It’s a common frustration for Guitar Hero enthusiasts: you’re ready to rock on Guitar Hero 2 (GH2) on your PlayStation 2, but your trusty PS2 controller just won’t cooperate as a guitar. Interestingly, this isn’t an issue with the original Guitar Hero (GH1); a PS2 pad can work perfectly fine for that. So, why is GH2 so particular about controller compatibility?
The reason lies in the controller type. Guitar Hero 2, and subsequent versions beyond “Rocks the 80s,” require a digital controller with analog sticks. While the standard PS2 controller appears to be analog – even boasting pressure-sensitive buttons – it doesn’t fully meet the specific input requirements for GH2 guitar functionality. This leaves us with a clear solution if you’re aiming for GH2 compatibility: utilizing a PS1 (PlayStation 1) controller.
For this guide, we’ll use a generic third-party PS1 controller – the brand isn’t critical, but for this example, we’ll reference a “Typhoon” brand pad. Let’s dive into the wiring process to transform your PS1 controller into a functional Guitar Hero Ps2 guitar. Here’s a breakdown of where each connection needs to be made on the PS1 controller circuit board:
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Left D-pad (Directional Pad) – Down Direction: Solder this connection point as if the down direction on the D-pad is constantly pressed. This action signals to the PS2 system that a guitar controller is connected. In-game, pressing “down” on this modified D-pad will typically open the tutorial menu, confirming correct setup.
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GND (Ground): Ground connections are essential for all the button and switch functionalities. Fortunately, PS1 controller boards usually offer multiple ground outlets, making it convenient for wiring various components.
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Up D-pad: This connection will be used for the strum up action on your guitar controller.
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L2 Button: This is designated for the motion sensor, which is used to activate Star Power in Guitar Hero games. You’ll find two outlets for the L2 button, providing flexibility in your wiring.
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Down D-pad: This will handle the strum down action.
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Select Button: Beyond pausing gameplay, the Select button can also be mapped to Star Power activation, offering an alternative or additional way to trigger this feature.
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Start Button: Crucial for game navigation, the Start button is used to pause the game and access the in-game menu.
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Square Button: This will correspond to the orange fret button on your Guitar Hero guitar. Note that some PS1 controller boards might lack an extra solder pad for the square button, so exercise caution when soldering this connection.
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R2 Button: This is for the green fret button.
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Cross Button (X): This is assigned to the blue fret button.
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Circle Button: This will function as the red fret button.
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Triangle Button: This is for the yellow fret button.
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Y-axis of the Left Analog Stick: This connection is used for the whammy bar trimmer. You’ll need to connect this point between GND (Ground) and Ucc (Voltage Common Collector) to create the variable resistance needed for whammy bar effects.
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Ucc (Voltage Common Collector): Ucc provides the necessary voltage for the controller circuitry. It’s usually readily accessible at various points on the board.
Important Note: For Guitar Hero applications, the rumble motors in the PS1 controller are unnecessary. Removing them is recommended to simplify the build and potentially reduce weight.
This guide provides the foundational wiring map. Remember to always double-check your connections and refer back to this step-by-step process during your controller modification. Happy rocking!
