PS2 Dual Shock 2 PC adaptor

stratos · Post by **stratos** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:40 pm

I really need to buy a very good adaptor to use my PS2 Dual Shock pad on my PC. It's really frustrating when you are playing your favourite shmups with an old (and half broken) Microsoft Sidewinder pad and you die because you press "down" on the directional button and it input "down-right", making your sprite to collide with an enemy bullet... I quit with Garegga for this reason (waiting to buy a Saturn for this), and now I'm near to quit also with E.S.P. Rade, since the pad is really my first enemy in my 1CC attempts...

I tried with the only adaptor I found in my town, a cheap one I have to say, but it isn't responsive when you input diagonals... it reacts with a half second delay!!!

So, I'd like to buy a very good product, highly responsive, not necessarily cheap, and I have to buy it from Italy (where I live). Please give me some advices if you know well wich is the best adaptor on the market, and possibly from where I coul'd afford them.

Or even a well made and direction balanced PC pad compatible with windows XP pro...

Another choice coul'd be an arcade stick: I really prefere the pad adaptor, but if it isn't other chance, I coul'd take it... let me know what are the best products on the market, since I really want to make a very good purchase.

Thanks in advance, see you soon

iatneH · Post by **iatneH** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:51 pm

I'm using one that came from Radio Shack (or what used to be Radio Shack)... seems to work fine for me although lately I've been playing MAME much less if favour of PCBs...

Especially if you're playing ESP RaDe, it runs faster in MAME than it does on PCB. Good luck on that 1CC!!

stratos · Post by **stratos** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 8:10 pm

iatneH wrote:Especially if you're playing ESP RaDe, it runs faster in MAME than it does on PCB. Good luck on that 1CC!!

And I thought it was the contrary

In fact, I saw HUGE slowdowns on the fifth level... however the game seems 1creditable also with MAME... Great game, have to say

So you have no problems using this adaptor? From where I coul'd afford it?

Other advices also will be very appreciated

iatneH · Post by **iatneH** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 8:20 pm

I'm using this one. I'm not sure if TheSource exists outside of Canada... but you should be able to find something like this locally at Circuit City or someplace like that.

Otherwise, if you want to mail order, any of the Super Joybox and its relatives should be fine. I bought a Super Joybox 3 while I was in Hong Kong for only HKD$25 (Around USD$3.25!!)

edit: Nevermind... I didn't see that you're in Italy O____________o;;; just assumed that you were in USA. Anyway, I don't know how easily available things are for you, you might end up having to order some kind of smartjoy thingie.

Blade · Post by **Blade** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 8:33 pm

I use the Super Joybox 4-Player Adapter, and it works fairly well on such things as MAME.

stratos · Post by **stratos** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 2:54 pm

Blade wrote:I use the Super Joybox 4-Player Adapter, and it works fairly well on such things as MAME.

Has it perfect response and calibration for directional buttons??

stratos · Post by **stratos** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 3:38 pm

And also, from where I coul'd afford it without paying the shipping fee (free shipping, like yesasia)?

Blade · Post by **Blade** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 3:57 pm

I went to Lik-Sang for mine. Calibration is fairly good, although I'm not quite sure it's pressure sensitive for games like Metal Gear Solid 2, but the Dual Shock and Analog work just fine.

SAM · Post by **SAM** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 4:25 pm

I think it is time to gut the PCB of your half broken Microsoft Sidewinder pad, and built a custom joystick with Sanwa parts.

Forget about adoptors, all of them causes delays.

Otherwise found yourself a USP Saturn pad.

stratos · Post by **stratos** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 5:20 pm

SAM wrote:I think it is time to gut the PCB of your half broken Microsoft Sidewinder pad, and built a custom joystick with Sanwa parts.

Forget about adoptors, all of them causes delays.

Otherwise found yourself a USP Saturn pad.

Interesting... Thanks

but...

