ds4_instance *instance = (struct ds4_instance *)data;
+  if(!instance)
+    return;
+
+  free(instance);
+}
+
+static void ds4_handle_packet(void *data, uint8_t *buffer, size_t size)
+{
+}
+
 static bool ds4_detect(uint16_t vendor_id, uint16_t product_id)
 {
   return vendor_id == VID_SONY && product_id == PID_SONY_DS4;
 }
 
 hid_device_t ds4_hid_device = {
+  ds4_init,
+  ds4_free,
+  ds4_handle_packet,
   ds4_detect,
   "Sony DualShock 4"
 };
diff --git a/input/common/hid/device_wiiu_gca.c b/input/common/hid/device_wiiu_gca.c
index ec68aa897d..211f67dfbb 100644
--- a/input/common/hid/device_wiiu_gca.c
+++ b/input/common/hid/device_wiiu_gca.c
@@ -16,11 +16,123 @@
 
 #include "hid_device_driver.h"
 
+#ifdef WII
+static uint8_t activation_packet[] = { 0x01, 0x13 };
+#else
+static uint8_t activation_packet[] = { 0x13 };
+#endif
+
+#define GCA_PORT_INITIALIZING 0x00
+#define GCA_PORT_EMPTY        0x04
+#define GCA_PORT_CONNECTED    0x14
+
+typedef struct wiiu_gca_instance {
+  hid_driver_instance_t *driver;
+  uint8_t device_state[37];
+  joypad_connection_t *pads[4];
+} wiiu_gca_instance_t;
+
+static void update_pad_state(wiiu_gca_instance_t *instance);
+static joypad_connection_t *register_pad(wiiu_gca_instance_t *instance);
+
+extern pad_connection_interface_t wiiu_gca_pad_connection;
+
+static void *wiiu_gca_init(hid_driver_instance_t *driver)
+{
+  wiiu_gca_instance_t *instance = calloc(1, sizeof(wiiu_gca_instance_t));
+  memset(instance, 0, sizeof(wiiu_gca_instance_t));
+  instance->driver = driver;
+
+  driver->hid_driver->send_control(driver->hid_data, activation_packet, sizeof(activation_packet));
+  driver->hid_driver->read(driver->hid_data, instance->device_state, sizeof(instance->device_state));
+
+  return instance;
+}
+
+static void wiiu_gca_free(void *data) {
+  wiiu_gca_instance_t *instance = (wiiu_gca_instance_t *)data;
+  if(instance) {
+    free(instance);
+  }
+}
+
+static void wiiu_gca_handle_packet(void *data, uint8_t *buffer, size_t size)
+{
+  wiiu_gca_instance_t *instance = (wiiu_gca_instance_t *)data;
+  if(!instance)
+    return;
+
+  if(size > sizeof(instance->device_state))
+    return;
+
+  memcpy(instance->device_state, buffer, size);
+  update_pad_state(instance);
+}
+
+static void update_pad_state(wiiu_gca_instance_t *instance)
+{
+  int i, pad;
+
+  /* process each pad */
+  for(i = 1; i < 37; i += 9)
+  {
+    pad = i / 9;
+    switch(instance->device_state[i])
+    {
+       case GCA_PORT_INITIALIZING:
+       case GCA_PORT_EMPTY:
+          if(instance->pads[pad] != NULL)
+          {
+            /* TODO: free pad */
+            instance->pads[pad] = NULL;
+          }
+          break;
+       case GCA_PORT_CONNECTED:
+         if(instance->pads[pad] == NULL)
+         {
+           instance->pads[pad] = register_pad(instance);
+         }
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+static joypad_connection_t *register_pad(wiiu_gca_instance_t *instance) {
+  int slot;
+  joypad_connection_t *result;
+
+  slot = pad_connection_find_vacant_pad(instance->driver->pad_connection_list);
+  if(slot < 0)
+    return NULL;
+
+  result = &(instance->driver->pad_connection_list[slot]);
+  result->iface = &wiiu_gca_pad_connection;
+  result->data = result->iface->init(instance, slot, instance->driver->hid_driver);
+  result->connected = true;
+  input_pad_connect(slot, instance->driver->pad_driver);
+
+  return result;
+}
+
 static bool wiiu_gca_detect(uint16_t vendor_id, uint16_t product_id) {
   return vendor_id == VID_NINTENDO && product_id == PID_NINTENDO_GCA;
 }
 
 hid_device_t wiiu_gca_hid_device = {
+  wiiu_gca_init,
+  wiiu_gca_free,
+  wiiu_gca_handle_packet,
   wiiu_gca_detect,
   "Wii U Gamecube Adapter"
 };
+
+pad_connection_interface_t wiiu_gca_pad_connection = {
+/*
+   wiiu_gca_pad_init,
+   wiiu_gca_pad_deinit,
+   wiiu_gca_packet_handler,
+   wiiu_gca_set_rumble,
+   wiiu_gca_get_buttons,
+   wiiu_gca_get_axis,
+   wiiu_gca_get_name
+*/
+};
diff --git a/input/common/hid/hid_device_driver.c b/input/common/hid/hid_device_driver.c
index 0f049ca728..a3b861bf4d 100644
--- a/input/common/hid/hid_device_driver.c
+++ b/input/common/hid/hid_device_driver.c
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@
 
