PsxNewLib is an Arduino library that allows interfacing controllers designed for the Sony PlayStation and PlayStation 2 with Arduino boards.
When I started developing my PlayStation to Commodore adapter, I originally used the famous library by Bill Porter to interface with the controller. This seemed to work well initially, but then a number of issues surfaced:
- It does not support non-DualShock controllers, which basically rules out all the excellent arcade sticks made for the PlayStation.
- It only supports bit-banging the protocol. This means that it can work on any pins, but since the protocol is essentially SPI, we could let the hardware take care of it, making communication more reliable.
- It just didn't work with some controllers, due to timing issues.
- It looks more like a quick hack at the code level, rather than a polished and maintainable library.
In order to take of these issues, I started working on a new library, and so PsxNewLib was born.
Currently, PsxNewLib provides access to the status of all digital buttons, analog sticks (on DualShock and later controllers) and analog buttons (on DualShock 2 and later controllers). It also provides functions to enable and disable the analog sticks and buttons.
Since v0.4, it also allows driving the vibration motors available on DualShock and later controllers.
It is compatible with a large number of different controller models, including the GunCon/G-Con light gun by Namco. Please see below for a list of which have been tested so far.
First of all, please note that this library depends on greiman's DigitalIO library, which you need to install as well. Unfortunately, the version that is available in the Library Manager has a bug that might cause an error during compilation. Because of this, I recommend not to install it through the Library Manager, but rather to get the master version and install it manually. You can also do that with my fork, which supports a few more platforms.
Moving on to the code, you need to decide whether you want to use the hardware SPI pins or not. According to this, you either have to instantiate a PsxControllerHwSpi or PsxControllerBitBang object. Then you can just refer to the example sketches to learn how to use this library, as the interface should be quite straightforward.
The API has a few rough edges and is not guaranteed to be stable, but any changes will be to make it easier to use.
Among the examples, there is one which will turn any PlayStation controller into a USB one simply by using an Arduino Leonardo or Micro. It is an excellent way to make a cheap adapter and to test the controller and library.
Follow the pinout in the following picture from the amazing CuriousInventor PS2 Interface Guide:
You are advised not to rely on wire colors, but rather on pin positions. The wires in the image come from an official Sony controller, I expect their colors to be fairly consistent among all Sony controllers, but you shouldn't really trust them.
I recommend using 3.3V power and signal levels. While everything will appear to work fine at 5V, PlayStation controllers are not made to work at that voltage and they will break sooner or later. Many of the tutorials out there ignore this fact, but they really shouldn't. You have been warned.
In order to make things as safe and straightforward as possible, I have also designed an Arduino shield that will work perfectly with this library. Please check it out and use it as your reference for all connections.
PsxNewLib aims to be compatible with all devices. I expect this to be the case with all the official controllers produced by Sony. Third-party devices should also work anyway. If you find one that doesn't work, please open an issue and I'll do my best to add support for it.
The following table contains the results of my tests, all done at 3.3V voltage level through my OpenPSX2AmigaPadAdapter:
| Manufacturer | Model | Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony | PlayStation Controller (SCPH-1010) |  |
Not tested yet |
| Sony | Revised PlayStation Controller (SCPH-1080) |  |
|
| Sony | Analog Joystick (SCPH-1110) | |
Informally known as the Flightstick |
| Sony | Dual Analog Controller (Japan, SCPH-1150) | |
Not tested yet |
| Sony | Dual Analog Controller (USA, SCPH-1180) | |
Not tested yet but likely to work, as SCPH-1180e does |
| Sony | Dual Analog Controller (Europe, SCPH-1180e) | |
Controller actually only has SCPH-1180 on it, but I'm assuming it's the European version since it was bought in Italy |
| Sony | DualShock Analog Controller (SCPH-1200) | |
|
| Sony | DualShock 2 Analog Controller (SCPH-10010) | |
|
| Sony | DualShock Controller for PSOne (SCPH-110) | |
|
| Asciiware | Arcade Stick (SCEH-0002) | |
|
| Logitech | Cordless Action (G-X2D11) | |
|
| Namco | Arcade Stick (NPC-102 (SLEH-0004)) | |
|
| Namco | neGcon (NPC-101) | |
Since v0.3 |
| Namco | JogCon (NPC-105) | |
Since v0.3 |
| Namco | G-Con/GunCon | |
Since v0.4, see the GunconAbsMouse example for details - Tested by @sonik-br |
| Taito | Densha de Go! Two-Handle Controller (SLPH-00051) | |
Tested by @tylau0 |
| Taito | Densha de Go! One-Handle Controller (TCPP-20001) | |
Since v0.4 - Tested by @tylau0 |
| EastVita | Wireless Controller | |
Chinese knock-off, cheap but with surprising quality, pretty similar to the Lynxmotion controller, probably goes under other names, too |
If you have problems, uncomment the DUMP_COMMS #define in PsxNewLib.h and watch your serial monitor.
If you want to use this library, you are recommended to get the latest release rather than the current git version, as the latter might be under development and is not guaranteed to be working.
Every release is accompanied by any relevant notes about it, which you are recommended to read carefully.
PsxNewLib is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL) v3. If you make any modifications to the library, you must contribute them back.
PsxNewLib is provided to you ‘as is’ and without any express or implied warranties whatsoever with respect to its functionality, operability or use, including, without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or infringement. We expressly disclaim any liability whatsoever for any direct, indirect, consequential, incidental or special damages, including, without limitation, lost revenues, lost profits, losses resulting from business interruption or loss of data, regardless of the form of action or legal theory under which the liability may be asserted, even if advised of the possibility or likelihood of such damages.
- Bill Porter for the original library.
- CuriousInventor for their excellent interfacing guide.
- Matheus Fraguas (@sonik-br) for helping getting the G-Con/GunCon supported.
- Eddie Lau (@tylau0) for helping with the Densha de Go! controllers.
- Kate (@katemonster33) for contributing Rumble support.
- All the other guys who helped understand how the PSX controller protocol works.