One of my desires, regarding retro gaming, is getting modern controllers to work on Windows 98 system, specifically wireless controllers. And there´s been a development: https://youtu.be/lNddWqHl5WM
Yes, I finally got first hand confirmation that wireless Dualshock 4s WORKS on Windows 98! However, there are some problems that I need a little help with but before I dive into it, I´d also like to show this:
Those are USB-wired Spartan Gear Oplon controllers, they are very cheap and you can choose whether you wan´t to use DirectInput or XInput, DirectInput obviously being the preferred choice. And yes, you can use two of those bad boys at once if you wan´t to play with a friend! You need a USB 2.0 PCI adapter, nusb36.exe driver file and you Windows 98 installation CD. When you´ve installed your adapter and USB drivers, just plug your first gamedpad on your PC and install drivers from your Win98 CD. After this, plug your second gamepad in and repeat.
I can confirm that this particular controller doesn´t require any other drivers, but this isn´t the case with all gamepads. Some controllers need their own drivers and those typically won´t work with Windows 98. So don´t buy the first DI controller you find, make sure it doesn´t need its own drivers!
Now, I bought this
from a certain Nordic online shop because according to the description in both the website and the product, it´s suppose work on Windows 98. It doesn´t. The installer in the driver disc won´t finish and give´s this notification:
I also can´t find suitable drivers from the internet. So if you´re thinking about buying this dongle for your Win98 rig, DON´T!
Then I tested a Billionton UBTBR2 dongle, a very old Bluetooth 1.2 stick. It will detect and sometimes even pair with DS4 but it simply works unreliably and doesn´t connect again after rebooting. Not fun! If anybody has experience getting Bluetooth dongles (USB 2.0) working under Windows 98, PLEASE share your thoughts! Obviously, the newer the BT version, the better.
Regarding my videos, next I will make a video about getting USB file transfer and a wireless mouse to work on a Win98 rig, and after that a video about the Oplon gamepads. Wireless DS4s will be a video subject only when they work perfectly stable. 😀