USP Saturn pad: what is? A Saturn pad for PC? I thought Saturn pad were good for accuracy in shmups, but not good as the Dual Shocks were...

icycalm · Post by **icycalm** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 5:42 pm

Sega makes a USB pad AND a stick that look like their official Saturn pads/sticks. Both are great quality. The stick, however, is not made with shmups in mind, because it's not loose enough. If you could replace the stick with arcade parts, that would be a perfect solution for MAME, with zero lag.

This thread should be in the hardare forum, though.

Eps · Post by **Eps** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 6:11 pm

stratos wrote:
SAM wrote:I think it is time to gut the PCB of your half broken Microsoft Sidewinder pad, and built a custom joystick with Sanwa parts.

This is what will happen to the crappy third-party Dreamcast controller that I recently picked up for about US$1.70

For the PC, I asked a few people and was eventually recommended the excellent Sega Virtua Stick for PC - I'd used the Saturn version (it's fantastic) but wasn't aware that Sega had made a verson for the PC/Mac too, with a USB connection

Though I have to stick up for the Sidewinder pad: I use it a lot for non-shoot'-'em-up games, specially on my SNES and Mega Drive emus

stratos · Post by **stratos** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 7:07 pm

icycalm wrote:Sega makes a USB pad AND a stick that look like their official Saturn pads/sticks. Both are great quality. The stick, however, is not made with shmups in mind, because it's not loose enough. If you could replace the stick with arcade parts, that would be a perfect solution for MAME, with zero lag.

This thread should be in the hardare forum, though.

I'm not good at these things... however I prefere to play with the pad, possibly Dual shock... I'll take the stik only if I don't find the pad, or an adaptor. However, thanks for your reply

And I posted the question also on the hardware board: I thought that a pad wasn't exactly related to shmups, but I'm speaking of D-pad accuracy for shmup manuevers, so I was wrong...

Post by **Shatterhand** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 7:45 pm

stratos wrote: Otherwise found yourself a USP Saturn pad.

Interesting... Thanks but...

USP Saturn pad: what is? A Saturn pad for PC? I thought Saturn pad were good for accuracy in shmups, but not good as the Dual Shocks were...

What? The Saturn pad is like 13513613616093573638720147.574 times better than the Dual Shock for shmups.

I have a PS2->USB adapter, and I use it mainly for PC gaming (Pro Evolution Soccer is wonderful). In MAME shmups, I get some laggy response, and it's basically useless for fighting games. I still don't know if it's just the Dual Shock that sucks (I never liked to play Shmups on PSX because of it neither), or the adaptor should be blamed too.

SAM · Post by **SAM** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 5:50 am

USB Saturn Pad:

I am talking of this PC game pad from Sega

http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-1i- ... 0-cj4.html

You guys don't know about it's extistance?

Well I guess that explains why it still in stock.

Blade · Post by **Blade** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 8:02 am

SAM wrote: Forget about adaptors, all of them causes delays.

That's not necessarily true, I've been playing Ikaruga, Dodonpachi, and several others with sharp response time. Maybe if you use some kind of TV Adapter there would be buffering, but that's the video feed's fault, not the controller adapter's.

SAM · Post by **SAM** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 8:20 am

Blade wrote:That's not necessarily true, I've been playing Ikaruga, Dodonpachi, and several others with sharp response time. Maybe if you use some kind of TV Adapter there would be buffering, but that's the video feed's fault, not the controller adapter's.

I rarely used Video adapter nor Game Pad adapter.

And definately not using both together.
(If I am using a TV adapter to upscan the image to a PC monitor, I should be playing on a console/PCB then.

Why should I need a game pad adopter to connect the console game pad to my PC?

On the other hand, when I use a Console game pad adopter to play MAME or PC game, the game is already running on my PC outputing VGA so why does I need a TV adapter then?)

In this case, I found USB game controller is definatly got a sharper response then using a console game pad with adopter.

Moreover a console controller adopter costs as much as a USB game pad, so why should you purchase a adopter in the first place?

Post by **Shatterhand** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 3:47 pm

To play Pro Evolution Soccer with 2 players

I never had a PC joypad before, all my PC gaming has always been done on controller, or in rare times (For GP2 and Freespace 2), in a big, chunky, analogue stick.

