diff --git a/src/console.c b/src/console.c
index f7610c9fe..d3be7c8e8 100644
--- a/src/console.c
+++ b/src/console.c
@@ -940,7 +940,7 @@ boolean CON_Responder(event_t *ev)
 	// let go keyup events, don't eat them
 	if (ev->type != ev_keydown && ev->type != ev_console)
 	{
-		if (ev->data1 == gamecontrol[0][gc_console][0] || ev->data1 == gamecontrol[0][gc_console][1])
+		if (G_ControlBoundToKey(0, gc_console, ev->data1, false))
 			consdown = false;
 		return false;
 	}
@@ -953,12 +953,12 @@ boolean CON_Responder(event_t *ev)
 		if (modeattacking || metalrecording || marathonmode)
 			return false;
 
-		if (ev->data1 >= KEY_MOUSE1) // See also: HUD_Responder
+		if (ev->data1 >= KEY_JOY1) // See also: HUD_Responder
 		{
 			INT32 i;
 			for (i = 0; i < num_gamecontrols; i++)
 			{
-				if (gamecontrol[0][i][0] == ev->data1 || gamecontrol[0][i][1] == ev->data1)
+				if (G_ControlBoundToKey(0, i, ev->data1, false))
 					break;
 			}
 
@@ -966,7 +966,7 @@ boolean CON_Responder(event_t *ev)
 				return false;
 		}
 
-		if (key == gamecontrol[0][gc_console][0] || key == gamecontrol[0][gc_console][1])
+		if (G_ControlBoundToKey(0, gc_console, key, false))
 		{
 			if (consdown) // ignore repeat
 				return true;
diff --git a/src/d_clisrv.c b/src/d_clisrv.c
index 27191c56c..d67c833ba 100644
--- a/src/d_clisrv.c
+++ b/src/d_clisrv.c
@@ -1504,7 +1504,7 @@ static void M_ConfirmConnect(event_t *ev)
 {
 	if (ev->type == ev_keydown)
 	{
-		if (ev->data1 == ' ' || ev->data1 == 'y' || ev->data1 == KEY_ENTER || ev->data1 == gamecontrol[0][gc_accelerate][0] || ev->data1 == gamecontrol[0][gc_accelerate][1])
+		if (ev->data1 == ' ' || ev->data1 == 'y' || ev->data1 == KEY_ENTER || G_ControlBoundToKey(0, gc_accelerate, ev->data1, false))
 		{
 			if (totalfilesrequestednum > 0)
 			{
@@ -1531,7 +1531,7 @@ static void M_ConfirmConnect(event_t *ev)
 
 			M_ClearMenus(true);
 		}
-		else if (ev->data1 == 'n' || ev->data1 == KEY_ESCAPE|| ev->data1 == gamecontrol[0][gc_brake][0] || ev->data1 == gamecontrol[0][gc_brake][1])
+		else if (ev->data1 == 'n' || ev->data1 == KEY_ESCAPE || G_ControlBoundToKey(0, gc_brake, ev->data1, false))
 		{
 			cl_mode = CL_ABORTED;
 			M_ClearMenus(true);
@@ -1951,7 +1951,7 @@ static boolean CL_ServerConnectionTicker(const char *tmpsave, tic_t *oldtic, tic
 				G_MapEventsToControls(&events[eventtail]);
 
 			if (gamekeydown[0][KEY_ESCAPE]
-				|| gamekeydown[0][KEY_JOY1+1])
+				|| G_PlayerInputDown(0, gc_brake, true))
 				cl_mode = CL_ABORTED;
 		}
 
diff --git a/src/g_demo.c b/src/g_demo.c
index 62abc324f..c256abb15 100644
--- a/src/g_demo.c
+++ b/src/g_demo.c
@@ -4042,7 +4042,7 @@ boolean G_DemoTitleResponder(event_t *ev)
 		return true;
 	}
 
-	if (ch == KEY_ENTER || ch >= KEY_MOUSE1)
+	if (ch == KEY_ENTER || ch >= KEY_JOY1)
 	{
 		demo.savemode = DSM_WILLSAVE;
 		return true;
diff --git a/src/g_game.c b/src/g_game.c
index a98f5a031..e28bedd1f 100644
--- a/src/g_game.c
+++ b/src/g_game.c
@@ -763,30 +763,27 @@ INT16 G_SoftwareClipAimingPitch(INT32 *aiming)
 	return (INT16)((*aiming)>>16);
 }
 
