how to change ps3 controller to player 1

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Wired controller as Player 1?

Playstation 3, playstation 3 (playstation 3).

• Is there any way to force your PS3 to recognize a wired controller as Player 1 without manually changing it in the XMB menu every time you power on your PS3? CEOIII - 10 years ago - report

Top Voted Answer

• Turn it on first. If you have multiple controllers, the order you turn them on is the order the controllers will be. I.E. the first one powered on will be first player. You can also hold down the HOME button and you can change players from there. kratosdakota3 - 10 years ago - report 1   0

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Game > Playing PlayStation®2 / PlayStation® format software > Adjusting settings for gameplay

Adjusting settings for gameplay

You can adjust controller and display settings during gameplay. Press the PS button on the wireless controller during gameplay, and then select [Controller Settings] or [Other Settings] from the screen that is displayed.

Reassign the Controller

You can change the controller port or number assignment. If the controller port or number is specified by the software, assign the appropriate controller port or number. *

*  Controller port [2-D] cannot be assigned using the PS3™ system.

You can check the current controller assignments by pressing the PS button on the controller.

Switch Analog Mode

You can change the controller mode. Select a mode that is supported by the software. Note that some software will automatically select the mode.

Vibration Function

You can turn the vibration function on or off. This option is only available when using a controller that supports the PS3™ system's vibration function.

• This setting is effective for all connected controllers that support the vibration function.
• If this option is set to [Off], the controller will not vibrate even if the vibration function is turned on in the game.

Screen Mode

Switch the screen mode. You can set the screen mode only when 1080p, 1080i, or 720p is selected as the resolution in the video output settings of the PS3™ system.

Adjust the image quality of a PlayStation®2 or PlayStation® format software title.

With some software, the smoothing effect may not be noticeable or image quality may be reduced even if this is set to [On]. In this case, set to [Off].

• Some PlayStation®2 or PlayStation® format software titles may perform differently on the PS3™ system than they do on PlayStation®2 or PlayStation® systems, or may not perform properly on the PS3™ system.
• PlayStation®2 format discs cannot be played on some PS3™ systems. For details, refer to [ Types of Playable Discs ], visit the SIE Web site for your region or review the documentation that was included with your PS3™ system.
• About the XMB™ menu
• TV / Video Services
• PlayStation™Network

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2in1 x-adapter help & instructions - playstation 3 & original xbox- ps3 print.

Modified on: Tue, 29 Oct, 2019 at 4:38 PM

Download Manual | Printable Layouts | Instructions | Troubleshooting

NOTE: Sony® has previously attempted in the past to 'block' third-party hardware via Firmware Updates. Before updating your PlayStation 3 firmware, please visit this page. Though we have done everything possible to avoid compatibility problems with our hardware, we cannot guarantee or protect against Sony® 'bricking' your adapter. 

IMPORTANT – READ BEFORE INSTALLATION

• DO NOT plug the 2in1 X-Adapter™ into more than one console at a time. Doing so may damage the X-Adapter™.
• Make sure to note the section on Digital/Analog, which will alleviate many issues you may encounter. 
• Programming is for the PC/Mac™ only, and has no function on game consoles.
• The Trackball is not supported by the 2in1 X-Adapter™. You may however be able to use the trackball in the USB port of your console directly.
• PlayStation 3:  You will need to press  Select+Start on the X-Arcade ™  when you first plug in the controller or turn on the PS3 system (Lights flashing), and anytime you see "Press the PS Button" displayed on the screen.
• To access the PS3 Cross Media Bar (XMB) during gameplay, simply press Select+Start on the X-Arcade. You can also press and hold Select+Start to access the PS3 system menu.
• To reassign controllers, (using the controller you want to reassign) go to "Settings" in the XMB, go to "Accessory Settings", and choose "Reassign Controllers". Simply change to the number you prefer. See "Player Assignment" in the layout above for  LED color  association.
• To switch between Analog and Digital modes during a PS1 or PS2 game, press Select+Start, choose "Controller Settings" then "Switch Analog Mode". You can also reassign controllers from this menu.
• 4-player: If your PS3 console only has 2 USB ports, you will need to use a USB hub to connect for 4-players. 