 #include "hid_device_driver.h"
 
+hid_driver_instance_t hid_instance = {0};
+
 hid_device_t *hid_device_list[] = {
   &wiiu_gca_hid_device,
   &ds3_hid_device,
@@ -34,3 +36,102 @@ hid_device_t *hid_device_driver_lookup(uint16_t vendor_id, uint16_t product_id)
   return NULL;
 }
 
+void hid_pad_connect(hid_driver_instance_t *instance, int pad)
+{
+   if(!instance || !instance->pad_driver)
+      return;
+
+   input_pad_connect(pad, instance->pad_driver);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Fill in instance with data from initialized hid subsystem.
+ *
+ * @argument instance the hid_driver_instance_t struct to fill in
+ * @argument hid_driver the HID driver to initialize
+ * @argument pad_driver the gamepad driver to handle HID pads detected by the HID driver.
+ *
+ * @returns true if init is successful, false otherwise.
+ */
+bool hid_init(hid_driver_instance_t *instance,
+              hid_driver_t *hid_driver,
+              input_device_driver_t *pad_driver,
+              unsigned slots)
+{
+   if(!instance || !hid_driver || !pad_driver || slots > MAX_USERS)
+      return false;
+
+   instance->hid_data = hid_driver->init(instance);
+   if(!instance->hid_data)
+      return false;
+
+   instance->pad_connection_list = pad_connection_init(slots);
+   if(!instance->pad_connection_list)
+   {
+      hid_driver->free(instance->hid_data);
+      instance->hid_data = NULL;
+      return false;
+   }
+
+   instance->max_slot = slots;
+   instance->hid_driver = hid_driver;
+   instance->pad_driver = pad_driver;
+
+   return true;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Tear down the HID system set up by hid_init()
+ *
+ * @argument instance the hid_driver_instance_t to tear down.
+ */
+void hid_deinit(hid_driver_instance_t *instance)
+{
+   if(!instance)
+      return;
+
+   pad_connection_destroy(instance->pad_connection_list);
+
+   if(instance->hid_driver && instance->hid_data)
+   {
+      instance->hid_driver->free(instance->hid_data);
+   }
+
+   memset(instance, 0, sizeof(hid_driver_instance_t));
+}
+
+static void hid_device_log_buffer(uint8_t *data, uint32_t len)
+{
+#if 0
+  int i, offset;
+  int padding = len % 0x0F;
+  uint8_t buf[16];
+
+  RARCH_LOG("%d bytes read:\n", len);
+
+  for(i = 0, offset = 0; i < len; i++)
+  {
+    buf[offset] = data[i];
+    offset++;
+    if(offset == 16)
+    {
+      offset = 0;
+      RARCH_LOG("%02x%02x%02x%02x%02x%02x%02x%02x %02x%02x%02x%02x%02x%02x%02x%02x\n",
+        buf[0], buf[1], buf[2], buf[3], buf[4], buf[5], buf[6], buf[7],
+        buf[8], buf[9], buf[10], buf[11], buf[12], buf[13], buf[14], buf[15]);
+    }
+  }
+
+  if(padding)
+  {
+    for(i = padding; i < 16; i++)
+      buf[i] = 0xff;
+
+    RARCH_LOG("%02x%02x%02x%02x%02x%02x%02x%02x %02x%02x%02x%02x%02x%02x%02x%02x\n",
+        buf[0], buf[1], buf[2], buf[3], buf[4], buf[5], buf[6], buf[7],
+        buf[8], buf[9], buf[10], buf[11], buf[12], buf[13], buf[14], buf[15]);
+  }
+
+  RARCH_LOG("=================================\n");
+  #endif
+}
diff --git a/input/common/hid/hid_device_driver.h b/input/common/hid/hid_device_driver.h
index a3259aee52..8bb371f70e 100644
--- a/input/common/hid/hid_device_driver.h
+++ b/input/common/hid/hid_device_driver.h
@@ -19,8 +19,12 @@
 
