Been in Wal-Mart lately? It is, of course, the standard mix of quality US products, cheap products thanks to the people from Bentonville, Arkansas, and the occasional even cheaper “Hong Kong” type item. Sadly, even their electronics aren’t immune from this.
Upon my visit today, I found the Gamemon USB Converter. A $9.90 USB box that can allow you to use Gamecube, XBox, and PS2 controllers on your PC (all simultaneously if you desire), along with a couple of USB 1.1. ports in hub form. I’ve always been a fan of these style of converters since they came to be six or seven years ago in the form of PSX to Parallel Port converters (I got one of those sitting somewhere still). So, does this product stand up? Does it work in the most driver-challenging environment out there now, Windows Vista?
The first answer? Yes! The device does work in Vista as long as you run the setup program first, which I have decided to post HERE so that anyone who loses the badly labeled mini-CD can re-download, it’s under 1 MB.
How’s the response time? Testing this in the Control Panel, Game Controllers, it recognized all of the buttons, both axes, and the control pad as well as the POV hat. Meaning, it will work with any emulator or game you like, and without the lag that some of these devices have.
I will continue to try this, along with the plugging in some Gamecube AND PS2 controllers (wired and wireless) and will continue to report my progress. There doesn’t appear to be as much as a mention of this on the web yet, so hopefully those tempted by the $9.90 price will have a resource.
Download: GameMon USB Converter Setup Disc (1 MB)
Update: There are some newer drivers available here if you do not want to use the setup disc ones. I, as noted in a future post, have yet to try them (blame moving), so give ‘em a shot and give some feedback if you would like.
Technorati Tags: Gamemon, USB Converter, Wal-Mart, PS2 to USB, GC to USB, XBox to USB
123 Responses to Gamemon USB Converter Review & Drivers
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
one gc controller doesnt go down well, the other i tried doesnt go left, both work fine on a gc, to run the setup program, change to run in 256 color mode. has anyone had similar problems with directions, in ssb kailera, i cant drop through platforms in one controller and i cant smash in the broken direction of each respective controller, or run/fast fall
What games is it supposed to work with when it does work. It works in the test screen, but not on PC or Internet games once installed. I’m running XP any one able to help?
Dont buy it, its not a very consistent device.
I am running Windows XP Pro SP2. I love this little box.
It works for me both on USB2 and USB1 ports. Make sure
that you install the drivers from the included CD before plugging
the device in. Go to Start–Control Panel–Game Controllers to test that
everything is working. The only issue I have found is that some programs have trouble detecting the analog sticks, as these use axes instead of whatever you would call the other kind of definition. I have verified this device (with PS2 controller) to work in:
Project 64 v1.6
Snes9x
Nemu64
Final Fantasy 7 FFVII PC
Continuum (except for analog sticks, working on that)
Works fine as a USB hub for an external DVD player
I also enjoy using AutoHotKey (nice all-round global keymapper
with scripting capabilities) to remap or link buttons. This can
also be used as a workaround for those having troubles with
certain buttons.
For those not wanting to pay the extra $10 for the
popular Adaptoid, this is a great buy.
I have this converter and found that the drivers that came on the mini disk were worse than the generic drivers windows supplies. I am trying to use a dance mat with this converter box. Can the pov hat be mapped to buttons? The right and left on the dance mat are right and left on the pov hat with this converter box, so it is impossible to do the jumps in ddr. Any help would be appreciated.
this handy little box worked out of the box on my linux setup , workes great for psx emulation, (my origional psx still works, but I like my PC screen better) lost the cd for windows drivers, thanks for the link for that.
I had to get my computer’s memory wiped a while back and therefore lost all of the data on the harddrive. i can’t find the disk for the convertor. The driver is installed but i need the utility to map the controller buttons, can anyone help me out?
guys, it works as a game pad. it doesn’t have keyboard or mouse emulation software so if the program doesn’t support game pads (many emulators have this problem, as well as a few games) it won’t work. also, with the whole d-pad not working problems, every controller i’ve ever had, most games and programs will not let you use both the dpad and the analog stick and you either have to turn the analog off or use keyboard/mouse emulation software. for those of you wanting to use your controllers with un-supporting programs or programs that doesn’t support it very well (a d-pad is a must with games like M.U.G.E.N.) download Xpadder from http://www.xpadder.com/ it’s a great little piece of software that works great with this lil gem.
This is one of the best $9 i had spent, I come to play a lot of psx games on my pc cuz i don’t have a chipped psx nor the magic swap cd, also play lotsa games that never reached american shores…. so i play a lot of emulated console games and using a PS2 or gamecube control for it is just neat!!!!