PlayStation 3: You will need to press  Select+Start on the X-Arcade ™  when you first plug in the controller or turn on the PS3 system (Lights flashing), and anytime you see "Press the PS Button" displayed on the screen. To access the PS3 Cross Media Bar (XMB) during gameplay, simply press Select+Start on the X-Arcade. You can also press and hold Select+Start to access the PS3 system menu. 

OPERATION WITH GAME CONSOLES

On gaming consoles, the unit operates just like a standard gamepad, with buttons assigned to the arcade buttons. See the appendix for the appropriate button legend for your game system. You can play with four players using two X-Arcades™ and two 2in1 X-Adapters™.

Digital vs. Analog Control Overview: Handheld gamepad controllers for newer game consoles feature both digital and analog controlling devices, a D-pad and two analog thumbsticks. Most games use the D-pad and/or left thumbstick to operate a game. The X-Arcade™ supports only one digital joystick per player, therefore adjustments need to be made to select whether this joystick functions as the D-pad or the left analog thumbstick.    See the key legends for directions on switching between analog and digital on each console, but in general:

PlayStation 3™, Xbox™:    Side Button + Button 1 (Top-left) = Digital (D-PAD)    Side Button + Button 2 (Top-middle) = Analog 1 (primary thumbstick)    Side Button + Button 3 (Top-right) = Analog 2 (secondary thumbstick)

Analog Tilt Sensitivity While using Analog 1 mode (Select+Button 2) you can change how sensitive the movement is from normal full-tilt (default) to half-tilt sensitivity. Half-tilt sensitivity would be equal to moving the analog thumbstick on your gamepad to about halfway in any direction instead of fully (full-tilt). This is useful for games that you need more precise movement in, for example in a racing game, or to make your character move slower in your game.

Tilt Sensitivity Mode Toggle:    Side Button + Button 7 = Half-Tilt Sensitivity    Side Button + Button 8 = Full-Tilt Sensitivity (default)

DualStick Mode makes the second player joystick of a dual X-Arcade™ act like the right analog thumbstick on a gamepad. But it also makes the buttons on the player 2 side mirror those of the player 1 side, so the buttons on both sides can be used for single-player gameplay. As you may have gathered, this means that DualStick mode is for single-person gameplay, and requires a 2-player X-Arcade™ controller, it will have no affect on an X-Arcade Solo™ for example.

DualStick mode is toggled on and off by pressing the Modifier and button 6 simultaneously, and while in DualStick mode you can still change Joystick 1 between D-PAD and analog thumbstick as usual.

XBOX EMULATION - COINOPS

CoinOps is the ultimate emulator for the original Xbox console! It plays MAME arcade games and a whole host of console titles as well, all with a gorgeous frontend. It even has trackball support for the X-Arcade Tankstick, you will just need a USB-Xbox adapter cable . This will require your Xbox be soft-modded or have a modchip in it. Downloads for CoinOps CoinOps FAQ

X-Arcade Theme

TROUBLESHOOTING

• The first thing you want to do is test the X-Arcade™ on your PC using the X-Arcade™ Test Utility Program to check that all buttons are working properly, especially the Select and Start buttons. If your controller works in the X-Arcade™ Test Program, then your controller is fine. Run the X-Arcade™ Test Program .  
• Make sure all of your connections are tight and secure. If the X-Arcade’s™ LED light is on, you should have a secure, tight connection.

THE ADAPTER IS JUST FLASHING! You must press Select+Start to initialize the adapter and make it stop blinking. If this is still not working, unplug the 2in1 adapter from the PS3 console, turn off your PS3 completely by turning off the main power switch on the back of the PS3 console, wait a few seconds before turning it back on. Then once fully booted to the XMB menu, plug the 2in1 back into the console and try initializing it again. If it still does not work, try your controller on our test program to make sure all of the buttons are working, especially the Select and Start buttons. You can also use the PC USB cable that came with your X-Arcade™  to see if you can move around the main XMB menu on the PS3, this will tell you if your PS3's USB ports are working properly. 

I CAN’T MOVE AROUND IN THE GAME MENU! The game you are playing may require that you use the digital control to navigate the menu, you might be in analog mode (or vice-versa). Change the mode of your joystick as instructed.

THE CONTROLLER IS NOT WORKING ON MY PS3 GAME! Make sure that controller that you are trying to use is assigned to player 1. Some games can only be controlled with the controller assigned to controller 1. If the game will not start, reassign the controller to player 1.