 #include "../../input_driver.h"
 #include "../../connect/joypad_connection.h"
+#include "../../include/hid_driver.h"
 
 typedef struct hid_device {
+  void *(*init)(hid_driver_instance_t *driver);
+  void (*free)(void *data);
+  void (*handle_packet)(void *data, uint8_t *buffer, size_t size);
   bool (*detect)(uint16_t vid, uint16_t pid);
   const char *name;
 } hid_device_t;
@@ -28,7 +32,12 @@ typedef struct hid_device {
 extern hid_device_t wiiu_gca_hid_device;
 extern hid_device_t ds3_hid_device;
 extern hid_device_t ds4_hid_device;
+extern hid_driver_instance_t hid_instance;
 
 hid_device_t *hid_device_driver_lookup(uint16_t vendor_id, uint16_t product_id);
 
+void hid_pad_connect(hid_driver_instance_t *instance, int pad);
+bool hid_init(hid_driver_instance_t *instance, hid_driver_t *hid_driver, input_device_driver_t *pad_driver, unsigned slots);
+void hid_deinit(hid_driver_instance_t *instance);
+
 #endif /* HID_DEVICE_DRIVER__H */
diff --git a/input/connect/connect_ps3.c b/input/connect/connect_ps3.c
index 61269a9e88..f77235cf80 100644
--- a/input/connect/connect_ps3.c
+++ b/input/connect/connect_ps3.c
@@ -21,10 +21,7 @@
 #include <boolean.h>
 #include "joypad_connection.h"
 #include "../input_defines.h"
-
-#ifdef WIIU
-#include <wiiu/syshid.h>
-#endif
+#include "../common/hid/hid_device_driver.h"
 
 struct hidpad_ps3_data
 {
diff --git a/input/connect/connect_ps4.c b/input/connect/connect_ps4.c
index 0356a91537..f011bd3ab8 100644
--- a/input/connect/connect_ps4.c
+++ b/input/connect/connect_ps4.c
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 #include "joypad_connection.h"
 #include "../input_defines.h"
 #include "../../driver.h"
+#include "../common/hid/hid_device_driver.h"
 
 enum connect_ps4_dpad_states
 {
diff --git a/input/connect/connect_wii.c b/input/connect/connect_wii.c
index f02e1735be..74865862aa 100644
--- a/input/connect/connect_wii.c
+++ b/input/connect/connect_wii.c
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 
 #include "joypad_connection.h"
 #include "../input_defines.h"
+#include "../common/hid/hid_device_driver.h"
 
 /* wiimote state flags*/
 #define WIIMOTE_STATE_DEV_FOUND              0x0001
diff --git a/input/connect/connect_wiiugca.c b/input/connect/connect_wiiugca.c
index 7e49969fd2..3803488797 100644
--- a/input/connect/connect_wiiugca.c
+++ b/input/connect/connect_wiiugca.c
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 #include <boolean.h>
 #include "joypad_connection.h"
 #include "../input_defines.h"
+#include "../common/hid/hid_device_driver.h"
 
 struct hidpad_wiiugca_data
 {
diff --git a/input/connect/connect_wiiupro.c b/input/connect/connect_wiiupro.c
index 836f17856e..d2ad16a968 100644
--- a/input/connect/connect_wiiupro.c
+++ b/input/connect/connect_wiiupro.c
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 #include "joypad_connection.h"
 #include "../input_defines.h"
 #include "../../driver.h"
+#include "../common/hid/hid_device_driver.h"
 
 struct wiiupro_buttons
 {
diff --git a/input/drivers_hid/btstack_hid.c b/input/drivers_hid/btstack_hid.c
index 1d277484aa..68f20ea666 100644
--- a/input/drivers_hid/btstack_hid.c
+++ b/input/drivers_hid/btstack_hid.c
@@ -1439,14 +1439,17 @@ static void btstack_hid_free(const void *data)
       free(hid);
 }
 
-static void *btstack_hid_init(void)
+static void *btstack_hid_init(joypad_connection_t *connections)
 {
    btstack_hid_t *hid = (btstack_hid_t*)calloc(1, sizeof(btstack_hid_t));
 
    if (!hid)
       goto error;
 
-   hid->slots = pad_connection_init(MAX_USERS);
+   if(connections == NULL)
+      connections = pad_connection_init(MAX_USERS);
+
+   hid->slots = connections;
 
    if (!hid->slots)
       goto error;
diff --git a/input/drivers_hid/iohidmanager_hid.c b/input/drivers_hid/iohidmanager_hid.c
index 9ad99ebe2f..ad60d4c969 100644
--- a/input/drivers_hid/iohidmanager_hid.c
+++ b/input/drivers_hid/iohidmanager_hid.c
@@ -854,14 +854,18 @@ static int iohidmanager_hid_manager_set_device_matching(
    return 0;
 }
 