-// returns the first gamecontrol that matches the given key
-// used by menu code (that boolean is kinda pointless...)
-INT32 G_GetControlForKey(UINT8 p, INT32 key, boolean menu)
+// check if the given key is bound to the given gamecontrol
+// if menu is true, also check defaults if the gamecontrol has no binds
+boolean G_ControlBoundToKey(UINT8 p, INT32 gc, INT32 key, boolean menu)
 {
-	INT32 i, gc;
-	for (gc = 0; gc < num_gamecontrols; gc++)
+	INT32 i;
+	INT32 (*map)[MAXINPUTMAPPING] = &gamecontrol[p][gc];
+
+	if (menu)
 	{
-		INT32 (*map)[][MAXINPUTMAPPING] = &gamecontrol[p];
-
-		// if this control isn't bound, switch to defaults
-		if (menu)
-		{
-			for (i = 0; i < MAXINPUTMAPPING; i++)
-				if ((*map)[gc][i])
-					goto bound;
-			map = &gamecontroldefault;
-		}
-	bound:
-
 		for (i = 0; i < MAXINPUTMAPPING; i++)
-			if ((*map)[gc][i] == key)
-				return gc;
+			if ((*map)[i])
+				goto bound;
+		map = &gamecontroldefault[gc];
 	}
-	return gc_null;
+bound:
+
+	for (i = 0; i < MAXINPUTMAPPING; i++)
+		if ((*map)[i] == key)
+			return true;
+
+	return false;
 }
 
 static INT32 KeyValue(UINT8 p, INT32 key)
@@ -1563,7 +1560,7 @@ boolean G_Responder(event_t *ev)
 
 	// allow spy mode changes even during the demo
 	if (gamestate == GS_LEVEL && ev->type == ev_keydown
-		&& (ev->data1 == KEY_F12 || ev->data1 == gamecontrol[0][gc_viewpoint][0] || ev->data1 == gamecontrol[0][gc_viewpoint][1]))
+		&& (ev->data1 == KEY_F12 || G_ControlBoundToKey(0, gc_viewpoint, ev->data1, false)))
 	{
 		if (!demo.playback && (r_splitscreen))
 			g_localplayers[0] = consoleplayer;
@@ -1581,17 +1578,17 @@ boolean G_Responder(event_t *ev)
 
 	if (gamestate == GS_LEVEL && ev->type == ev_keydown && multiplayer && demo.playback && !demo.freecam)
 	{
-		if (ev->data1 == gamecontrol[1][gc_viewpoint][0] || ev->data1 == gamecontrol[1][gc_viewpoint][1])
+		if (G_ControlBoundToKey(1, gc_viewpoint, ev->data1, false))
 		{
 			G_AdjustView(2, 1, true);
 			return true;
 		}
-		else if (ev->data1 == gamecontrol[2][gc_viewpoint][0] || ev->data1 == gamecontrol[2][gc_viewpoint][1])
+		else if (G_ControlBoundToKey(2, gc_viewpoint, ev->data1, false))
 		{
 			G_AdjustView(3, 1, true);
 			return true;
 		}
-		else if (ev->data1 == gamecontrol[3][gc_viewpoint][0] || ev->data1 == gamecontrol[3][gc_viewpoint][1])
+		else if (G_ControlBoundToKey(3, gc_viewpoint, ev->data1, false))
 		{
 			G_AdjustView(4, 1, true);
 			return true;
@@ -1599,8 +1596,7 @@ boolean G_Responder(event_t *ev)
 