MY CONTROLLER IS NOT WORKING ON PSX GAMES! Some older PSX games need to use True Digital mode.

HOW DO I ACCESS THE PS3 BUTTON FUNCTIONS? To access the PS3 Cross Media Bar (XMB) during gameplay, simply press Select+Start on the X-Arcade. You can also hold Select+Start to access the PS3 system menu.

PLAYER 1 AND PLAYER 2 CONTROLS ARE REVERSED! You either need to reassign your controller , have the cables reversed (Xbox only), or you are in DualStick Mode.

MY CHARACTER IS MOVING SLOWLY! You are in Slow Tilt Sensitivity Mode.

Using the 2in1 adapter on PC:

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Change Pad ID #530

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How to Use a PS3 Controller on a PC

Last Updated: January 19, 2024 Tested

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls . Travis Boylls is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Travis has experience writing technology-related articles, providing software customer service, and in graphic design. He specializes in Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux platforms. He studied graphic design at Pikes Peak Community College. The wikiHow Tech Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. This article has been viewed 1,180,081 times. Learn more...

This wikiHow teaches you how to connect a PS3 controller to a Windows PC with the help of the SCP toolkit program.

• To turn your controller on, press the stylized "PS" button in the middle of your controller.
• USB port locations vary depending on the type of computer you're using. If you can't locate the USB ports, check the sides or the back of your computer's CPU (desktop) or the back of the casing (laptop).
• If you're connecting your controller via wireless dongle, you may need to first install the dongle's drivers. Make sure you follow the on-screen prompts to do so after plugging in the dongle.
• If your PS3 controller is paired with your PS3, first unplug the PS3 from its power source.

• Make sure you're downloading the most recent version of the software. If you're on an out-of-date version's page, you won't see the green "Latest Release" sticker on the left side of the page.

• Click the checkbox next to "I agree to the License terms and conditions".
• Click Next .
• Click Install .
• click Yes if prompted.

• Also uncheck the box next to "Bluetooth" if your controllers are wired (e.g., you aren't using a dongle).
• A good rule of thumb here is to uncheck a box next to anything you aren't using.
• If you're using Windows Vista, you'll need to check the box next to "Force Driver Installation" in the middle-left side of the window.

• If you're using a non-wired controller, you'll need to select the USB device you're using to facilitate the connection under the "Bluetooth" section above the "DualShock 3 Controllers" drop-down box.

• Once the installation is complete, you'll hear a confirmation noise.
• At this point, your controller's drivers have been installed and you are ready to begin using your controller with PC games.

Community Q&A

• This process will also work for a PS4 controller, though you'll need to first unpair the controller from within your PS4's Settings. You'll also need to install DualShock 4 drivers and select a DualShock 4 controller instead of a DualShock 3. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• If you run into any errors, try uninstalling and then reinstalling the SCP toolkit. When you reinstall, make sure you install any prerequisites (regardless of whether or not you think you need them) and check the "Force Driver Installation" box when installing the drivers regardless of your operating system. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
• When you open the "Devices" manager on your PC (accessed by typing "joy.cpl" into the "Run" application), your PS3 controller will show up as an Xbox 360 controller. This is because the Xbox 360 controller is natively supported by Windows, while the PS3 controller is not. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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About This Article

1. Turn on the controller. 2. Connect the controller to your computer using a USB cable 3. Go https://github.com/nefarius/ScpToolkit/releases/tag/v1.6.238.16010 in a web browser. 4. Click the "ScpToolkit_Setup.exe" link to download the install file. 5. Install ScpToolkit. 6. Open the "ScpToolkit Driver Installer" program. 7. Click "Choose DualShock 3 Controllers to Install". 8. Check the "Wireless Controller" option. 9. Click Install For tips on troubleshooting common connectivity issues, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Controllers order, how swap ?