-static void *iohidmanager_hid_init(void)
+static void *iohidmanager_hid_init(joypad_connection_t *connections)
 {
    iohidmanager_hid_t *hid_apple = (iohidmanager_hid_t*)
       calloc(1, sizeof(*hid_apple));
 
    if (!hid_apple)
       goto error;
-   hid_apple->slots = pad_connection_init(MAX_USERS);
+
+   if (connections == NULL)
+      connections = pad_connection_init(MAX_USERS);
+
+   hid_apple->slots = connections;
 
    if (!hid_apple->slots)
       goto error;
diff --git a/input/drivers_hid/libusb_hid.c b/input/drivers_hid/libusb_hid.c
index 44580359fa..f06adb5366 100644
--- a/input/drivers_hid/libusb_hid.c
+++ b/input/drivers_hid/libusb_hid.c
@@ -546,7 +546,7 @@ static void poll_thread(void *data)
    }
 }
 
-static void *libusb_hid_init(void)
+static void *libusb_hid_init(joypad_connection_t *connections)
 {
    unsigned i, count;
    int ret;
@@ -578,7 +578,10 @@ static void *libusb_hid_init(void)
       hid->can_hotplug = 0;
 #endif
 
-   hid->slots = pad_connection_init(MAX_USERS);
+   if (connections == NULL)
+      connections = pad_connection_init(MAX_USERS);
+
+   hid->slots = connections;
 
    if (!hid->slots)
       goto error;
diff --git a/input/drivers_hid/null_hid.c b/input/drivers_hid/null_hid.c
index 70a34d4bf8..e7cf00b580 100644
--- a/input/drivers_hid/null_hid.c
+++ b/input/drivers_hid/null_hid.c
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 
 #include "../input_defines.h"
 #include "../input_driver.h"
+#include "../include/hid_driver.h"
 
 typedef struct null_hid
 {
@@ -75,8 +76,10 @@ static int16_t null_hid_joypad_axis(void *data, unsigned port, uint32_t joyaxis)
    return 0;
 }
 
-static void *null_hid_init(void)
+static void *null_hid_init(hid_driver_instance_t *instance)
 {
+   (void)instance;
+
    return (null_hid_t*)calloc(1, sizeof(null_hid_t));
 }
 
diff --git a/input/drivers_hid/wiiusb_hid.c b/input/drivers_hid/wiiusb_hid.c
index 397f0a0a64..6e3a768bca 100644
--- a/input/drivers_hid/wiiusb_hid.c
+++ b/input/drivers_hid/wiiusb_hid.c
@@ -574,15 +574,15 @@ static void wiiusb_hid_free(const void *data)
    free(hid);
 }
 
-static void *wiiusb_hid_init(void)
+static void *wiiusb_hid_init(joypad_connection_t *connections)
 {
-   joypad_connection_t *connections = NULL;
    wiiusb_hid_t                *hid = (wiiusb_hid_t*)calloc(1, sizeof(*hid));
 
    if (!hid)
       goto error;
 
-   connections = pad_connection_init(MAX_USERS);
+   if(connections == NULL)
+      connections = pad_connection_init(MAX_USERS);
 
