Are you struggling to get your favorite PlayStation, Wii, or other non-Xbox 360 controller working with Guitar Hero 3 on your PC? Many players face this issue, wanting to shred on their preferred gamepad without resorting to awkward keyboard mapping. Fortunately, there’s a solution! This guide will walk you through using an Xbox 360 Controller Emulator to seamlessly connect almost any controller to Guitar Hero 3 and Guitar Hero: Aerosmith on PC. Get ready to rock without limitations!
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Before diving into the setup, make sure you have everything ready. Here’s a list of the necessary software and hardware:
- Xbox 360 Controller Emulator: This essential tool tricks your PC into thinking your controller is an Xbox 360 gamepad, allowing it to work with games like Guitar Hero 3. Download the latest version from a reputable source. (Please exercise caution and download from trusted websites to avoid malware.)
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package (x86 & x64): These packages are crucial for running the emulator. Download and install both the 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) versions from the official Microsoft links provided. This ensures compatibility regardless of your system architecture.
- MSVCR100.dll (If Needed): In some cases, the Visual C++ Redistributable Package might not install correctly. If you encounter errors, downloading and placing
MSVCR100.dllin your Guitar Hero 3 directory can resolve the issue. Download this DLL file from a trusted source if necessary.- MSVCR100.dll Download Link (Again, download DLL files with caution and from reputable sources.)
- Guitar Hero 3 or Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (PC Version): Of course, you’ll need the game installed on your PC. This guide applies to both Guitar Hero 3 and Guitar Hero: Aerosmith.
- Your Guitar Controller: This guide is designed to help you use your PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, or other guitar controllers. Ensure your controller is properly connected to your PC.
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Your Controller
Follow these steps to configure your controller for Guitar Hero 3 Pc using the Xbox 360 Controller Emulator:
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Launch the Xbox 360 Controller Emulator: Open the downloaded emulator application.
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Navigate to the “Advanced” Tab: In the emulator interface, locate and click on the “Advanced” tab.
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Select “AlternateGuitar” from the Dropdown: Under the “Advanced” settings, find the dropdown menu and choose “AlternateGuitar”. This crucial step tells the emulator you are using a guitar controller.
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Map Your Frets: Now, you need to assign your controller buttons to the in-game frets. Go to the “Controller 1” tab and map the following:
- Green Fret: Map this to the A button on the emulator interface.
- Red Fret: Map this to the B button.
- Yellow Fret: Map this to the Y button.
- Blue Fret: Map this to the X button.
- Orange Fret: Map this to the Left Bumper (LB) button.
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Configure Strumming, Whammy, and Star Power: Next, set up the controls for strumming, whammy bar, and Star Power activation:
- Strums: Assign strumming to your D-Pad (Directional Pad). Up and Down on the D-Pad will act as your strum inputs.
- Whammy Bar: Map the whammy bar to Positive Axis X.
- Star Power Tilt: Assign Star Power tilt activation to Positive Axis Y. If your controller doesn’t support tilt, you can map Star Power to another button.
- Select (Second Star Power): Map the “Select” button (often used for a second Star Power activation method in some controllers) to the Select button on the emulator.
- Start/Pause: Assign the “Start/Pause” function to the Start button.
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Save and Copy Files: Once you’ve completed the mapping, save the emulator configuration. Then, copy both the generated files, “x360ce.ini” and “xinput1_3.dll” (and “MSVCR100.dll” if you downloaded it), into your Guitar Hero 3 or Guitar Hero: Aerosmith game installation folder. This is usually located in
Program Files (x86)ActivisionGuitar Hero IIIor a similar directory depending on your installation path. -
Launch Guitar Hero 3 and Rock On! Start Guitar Hero 3 or Aerosmith. Your configured controller should now be recognized as an Xbox 360 controller, and you can start playing!
Tested Controllers and Systems
This method has been tested and confirmed to work with a variety of controllers and systems, including:
- Guitar Hero 3 v1.31
- Guitar Hero: Aerosmith
- Logitech Dual Action gamepads
- PlayStation 3 Guitar Hero 3 Les Paul Controller
- Windows 7 (32-bit & 64-bit)
This method likely works with other versions of Windows and a wider range of controllers as well. Experiment and see what works for you!
Troubleshooting and Tips
- Tilt Sensor Issues: If your Star Power tilt isn’t working, it might be a limitation of your controller’s drivers or the controller itself. Ensure your controller drivers are up to date. The emulator can only work with the inputs your controller provides to the PC.
- Emulator Not Working: Double-check that you have installed both the x86 and x64 versions of the Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package. If issues persist, try placing
MSVCR100.dllin the game folder. - Controller Not Recognized in Emulator: Ensure your controller is properly connected to your PC and that drivers are installed. Restart your computer and try again.
By following these steps, you should be able to enjoy Guitar Hero 3 on PC with your preferred controller. Have fun and rock on!