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I have searched during days google / youtube / forums and I did not see a functionality that would be necessary and useful an option to swap between controls, or even change their order

for example, you may have established that a wired control would be the first, and a wireless ps3 the second and a keyboard the third! days later you decide you want the wireless ps3 as joy1 but now it's late! or just a reset!

so an option could be made to change their order WILL BE GREAT

@wfraga in emulationstation, go into the retropie menu. Do you see joystick selection in there? If not go into "run command" option and enable it. Exit and restart your pi. Now when you go into the retropie menu you will see joystick selection. Now you can arrange the controllers any way you want for any retroarch emulator.

hi @edmaul69 thank you by the prompt help i tried this many times before and today after you tell too

but still showing only:

audio, bluetooth, config editor, es themes, file manager,raspi-config, retroarch, retroarch netplay, retropie setup, RUN COMMAND CONFIG, show ip, splash screens, wifi

but not about joystick selection

@wfraga did you go into runcommand config and enable joystick selection, exit then restart the pi? if so the problem is that there is more than 1 gamelist.xml for retropie menu and it didnt add it to the one that is seen first. Look in:

And look for joystick_selection. If it is not there look in:

you should see the joystick_selection listed there. It might not be listed in the first location. If it isnt in the first location then you need to add that whole section in there.

@edmaul69 Hi, I have seen you mention this a few times. As far as I know the joystick selection script needs to be manually installed. It is not installed by default. I even asked @meleu about this and he confirmed his script had not been incorporated into the setup script. Perhaps I have misunderstood.

@jonnykesh you will see i told how to manually install. he said he did so this was my next step.

@wfraga Use this. https://github.com/meleu/RetroPie-joystick-selection

@edmaul69 Ah, sorry.

Hello friends! Thanks for tagging me.

Let me say some notes about my tool:

To install it, use the instructions here: https://github.com/meleu/RetroPie-joystick-selection/#installation . If this method doesn't work, please let me know! I want to make it as simple as possible, avoiding to edit files manually...

Please, when linking my tool use this URL: https://github.com/meleu/RetroPie-joystick-selection

• Useful topics
• joystick-selection tool
• rpie-art tool
• achievements I made

Hi, sorry for the reply on a dead post here, but I am absolutely baffled with these github instructions. What do I download? Where do I install it on the pi? How do I make a .sh file executable? Right now, my Pi is convinced that my wireless PS3 controller is player 1 ONLY when it's plugged in. I would dearly like to correct this, and this module/update seems to be the ticket. Any further information would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

@koober728 As far as I remember doing it myself, you just enter the three commands listed unter "Installation" in the command console you get to by pressing F4 in Emulation Station. The first will download the installation script, the second will make it executable, the third the second will execute it. All done.

The only command not listed is one to delete the install.sh after successful installation. You can use this one: rm install.sh

You get back to ES from the command line by entering exit edit: or emulationstation .

edit: Included the changes @meleu did to the Instructions on https://github.com/meleu/RetroPie-joystick-selection/#installation .

@clyde I've updated the installation instructions trying to detail and simplify them a little bit. I hope it is more clear for newcommers ;)

Thanks for your suggestions.

Note that RetroPie does have basic joystick order selection built in. Via the configuration editor. Not as extensive as Meleus script but works.

To help us help you - please make sure you read the sticky topics before posting - https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

@meleu My pleasure. :) Thanks for keeping the instructions as newbie-friendly as possible.

I wonder if there's any technical difference between starting emulationstation or just exit 'ing the shell. I don't have my Pi in working order right now to test it, because I had to disassemble my upright cabinet for the finishing touches.

@meleu can this be done at a rom level or is it only possible at an emulator level? Reason I ask is because I built a 4 player arcade cabinet that mainly houses 3-4 player games but I also threw in some of the classics like Donkey Kong, Q-Bert, etc. My joystick order from left to right on the arcade is player 1, 2, 3, and 4. I would like to be able to set player 2 as player 1 when I am playing the classic games and set player 2 as player 1 and player 3 as player 2 on the two player games I have like Mortal Combat so you are using the middle controllers rather than the outside controller.

@doughrat19 Have you tried using the RetroArch gui (started with Select + X mid-game) and then re-arranging your controls from the controls section ? Use the 'Save game remap' function and if it works it could save the mapping for the game.

@mitu , right now my roms are a mess. I’m a newbie and learning as I go. I have multiple versions of roms that I am running on multiple emulators, not all libretro. I am going to do a cleanup and make sure all my roms are MAME 0.78 and use lr-mame2003 to run them. I will give your method a shot. One question though, controller 1 (port 0) has the ability to exit out of the games. If I map everything to controller 2 to make it player 1, will it have that ability or will it still be tied to port 0?