    if (!connections)
       goto error;
diff --git a/input/include/hid_driver.h b/input/include/hid_driver.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..37ae190a51
--- /dev/null
+++ b/input/include/hid_driver.h
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+/*  RetroArch - A frontend for libretro.
+ *  Copyright (C) 2010-2014 - Hans-Kristian Arntzen
+ *  Copyright (C) 2011-2017 - Daniel De Matteis
+ *  Copyright (C) 2016-2017 - Andrés Suárez
+ *
+ *  RetroArch is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms
+ *  of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Found-
+ *  ation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ *  RetroArch is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY;
+ *  without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
+ *  PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *  You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with RetroArch.
+ *  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+#ifndef HID_DRIVER_H__
+#define HID_DRIVER_H__
+
+#include "../connect/joypad_connection.h"
+#include "../input_driver.h"
+
+/* what is 1? */
+#define HID_REPORT_OUTPUT 2
+#define HID_REPORT_FEATURE 3
+/* are there more? */
+
+/*
+ * This is the interface for the HID subsystem.
+ *
+ * The handle parameter is the pointer returned by init() and stores the implementation
+ * state data for the HID driver.
+ */
+
+struct hid_driver
+{
+   void *(*init)(hid_driver_instance_t *);
+   bool (*query_pad)(void *handle, unsigned pad);
+   void (*free)(const void *handle);
+   bool (*button)(void *handle, unsigned pad, uint16_t button);
+   void (*get_buttons)(void *handle, unsigned pad, retro_bits_t *state);
+   int16_t (*axis)(void *handle, unsigned pad, uint32_t axis);
+   void (*poll)(void *handle);
+   bool (*set_rumble)(void *handle, unsigned pad, enum retro_rumble_effect effect, uint16_t);
+   const char *(*name)(void *handle, unsigned pad);
+   const char *ident;
+   void (*send_control)(void *handle, uint8_t *buf, size_t size);
+   int32_t (*set_report)(void *handle, uint8_t, uint8_t, void *data, uint32_t size);
+   int32_t (*set_idle)(void *handle, uint8_t amount);
+   int32_t (*set_protocol)(void *handle, uint8_t protocol);
+   int32_t (*read)(void *handle, void *buf, size_t size);
+};
+
+struct hid_driver_instance {
+   hid_driver_t *hid_driver;
+   void *hid_data;
+   input_device_driver_t *pad_driver;
+   joypad_connection_t *pad_connection_list;
+   unsigned max_slot;
+};
+
+#endif /* HID_DRIVER_H__ */
diff --git a/input/include/hid_types.h b/input/include/hid_types.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..28734e9dd8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/input/include/hid_types.h
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+/*  RetroArch - A frontend for libretro.
+ *  Copyright (C) 2010-2014 - Hans-Kristian Arntzen
+ *  Copyright (C) 2011-2017 - Daniel De Matteis
+ *  Copyright (C) 2016-2017 - Andrés Suárez
+ *
+ *  RetroArch is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms
+ *  of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Found-
+ *  ation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ *  RetroArch is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY;
+ *  without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
+ *  PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *  You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with RetroArch.
+ *  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+#ifndef HID_TYPES_H__
+#define HID_TYPES_H__
+
+typedef struct hid_driver hid_driver_t;
+typedef struct hid_driver_instance hid_driver_instance_t;
+
+#endif /* HID_TYPES_H__ */
diff --git a/input/input_driver.c b/input/input_driver.c
index 14ed1c17a9..882d33ca1b 100644
--- a/input/input_driver.c
+++ b/input/input_driver.c
@@ -1782,6 +1782,19 @@ bool input_mouse_button_raw(unsigned port, unsigned id)
    return false;
 }
 
+void input_pad_connect(unsigned port, input_device_driver_t *driver)
+{
+   if(port >= MAX_USERS || !driver)
+   {
+      RARCH_ERR("[input]: input_pad_connect: bad parameters\n");
+      return;
+   }
+
+   if(!input_autoconfigure_connect(driver->name(port), NULL, driver->ident,
+          port, 0, 0))
+      input_config_set_device_name(port, driver->name(port));
+}
+
 /**
  * input_conv_analog_id_to_bind_id:
  * @idx                     : Analog key index.
diff --git a/input/input_driver.h b/input/input_driver.h
index 2ef47c7d24..b366413893 100644
--- a/input/input_driver.h
+++ b/input/input_driver.h
@@ -35,13 +35,12 @@
 #include "input_defines.h"
 
 #include "../msg_hash.h"
+#include "include/hid_types.h"
 
 RETRO_BEGIN_DECLS
 
 typedef struct rarch_joypad_driver input_device_driver_t;
 
-typedef struct hid_driver hid_driver_t;
-
 /* Keyboard line reader. Handles textual input in a direct fashion. */
 typedef struct input_keyboard_line input_keyboard_line_t;
 
@@ -181,25 +180,6 @@ struct rarch_joypad_driver
    const char *ident;
 };
 
-struct hid_driver
-{
-   void *(*init)(void);
-   bool (*query_pad)(void *, unsigned);
-   void (*free)(const void *);
-   bool (*button)(void *, unsigned, uint16_t);
-   void (*get_buttons)(void *, unsigned, retro_bits_t *);
-   int16_t (*axis)(void *, unsigned, uint32_t);
-   void (*poll)(void *);
-   bool (*set_rumble)(void *, unsigned, enum retro_rumble_effect, uint16_t);
-   const char *(*name)(void *, unsigned);
-   const char *ident;
-   void (*send_control)(void *data, uint8_t *buf, size_t size);
-   int32_t (*set_report)(void *, uint8_t, uint8_t, void *, uint32_t);
-   int32_t (*set_idle)(void *, uint8_t);
-   int32_t (*set_protocol)(void *, uint8_t);
-
-};
-
 /**
  * input_driver_find_handle:
  * @index              : index of driver to get handle to.
@@ -591,6 +571,15 @@ bool input_joypad_button_raw(const input_device_driver_t *driver,
 bool input_joypad_hat_raw(const input_device_driver_t *driver,
       unsigned joypad, unsigned hat_dir, unsigned hat);
 
