Ive actually been coding in the same language as the game (LUA) pretty recently for a different project, the problem is moreso with the "engine". PICO-8 is like a sandbox (What's called a "Fantasy console"), so it takes care of low level things like talking to the operating system about controllers and keyboard and stuff - The engine (PICO-8) is closed source too so I can't do much about how it handles controllers without looking for an alternative engine or something, which again, probably don't have the time to do for a game I finished many years ago 😵💫 I'm still interested in making a port of this game at some point (once I'm done with my current project, Pizza Delivery ReHeated), it's one of my favorite original games I've done.
Thank you for enjoying it! It's insane for me to think people are enjoying it many years later. <3