PCMag reviews products, but we may earn affiliate commissions from buying links on this page.. Back in the day, you needed third party adapters or complicated USB hardware hacks to use the controllers from your game console with your PC. But thanks to a flexible design from Microsoft and some some enterprising hackers working on the PlayStation 3 gamepad, you can now easily use both controllers with your computer. While the Xbox 360 gamepad is extremely easy to set up, the PS3 gamepad is simple, but requires a few extra steps.
Xbox 360 If you have a wired Xbox 360 gamepad, you can just and plug it in. It will show up in the Windows Device Manager in the Control Panel, and you'll be able to use all the buttons, sticks, and pads, just like you would on your Xbox. If you have the wireless controller, you'll need purchase the Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Adapter ($10-$20 online). American Income Partners Gold Program Discounts For Seniors.
It's a USB dongle that lets you connect your Xbox 360 controller to your PC using the same wireless protocol the Xbox 360 uses. PlayStation 3 For PlayStation 3 controllers, you need to use a third-party driver called. The bad news is that it isn't as polished or integrated as the Xbox 360 controller driver. The good news, though, is that if your PC supports Bluetooth, you can play wirelessly without buying a USB adapter. Here's what you need to know: First, download and install the MotioninJoy driver. Next, run the installation program and launch the DS3 Tool. Plug the PS3 controller into the USB port with a mini-USB-to-USB cable and click the Driver Manager tab.
Click the “Profile” button, and you should see that your controller appears under the “Connected game controller(s)” drop down list. You can click on the Vibration. Guess what, MotionInJoy not only enable you to use your PS3 controller via USB, you can even use it as Joystick via Bluetooth. Read Below*** December 2017 update: Use the newest video link below which doesn't use the outdated. I'm using Windows 10 x64 version 1607 (build 14393.576) and latest beta release (v1.7.277.16103-BETA). After following all installation. @gustavo-momente gustavo-momente changed the title from Can to Can't connect PS3 controller using Bluetooth on Dec 21, 2016. Kriil commented on Nov 7, 2017.
Depending on whether you have a Sixaxis or Dual Shock 3 controller, one or two devices will be listed under 'Hardware Location.' Check everything under that section and click 'Load Driver.' The software will load the driver for the controller, which will require your confirmation (and might warn you that it's an unsigned driver). Once that's done, go to the Profiles tab to select the type of controller you have (PlayStation 3) and change settings like button layout and vibration. You can remap each button on the controller in the Options link next to the controller name, so you can set it to play however you want. Senior Analyst, Consumer Electronics Will Greenwald has been covering consumer technology for a decade, and has served on the editorial staffs of CNET.com, Sound & Vision, and Maximum PC.