 		// Allow pausing
 		if (
-			ev->data1 == gamecontrol[0][gc_pause][0]
-			|| ev->data1 == gamecontrol[0][gc_pause][1]
+			G_ControlBoundToKey(0, gc_pause, ev->data1, false)
 			|| ev->data1 == KEY_PAUSE
 		)
 		{
@@ -1635,8 +1631,7 @@ boolean G_Responder(event_t *ev)
 	switch (ev->type)
 	{
 		case ev_keydown:
-			if (ev->data1 == gamecontrol[0][gc_pause][0]
-				|| ev->data1 == gamecontrol[0][gc_pause][1]
+			if (G_ControlBoundToKey(0, gc_pause, ev->data1, false)
 				|| ev->data1 == KEY_PAUSE)
 			{
 				if (modeattacking && !demo.playback && (gamestate == GS_LEVEL))
@@ -1669,8 +1664,7 @@ boolean G_Responder(event_t *ev)
 
 			for (i = 0; i < MAXSPLITSCREENPLAYERS; i++)
 			{
-				if (ev->data1 == gamecontrol[i][gc_camtoggle][0]
-					|| ev->data1 == gamecontrol[i][gc_camtoggle][1])
+				if (G_ControlBoundToKey(i, gc_camtoggle, ev->data1, false))
 				{
 					if (!camtoggledelay[i])
 					{
diff --git a/src/g_game.h b/src/g_game.h
index f775914fb..8a1d982e6 100644
--- a/src/g_game.h
+++ b/src/g_game.h
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ extern INT32 localaiming[MAXSPLITSCREENPLAYERS]; // should be an angle_t but sig
 
 INT32 G_PlayerInputAnalog(UINT8 p, INT32 gc, boolean menu);
 boolean G_PlayerInputDown(UINT8 p, INT32 gc, boolean menu);
-INT32 G_GetControlForKey(UINT8 p, INT32 key, boolean menu);
+boolean G_ControlBoundToKey(UINT8 p, INT32 gc, INT32 key, boolean menu);
 
 //
 // GAME
diff --git a/src/g_input.h b/src/g_input.h
index 6a6c24fb2..4b3c4dc25 100644
--- a/src/g_input.h
+++ b/src/g_input.h
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ extern consvar_t cv_controlperkey, cv_turnsmooth;
 // Or anything inbetween for analog values
 extern INT32 gamekeydown[MAXSPLITSCREENPLAYERS][NUMINPUTS];
 
-// two key codes (or virtual key) per game control
+// several key codes (or virtual key) per game control
 extern INT32 gamecontrol[MAXSPLITSCREENPLAYERS][num_gamecontrols][MAXINPUTMAPPING];
 extern INT32 gamecontroldefault[num_gamecontrols][MAXINPUTMAPPING]; // default control storage
 
diff --git a/src/hu_stuff.c b/src/hu_stuff.c
index 2eb403363..a5e82346a 100644
--- a/src/hu_stuff.c
+++ b/src/hu_stuff.c
@@ -1233,12 +1233,12 @@ boolean HU_Responder(event_t *ev)
 	// (Unless if you're sharing a keyboard, since you probably establish when you start chatting that you have dibs on it...)
 	// (Ahhh, the good ol days when I was a kid who couldn't afford an extra USB controller...)
 
-	if (ev->data1 >= KEY_MOUSE1)
+	if (ev->data1 >= KEY_JOY1)
 	{
 		INT32 i;
 		for (i = 0; i < num_gamecontrols; i++)
 		{
-			if (gamecontrol[0][i][0] == ev->data1 || gamecontrol[0][i][1] == ev->data1)
+			if (G_ControlBoundToKey(0, i, ev->data1, false))
 				break;
 		}
 
@@ -1249,7 +1249,7 @@ boolean HU_Responder(event_t *ev)
 	if (!chat_on)
 	{
 		// enter chat mode
-		if ((ev->data1 == gamecontrol[0][gc_talkkey][0] || ev->data1 == gamecontrol[0][gc_talkkey][1])
+		if (G_ControlBoundToKey(0, gc_talkkey, ev->data1, false)
 			&& netgame && !OLD_MUTE) // check for old chat mute, still let the players open the chat incase they want to scroll otherwise.
 		{
 			chat_on = true;
@@ -1259,7 +1259,7 @@ boolean HU_Responder(event_t *ev)
 			typelines = 1;
 			return true;
 		}
-		if ((ev->data1 == gamecontrol[0][gc_teamkey][0] || ev->data1 == gamecontrol[0][gc_teamkey][1])
+		if (G_ControlBoundToKey(0, gc_teamkey, ev->data1, false)
 			&& netgame && !OLD_MUTE)
 		{
 			chat_on = true;
@@ -1283,9 +1283,8 @@ boolean HU_Responder(event_t *ev)
 			return true;
 
