Playstation 1 controller compatibility with PS2 games

[mojo]

Hi.

I'm trying to determine if Playstation 1 digital controllers, like the original pads and arcade sticks, are compatible with most/all PS2 games that anyone cares to play with them. Obviously for games that need analogue input an arcade stick isn't much use, but for shmups and fighters it's all digital anyway. Am I right in thinking that a basic PS1 arcade stick works with all or at least most games where you would want to use one?

I ask because I'm working on a new joystick controller PCB and emulating the entire Dual Shock 2 protocol is a fair bit of work, and probably unnecessary. In the past I just emulated a PS1 digital controller and everything I tested worked, but I have heard that a few games (newer Tekken ones maybe) had issues.

Can anyone comment? Thanks...

[LEGENOARYNINLIA]

I played Tekken 5 with the original PS1 digital controller that came with my first PS1 back in '95. Of course it didn't work in the Devil Within mode, but I didn't have any problems outside of that. So you should be fine unless there is a specific game you intend to play that demands a Dual Shock 2, like the American Sega Ages collection.

EDIT: I've also used Namco PS1 sticks with about 25+ PS2 fighting games without any issues.

[mojo]

Thanks, that's the sort of thing I'm interested in. I mostly player shooters and they all seem to work, but I just wanted to check if there were any games I didn't know about.

[SukkoPera]

I got my PS2 by trading against a PSP. It is the phat silver model and it came with 2 grey controllers. I played it for years without noticing anything weird, but then I found a game where the controllers wouldn't work at all, I think it was some FIFA Street. I couldn't really understand why but then, after a looot of research, I found out the controllers I had were actually from a PS1, so they were missing the analog controls that game would expect.

But anyway... It took me YEARS to realize, so I'd rather bet you won't have many problems ,

[BazookaBen]

Ace Combat 4 is the only game I can think of right now that needs a DS2.

[Triple Lei]

Could've sworn Mega Man X8 requires a Dual Shock 2. I think I tried it with a hacked Saturn pad or something and the game stops you before the title screen.

[dink]

Towards the end of the ps2's life, I started running into more and more games that didn't work with the original ps1 controllers, unfortunately that was quite a while ago and I can't remember which ones they were.

[austin532]

Could've sworn Mega Man X8 requires a Dual Shock 2. I think I tried it with a hacked Saturn pad or something and the game stops you before the title screen.

Confirmed, you can't play the game with a regular SCPH-1080 controller however you can use a Dual Shock 1 controller.

[Fudoh]

I totally hate the fact that I cannot play OutRun2SP on the PS2 using a SCPH-1150 dual analogue controller.

[EmperorIng]

Capcom Classics Collection Vol. 2, Taito Legends, Taito Legends 2, Gradius III&IV, Gradius V, and the Mega Man X Collection all worked with my digital-only Sunsoft Sunstation pad.

[beatsgo]

This is actually the first time I ever heard of a dual analog controller that pre-dated the Dualshocks, surprised it doesn't work on other games.

Just some tidbits about playing with the Sony Dual Analog (ripped from racketboy's FAQ post about it)

When testing the Dual Analogue controller last night with various games I got interesting results. First I realized that it does not have the dual d-pad functionality, no big deal. With Rayman, when you turn on the analogue it stops responding all together, with Mega Man x5 it works like normal, with Chrono Cross the left stick allows you to move like normal, while the right stick causes you to spin in place. Strange that 3 different games gave 3 different results.

It would be cool (and tedious) if someone managed to create a list of games that are compatible with the Dual Analog controller.

[mojo]

Thanks for all this info guys. It looks like DS2 emulation would be nice to have because there are some interesting games that use it. Unfortunately it is a pain in the arse... I'm wondering if a partial hacky implementation might be enough, but I have heard of compatibility issues with hardware that does that too.

Kinda crappy not to support digital pads though, as most of the early (but really good) arcade sticks are digital only.