"Using an IR Remote with a Raspberry Pi Media Center", https://learn.adafruit.com/using-an-ir-remote-with-a-raspber...

You will have to buy the Raspberry Pi from 3 children in a trenchcoat in the subterranean parking of the abandoned mall, but it should work.

through the magic of bluetooth peripherals you can buy for 15 bucks on amazon

Some kind of wireless controller. Tons of options ranging from branded (e.g. Logitech) to cheap generic Chinese stuff from Amazon/AliExpress.