I've noticed a few people mention this but I didn't spot any fixes apart from suggestions of using programs like Xpadder to emulate the controller.
Right, I too had the problem of the menu spinning when a controller was connected. This fixed it for me and I am hoping it does for others too.

This fix is for Tomb Raider 1
Find the dosboxTR.conf file located in 'GOG.com\Tomb Raider 1 2 3\Tomb Raider 1'.
Open it up in notepad or another text editor.
Find the section marked [joystick] (line 288 \ about 2/3rds way down).
Changed 'timed=true' to false
Save the file and launch the game.

As I've said this fixed it for me although there is no guarantee it will fix it for others I hope that it does.

Worked for me too. I use a Logitech Extreme 3d Pro Joystick to play Tombraider 1.

ok, it's for TR1. and how to fix that problem in TR2 & 3?

Sorry, I don't have the problem in TR2 or 3 so I can't test any fixes. If you are getting the same problem in those two and happen to find a fix though please let me know though so I can update the first post for others to see.

the patch realeased today actually fixed this for me but the game just won't use my controller for some reason.

Anyone else have an issue where tomb raider 2 won't map to an analogue stick? (i know it's before analogue sticks but Tomb Raider 3 works perfectly.

Scratch that Tomb Raider 2 refuses to be mapped altogether... (but the analogue stick has decided to work)

same issue with Tomb Raider 1 it refuses too config the gamepad

Have you tried using DOSBox's integrated key-mapper? Press Ctrl + F1 to access it. For TR2 you'd probably have to look into a keybinder such as Xpadder.

I will try that thank you i don't know much about DOSBOX so i wasn't aware it had it's own key mapper :)

The new 1.1 patch turned off joysticks all together. Try editing the dosboxTR1.config. Change joystick=off to joystick=auto. Also you will need to set timed=true to timed=false to stop the spinning affect in the main menu. (see smegy's post above if you can't find dosboxTR.config.

Okay i'll give that ago then :) thank you for your help

i have a problem with Tomb Raider 5, joystick won't work properly, in game lara keeps on moving backwards, inventor keeps on spinning, on the main menu i can only move up with the "up" button on my keypad and move down with the "up" button on my joystick. I tried configuring the controller in options but there nothing for directional buttons

setting timed=true to timed=false fixed my TR1 perfectly btw; thanks

HI!

Try to play TR1 with a Saitek Color Rumble Pad 580.

With the timed-paramater I can stop the spinning menu but I can´t configure the upper (shoulder?) buttons. Worked flawless in TR2, but TR1 don´t show a reaction when I press them.

Any suggestions about this problem?

T2 also worked flawlessly for me without having to mess around with the files. T1 though freezes when I try to config the Look function, also I can't config the shoulder buttons.

I'm using Logitech Gamepad F310.

Any fix for TR5? I have this same problem (five years later the issue is still present)

This solution fixed the spinning menu, Now when i attempt to change the control's for my gamepad the game seems to freeze for a few minutes.