I actually came across this thread because I am building a system for my buddy who is currently stationed in Afghanistan, I’m going to ship it over to him. I got a SNES raspberry pi case with functional ports in the front of the case. It’s moves ports 2 and 3 to the front of the case (ports 0 and 1 are on the side). This thread was extremely helpful in allowing me to change port 2 to player 1, port 3 to player 2, port 0 to player 3 and port 1 to player 4.

This is now built into the Retro Pie Configuration Editor.

Configuration Editor -> 1) Configure basic libretro emulator options -> Pick your system or pick default for all -> 7) Choose joypad order.

From there just pick your order and you are good to go!

@Mr_Fix_It Thanks sooo much for this man I've been pulling my hair out for days with these bloody controllers. :)

• First post Last post Go to my next post

Contributions to the project are always appreciated, so if you would like to support us with a donation you can do so here .

Hosting provided by Mythic-Beasts . See the Hosting Information page for more information.

How to use a PS3 controller on PC

A guide for using the DualShock 3 wired and Bluetooth, from Windows 7 to Windows 11.

• Windows 10/11 setup
• Windows 7/8 setup

The PlayStation 3's controller, the Dualshock 3, was never meant to be used on the PC, which means it isn't exactly the easiest pad to plug in and start playing with. But are we gonna let that stop us? Obviously not.

The PS3 controller is still special, and there's a very specific reason to use it on PC, especially if you emulate PS2 or PS3 games. The Dualshock 3 has something the best PC controllers don't have: Pressure-sensitive analog face buttons. That makes the Dualshock 3 the best choice for playing games in the PCSX2 or RPCS3 emulators. Metal Gear Solid 3, for example, just doesn't play right without those analog buttons, a feature they had to modify for the PC port.

Longtime PlayStation gamers may also just prefer the feel of Sony's older controllers over the Dualshock 4 or Dualsense, which changed up the analog sticks and shape. Here's the best way to get your PS3 controller working on PC. On Windows 10 or 11, there's thankfully a very convenient tool that makes the DualShock 3 much easier to configure than it used to be.

Note: Steam actually has native support for the DualShock 3, meaning you can simply plug the controller in and set it up through the Big Picture mode Controller settings menu. However, Steam does not support the DualShock 3's gyro controls or (more importantly!) its analog face buttons, which are what we're really after. Follow this guide to get the PS3 controller working on PC with those buttons working, too.

Windows 10/11 DualShock 3 setup

What you need.

• Dualshock 3 and mini-USB cable
• Optional: Bluetooth dongle
• BthPS3 (optional, for Bluetooth)

As noted in the intro, keep in mind that Steam has built-in support for the DualShock 3 controller. If you plug the controller in with Steam running, you can then go to Settings > Controller > Desktop Configuration to customize your controls as you see fit. And if you want to play non-Steam games with the controller, you can add them to Steam with the "Games > Add a non-Steam game to my library" menu.

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But presumably you're here because you want to get those analog face buttons working. For years the go-to solution was ScpToolkit, a free, open source tool that did the job but was a bit of a beast to setup. The developer of ScpToolkit sunset the project in 2016, but has since followed it up with the new DsHidMini , a DualShock 3 controller driver specifically built for Windows 10 and 11.

Here's how to get setup with it.

Note: If you've previously installed ScpToolkit on your system or ever used Sony's PSNow streaming service, you may have some leftover files that will interfere with DsHidMini. Check this troubleshooting guide for help on removing those files before you begin the installation process.

DsHidMini setup guide

To get started, do not plug your DualShock 3 in yet . We need it unplugged for the moment.

If you want Bluetooth support for your DualShock 3, first download and install BthPS3Setup_x64.msi from the project's Github here .

Now download DsHidMini .zip from the project's Github here.

DsHidMini's walkthrough recommends having Windows User Account Control enabled for the installation process. This is the warning that pops up when you're installing new software. Normally I have this turned off on my PC, but it's easy to enable for this install process. Press the Windows key and type "UAC" to bring up the User Account Control Settings menu. Move the slider all the way up to "Always notify" and click OK.

Follow the rest of the installation instructions from DsHidMini's developer here .

