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Converting a PSX Controller for PC Use

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the rolling-your-own dept.

BigMan writes "Anyone that has ever used a Playstation pad will think they are great, but I long ago stopped using my Playstation and haven't touched a console in a while. I much prefer the gameplay and graphics of PC games, but a keyboard just doesn't cut it on driving games. So I set about converting my Playstation pad to work on a PC. There are several converters that cost around $6 to $15, but being a student in search of a part time job I am reluctant to spend the money and it's more satisfying to do the mod yourself."

4 of 73 comments (clear)

  1. I'm not sure I'd call this cost-effective. by Future+Man+3000 · · Score: 5, Insightful
    If you've gone through three PSX controllers before you got this to work, I'm going to go through something like five.

    I appreciate the pioneering spirit here, but these things are far too expensive as it is. For the price of another controller I can get a peripheral that'll hook it to the computer.

    --

    I never vote for anyone. I always vote against.
    -- W.C. Fields

  2. Playstation pad great? by Tomah4wk · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Hmm .. i personally think it is horrific. The game cube and super nes (super famicom in us?) both have the best control pads of their eras, although for some games you just cant beat the arcades. Nothing will ever be as bad as that glove pad for the nes that the kid in wizard has, uggh what a nightmare.

  3. A non Paeallel port or destructive converter by UnderScan · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Some of the motherboard being sold today don't include a Parallel port.
    For US$15 Lik-Sang sells the "PS/PS2(TM)-PC USB Converter" make by a company called Boom.

    Product Features
    # Use Playstation Joypads on your PC (through USB interface)
    # Automatically turns on the PS controller in analog mode, no need to switch.
    # Supports Dual Shock function in games which support DirectX force feedback
    # Analog joystick resolution in 256 positions on each axis
    # Supports all buttons (4 axis analog joystick, 16 buttons)
    # compatible with Win 98 / 2000
    # Plug & Play, no additional power source required

    Description
    The PS Joy adapter lets you play PC games with a Playstation Joypad. Perfect for any emulation program such as Bleem or other.

  4. Re:Thats not new. by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "You're accomplishments are not."

    WTF? The guy wasn't trying to do anything new here, he was trying to learn. In doing so, he documented his progress for all to see. I'm not normally one to go ripping things apart, but I was actually half tempted to buy a used PS controller and try this myself. Is it really such a bad thing that he inspired one to learn how to reverse engineer?

    This isn't one of those articles where you say "he could have done it cheaper!" Appreciate it for what it is, not for what it doesn't do for you.