+/**
+ * input_pad_connect:
+ * @port                    : Joystick number.
+ * @driver                  : handle for joypad driver handling joystick's input
+ *
+ * Registers a newly connected pad with RetroArch.
+ **/
+void input_pad_connect(unsigned port, input_device_driver_t *driver);
+
 /**
  * input_mouse_button_raw:
  * @port                    : Mouse number.
@@ -848,7 +837,6 @@ extern hid_driver_t iohidmanager_hid;
 extern hid_driver_t btstack_hid;
 extern hid_driver_t libusb_hid;
 extern hid_driver_t wiiusb_hid;
-extern hid_driver_t wiiu_hid;
 extern hid_driver_t null_hid;
 #endif
 
diff --git a/wiiu/include/wiiu/pad_driver.h b/wiiu/include/wiiu/pad_driver.h
index 8a93798de7..067bc34d67 100644
--- a/wiiu/include/wiiu/pad_driver.h
+++ b/wiiu/include/wiiu/pad_driver.h
@@ -32,8 +32,8 @@
 
 #include "../../input/input_driver.h"
 #include "../../input/common/hid/hid_device_driver.h"
-#include "../../input/connect/joypad_connection.h"
 #include "../../tasks/tasks_internal.h"
+#include "../../input/connect/joypad_connection.h"
 #include "../../retroarch.h"
 #include "../../verbosity.h"
 #include "../../command.h"
@@ -119,8 +119,8 @@ struct _wiiu_pad_functions {
 typedef struct wiiu_hid {
   /* used to register for HID notifications */
   HIDClient *client;
-  /* list of HID pads */
-  joypad_connection_t *connections;
+  /* pointer to HID driver state */
+  hid_driver_instance_t *driver;
   /* size of connections list */
   unsigned connections_size;
   /* thread state data for HID polling thread */
@@ -135,13 +135,14 @@ typedef struct wiiu_adapter wiiu_adapter_t;
 
 struct wiiu_adapter {
   wiiu_adapter_t *next;
+  hid_device_t *driver;
+  void *driver_handle;
   wiiu_hid_t *hid;
   uint8_t state;
   uint8_t *rx_buffer;
   int32_t rx_size;
   uint8_t *tx_buffer;
   int32_t tx_size;
-  int32_t slot;
   uint32_t handle;
   uint8_t interface_index;
 };
diff --git a/wiiu/include/wiiu/syshid.h b/wiiu/include/wiiu/syshid.h
index 1f55718dd9..664e52eef6 100644
--- a/wiiu/include/wiiu/syshid.h
+++ b/wiiu/include/wiiu/syshid.h
@@ -1,15 +1,6 @@
 #pragma once
 #include <wiiu/types.h>
 
-/*
- * Report types for the report_type parameter in HIDSetReport()
- */
-
-/*  what is 1? */
-#define HID_REPORT_OUTPUT  2
-#define HID_REPORT_FEATURE 3
-/* are there more? */
-
 typedef struct
 {
     uint32_t handle;
diff --git a/wiiu/input/hidpad_driver.c b/wiiu/input/hidpad_driver.c
index 5cae6d710f..272bd2e7c0 100644
--- a/wiiu/input/hidpad_driver.c
+++ b/wiiu/input/hidpad_driver.c
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
  */
 
 #include <wiiu/pad_driver.h>
+#include "../../input/include/hid_driver.h"
+#include "../../input/common/hid/hid_device_driver.h"
 
 static bool hidpad_init(void *data);
 static bool hidpad_query_pad(unsigned pad);
@@ -27,51 +29,25 @@ static const char *hidpad_name(unsigned pad);
 
 static bool ready = false;
 
-static wiiu_hid_t *hid_data;
-static hid_driver_t *hid_driver;
-
 static unsigned to_slot(unsigned pad)
 {
    return pad - (WIIU_WIIMOTE_CHANNELS+1);
 }
 
-const void *get_hid_data(void)
+static bool init_hid_driver(void)
 {
-   return hid_data;
-}
-
-static hid_driver_t *init_hid_driver(void)
-{
-   joypad_connection_t *connections = NULL;
    unsigned connections_size        = MAX_USERS - (WIIU_WIIMOTE_CHANNELS+1);
 
-   hid_data                         = (wiiu_hid_t *)wiiu_hid.init();
-   connections                      = pad_connection_init(connections_size);
+   memset(&hid_instance, 0, sizeof(hid_instance));
 
-   if (!hid_data || !connections)
-      goto error;
-
-   hid_data->connections = connections;
-   hid_data->connections_size = connections_size;
-   return &wiiu_hid;
-
-error:
-   if (connections)
-      free(connections);
-   if (hid_data)
-   {
-      wiiu_hid.free(hid_data);
-      hid_data = NULL;
-   }
-   return NULL;
+   return hid_init(&hid_instance, &wiiu_hid, &hidpad_driver, connections_size);
 }
 
 static bool hidpad_init(void *data)
 {
    (void *)data;
 