The day I got Pro Evolution Soccer for PC, I played 3 matches with the keyboard, and immediately went out and bought one of those adpaters

Metal Gear Solid 2:Substance also works like a charm with it.

Blame Konami and its shoddy ports

Blade · Post by **Blade** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:19 pm

Super JoyBOX also RULES MIGHTILY with the PC version Guilty Gear XX #Reload and Samurai Spirits V: Special.

On top of that, when you want to fulfill the urge of playing such 4 player MAME PC games (such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or D&D: Shadow Over Mystara), it really helps. As usually most PCs don't have that many USB outlets for controllers, plus using Game controllers you already have and are used to is always a cheaper way to go.

I tried using USB PC-based controllers, but alot of times the control scheme is designed poorly and feels awkward compared to console controllers where ergonomics are more suited.

I've never had problems with input slowdown (note: I also have USB 2.0, that might have something to do with it). It's also a good idea to Calibrate your control sensitivity before testing them out on a game right away anyway. Like for Super JoyBOX, in order for controller ports 2-4 to register from the USB, they have to be plugged in before the USB is inserted to be recognized.

stratos · Post by **stratos** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:59 pm

SAM wrote:USB Saturn Pad:

I am talking of this PC game pad from Sega
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-1i- ... 0-cj4.html

You guys don't know about it's extistance? Well I guess that explains why it still in stock.

I saw this before.... I really like the pink version, but I think the directional cross shouldn't be so accurate... it seem the classic cross that input "right-down" when you press "down"... and you end up crushing on the bullets... How do you feel playing with this pad? Find yourself comfortable?

Vertex Zenith · Post by **Vertex Zenith** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 2:12 pm

stratos wrote: So, I'd like to buy a very good product, highly responsive, not necessarily cheap, and I have to buy it from Italy (where I live). Please give me some advices if you know well wich is the best adaptor on the market, and possibly from where I coul'd afford them.

Or even a well made and direction balanced PC pad compatible with windows XP pro...

I posted the below in your thread in the Hardware forum, but I'll post it here also just to make more sure you see it:

I can recommend the Thrustmaster Dual Trigger 2-in-1 Rumble Force, or the Thrustmaster 2-in-1 Dual Trigger Gamepad. These gamepads follow the PlayStation button layout, except that they have even more buttons and the button-mapping is programmable and stored in an internal memory chip. In fact, these gamepads have two connecters at the end of the controller cable: one connecter is for USB on a PC, and the other is for PlayStation 2. Both of these gamepads are the same, except that the former has vibration feedback which works with both Playstion 2 and with vibration-feedback PC games, and the latter's vibration feedback works for only PlayStation 2. See:

Thrustmaster Dual Trigger 2-in-1 Rumble Force:

http://www.thrustmaster.com/eng/d_prd.php?p=T401&fam=5

Thrustmaster 2-in-1 Dual Trigger Gamepad:

http://www.thrustmaster.com/eng/d_prd.php?p=T174&fam=5

See also:

http://www.thrustmaster.com/eng/dsp_fam.php?fam=5

And look here for places around the world to buy Thrustmaster gamepads:

http://www.thrustmaster.com/eng/wheretobuy.php

Thrustmaster is a European company (its parent company is Guillemot Corporation, http://www.guillemot.com ), so you should be able to find a store relatively close to you that has these, even if you have to mail-order from an online store.

I have two Thrustmaster Dual Trigger 2-in-1 Rumble Force gamepads, and they work great. The construction of these gamepads feels quite sturdy; not cheap or flimsy. I use them for emulators on the PC. These Dual Trigger 2-in-1 Rumble Force gamepads come with software for use on the PC to get the vibration feedback to work with vibration-feedback PC games--but other than for vibration feedback on the PC, you don't have to install this software to get these controllers to work.

