Use a PlayStation controller on your lappy

by Christopher Grant { May 19th 2006 at 10:27AM }

For PC gaming on the go, you could always use the USB version of the superlative Xbox 360 controller (there's even a Mac OS X driver) but where's the fun in that? Instead, follow these simple (?) instructions to get your Dual Shock rocking on your laptop. You'll need: a spare parallel PCMCIA card; the "controller module" from a PS2; hacksaw; belt sander; lots of glue; a strong desire to have built-in Dual Shock support in your laptop.

We feel obligated to remind readers there are USB adapters that deliver such functionality sans belt-sanding (like this one), but this was never about convenience. This gets us to wondering if Sony's Bluetooth HID-compatible DualShake will work with computers that support Bluetooth. Seems like a sure thing, right? Tell that to the Bluetooth Microsoft mouse that refuses to work on my Mac. C'mon Sony: computer-compatible DualShake FTW!

[Via hack a day]

Tags: Controller card, ControllerCard, Dual Shock, DualShock, PCMCIA

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Amir @ May 19th 2006 10:31AM

Why? The Xbox 360 controller is so much more comfy (one of the reasons I'm planning to get one), and has official support.

JD @ May 19th 2006 11:01AM

Um, why not just buy one of these? http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2225,CONTENTID=9069

I know, where's the challenge in that?

Mitch @ May 19th 2006 11:18AM

As he said, it's not about convenience... it's about something cool to brag about. And I guess some people probably prefer the DualShock to the 360 controller, though I cannot imagine why on Earth that would be. Personally, I hate the DualShock.

Me, I've got an old Xbox controller hooked up to my PC. I used it so much that the wire literally frayed to the point that the controller didn't work anymore, so I soldered on a USB cable and downloaded drivers that someone else had made for their Xbox controller. It works great.

apoc06 @ May 19th 2006 11:28AM

Amir: I dont see it being a fair comparison to judge the two controllers, if youre comparing the x360 to the ps3.

Albeit the ps3 controller has the same form factor as the ps1 and ps2, the few changes made to it can make a significant impact to your gaming and comfort. Look at the change between the dualshock1 and the dualshock2. making the controller lighter definitely had a very positive impact. The analog trigger-buttons, and the adjusted placement of the analog sticks can make a marked difference. Hell, depending on how sony spins the movement detection, their controller may come close to solving the annoying mouse/keyboard vs. controller debate.

Some people prefer the dualshock to the xbox controller. Some swear by the wavebird. Some people prefer the original hamburger xbox controller to everything else. Everyone has their own preference. no need to criticize something you haven't experienced.

James Sorensen @ May 19th 2006 12:08PM

better yet, buy a dirt cheap usb adapter...

Mike @ May 19th 2006 1:05PM

Why must Joystiq use the word "sans" so much in their articles. I never heard of the word before coming to this site, and I cant understand why its used in every other article. Stop using that ugly word.

Dorkus Malorkus @ May 19th 2006 1:14PM

Yeah, I bought a PS2 to USB adapter from Lik-Sang for maybe 12 bucks, and use USB Overdrive on Mac OS X. Works great!

Don Jose @ May 19th 2006 1:34PM

For me, Dual Shock = hand cramps. I play ps2 at my friend's place every week or so, but I can never play more than 30 minutes without feeling like I'm at the onset of carpal tunnel. This is why I steered clear of the original PS, and the fact that it hasn't really changed in 10 years leaves a big-handed marathon gamer like me uninterested (I still don't understand how those huge pro athletes on "Cribs" can tolerate it).

With my standard gamecube controller (wirebird?), I was usually good for at least 3 hours (4 or 5) when RE4 first came out.

Since I got my 360, I've gone on 8-10 hour gaming binges almost weekly, with only the occasional cigarette/bathroom/fridge break to cut into my playing. It fits my large hands perfectly, and my 7-year-old cousin can reach all the buttons without stretching. Ergonomically speaking, there is none higher.

(sorry, this doesn't have much relevance to the computer realm, but I don't have a computer [of my own] and controllers are one of the parts of gaming machinery that I am most passionate about. �VIVA GAMEPADS!)

The ZeroCorpse @ May 19th 2006 2:50PM

Huh. I use a MS Wireless Desktop for Bluetooth on my Mac mini. The only problem is that it tends to lose coupling when I restart the system (which, since it's a Mac, is very rare).

I don't even use an MS Bluetooth dongle. I use the built-in Mac mini bluetooth.

Are you sure you're using that thing right?

Jeff @ May 19th 2006 3:54PM

So listen - here's my idea. Let's take a concept that has been perfected and put into the mass-market for dirt-cheap prices, and instead do it ourselves with some elbow grease and duct tape in the most difficult and time-consuming manner possible! And it probably won't cost any less, either! Yeah!

What's next, a homebrew PCI ethernet card made out of an old UNO set and a HAM radio? A mouse made out of pipe cleaners, discarded chewing gum and used popsicle sticks?

I'm all for funky mods of common items, but this is purely functional - and as a functional device, I just can't see how it's better than the $5 PS2-USB adapter I bought a bunch of years ago. All that time he wasted putting this together could have instead been spent screwing his girlfriend, or failing the availability of a suitable mate, something else equally productive. (No pun intended.)

Andir @ May 19th 2006 7:51PM

Your link to the USB adapter seems to be broken...as a matter of fact, the whole merconnet.com site seems to be broke :p

Henry @ May 19th 2006 7:51PM

Bleem anyone?

Andir @ May 19th 2006 7:54PM

@Jeff..

It's like I always say. Take what you could be making at a real job (your hourly wage) and apply that to whatever the activity is (changing your oil?). Is it worth your time to do it or do you just suck it up, pay them and maybe get in the extra time at work or your personal life? Personally, if this took even 15 minutes to make, I could have spent that time doing something way more productive. I wouldn't have the pleasure of sniffing flux, but to each his own.