-   hid_driver = init_hid_driver();
-   if (!hid_driver)
+   if(!init_hid_driver())
    {
       RARCH_ERR("Failed to initialize HID driver.\n");
       return false;
@@ -92,16 +68,7 @@ static void hidpad_destroy(void)
 {
    ready = false;
 
-   if(hid_driver) {
-     hid_driver->free(hid_data);
-     hid_data = NULL;
-     hid_driver = NULL;
-   }
-
-   if(hid_data) {
-     free(hid_data);
-     hid_data = NULL;
-   }
+   hid_deinit(&hid_instance);
 }
 
 static bool hidpad_button(unsigned pad, uint16_t button)
diff --git a/wiiu/input/kpad_driver.c b/wiiu/input/kpad_driver.c
index 48a7f428c3..51d203cec0 100644
--- a/wiiu/input/kpad_driver.c
+++ b/wiiu/input/kpad_driver.c
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ static void kpad_register(unsigned channel, uint8_t device_type)
    if (wiimotes[channel].type != device_type)
    {
       wiimotes[channel].type = device_type;
-      pad_functions.connect(to_retro_pad(channel), &kpad_driver);
+      input_pad_connect(to_retro_pad(channel), &kpad_driver);
    }
 }
 
diff --git a/wiiu/input/pad_functions.c b/wiiu/input/pad_functions.c
index fe352e5da4..132bffa146 100644
--- a/wiiu/input/pad_functions.c
+++ b/wiiu/input/pad_functions.c
@@ -88,16 +88,8 @@ void wiiu_pad_read_axis_data(uint32_t axis, axis_data *data)
    }
 }
 
-void wiiu_pad_connect(unsigned pad, input_device_driver_t *driver)
-{
-   if(!input_autoconfigure_connect(driver->name(pad), NULL, driver->ident,
-            pad, VID_NONE, PID_NONE))
-      input_config_set_device_name(pad, driver->name(pad));
-}
-
 wiiu_pad_functions_t pad_functions = {
   wiiu_pad_get_axis_value,
   wiiu_pad_set_axis_value,
   wiiu_pad_read_axis_data,
-  wiiu_pad_connect
 };
diff --git a/wiiu/input/wiiu_hid.c b/wiiu/input/wiiu_hid.c
index f2656a4cbb..cb09db3346 100644
--- a/wiiu/input/wiiu_hid.c
+++ b/wiiu/input/wiiu_hid.c
@@ -19,13 +19,15 @@
 static wiiu_event_list events;
 static wiiu_adapter_list adapters;
 
+static void log_buffer(uint8_t *data, uint32_t len);
+
 static bool wiiu_hid_joypad_query(void *data, unsigned slot)
 {
    wiiu_hid_t *hid = (wiiu_hid_t *)data;
-   if (!hid)
+   if (!hid || !hid->driver)
       return false;
 
-   return slot < hid->connections_size;
+   return slot < hid->driver->max_slot;
 }
 
 static const char *wiiu_hid_joypad_name(void *data, unsigned slot)
@@ -35,7 +37,7 @@ static const char *wiiu_hid_joypad_name(void *data, unsigned slot)
 
    wiiu_hid_t *hid = (wiiu_hid_t *)data;
 
-   return hid->connections[slot].iface->get_name(data);
+   return hid->driver->pad_connection_list[slot].iface->get_name(data);
 }
 
 static void wiiu_hid_joypad_get_buttons(void *data, unsigned port, retro_bits_t *state)
@@ -75,7 +77,7 @@ static int16_t wiiu_hid_joypad_axis(void *data, unsigned port, uint32_t joyaxis)
    return 0;
 }
 
-static void *wiiu_hid_init(void)
+static void *wiiu_hid_init(hid_driver_instance_t *driver)
 {
    RARCH_LOG("[hid]: initializing HID subsystem\n");
    wiiu_hid_t *hid = new_hid();
@@ -84,6 +86,8 @@ static void *wiiu_hid_init(void)
    if (!hid || !client)
       goto error;
 
+   hid->driver = driver;
+
    wiiu_hid_init_lists();
    start_polling_thread(hid);
    if (!hid->polling_thread)
@@ -98,6 +102,7 @@ static void *wiiu_hid_init(void)
 
 error:
    RARCH_LOG("[hid]: initialization failed. cleaning up.\n");
+
    stop_polling_thread(hid);
    delete_hid(hid);
    delete_hidclient(client);
@@ -197,6 +202,26 @@ static int32_t wiiu_hid_set_protocol(void *data, uint8_t protocol)
          NULL, NULL);
 }
 