There are only a few steps, so I'll bullet point them here to make sure you don't miss any: 

• Extract the .zip file and open the x64 folder
• Right-click the dshidmi.inf file and hit "Install" from the context menu
• Right-click on igfilter.inf and hit "Install" from the context menu
• Connect the controller via USB
• Right-click and run DSHMC.exe as Administrator

If you run into any issues, follow the troubleshooting guide here .

How to use the DualShock 3's pressure-sensitive buttons in PCSX2 or RPCS3

Now for the most important step: getting those sweet analog buttons working. 

In the DsHidMini Control software, make sure your controller is set to SDF mode (Single Device with Force Feedback). "The advantage of this mode is a 100% compatibility with all unmodified versions of PCSX2 with the LilyPad gamepad plugin (shipped by default)," writes developer Nefarius.

If you're planning to use your DualShock 3 with Steam or the RPCS3 emulator, use SXS mode .

In the emulators, select the DualShock 3 gamepad as your input and bind the buttons if necessary. In games that support pressure sensitivity, they should now work as they would on a real console.

How to use the DualShock 3 via Bluetooth

Good news: This part should be a cinch. Once you've followed the installation instructions for DsHidMini above, your PS3 controller should be working fine via a wired USB connection. And pairing it via USB should automatically pair it via Bluetooth, too! 

If you unplug the DualShock 3 and it doesn't work, check out the Bluetooth troubleshooting section of the walkthrough, and make sure your version of Bluetooth is supported .

Windows 7/8 DualShock 3 setup

• Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5  
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package  
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 runtime  
• Microsoft DirectX runtime  
• Xbox 360 controller driver (only needs to be installed on Windows 7) 
• ScpToolkit  

ScPToolkit installation guide

1. Download the software linked above, and start by installing the four Microsoft packages. If you're on a Windows 7 PC, you'll also need to install the Xbox 360 controller driver. On Windows 8, it's already built in!

2. Important step: plug your Dualshock 3 into your PC with a mini-USB cable. Now we can start making it work.

Bluetooth installation note: if you also want to be able to use the controller wirelessly, make sure you have a Bluetooth dongle plugged in or your motherboard's Bluetooth enabled. ScpToolkit notes you need a Bluetooth 2.0 or higher dongle that supports Enhanced Data Rate (EDR).

3. Download ScpToolkit and run the installer. After accepting the terms and choosing your install location, you'll get a menu of all the options to install, as in the screenshot above. I recommend leaving this to the default. Click Install to begin the installation.

Bluetooth installation note: Make sure the ScpToolkit Bluetooth Pair Utility option is ticked.

4. After about 30 seconds, ScpToolkit will be installed, and you'll see this screen, with a big green button that says Run Driver Installer. Since this is a fresh install, that's what we want to do. Click the button. 

5. This screen may look intimidating, but it's still pretty simple! Check the boxes for the drivers you want to install. In this case, we want to make sure Install Dualshock 3 driver is checked (it should be by default). Now click the arrow next to "Choose Dualshock 3 controllers to install" to see a dropdown list of USB devices attached to your computer. Find the PlayStation 3 controller in the list and check it.

Bluetooth installation note: Make sure the "Install Bluetooth driver" box is checked. Like you did with the Dualshock 3, click the arrow next to "Choose Bluetooth dongles to install" and find your Bluetooth device in the list. Check it.

Note: If you're on Windows Vista, check the box for "Force Driver Installation." Otherwise, leave it unchecked . Click Install. 

6. Watch the SCP Toolkit run through its installation process. You'll see lots of pop-ups on the side of your screen as it detects your hardware. Scroll to the bottom of the log and you should hopefully see "Dualshock 3 USB Driver installed" (and "Bluetooth Driver installed" if you chose to), signifying a successful installation. If all went well, click Exit. 

7. Now that it's installed, you'll see ScpToolkit as an icon in your system tray. Look in your Start Menu for ScpToolkit Settings Manager. Here you can change some settings like disabling rumble, adjusting analog stick deadzones, and more. Most of these settings you should be able to leave alone.

ScpToolkit starts up with Windows by default, and also plays some sound effects that you might find obnoxious. To disable them, click the Sound settings tab and uncheck "Enable notification sounds."

PCSX2 emulator note: The PCSX2 settings tab allows you to patch the emulator's LilyPad controller plugin to support the pressure sensitive buttons. If you plan to use your PS3 controller with the emulator, click Browse to navigate to your PCSX2 installation folder, then click Enable to install the patch. Voila!

