If it doesn't work with the adapter and you don't mind the expense, it will almost certainly work with a USB4VC: USB4VC: USB Inputs on Retro Computers!

I've got one and use a modern xbox one controller with all my old gameport machines and it works great!

PS1 controllers can be connected directly to a parallel port, if you're handy with a soldering iron.

jmarsh wrote on 2026-06-05, 22:28:

PS1 controllers can be connected directly to a parallel port, if you're handy with a soldering iron.

Wow, I have never heard this before! This is awesome!

https://www.raphnet.net/electronique/psx_adap … _adaptor_en.php

I have hung on to the two PS1 DualShock controllers I got with my Playstation back in 1998. I got my own PC in 1999, so this Playstation was the last console (non-handheld) I ever owned when new.

I always loved how the dpad buttons allowed for precise control when playing old games on emulators, and the whole thing feels really solid.

It would be really cool to be able to use them on old PCs using a parallel port adapter. I will add this to my laundry list of "rainy day" projects. 😀

I should probably add a slight disclaimer: PSX pads are actually meant to use an operating voltage of 3.6V, not 5V. Technically running them off the parallel port is overvolting them. But plenty of people have done it without adverse effects. It also means this warning:

If you have a laptop(or a modern computer(2004)), the parallel port maybe using 3.3 volts instead of 5 volts. In this case, you will need to power the controller from another source of 5 volts, and maybe you will need to convert logic levels with additional circuitry.

on the linked page is unnecessary; it's actually better to run the pads from 3.3V, if it's available. But 5V has always been fine in my experience.

AndreaColombo86 wrote on 2026-06-05, 19:39:

So I’m in the process of putting together a Win98 machine and, for the sake of nostalgia, I’d like to use a PS1 DualShock controller with it.

Has anybody here tried the EMS USB2 Dual Shooter adapter with Win98? How does it work? Does it require a specific driver?

Thanks!

I have an oldschool ps1/dualshock to usb adapter, and it uses generic hid drivers. Appears as a generic dual analog dinput controller.

wierd_w wrote on 2026-06-06, 02:35:

I have an oldschool ps1/dualshock to usb adapter, and it uses generic hid drivers. Appears as a generic dual analog dinput controller.

This is promising, thank you.

Do you mind my asking which adapter that is?

I understand advanced functions like controller vibration depend on drivers/software. Does your adapter come with any of that?

AndreaColombo86 wrote on 2026-06-06, 08:02:

I understand advanced functions like controller vibration depend on drivers/software.

... and on 7.5V power to the controller for the motors 😀

I'm not familiar with those converters but vibration seems to be a touchy thing both on D-input and PS1 sides (Dual Analog vs Dual Shock, latter is backwards compatible but not the opposite and the former did not have rumble outside Japan, assuming you bought one in the half year you could that is...)

i have a bunch of dual playstation usb adapters that i acquired trying to find the closest voltage match for finicky logitech wireless dongles. the best performing is actually the cheapest, most ubiquitous clear blue dual adapter that you will find all over aliexpress, ebay, amazon etc... manufactured in the last half decade (older models use different components). i use these usb adapters with win98se, win10 (both 32 & 64bit) and my nintendo wii console. there are modified drivers on github that even enable force feedback (rumble). for a win95rtm system with no usb i use directpad pro with a parallel port adapter and sneskey for pure dos, but only for wired controllers as the voltage is too high for the logitech dongles.

AndreaColombo86 wrote on 2026-06-06, 08:02:

This is promising, thank you. […]
Show full quote

wierd_w wrote on 2026-06-06, 02:35:

I have an oldschool ps1/dualshock to usb adapter, and it uses generic hid drivers. Appears as a generic dual analog dinput controller.

This is promising, thank you.

Do you mind my asking which adapter that is?

I understand advanced functions like controller vibration depend on drivers/software. Does your adapter come with any of that?

I am vistiting and helping a friend who is recovering from gallbladder surgery today, but will gladly take extensive documentation pictures of the item, pull it's VID and and PID, and attempt to find its OEM.

The adapter is quite old. Contemporary with win98. It does support rumble I believe, using Dinput forcefeedback api.

My old age afflicted memory says it was originally purchased at radioshack.

Ok, I finally got home. They abducted me for the weekend, and insisted I hang out. Sorry for the delay.

First up, here is the lsusb -vv output for the device.

1Bus 001 Device 007: ID 079d:0202 Alfadata Computer Corp. USB Game Device
2Negotiated speed: Low Speed (1Mbps)
3Device Descriptor:
4  bLength                18
5  bDescriptorType         1
6  bcdUSB               1.10
7  bDeviceClass            0 [unknown]
8  bDeviceSubClass         0 [unknown]
9  bDeviceProtocol         0 
10  bMaxPacketSize0         8
11  idVendor           0x079d Alfadata Computer Corp.
12  idProduct          0x0202 USB Game Device
13  bcdDevice            1.00
14  iManufacturer           1 
15  iProduct                2 USB Game Device
16  iSerial                 0 
17  bNumConfigurations      1
18  Configuration Descriptor:
19    bLength                 9
20    bDescriptorType         2
21    wTotalLength       0x0029
22    bNumInterfaces          1
23    bConfigurationValue     1
24    iConfiguration          4 USB GAME DEVICE
25    bmAttributes         0x80
26      (Bus Powered)
27    MaxPower              100mA
28    Interface Descriptor:
29      bLength                 9
30      bDescriptorType         4
31      bInterfaceNumber        0
32      bAlternateSetting       0
33      bNumEndpoints           2
34      bInterfaceClass         3 Human Interface Device
35      bInterfaceSubClass      0 [unknown]
36      bInterfaceProtocol      0 
37      iInterface              0 
38        HID Device Descriptor:
39          bLength                 9
40          bDescriptorType        33
41          bcdHID               1.00
42          bCountryCode            0 Not supported
43          bNumDescriptors         1
44          bDescriptorType        34 (null)
45          wDescriptorLength     104
46          Report Descriptors: 
47            ** UNAVAILABLE **
48      Endpoint Descriptor:
49        bLength                 7
50        bDescriptorType         5
51        bEndpointAddress     0x81  EP 1 IN
52        bmAttributes            3
53          Transfer Type            Interrupt
54          Synch Type               None
55          Usage Type               Data
56        wMaxPacketSize     0x0008  1x 8 bytes
57        bInterval              10
58      Endpoint Descriptor:
59        bLength                 7
60        bDescriptorType         5

61        bEndpointAddress     0x02  EP 2 OUT
62        bmAttributes            3
63          Transfer Type            Interrupt
64          Synch Type               None
65          Usage Type               Data
66        wMaxPacketSize     0x0008  1x 8 bytes
67        bInterval              10
68Device Status:     0x0000
69  (Bus Powered)

Give me a moment, and I'll upload images of the device.

And, attached to a win11 tablet. As you can see, it shows up as a generic usb game device. It needs no drivers.

Thank you a lot for this!!