+static int32_t wiiu_hid_read(void *data, void *buffer, size_t size)
+{
+  wiiu_adapter_t *adapter = (wiiu_adapter_t *)data;
+
+  if(!adapter)
+    return -1;
+
+  if(size > adapter->rx_size)
+    return -1;
+
+#if 1
+  int32_t result = HIDRead(adapter->handle, buffer, size, NULL, NULL);
+  log_buffer(buffer, size);
+  return result;
+#else
+  return HIDRead(adapter->handle, buffer, size, NULL, NULL);
+#endif
+}
+
+
 static void start_polling_thread(wiiu_hid_t *hid)
 {
    OSThreadAttributes attributes = OS_THREAD_ATTRIB_AFFINITY_CPU2;
@@ -357,23 +382,12 @@ static void wiiu_hid_attach(wiiu_hid_t *hid, wiiu_attach_event *event)
    }
 
    adapter->hid    = hid;
-   adapter->slot   = pad_connection_pad_init(hid->connections,
-         "hid", event->vendor_id, event->product_id, adapter,
-         &wiiu_hid);
+   adapter->driver = event->driver;
 
-   if(adapter->slot < 0)
-   {
-      RARCH_ERR("[hid]: No available slots.\n");
-      goto error;
-   }
-
-   RARCH_LOG("[hid]: got slot %d\n", adapter->slot);
-
-   if(!pad_connection_has_interface(hid->connections, adapter->slot))
-   {
-      RARCH_ERR("[hid]: Interface not found for HID device with vid=0x%04x pid=0x%04x\n",
-            event->vendor_id, event->product_id);
-      goto error;
+   adapter->driver_handle = adapter->driver->init(hid->driver);
+   if(adapter->driver_handle == NULL) {
+      RARCH_ERR("[hid]: Failed to initialize driver: %s\n",
+        adapter->driver->name);
    }
 
    RARCH_LOG("[hid]: adding to adapter list\n");
@@ -446,16 +460,6 @@ static void log_buffer(uint8_t *data, uint32_t len)
 
 }
 
-static void wiiu_hid_do_read(wiiu_adapter_t *adapter,
-      uint8_t *data, uint32_t length)
-{
-#if 0
-   log_buffer(data, length);
-#endif
-
-   /* TODO: get this data to the connect_xxx driver somehow. */
-}
-
 static void wiiu_hid_read_loop_callback(uint32_t handle, int32_t error,
               uint8_t *buffer, uint32_t buffer_size, void *userdata)
 {
@@ -468,12 +472,13 @@ static void wiiu_hid_read_loop_callback(uint32_t handle, int32_t error,
 
   if(adapter->hid->polling_thread_quit)
   {
-    RARCH_LOG("Shutting down read loop for slot %d\n", adapter->slot);
+    RARCH_LOG("Shutting down read loop for device: %s\n",
+       adapter->driver->name);
     adapter->state = ADAPTER_STATE_DONE;
     return;
   }
 
-  wiiu_hid_do_read(adapter, buffer, buffer_size);
+  adapter->driver->handle_packet(adapter->driver_handle, buffer, buffer_size);
 
   adapter->state = ADAPTER_STATE_READING;
   HIDRead(adapter->handle, adapter->rx_buffer, adapter->rx_size,
@@ -644,6 +649,11 @@ static void delete_adapter(wiiu_adapter_t *adapter)
       free(adapter->tx_buffer);
       adapter->tx_buffer = NULL;
    }
+   if(adapter->driver && adapter->driver_handle) {
+      adapter->driver->free(adapter->driver_handle);
+      adapter->driver_handle = NULL;
+      adapter->driver = NULL;
+   }
    free(adapter);
 }
 
@@ -707,6 +717,7 @@ hid_driver_t wiiu_hid = {
    wiiu_hid_send_control,
    wiiu_hid_set_report,
    wiiu_hid_set_idle,
-   wiiu_hid_set_protocol
+   wiiu_hid_set_protocol,
+   wiiu_hid_read,
 };
 
diff --git a/wiiu/input/wiiu_hid.h b/wiiu/input/wiiu_hid.h
index 1c2ede6f73..b1ce59a6c3 100644
--- a/wiiu/input/wiiu_hid.h
+++ b/wiiu/input/wiiu_hid.h
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 #define __WIIU_HID__H
 
 #include <wiiu/pad_driver.h>
+#include "../../input/include/hid_driver.h"
 
 #define DEVICE_UNUSED 0
 #define DEVICE_USED   1
diff --git a/wiiu/input/wpad_driver.c b/wiiu/input/wpad_driver.c
index b707c63cb5..786f883cda 100644
--- a/wiiu/input/wpad_driver.c
+++ b/wiiu/input/wpad_driver.c
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ static void wpad_poll(void)
 
 static bool wpad_init(void *data)
 {
-   pad_functions.connect(PAD_GAMEPAD, &wpad_driver);
+   input_pad_connect(PAD_GAMEPAD, &wpad_driver);
    wpad_poll();
    ready = true;