Can You Use A PS2 Controller With A PS3? (& How To Make It Work)

Since Sony invented the PlayStation gaming consoles, the gaming industry has experienced tremendous improvement in its technology with users continually purchasing generations after generations of new gaming consoles when they are released. With PlayStation’s backward compatibility feature, users expect that a lot of features and peripherals of previous-generation consoles will be compatible with newer ones. In this case, users want to know if the PS2 controller will work with the PS3 console hence leading us to question its possibility. 

While the PS3 has the ability to connect to almost any controller as long as it has a USB connection, the PlayStation 2 DualShock2 controllers are not compatible with the PS3. However, you can connect the controller to PS3 consoles via a PS2 USB controller adapter that’s compatible with the PS3.

If you use the adapter to convert your PS2 controller to a compatible PS3 controller, some games may not be able to process the controller’s inputs due to the difference in both components’ software. In this article, I’ll share with you the possibilities of using the PS2 controller with a PS3 console and the steps on how to use it. 

Can PS2 Controller Connect To PS3?

No, you cannot directly connect the PS2 controller to the PS3 console due to the difference in the hardware and software components on both devices. 

Although the PS3 console is compatible with any gaming controller irrespective of the generation as long as it has a USB connection, the PS2 controller cannot be connected directly to PS2 consoles due to the difference in the connection port. However, if you have a PS2 USB controller adapter, you will be able to connect the PS2 DualShock2 controller to your PS3 console as it helps convert the PS2 controller connection to USB. 

Although backward compatibility works with the PS3 console, a lot of users expect the PS3 console to be compatible with PS2 peripherals like the controllers and so on. However, you cannot directly connect PS2 peripherals to PS3 because of the difference in their hardware and software components.

 On PS2, the PS2 controller has a different connection which is similar to that of the PS1 but the PS3 has a USB port connector instead which is the highlight of the hardware differences that makes it impossible to directly connect PS2 controllers to PS3. 

Just like how you can use PS1 controllers on the PS2 console because they have the same input connection port, you can also use PS4 pads on PS3 consoles and vice versa because they all have a USB port connection for their controllers. However, using the PS2 controller on the PS3 console is quite impossible if you’re connecting it directly but if you have access to a USB adapter that can help you convert the PS2 controller’s connection to a USB connection, then you will be able to connect the controller to your PS3 console. 

Although not all PS3 games will be able

to process the input made if you’re using a USB adapter for the PS2 DualShock2 controller because of the software interpretation, most games will be able to process the inputs and you’ll be able to play basic games that you love. 

Why Does The PS2 Controller Not Work With The PS3 Console 

There are various reasons why the PS2 controller isn’t able to work with the PS3 console, however, the major visible difference is the difference in the ps2 peripheral designs. The PS2 DualShock2 controller has a different connection design than the PS3 which makes it impossible for it to be connected directly to the PS3 console. Some other reasons why the PS2 DualShock2 controller doesn’t work with the PS3 console is the difference in their software implementations. 

The following are further discussions about why the PS2 controller cannot be connected directly to PS3 consoles:

Hardware Reasons

Hardware means the physical components of a device and as regards the PS2 controller, the controller has a different connection because of the available port for controllers on the PS3. 

This makes it impossible to connect the PS2 DualShock2 controller directly to PS3 consoles as the controller’s connection and the PS3 port aren’t compatible. Since the PS3 is a more upgraded version of the PS2, there ought to be a difference in both consoles’ hardware components, including their peripherals. 

PS3 consoles are one of the most versatile consoles in the gaming industry as it’s almost compatible with most controllers, as long as they come with a USB connection. 

However, if the controller has a different connection than the PS3 connection port, you won’t be able to connect it directly to the PS3 console just like the case of the PS2 DualShock2 controller. If the pad can be connected to a USB adapter, you may be able to use it but not all games work with different controllers especially if the game is specifically made to interact with a PS3 controller. 

Software Reasons 

The software technologies installed on the PS3 are specifically made to interpret inputs from a PS3 controller, sent in via a USB port. This is why some games will not interact with a PS2 controller that uses a USB adapter to interact with a PS3 console. The PS2 console’s technologies aren’t as upgraded as the PS3 console which makes it easy for PS3 to interpret controllers directly connected to its console’s USB port. 

If the software components on the PS3 were directly compatible with the PS2 DualShock2 controller, you will be able to use it to play all games irrespective of it being connected to the PS3 controller via a USB adapter. However, due to the controller’s old technologies, it can barely run with a PS3 console as they are both fairly compatible with one another. 

The PS3 console is also compatible with the DualShock PC controllers since the controllers have similar attributes to the PS3 DualShock controllers, however, just like the PS2 controllers, due to limited software technologies available on the PS3 which causes limitations when interpreting inputs from the pad, some games may not play with the controller. 

How To Use PS2 Controllers With PS3 consoles

To be able to use the PS2 DualShock2 controller on your PS3 Console, you’ll need an adapter. You can get this USB adapter on Amazon or any tech shop. The following are the steps to use the PS2 controller on the PS3 console: 

Step 1: Connect The DualShock2 Controller To The USB Adapter

After getting the USB adapter, connect the DualShock2 connection to the available port in the USB adapter. This way the connection is converted to a USB connection and can now be connected to the PS3 console. 

Step 2: Connect The USB Adapter Outlet To The PS3 Console’s USB Port

Once you’ve made sure that the controller is connected to the adapter’s port, you can proceed to connect the adapter’s USB outlet to the USB port on your PS3 Console. Make sure that the connection is tight and nothing is loose so all of the inputs will be easily processed on the console. Remember that not all games will be able to process the inputs from a PS2 DualShock2 controller, however, the majority will be able to process the inputs.

Once you notice that your inputs aren’t being processed, then you may need to get a PS3 DualShock controller that’s compatible with your console.