Play Console Games With a Keyboard and Mouse

HunterX writes "Lik Sang took the videogame community by storm this weekend by announcing a new entry in its product catalog. The SmartJoy FRAG is an adapter that allows Xbox and PlayStation 2 owners to connect a mouse and a keyboard to the console and replace the standard controller with the well known PC combo that has been the envy of many console gamers for years. TeamXbox.com has more on the story, and there is plenty of commentary on Lik Sang's Forums."

Comments

Hasn't this been done sorta?

[Joe the Lesser]

I'm pretty sure that the PS2 already has a keyboard adapter, because how then else would PS2 FFXI players type to me? :)

Still, this is probably a bit better than what they thought up, specially if the mouse is new.

Re:Hasn't this been done sorta?

[antifoidulus]

One of the more interesting things I saw in a video game store in Japan was a ps2 controller/keyboard combo. It had the layout of a normal ps2 controller, only slightly wider and a bit longer. But instead of the gap in the center of the controller, there was a qwerty keyboard with tiny keys. Interesting, but it really wasn't worth it to me, since I didn't lug my ps2 along for the trip, and I really don't like online gaming.

Not the first time this has been done...

[Grey Ninja]

But this is one of the stupidest.

My problem is that the Xbox has PC hardware running it, has a PC operating system, and now has the standard PC input device. The way I see it, if you are willing to put out about $500, you can have a working PC made out of your Xbox. Whoop de doo.

Honestly, I think if you are playing console games with a mouse and keyboard, it's probably time to buy a PC.

Re:Not the first time this has been done...

[ravidew]

Honestly, I think if you are playing console games with a mouse and keyboard, it's probably time to buy a PC.

Why?

You're forgetting that consoles have the benefit of hit-the-power-switch-and-play; you'll never have to worry about having the latest video card that's compatible with DirectX 9.72r3-beta. At least in theory.

For that matter, if you're paying the $200-something for a console, why shouldn't you use it in a manner that's easiest for you? Once accustomed to the mouse and keyboard combination of a PC, I never felt as comfortable using a console controller. I find that the mouse in a M/K combo provides much more control because it uses a fast "linear" controlling mechanism: you move your mouse 1cm, the crosshairs move an inch - and you can achieve this quickly. On a console controller, however, you have to account for acceleration/deceleration as you push and release the thumbsticks; it's much harder to become as accurate a shot, and you'll never be able to track as quickly.

To those who think the advantage is unfair: so is using a faster PC, or a better internet connection, or a larger TV, or 14 cans of Red Bull...

This will transform console FPSs

[GreatDrok]

I had pretty much given up on FPSs for my PS2 in favour of using my Windows PC. However, the PC is aging now and the cost of upgrading it is worrying me but the latest games are really starting to crawl. I can just about play Doom 3 on the thing but have to have the graphics are the lowest res and with all the nice effects turned off just to get a decent frame rate. The advantage of games on the PS2 or XBox is that you know the game will run well on the hardware. With the ability to use a keyboard and mouse I think this will give FPSs a much better shot (slight pun). I expect I will even go back to a number of games I gave up on because I just couldn't stand the joypad having got used to the keyboard and mouse.

For some games the joypad is great, I found GTAIII on the PS2 much better with a joypad than the same game on the PC with keyboard and mouse (and no way to map a joypad on the PC to match the PS2 which is doubly annoying). Best tool for the job and the keyboard and mouse is better for FPSs. The annoying bit is the PS2 has USB ports already and some games support a keyboard and mouse through those but really, all games should have the option. This is a hack but if it works gimme gimme gimme!