Using your Playstation 3 controller on PC

Now that it's installed, the Dualshock 3 should behave like an Xbox 360 controller. Any game with native XInput support—pretty much any modern PC game that supports gamepads—should recognize it without a hitch. Unfortunately, this means that it won't register as a PlayStation controller to the few games that have native DualShock 4 support, so you won't get the correct Square/Cross/Triangle/Circle button icons by default.

Some games let you manually choose your button icons, though. Look for that in game settings! 

If you ran into issues installing ScpToolkit or using the controller, you can try posting in the official thread at the PCSX2 forums , but you may not get an answer. 

How to connect your PS3 controller via Bluetooth in Windows 7/8

How to use a: - PS5 controller on PC - PS4 controller on PC - Nintendo Switch Pro controller on PC - Xbox controller on PC

If you're not about that wired business, and followed all the Bluetooth installation steps above, you should be able to simply unplug the controller, and after a couple seconds it will sync via Bluetooth. You'll get a notification in the system tray when it does. Cool!

This works after a reboot, too. If you allow ScpToolkit to start with Windows, you should simply be able to plug in your PS3 controller again and it'll instantly be recognized. Once the LED is on, unplug the controller, and it'll once again be synced via Bluetooth.

If you have issues with Bluetooth, it could be that your dongle isn't supported. You may also find help in ScpToolkit's Github discussions . Bluetooth can be finicky, and any problem you run into could be due to hardware, or your particular version of Windows, or drivers… in other words, good luck. 

Not a controller person? Here's a round-up of the best gaming keyboards , and best gaming mouse .

Wes has been covering games and hardware for more than 10 years, first at tech sites like The Wirecutter and Tested before joining the PC Gamer team in 2014. Wes plays a little bit of everything, but he'll always jump at the chance to cover emulation and Japanese games.

When he's not obsessively optimizing and re-optimizing a tangle of conveyor belts in Satisfactory (it's really becoming a problem), he's probably playing a 20-year-old Final Fantasy or some opaque ASCII roguelike. With a focus on writing and editing features, he seeks out personal stories and in-depth histories from the corners of PC gaming and its niche communities. 50% pizza by volume (deep dish, to be specific).

How to use every generation of Xbox controller on PC

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How to Connect a PS3 Controller to a PC

Download and run ScpToolkit Setup.exe to install the necessary DualShock 3 drivers

In This Article

Jump to a Section

• Use PS3 Controller With Computer
• Use Wireless PS3 Controller With PC via Bluetooth
• Connect a PS3 Controller to a Mac
• Frequently Asked Questions

What to Know

• Run ScpToolkit Setup.exe and select Run Driver Installer . Check Install DualShock 3 driver and uncheck Install DualShock 4 driver .
• Select Choose DualShock 3 controllers to install , choose your controller, and then select Install .
• Bluetooth dongle: Check Install Bluetooth driver , select Choose Bluetooth dongles to install drop-down menu.

This article explains how to connect and use a PS3's DualShock 3 controller with a PC, with or without a Bluetooth dongle, so that you can play games on Steam without a mouse and keyboard. We cover computers with Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, or macOS.

In addition to your DualShock 3 controller and PC, you'll need a mini-USB cable and the following files:

• Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package 
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable Package
• Microsoft DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer

To use a PS3 controller on Windows 7, you also need the Xbox 360 controller driver, which is no longer available.

When you've assembled everything you need, here's what to do:

If your DualShock 3 controller is paired with a PS3, first unplug the PS3 from its power source, or else it can cause syncing conflicts.

Plug the DualShock 3 into your PC via a mini-USB cable.

If your computer doesn't have built-in Bluetooth support, plug in your wireless Bluetooth dongle.

Download and run ScpToolkit Setup.exe . It should automatically download all of the other files it needs, so just follow all the prompts.

After the ScpToolkit finishes setting up, select the big green button above Run Driver Installer on the window that pops up.

On the next screen, make sure the boxes next to Install DualShock 3 driver and Install Bluetooth driver are checked (if you have a Bluetooth dongle plugged in).

Uncheck Install DualShock 4 driver (and uncheck Install Bluetooth driver if you don't have a Bluetooth dongle).

Select the arrow beside Choose DualShock 3 controllers to install and choose your PlayStation 3 controller from the drop-down menu.

