I thought the drivers were already merged into the kernel as hid-sony or hid-playstation?
Have you tried removing ds4drv and just trying to connect the pad via USB? If that works, you can try pairing via Bluetooth.
It could be your Mint kernel is old and doesn’t have the drivers. I’m on Arch so I’ve had no issues and the pads just work and Steam handles them with no issues.
It’s a headphones cable with a built-in remote so you could put the player in your bag and change tracks using the remote built into the headphones cable.
Also you guys are making me feel painfully old.