PS2-based arcade machine control questions...

[Well Fed Games]

So, I'm in the midst of converting an old arcade cabinet into one that will have a PS2 as its "heart." For the custom controls, I was just going to use a MC Cthulhu board or the pcbs from some Tekken 5 Hori sticks, but was disappointed that so many of the arcade/2D gaming compilations for some idiotic reason were only compatible with the fully analog Dual Shock 2 controllers (for the life of me, I don't understand why Taito Legends 1 or Mega Man Anniversary collection couldn't be compatible with a digital-only pad, like the aforementioned Tekken 5 stick or any of the much easier to hack PS1 dual shocks).


So, having browsed many padhacking threads and google searches, I am still confused, and ask, has anyone found a relatively easy way to build a PS2 controller fully compatible with all PS2 games (I can't seem to find a comprehensive DS2 hacking tutorial)? Or should I should I just forget about it and play the games that ARE compatible, like the incredible Capcom Classics Collections 1 and 2?

(by the way, I am starting with PS2 because I have one to spare... I figure with a converter I can easily graduate into MAME-land later on if I want to).

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[severdhed]

maybe not a popular option, but have you looked at x-arcade? 

you can get the do it yourself kit and the playstation 2 adapter.  by default the joystick is mapped to the Dpad, but by pressing the proper button combo, you can make it act as the left or right analog stick (not truly analog, but it works)

http://www.xgaming.com/

[Well Fed Games]

maybe not a popular option, but have you looked at x-arcade? 

you can get the do it yourself kit and the playstation 2 adapter.  by default the joystick is mapped to the Dpad, but by pressing the proper button combo, you can make it act as the left or right analog stick (not truly analog, but it works)

http://www.xgaming.com/

Thanks for the suggestion. I think I'd rather build one myself, both to design something one of a kind and to use parts I already own (save a few buttons and some new sticks). Just hoping to come across a cheap trick to bypass the analog requirement in games that don't actually use it.

[severdhed]

yeah, i wouldnt suggest buying a pre assembled unit, but you can buy just their encoder...

http://www.xgaming.com/store/arcade-parts-and-accessories/product/x-arcade-byo-arcade-usb-ps2/

and their ps2 adapter

http://www.xgaming.com/store/x-arcade-adapters/product/x-arcade-playstation-2-adapter/

and use your own joysticks, buttons and build your own panel. 

i have a 2 player xarcade unit that i gutted to build into my first panel, it works great with the ps2.

[Well Fed Games]

Thanks for the links-- Looks like a viable option for sure.

[DJ_Izumi]

Don't forget to have external USB and video ports so you can jack in Guncons when you wanna! :3

[d7onr8]

Just hack dualshock ps1 pads, not the dualshock ps2 pads.  My cab runs that way just fine.

[Well Fed Games]

I must be dense then... I've got three dual-analog PS1 sticks of varying ages and certain games (like the two I mentioned in the OP) do not recognize them. d7onr8, can you post a link to the type of pad you hacked, and was it a soldered or solderless hack? Perhaps I just don't have the right kind- I've got the old grey and the newer white PS1 pads.

Anyone else had luck with this?

[d7onr8]

The PS1 dualshock pads I used where version H's.  The newer white PSOne dualshocks are usually version H's but I have one that is version M.  Reference 3/4ths of the page down http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick/pcb_wiring.html, specifically http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick/pcb_diagrams/ps1_diagram9.jpg.  I solder to my pads.

[Well Fed Games]

Hey, thanks a lot! I'll try to track down that type and see if I have any luck.

Edit: nevermind. I re-read that you used version Hs... that is what I have too, and certain PS2 games do not recognize those controllers. We must just have different game collections (unless your cab runs the first Taito Legends disc, in which case I am going to punt my PS2 out the window). Thanks anyway.

[d7onr8]

So you are using both a Grey PS1 dualshock Version H and a white PSOne dualshock Version H and it still doesn't work .  For your FYI, my cab is running two PS1 version H's from Grey controllers but I have also built control panels using Version H's from the white PSOne controllers.  I usually play fighting games and schmups and I haven't run into a game that wouldn't recognize the Version H's.  That's why they are usually recommended.  Just to confirm what you had already said on your end, I know for a fact that the Tekken 5 pcbs won't work for all games.  On my end, they don't work for Street Fighter Anniversary Collection so I wouldn't recommend trying to build a cab without using analog pads .  I haven't played any of the Taito Legends discs but from reading some reviews, it sounds like Operation Wolf uses the analog stick to control the cross hairs.  Have you tried Operation Wolf to confirm if your pads are in fact busted?  This little bit of info may or may not help but I've tried Capcom Classics 1 and 2 for Xbox using a PS2 to Xbox controller adapter and it works fine.  Let me know what else info you need.

[Well Fed Games]

Well, specifically those two games are the problem, Taito Legends 1 and Mega Man Anniversary Collection, mostly bugs me since they don't need to require analog- the developers could have bypassed that and just cloned the analog functions to the d-pad; they stall at a warning screen until a fully analog (sticks and buttons) PS2 pad is connected. I've decided that the many, many arcade game ports that DO work (Capcom Collections, SNK, Namco Collections, anything from PS1 days) with the parts I am using is enough, and if I ever feel too limited there is the option of PS2>USB converters and Mame.

Thanks for the help!

[AndyWarne]

This issue is the reason our PS2 control adaptors (www.ultimarc.com/psx.html) emulate the analog controls being pushed right-across when the direction is activated on the joystick.

I agree that it is strange that these games require the analog controller when they can be played perfectly well on digital.