If connecting a Bluetooth dongle, select the arrow beside Choose Bluetooth dongles to install and choose your Bluetooth device from the drop-down menu.

Select Install . When finished, select Exit .

The ScpToolkit Settings Manager will then appear in your system tray. Select it to add another device.

How to Use Your PS3 Controller With Your Computer

Once installed properly, the DualShock 3 should automatically work with the Steam client and any PC game that supports gamepads. You may be able to adjust the control settings for individual games, but your computer will recognize the PS3 controller as an Xbox controller, so keep that in mind when adjusting the button mapping. When you're done playing, turn off the DualShock by holding down the PS button on the center of the controller.

ScpToolkit must be running for the DualShock 3 controller to work on your PC.

How to Use a Wireless PS3 Controller With a PC via Bluetooth

To use your PS3 controller wirelessly, you'll either need a PC with built-in Bluetooth compatibility or a Bluetooth dongle plugged in. You must plug in the controller before you can play wirelessly. After unplugging the controller, it should automatically sync with your PC via Bluetooth if the proper drivers are installed.

How to Connect a PS3 Controller to a Mac

Using a DualShock 3 controller with a Mac is much simpler than connecting it to a PC because the necessary drivers are already present in OS X Snow Leopard and later. But setting up wireless connectivity requires some extra steps.

If you have the latest version of macOS, you can skip steps 7-10 below, as the process has become more streamlined.

Reset your PS3 controller by inserting a paperclip into the tiny hole under the L2 button on the back of the DualShock 3.

From the Apple menu on your Mac, select System Preferences > Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth on.

Connect the controller to your Mac with a USB cable.

Hold down the PS button on your controller for 1-3 seconds until you see the red lights on top of the DualShock 3 flashing.

Unplug the controller from your Mac.

Click the + icon in the System Preferences menu, then select Bluetooth Setup Assistant .

When prompted for an access code, enter 0000 and select Accept .

Close the assistant and select PLAYSTATION3 Controller in the Bluetooth list in your System Preferences.

Select the gear icon and choose Add To Favorites and Update Services .

Turn off your Mac's Bluetooth and wait a second.

Enable Bluetooth again and wait another second. Your DualShock 3 should now work with games that supports controllers.

Once you set up controllers to be compatible with your PC, you can connect multiple PS3 controllers using a wired USB connection. You may not be able to use multiple PS3 controllers wirelessly.

You can use an Xbox 360 controller, an Xbox One controller , or an Xbox Series X controller on your PC without any extra setup. Just plug the controllers into your computer's USB ports.

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Modder Turns Rare PS1 Controller Into a Fully Functioning Handheld PlayStation

That's one creative way to recycle old gaming controllers..

While handheld gaming devices have seen a resurgence in recent years thanks to devices like the Analogue Pocket and Steam Deck, the modding community never ceases to amaze with their unique creations. One modder in particular has recently transformed a rare PS1 controller into a pocket-sized PlayStation handheld.

As reported by TechSpot , modder Hairo Satoh (@ haihaisb ) has posted about his functional PlayStation handheld. How did he do it? He used a Takara Roulette Controller, a rare officially licensed PlayStation controller released in the early 2000s. It was functional and had a colorful spinner smacked in the top center of the peripheral.

As you can see from the images below, Satoh has made it into a contemporary device, swapping the spinner with a small LCD display and adding L&R back triggers, USB-C charging, stereo speakers, a memory card slot, and a volume wheel. Since the form factor is too small to play PS1 discs, Satoh can play games like Resident Evil: Survivor via a PS1 emulator.

Rare PS1 Controller Turned Functional Gaming Handheld - Images

This is not Satoh's first time modded older gaming tech into something more contemporary. A look at his Facebook or Instagram pages will show various projects he has crafted, most notably Nintendo handhelds , particularly GameBoys . But a personal favorite of mine is this mod he did for a Nintendo DS , where he downsized the screen display so that you can flip back when you are playing a GameBoy-era game, for example.

Satoh joins a slew of talented modders who are making their own little gaming handhelds to play the games of yesteryear. Most notably, GingerOfOz has made multiple different portable Wiis , built a PS2 portable , and repurposed a Wii Fit Board into a functioning Wii , to name a few.

Blogroll Credit: Hairo Satoh / Instagram

Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

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