PS2 to USB Adapter Mini Review

No_Style · Dec 23, 2004, 11:09 AM

Introduction

After work yesterday I decided to mosey on down Radio Shack and check if they had their Wasaki PS2 to USB adapter (Site says Nexxtech, but it's actually Wasaki). Well I found it and it was $5 more than my GC to USB adapter. (Both were from Wasaki.) I decided to pick it up nonetheless, since Radio Shack has a wicked exchange/refund policy. So how does this adapter stack up? Read on, gentle reader.

Experience With The Adapter

What can I say? Out of the box all the buttons and features work great. All 16 buttons~! This is including the dual analog push down buttons which caught me off guard! I didn't install the drivers for it and used WinXP's default because from my past experience with Wasaki's GC to USB controller driver. (They caused random inverting of the axis and button executions for no reason) The only thing the drivers would add on is vibration, and I personally can live without vibration.

So how does it feel to use a PS2 controller for games? It's great if you can find a game that will allow you to program anything and everything for a controller. The games I tested it with was NBA Live! 2005 and Street Fighter Alpha 3 (Emulated for CPS2 Arcade using Nebula 2.24). It worked marvelously, I took advantage of the entire controller which enabled me to do more than what I could with the GC controller. Be warned though, to make use of the D-Pad the game must be able to program the Hat Function.

Conclusion

Would I recommend this? Yes, absolutely I would over a any gamepad made for the PC. If you own a PSOne or a PS2 already and you want to play some games which would work better with a controller, I highly recommend you pick this adapter up. The Radio Shack I went to had one more left, I contemplate on picking it up as well.

Personal preference also comes to play here. Since I already own the GameCube to USB adapter, my brother and I have already deemed it to be a superior controller compared to the PS2 in terms of comfort level for every game except fighting games as well as games that require an obscene amount of functionality buttons. (MGS2)

If you can find the GC to USB controller, you don't play fighting games, don't feel the need for a lot of buttons, or need a X-Mas gift for that special gamer on your X-Mas list, this PS2 to USB adapter will do the trick!

Pros:

+Lots of programmable buttons (16 in total including the dual analog push down buttons)
+Works great straight out of the box with WinXP's default drivers
+Very economical if you already own a PlayStation controller

Cons:

-No vibration if you use WinXP's default driver
-More expensive than GameCube to USB adapter

9/10

Happy Holidays Everyone!

By Raymond "No Style" Lim

EcPercy · Dec 23, 2004, 11:32 AM

Sounds nice. Thanks for the review. I am going to have to pick one up! They are only $15.99

No_Style · Dec 23, 2004, 04:35 PM

Yeah, I just picked up another one

Awesome lil thingies.

Dark Lord · Dec 23, 2004, 05:02 PM

another ps2 adapter i would reccomend is the Tigergame Super Dual Box. ive been useing that with NFSU2 for the last month or so and it works great. all the ps2 buttons work with it, it has a rumble feature (not as nice as an actual ps2 game) and it supports 2 controllers.

http://www.mayflash.com/pc/pc013/pc013.asp

just a little FYI, if any ones looking to buy any of these adapters here in the states, you have to order them online. for some reason there illegal to sell here.

loudeye · Dec 24, 2004, 02:53 AM

i can also recommend the RockFire PS2/USB adapter. i've had it for about a year now, it enables all the dualshock buttons, vibration needs an extra thingy add-on. i got it for POP:SoT last Xmas and i don't know what i would've done without it - play NSFU with a keyboard ? no thanks...

i really want a GC/USB adapter, the GC pad is way cool, i love the 8-way joystick grooves.

fireball · Dec 24, 2004, 11:26 AM

Play.com sell a good PS2/USB adaptor for only £6.99, Has 2 slots for 2 Controllers as well. - http://www.play.com/play247.asp?pa=s...C&title=114167

Powercolour · Jan 15, 2005, 02:06 PM

lol i thought u meant ps/2 to usb adaptor...

doxology83 · Feb 28, 2005, 08:50 PM

That sounds cool, I would love to use my ps2 controller on my PC. The PS2 controller is the best controller anyway. My only question though is, does the dual shock still work, maybe been already asked i didn't read the whole forum. If it still does then it would be awesome as long as the compatability with pc games was high.

No_Style · Feb 28, 2005, 08:53 PM

Dual shock works if you install the drivers.

cjohnsto · Mar 4, 2005, 01:03 AM

Know where i can get one of these in Australia?

Dark Lord · Mar 4, 2005, 01:09 AM

dual shock on the one i use is a little iffy. i cant seem to get it to work right so i just turned it off all together.

as for getting one in australia, just order it off ebay. there cheap as hell.

Mazuko · Mar 12, 2005, 01:52 PM

I too own the Super Dual Box adapter and it works great w/ vibration and even supports the dance pad.

For only $6 on e-bay you can't go wrong!

SaberZ · Mar 17, 2005, 01:32 PM

Just picked one of these up last week, fantastic device.

Word of caution if you call Radio Shack and they say they don't have it, they are lying. We went down there after the call and sure enough they had them. Definetly worth it

daedal · Mar 20, 2005, 01:51 PM

Really want to pick up one of those; I have NFS:U 2 on PS2 but the PC version is so much nicer looking..

Dr_MalPractice · Mar 31, 2005, 05:01 AM

i've been looking for one of those adaptors for a bit now, but nowhere in ireland seems to stock them. i guess i'll just have to wait awhile until i'm ordering a bunch of stuff together, to make it worth the shipping from the UK.

BTW, i've cleared NFSU2 on ps2, xbox and pc, and the pc is definately the best, so long as you have a decent joypad of course. keyboards suck for driving games.