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Thread: What's a reliable place to get a Gamepad to USB adapter?

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    Reticulating Splines BetaWolf47's Avatar
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    Default What's a reliable place to get a Gamepad to USB adapter?

    I've got a classic PC controller (Interact ProPad 4) which uses the GamePort interface. I've also seen a few others I'm interested in which use the same. Where can I get an adapter?
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    Cherry (Level 1) phreakindee's Avatar
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    Have you tried Googling? "gameport usb adapter" gives me tons of results, many shopping results too... the Manhattan seems nice, or those from Radio Shack
    Last edited by phreakindee; 10-13-2009 at 10:14 AM.
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    Quote Originally Posted by phreakindee View Post
    Have you tried Googling? "gameport usb adapter" gives me tons of results, many shopping results too... the Manhattan seems nice, or those from Radio Shack
    I'd rather have advice before I just go buying from the first place an internet search engine brings up.
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    eh just get a cheap sound card with the port (i think its a MIDI port). newegg, mwave etc. hell even ebay.

    a soundblaster live should do the trick. (the older, bigger 48 khz ones. not the slim looking newer ones with 96 khz)


    edit: here, 6.50 shipped. seems like a reputable seller
    http://cgi.ebay.com/Sound-Blaster-Li...item2a01b80aba


    if youre on a laptop, sorry i cant help. usb pc gamepads cant possibly cost more than that 20$ adapter though. and if thats where youre heading just get a wired 360 controller. or hell, even a ps3 one.
    Last edited by Poofta!; 10-14-2009 at 01:45 AM.

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    As far as I'm aware, there's no such thing as a reliable Gamepad to USB adapter. For some pads, there's just no substitute for a proper hardware port.

    I bet most of the ones out there use the same chipset anyway, regardless of manufacturer - much like the USB serial port adatpers.
    "There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge." --Bertrand Russel (attributed)

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    Another option is to ditch the old controller, and go for something like this:

    http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0317400

    I can't vouch as to its quality, but it might be something you can use in place of the old controller. There is a NES version too:

    http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0317401

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    Eh, I'd really like to use an old PC controller. The soundcard option is a no-go since I'm using a laptop and possibly a Mac in the future.
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    There are probably PCMCIA game port adapters, if you really want one.

    I did see a serial port joypad once, intended for use with laptops, but of course that would be an entirely new pad.
    "There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge." --Bertrand Russel (attributed)

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    Quote Originally Posted by BetaWolf47 View Post
    Eh, I'd really like to use an old PC controller. The soundcard option is a no-go since I'm using a laptop and possibly a Mac in the future.
    ah, well that there is your problem! lol



    anyway, flames aside, if thats the the case you should just consider getting a new usb pad altogether. i have never seen a pcmcia card with the midi/gameport (ok thats a lie, ive seen one, but it was ages ago and im sure its impossible to attain these days). you will spend more money and time finding of a good way to use that pad on your laptop that just getting a better pad.

    i remember i had the same issue with my MS sidewinder gamepad (i love that thing), eventually i just found out that they made a usb version, 9$ and a friendly ebay seller later, i was set. this was like a decade ago. ive long switched over to using the 360 pad for all my pc gamepad needs. although the ps2/ps3 pads work great too (need a converter for the ps2 pad, ps3 however just uses regular usb cord).

    also i recommend getting a usb saturn pad (ebay it). its like 15$ and has a pretty good d pad -- if you need that over analog (x360)


    edit: is THIS what youre trying to get to work??!!?
    http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...a%3DN%26um%3D1

    you SURE you dont wanna upgrade to this
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_SideWinder
    (as a bonus it works with macs!)

    i mean hell, you can get a used one for 15$ rather easily. (make sure you get the usb version).
    it has 6 face buttons and 2 shoulders. plus a start button and MODE button (which is just another button if you dont install microsoft's utility - which you shouldnt install anyway)
    Last edited by Poofta!; 10-16-2009 at 02:20 AM.

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    Thing is I already have quite a few USB gamepads.
    -Thrustmaster Dual Analog Rumble
    -Thrustmaster Firestorm Digital 2
    -Nyko Airflo EX (love this thing, but mine's broken x_x)
    -Logitech Dual Action

    I think we're just beating around the bush here. This isn't "give me a good alternative" thread, because I already have usable (heck, very good actually) controllers. I just want to be able to use older ones.
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    The only one I have tried (by Logitech) never worked, which is why I mentioned the Manhattan, which looks a lot higher quality than what I had. Still, I don't have one and have never heard from anyone that had...
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    well then throw down the 15-20 that the damn converter cost and be done with it. we're not beating around the bush. just saying there are better alternative to getting 15 year old dos hardware working today.

    buy it and try it. then post your experience here.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Poofta! View Post
    well then throw down the 15-20 that the damn converter cost and be done with it. we're not beating around the bush. just saying there are better alternative to getting 15 year old dos hardware working today.

    buy it and try it. then post your experience here.
    That's why I posted this thread... I don't know a reliable place to get one. This is more what I'm trying to get working.

    http://www.limundo.com/slika-PC-ProP...328316x400.jpg
    http://www.biocrawler.com/w/images/1...is_gamepad.jpg
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    wow, you know, ive used/had all three of the gamepads youve mentioned in this thread. haha.

    im telling you, its really not worth the trouble getting them to work. there are oh so much better usb gamepads out there today. just peruse the internets and you will find plenty.

    also, i dont think anyone will help you as far as how reliable a place is. just bbb and froogle for rating/complaints on the stores. worst case scenario you tell your credit card company you never got the item or cant get a refund and the CC company will go tear them a new one (as well as refund you the cash)

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    We should get a thread going about general gamepad discussion and recommendation.
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    I sense a new Forum Du Jour idea!

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    i actually like that oldschool logitech 4 button pad with the turbos. it was a great one.

    as i said i also really like the MS sidewinder (the 6 button + 2 trigger one) and the usb saturn pad. of course the 360 pad is now my standard.

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