See also the below IGN.com review of the Thrustmaster 2-in-1 Dual Trigger Gamepad:

"Thrustmaster 2-in-1 Dual Trigger Gamepad--Even with PS2 and PC support and programmable triggers, is it worth your money?," Chris Roper, IGN.com, October 28, 2004:

http://gear.ign.com/articles/561/561506p1.html

Vertex Zenith · Post by **Vertex Zenith** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 2:26 pm

Interesting. I see that this thread which I clicked on and posted to in the Off Topic forum posts to the Hardware forum. Oh well, it's topical at any rate, even if there are two threads on the same forum derived from essentially the same originating posts by stratos.

professor ganson · Post by **professor ganson** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 6:47 pm

Anyone have any current suggestions on this topic? The Saturn pad is pretty hard to find, no doubt.

I'd be happy to have a good converter PS2 -> PC, so I can use my PS2 Saturn pad in MAME. Does anyone know about a good adaptor and where to get one these days?

I have a logitech PC controller that's ok, but not great. Given my limited skills, I have to do what I can to avoid even slight disadvantages.

Ganelon · Post by **Ganelon** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:00 pm

Pelican PS2-to-PS3 adapter is probably the best; works without a hitch on a PC.

Limbrooke · Post by **Limbrooke** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:13 pm

professor ganson wrote:Anyone have any current suggestions on this topic? The Saturn pad is pretty hard to find, no doubt.

I'd be happy to have a good converter PS2 -> PC, so I can use my PS2 Saturn pad in MAME. Does anyone know about a good adaptor and where to get one these days?

I have a logitech PC controller that's ok, but not great. Given my limited skills, I have to do what I can to avoid even slight disadvantages.

How funny. I have the USB Saturn pad and cannot locate any PS2 Saturn pads, like the shoe is on the other foot. This disparity can be translated to Yahoo Auctions too. When I needed the USB pad, I could only find the PS2 and now it's reversed.

If you scope out Yahoo enough you'll see there are always plenty (relatively) of the USB pads but the PS2 is a bit harder to come by and often more expensive now.

Ganelon wrote:Pelican PS2-to-PS3 adapter is probably the best; works without a hitch on a PC.

Interesting to note of that. I'll have to look into that.

Damocles · Post by **Damocles** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:36 pm

I've had a USB Saturn pad for two years now. After the rubber grommet underneath the d-pad broke I purchased two Saturn pads. One for the replacement grommet and one to internally convert to USB.

Total cost of the USB Saturn pad (converted from SS): $20.

professor ganson · Post by **professor ganson** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 12:05 am

Ganelon wrote:Pelican PS2-to-PS3 adapter is probably the best; works without a hitch on a PC.

Cool, found one at EB Games tonight! Thanks for the tip. I'll give it a try later.

Squirrel · Post by **Squirrel** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:03 am

I use a ps2>parallel port adapter, and I get Zero lag, period.

I know this because I had an ems usb2, and I couldn't play dance online using the controller, there was delay. Got the parallel adapter, zero delay, works perfect.

worstplayer · Post by **worstplayer** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 7:35 am

I have noname ps2->usb converter (similar to radioshack one). It works well as long as it's only thing on usb but whenever i have tablet or camera connected it starts to lag. Also vibration doesn't work and analog triggers are digital.

Squirrel wrote:I use a ps2>parallel port adapter, and I get Zero lag, period.

I know this because I had an ems usb2, and I couldn't play dance online using the controller, there was delay. Got the parallel adapter, zero delay, works perfect.

What's exact name of that adapter? This is something i was looking for.

worstplayer · Post by **worstplayer** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:58 am

Sorry for doublepost, but I just found out how to remove lag with USB adapter. You need to increase USB polling rate. 125hz is hardcoded in windows XP so you need this little hack. Set it to 500hz and bam, lag is gone.
It works perfectly for me. Almost too perfectly. Now i keep crashing into bullets because I REACT TOO SOON

WARNING: I found few comments saying that doing this could fry certain USB mice. Use at your own risk.

shmups.system11.org

PS2 Dual Shock 2 PC adaptor

PS2 Dual Shock 2 PC adaptor

Re: PS2 Dual Shock 2 PC adaptor