 		// Ignore non-keyboard keys, except when the talk key is bound
-		if (ev->data1 >= KEY_MOUSE1
-		&& (ev->data1 != gamecontrol[0][gc_talkkey][0]
-		&& ev->data1 != gamecontrol[0][gc_talkkey][1]))
+		if (ev->data1 >= KEY_JOY1
+		&& !G_ControlBoundToKey(0, gc_talkkey, ev->data1, false))
 			return false;
 
 		c = CON_ShiftChar(c);
@@ -1325,9 +1324,9 @@ boolean HU_Responder(event_t *ev)
 			I_UpdateMouseGrab();
 		}
 		else if (c == KEY_ESCAPE
-			|| ((c == gamecontrol[0][gc_talkkey][0] || c == gamecontrol[0][gc_talkkey][1]
-			|| c == gamecontrol[0][gc_teamkey][0] || c == gamecontrol[0][gc_teamkey][1])
-			&& c >= KEY_MOUSE1)) // If it's not a keyboard key, then the chat button is used as a toggle.
+			|| ((G_ControlBoundToKey(0, gc_talkkey, c, false)
+			|| G_ControlBoundToKey(0, gc_teamkey, c, false))
+			&& c >= KEY_JOY1)) // If it's not a keyboard key, then the chat button is used as a toggle.
 		{
 			chat_on = false;
 			c_input = 0; // reset input cursor
diff --git a/src/m_menu.c b/src/m_menu.c
index c7c311106..4d313190c 100644
--- a/src/m_menu.c
+++ b/src/m_menu.c
@@ -2595,13 +2595,14 @@ boolean M_Responder(event_t *ev)
 			{ gc_accelerate,  KEY_ENTER      },
 		};
 
-		INT32 gc = G_GetControlForKey(0, ch, true);
-		if (gc != gc_null && !(gc == gc_brake && !menuactive)) // don't open the menu with brake!
+		for (size_t r = 0; r < sizeof(joyremap)/sizeof(*joyremap); r++)
 		{
-			for (size_t r = 0; r < sizeof(joyremap)/sizeof(*joyremap); r++)
+			INT32 gc = joyremap[r][0];
+			if (gc == gc_brake && !menuactive)
+				continue; // don't open the menu with brake!
+
+			if (G_ControlBoundToKey(0, gc, ch, true))
 			{
-				if (gc != joyremap[r][0])
-					continue;
 				ch = joyremap[r][1];
 				break;
 			}
@@ -9706,7 +9707,7 @@ static void M_HandleSetupMultiPlayer(INT32 choice)
 	INT32 prev_setupm_fakeskin;
 	boolean  exitmenu = false;  // exit to previous menu and send name change
 
-	if ((choice == gamecontrol[0][gc_fire][0] || choice == gamecontrol[0][gc_fire][1]) && itemOn == 2)
+	if (G_ControlBoundToKey(0, gc_fire, choice, false) && itemOn == 2)
 		choice = KEY_BACKSPACE; // Hack to allow resetting prefcolor on controllers
 
 	switch (choice)
diff --git a/src/m_misc.cpp b/src/m_misc.cpp
index dd1d3356a..9975b5c49 100644
--- a/src/m_misc.cpp
+++ b/src/m_misc.cpp
@@ -1614,12 +1614,12 @@ boolean M_ScreenshotResponder(event_t *ev)
 
 	ch = ev->data1;
 
-	if (ch >= KEY_MOUSE1 && menuactive) // If it's not a keyboard key, then don't allow it in the menus!
+	if (ch >= KEY_JOY1 && menuactive) // If it's not a keyboard key, then don't allow it in the menus!
 		return false;
 
-	if (ch == KEY_F8 || ch == gamecontrol[0][gc_screenshot][0] || ch == gamecontrol[0][gc_screenshot][1]) // remappable F8
+	if (ch == KEY_F8 || G_ControlBoundToKey(0, gc_screenshot, ch, false)) // remappable F8
 		M_ScreenShot();
-	else if (ch == KEY_F9 || ch == gamecontrol[0][gc_recordgif][0] || ch == gamecontrol[0][gc_recordgif][1]) // remappable F9
+	else if (ch == KEY_F9 || G_ControlBoundToKey(0, gc_recordgif, ch, false)) // remappable F9
 		((moviemode) ? M_StopMovie : M_StartMovie)();
 	else
 		return false;