Playstation to Saturn pad converter

[buckoa51]

Playstation pad to Saturn, why would anyone want to do that? While the Saturn pad is widely regarded as one of the best digital d-pads ever made, the Playstation's Dualshock controller is more familiar to many gamers. Furthermore, some players may prefer the Dualshock's analogue stick over the official Saturn pad. Finally, let's not forget that there are a whole range of controllers available for the Playstation 2 that never made it to the Saturn.

The controller adaptor I'm reviewing here is the DDE Multimedia Joypad Converter. It's exterior is no frills, cheap and cheerful, mass produced plastic case (with evidence of extra holes for other types of converter probably manufactured at the same location). While the construction looks cheap, that's of little importance if the converter works well and fortunately it does.

Both digital and analogue controls are fully supported. Playing Nights with the Dualshock 2 is actually very comfortable. I was able to at least match my usual mediocre performance (What do you mean 'C' ?!). The analogue triggers are also emulated, though of course being a Playstation 2 controller these are digital, meaning the official Sega controller beats this converter for racing games like Daytona CCE.

As an added bonus, there's autofire for all of the controllers buttons, which can be activated by holding down select, R2 and any button on the PS pad. A slow motion (basically auto-fire on the pause button) function can also be activated in a similar fashion.

If you're looking for a high quality arcade stick for your Saturn, you will be delighted to know this converter works with joysticks too. That's true for the X-Arcade series of sticks and considering this I have no reason to doubt that other sticks would work too. As for other controllers such as racing wheels, I have my doubts and no compatibility is mentioned in the documentation.

If you want to get your hands on one of these, you'll probably have to search e-bay, or source them from Hong Kong:-

www.tototek.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=52&zenid=568095ca04bce56997538f354a7dab55

(I got mine from Lik Sang before Sony sued them out of business)

[bradcap1]

Thanks for the review. I have to say though that imo the playstation controller is hands down the worst ever made. So I'm not interested. I can see the dual shock controllers as a cheaper alternative to a twin stick controller for mech games like Virtual On though assuming that it would work of course.

[buckoa51]

I don't think the dualshock sticks can be used as twin sticks for Virtua On, no.

PS pad is fine, but the D-Pad is rubbish compared to the Saturns. Worst ever made is kinda pushing it, at least its ergonomic

[LJay]

Id rather use the standard saturn pad,definately not the dual shock-dam i hate the position of that left analogue stick

[bradcap1]

Ok then, the D-pad on the ps1 controller is the worst ever made. Although I don't like the 4 button format either. No idea why Sega adopted it for the Dreamcast or why Xbox did either

[termis]

IMO, mk2 saturn pad is the greatest digital pad ever made. PS dual shock pads are actually still pretty good in my opinion. But if I had to nitpick, I think the analog thumb controls are somewhat useless (not just PS ones, ALL analog thumb controls), as the range of motion is too sensitive for a small thumb knob to make it really useful for games that make it mandatory to have analog controls (driving sims, flight sims).

As for the 6 face button layout, the popularity of SF & clones during that era made it sensible to have such a layout for the system... but on the other hand, I can see how the 4 face button + 4 shoulder button is a more ergonomic layout for most games, as you have less to travel from one button to another.

Still, saturn pad >>>>> PS pad.

[buckoa51]

I seem to get on ok with analogue thumb sticks and I'd say worst d-pad ever was the CD32's, it tended to break down completely after about a month or two. Saturn's pad is definitely the better of the two though, I only use the adaptor for my X-Arcade.

[superdeadite]

Those adapters can be pretty handy at times. For example let's say you want to put your consoles in an arcade cab. For controls your going to have to pad hack 1 controller for every system you want to use.

Or just hack 1 playstation pad, then buy the adapters so you can connect it to all the systems you want to install in your cab. Saves hours of soldering work

[Negative Creep]

I've got one of those for the Dreamcast, haven't actually tried it though.

Oh and the worst d-pad ever is the Xbox 360 - just try playing Street Fighter on it!

[Antman]

why bother