There are apparently no PS2-like controllers for the xbox. So, I'd
like to know if it's possible to hack a PS2 controller to be an xbox
controller.

So, if they exist, I'd like the specs for both of those controllers.
That means information on what voltages are sent over which color
wires when each button is pressed or each analog stick is used.

If the controllers are complex digital devices then it would require
more work, but instead of doing it in an analog way (by adding
resistors along particular lines to make the voltages match the xbox
expected voltages) then I could do it the digital way by putting in a
microprocesesor that checks the voltages sent to it by the PS2
controller and then broadcasts the appropriate information along the
output lines to the xbox.

In short, I need the specs for both controllers so that I know if this
is a project that I can do. And, if I can, then they'll let me know
what I need to do.

Of course, if someone out there has already done this then that would
make it even easier since I could just do what they did.

---

Request for Question Clarification by aht-ga on 25 Oct 2004 08:26 PDT

mxnmatch-ga:

Your best bet may be to simply buy a cheap adapter that will allow you
to use your PS2 controller with the XBox console. Given that such
adapters do exist, would you be happy with links to online retailers
selling these adapters? The cost is between US$13-20 per adapter.

Regards,

aht-ga

---

Request for Question Clarification by aht-ga on 25 Oct 2004 08:36 PDT

Incidentally, the MS uses a USB interface (ie. digital communications)
for the X-Box controller, whereas the PS2 controller has a
quasi-analog interface for communications with the PS2 console. In
order to convert from one to the other, you will indeed need a small
programmable controller that can take in the analog signals from the
PS2 controller, and encode them for transmission over the USB
interface to the X-Box console. It's a lot of trouble to go to,
especially with low-cost adapters available on the market.

---

Clarification of Question by mxnmatch-ga on 25 Oct 2004 15:31 PDT

If a converter like that already exists then sure, I'll do that! I'm a
bit disappointed about it because I had hoped to have this be a cool
project, but it wouldn't be cool if there was already a cheap way to
do it.

So sure, let me know the link to the xbox adapter for ps2 controllers.

I'd still be curious about the specs for the controllers though, so if
you could find specs for at least one of them that that would be cool.

mxnmatch-ga:

Here is a Froogle link to the various online vendors of PS2->X-Box
adapters that will allow you to use your PS2 Dual-Shock controller (as
well as some other PS2 peripherals) with your X-Box console:

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=%2Bps2+xbox+controller+adapter+-psx

I suggest getting one that enables the use of other controllers in
addition to the Dual Shock, just in case you ever want to, say, play
Dance Dance Revolution with the PS2 version's dancepad. One that
claims to work is:

http://www.buynshop.com/productinfo//VG-XBX-PS2X

Just be aware that, due to the need to convert from the PS2 comm
protocol to USB1.1 serial data packets, sometimes a momentary delay
can be introduced. In a game like DDR, it can mean the difference
between hitting a 'perfect' or hitting a 'miss'. Generally, though,
these adapters have rave reviews when used with Dual Shock
controllers.

Here is the detailed spec for the PS2 controller's communications:

http://www.altium.com/learningguides/CR0109_PS2Controller.pdf


Here's what's available for the X-Box controller's USB1.1 interface:

http://euc.jp/periphs/xbox-controller.ja.html

http://www.xbox-linux.org/Xbox_Linux_USB_HOWTO


Hope this meets your needs!

aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher

Wonderful! Thanks!

The link for "detailed spec for the PS2 controller's communications"
is NOT a document describing the playstation 2's controller interface.
 It describes the PS/2 interface for keyboard and mice.

volfy-ga:

Thanks for caching that, it seems I had my URL notes mixed up when I
posted this answer back in October. In case the customer, mxnmatch-ga,
is still interested, here is the information for the PSX controller,
which is compatible with the PS2:

http://www.gamesx.com/controldata/psxcont/psxcont.htm

Please note that the page has not been updated since 1998, and
furthermore that the microcontroller code example download link no
longer works.

Regards,

aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher

Now that's really useful to me!

I have the opposite problem as the poster.  I *HATE* the playstation
controller, but love the original XBox controller.  The link you
posted also has info on how to create a joystick.

Someone apparently translated the document you linked to into Chinese
(?) and that page DOES have a working link for the microcontroller
code.

http://member.netease.com/~jack/hwinfo/psxcont/psxcont.htm