Guitar Hero 2 (GH2) on PlayStation 2 is a classic for a reason, but many players quickly discover a frustrating compatibility issue: your standard PlayStation 2 controller just won’t cut it when you’re trying to shred on a DIY guitar. While a PS2 pad might work for the original Guitar Hero (GH1), GH2 demands something different, leaving many scratching their heads. So, what’s the deal, and more importantly, what’s the workaround to get your custom guitar rocking with GH2?
The reason boils down to controller type. Guitar Hero 2, unlike its predecessor, needs a digital controller with analog sticks. Now, you might be thinking, “Wait, the PS2 controller is analog!” And you’d be right – technically. PS2 controllers are indeed analog, even boasting touch-sensitive buttons. However, for reasons known only to the game developers (or perhaps buried deep in legacy code), Guitar Hero 2 specifically requires the input signal from a PlayStation 1 (PS1) controller. Why the game is so picky remains a bit of a mystery, but the community has long since found the solution: embrace the PS1 pad. This compatibility extends beyond GH2 to other titles built on the same engine, like Guitar Hero: Rocks the 80s.
If you’re serious about building a custom guitar hero controller that works flawlessly with Guitar Hero 2 on your Playstation 2, then a PS1 controller is your best bet. Let’s dive into how to wire it up. For this guide, we’ll assume you’re using a generic or third-party PS1 controller – even one with an “ugly shape,” as the original creator humorously noted – since the internals are what truly matter.
Here’s a breakdown of the essential connections you’ll need to make to map the PS1 controller to your DIY guitar:
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Left D-pad (Directional Pad – Down): Guitar Controller Identifier. Solder the connection as if the left d-pad direction is permanently pressed down. This crucial step signals to the PlayStation 2 that you’re using a guitar controller, not a standard gamepad. In-game, if you were to press this direction, it would typically open the tutorial menu, confirming the identification.
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GND (Ground): Common Ground for Switches. Ground is essential for all your guitar switches to function correctly. Fortunately, PS1 controller boards usually offer multiple GND outlets, making it convenient to establish ground connections for all components.
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Up D-pad: Strum Up. This connection will register as a strum upwards when activated.
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L2 Button: Motion Sensor/Tilt for Star Power (Option 1). The L2 button on the PS1 controller can be wired to a motion sensor or tilt switch. This allows you to trigger Star Power by tilting your guitar, mimicking the intended gameplay mechanic. Note there are two outlets available for the L2 button, providing flexibility in your wiring.
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Down D-pad: Strum Down. This connection will register as a strum downwards when activated.
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Select Button: Star Power Activation (Option 2). If you prefer a button-based Star Power activation, the Select button can be used. While its in-game function might be limited otherwise, it serves perfectly for unleashing Star Power.
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Start Button: Pause and In-Game Menu. The Start button retains its standard function, allowing you to pause the game and access the in-game menu, essential for navigating gameplay and settings.
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Square Button: Orange Fret Button. Connect this to your orange fret button. Be mindful that some PS1 controller boards may lack a dedicated solder pad for the Square button, potentially requiring a bit more care when soldering directly to the component.
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R2 Button: Green Fret Button. Wire this to your green fret button.
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Cross Button (X): Blue Fret Button. This will activate your blue fret button in the game.
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Circle Button: Red Fret Button. Connect this to the red fret button on your guitar.
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Triangle Button: Yellow Fret Button. This connection is for your yellow fret button.
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Y-axis of the Left Analog Stick: Whammy Bar Trimmer. The Y-axis of the left analog stick is repurposed for the whammy bar. You’ll need to connect this in a trimmer configuration, between GND (Ground) and Ucc (Voltage Common Collector), to allow for variable whammy bar control.
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Ucc (Voltage Common Collector): Power Source. Ucc provides the necessary voltage. It’s generally easy to locate a Ucc point on the PS1 controller board, providing a convenient power source for your whammy bar trimmer and potentially other components.
A Helpful Tip: Consider removing the rumble motors from the PS1 controller. Rumble functionality isn’t utilized in Guitar Hero games, so removing them can simplify your project and potentially free up a bit of space within your controller housing.
By following these wiring steps, you’ll be well on your way to creating a custom Guitar Hero Playstation 2 Guitar that’s fully compatible with Guitar Hero 2 and other similar titles, all thanks to the trusty PS1 controller pad. Get ready to rock!
