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[Sander]

Received this today, it's basically an adapter where you can plug in your PS2, GC or Xbox controller (and in fact, all three at the same time for multiplayer) and then connect to a USB port on your PC so you can use these console pads on your PC.

The package comes with a driver disk and installation was a breeze.

Unfortunately I don't have an Xbox controller handy at the moment so it's just GC & PS2 controllers.

DS2 config screen

Rumble tab and its submenu

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

GC controller

All buttons working
Analog stick and C-stick working
L and R are both analog
Shoulder buttons' digital click is also supported
Rumble working
Wavebird not supported - like all other adapters out there, the WB does not work unfortunately

PS2 controller

Everything seems to be working, including L3 and R3.


So far so good, on to...



THE TESTS

Test 1 - Super Mario 64 emulated in Nemu64

(Unfortunately Project64 gives a cricitcal error when starting on my PC, so I chose Nemu64 as the next best thing.)

GC controller

In one word: awesome. Resolution of the analog stick is great so you can go from tiptoeing to running with ease and the stick is highly responsive and precise. The buttons, well they are just buttons aren't they? They work as they should, no lag or anything.

PS2 controller

I had a problem with the analog stick sometimes not fully returning to its 'zero' state, causing Mario to tiptoe ever so slowly forward at times when I had already stopped using the control stick. I fiddled with the deadzone a bit but this didn't seem to do much. Not sure where the problem lies and if it is fixable. Other than that it works great.



Test 2 - Halo PC

GC controller

Why anyone would want to use a GC controller for the PC version is beyond me, but it works like a charm. Good response on both analog sticks and all buttons working. Only problem is a slight lack of buttons on the GC pad but that not something the adapter can fix now is it? (it's not that 'magic')

PS2 controller

Once again, great. All buttons working including L3/R3 and the analog sticks are as good as the DS2 sticks can be. The controller's layout is pretty good for Halo as well, maybe even better than the Xbox pad.



Test 3) Various SNES games emulated in ZNES

Both controllers work perfectly, although the DS2 is much better suited for SNES games of course.

(games tested: Super Metroid, Starfox, Super Mario World)



Test 4) Sonic 2 emulated in Gens and Kega

No problems.



MULTIPLAYER TESTS

On the back of the box the manufacturer claims 'Three players can play simultaneously'. Since I don't have an Xbox controller here, I'll test with just two.

With both the PS2 and GC pads connected to the Joybox, two controllers now show up in the config screen.

Multiplayer test 1 - Mario Kart 64 emulated in Nemu64

I'll be damned, it actually works. This is a very cool feature I must say. No problems or conflicts as far as I can see.

Multiplayer test 2 - Super Street Fighter II emulated in ZSNES

Yup, works very well.

Multiplayer test 3 - Sonic 2 emulated in Gens

Again, flawless.

All in all I am very pleased with it. It's quite cheap (I got it for $14,90 at http://www.play-asia.com ) and works very well, with a small bug in SM64 with the DS2. The ability to use up to three controllers for multiplayer is a very nice feature. Recommended if you're looking for one of these adapters.

The 3in1 Magic Joybox gets my official 'MGS3 Ocelot handgesture' as a sign of my approval (OK that was just an excuse to post that gif .

 

[axxxj]

cheers thats pretty useful right now as i need to get one so i can use a console (ps2 or xbox) contoller with PES4 PC. And with the impending release of Trackmania Sunrise it would be a good investment.

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

Great impressions. I had some questions... but you eventually got around to all of the important information. Scanning through the pictures now, what is "Hat Switch" in the test tab?

 

[callous]

That ocelot video is pretty funny. Did you do it?

 

[CO_Andy]

Sweet! I was wondering if these things were actually multi-player. Do these things work with the Cordless Action?

 

[Sander]

Thanks guys.

Great impressions. I had some questions... but you eventually got around to all of the important information. Scanning through the pictures now, what is "Hat Switch" in the test tab?

That is the D-pad.

That ocelot video is pretty funny. Did you do it?

That is me in the vid yes

Sweet! I was wondering if these things were actually multi-player. Do these things work with the Cordless Action?

I was thinking of combining this with the wireless Logitech, that would be perfect. Don't know if they work together though.

 

[Sander]

Small update: I got Project64 working, to test Goldeneye. Plays like a dream with the Dual Shock 2 and Nrage input plugin using a dual analog scheme (although only stick is analog of course, limitation of GE/N64).

The GC pad had a problem with the L trigger staying in its 'pressed' state. I solved it by disabling the analog portion of the triggers, but it means you have to press L/R all the way to the digital click to work, not ideal. Haven't had that problem outside of PJ64.

Two player multiplayer and those wacky 2.x dual controller schemes also work.

cheers thats pretty useful right now as i need to get one so i can use a console (ps2 or xbox) contoller with PES4 PC. And with the impending release of Trackmania Sunrise it would be a good investment.

It works with the Trackmania Sunrise demo btw, just tested it.

 

[SFA_AOK]

My machine has no floppy drive

 

[heidern]

Small update: I got Project64 working, to test Goldeneye. Plays like a dream with the Dual Shock 2 and Nrage input plugin using a dual analog scheme (although only stick is analog of course, limitation of GE/N64).

If you switch it to that 2 controller mode, you can assign it to you one dual analogue pad actually.

 

[Sander]

My machine has no floppy drive

It works fine without the floppy actually, XP automatically installs drivers. You just miss some options from the control panel like rumble etc.

If you switch it to that 2 controller mode, you can assign it to you one dual analogue pad actually.

You're right, I just tested it, fully dual analog control with a single PS2 pad. This rocks Thanks for the tip.

 

[Apharmd Battler]

Thanks for the info. Is this product readily available? This is the first I've heard of it.