Setting up emulation of a PS2 controller

Danger

If you wish to also use USB Host, follow the PS2 controller + USB Host guide

Supplies

  • A controller built using one of the other guides

  • A microcontroller

    • The Pi Pico is recommended, but other 3.3v microcontrollers like the 3.3v pro micro may work. 5v only microcontrollers will NOT work.

  • A Schottky diode (a 20A diode should be plenty for this application, just needs to handle a >10V maximum reverse voltage)

    • While this isn't strictly necessary, it will protect you from plugging in both the PS2 and USB at the same time, and frying your PS2.

  • A PS2 controller plug

  • Some Wire

  • A Soldering Iron

Steps

  1. Connect pins according to the below table.

    For beginners we provide a recommended pinout below for each microcontroller. If these pins don't work for you, you can use one of the advanced pinouts below. Note that the Pi Pico has multiple channels, and SCK, MOSI and MISO need to be from the same channel.

    Adapter pinout

    Microcontroller SCK / Clock / Blue MOSI / Command / Orange MISO / Data / Brown Acknowledge / Green Attention / Yellow
    Pi Pico (Recommended) GP6 GP4 GP3 GP7 GP10
    Pro Micro, Leonardo, Micro (Recommended) 15 16 14 7 10
    Uno (Recommended) 13 11 12 2 10
    Mega (Recommended) 52 51 50 2 10
    Pi Pico (Advanced) Any Any Any Any Any
    Pro Micro, Leonardo, Micro (Advanced) 15 16 14 Any Any
    Uno (Advanced) 13 11 12 Any Any
    Mega (Advanced) 52 51 50 Any Any

  2. Connect the VCC on the microcontroller to the VCC on the plug, through the diode

    • On the Pi Pico, use VSYS
    • On the 3.3V Pro Micro, use VCC

  3. Connect the gnd pin to the gnd on your microcontroller.

Programming

  1. Start Santroller with your microcontroller plugged in.
  2. Hit Configure
  3. Click on Add Setting
  4. Find PS2 Controller Emulation in the dropdown and add it
  5. For the Pi Pico, set your SCK, MOSI, and MISO pins
  6. Set your Acknowledge and Attention pins