The only draw back, is that I get a DDR pad to play stepmania with this thing and i can’t do jump as was stated before, so i just mapped another up,down, left, right to the other buttons and when need to do a jump or, for example, keep pressing left but a right is coming closer, press the other button. Also, it has like some kind of lag, i had to press the button like 0.5msec before. But still, it’s pretty hard, but playing and mastering the game with this handicap will ensure that when you play on the normal DDR game o a console version, you’ll beat it!!!
Greatest $9 i have ever spent!!!!
Hey guys,
For those who have downloaded the drivers… http://www.chinagameware.com/download/display/5291754212d8ba840112d8f5e76a0014.shtml
In order to enable the Converts’ Settings right click the icon ->properties->Compatibility Tab->Check Run this program in compatibility mode->Windows 2000 from the drop menu->Apply->OK
Problem solved. Double click the icon and it should start.
cheers,
leo
http://www.chinagameware.com/download/display/5291754212d8ba840112d8f5e76a0014.shtml
FT8D91 Driver
1. Add the Dance mat Mode in the Converters’ Settings.
The Dance mat Mode is used for the dancing mat. It solves the problem that the left and right(up and down) direction can’t be pressed at the same time.
2. Solve the Gamecube controller is unresponsive when with only GC To PC Converter enabled problem in some computer.
Ver 1.1:
1. Solve the problem that the Convertor Settings can’t be used in some computer.
Ver 1.0:
The first edition of the driver
What should be updated in the coming Ver 1.3?
1. Add the Digital Mode
2. Add calibration function
For who ever is concern about Dance mat Mode on the adapter is has been updated by its latest driver. Works great on Stepmania.
http://www.chinagameware.com/download/display/5291754212d8ba840112d8f5e76a0014.shtml
FT8D91 Driver
1. Add the Dance mat Mode in the Converters’ Settings.
The Dance mat Mode is used for the dancing mat. It solves the problem that the left and right(up and down) direction can’t be pressed at the same time.
Did anyone figure out how to get it to work with simultaneous button press in Stepmania with a DDR pad?
I can’t get this game controller to work.It works on the test screen but not with the pc and other game when installed im running window vista can someone plese help me if you can.
thanks for the softwere when i bought the convertor it didnt have the setup disc at all ive been trying to git the setup program for allmost a year now
so thanks big time
How do I get my controller converter to work?
i am having problems trying to find out how to set my buttons to match my game im trying to use a ps2 controller with this to play final fantasy xi it worked on my old laptop but for some reason i cant figure out how to change the buttons now to get it to work with my game some help would be appreciated..
hmm
no comments? or suggestions?
I can’t get the throttle on the pedals to work – they act as buttons instead. Depressing the accelerator ends up in a massive wheelie as there’s no modulation! The coverter settings icon won’t load on my PC either
Anyone got any hints?
I got this last Christmas and it didn’t work right when i got it. I tried it yesterday with my PS2 Guitar used for GH2 and it worked at first, but then it just disconnects automatically for no reason.
I have to unplug and replug it in a few times to get it to work again. When i loaded Frets on Fire with the Guitar In it was working. It let me set the keys and strumming and everything.
Then when i tryed to play WITH the Guitar Control Keys set the game crashes. I haven’t got the PS2 to work for any game yet. It likes to keep auto disconnecting.
Same problem with the X-Box. I don’t think i have tried the Gamecube Controller.
I can’t get this thing to work with Gamecube dance mats at all. The dance mat mode either disables the controller or does nothing. I have other PSX/PS2 to usb adapters, so I mainly got this for the gamecube controllers, specifically the dance mats.
This seems to work fine but not with pc games left stick seems to be off to the left a bit i try to see if it was my controller but nope might be vista or the driver went into game controllers and tried a new ps2 controller same problem guess i’ll just have to buy a VISTA COMPATIBLE controller cause this gamemon device seems to off to the left a tad don’t know if xp has this problem though if i were you just go and buy a pc controller hmm but witch one should i buy for vista is so touchy!!!Oh and i can’t turn the analog off and just use the pov that sucks….
Well the driver above helped a little but now both sticks don’t want to reposition their selfs correctly i give up on this one but i didn’t seem to have these issues in xp just vista but the wierd thing is it only seems to to it in pc games not on emulators n such go figure works fine there oh n someone delete my last post just now whats up with that? i just tried to get help with my issue maybe the 1.3 driver will fix this?
I cant get my comp to recognize anything. When I open the Game Controllers window, its empty. Tried installing and re-installing. Any advice?
there sumthing wrong with the chinaware website
is there another way to download the drivers
ok new problem i got into the website dloaded the driver but my pad still doesnt work im getting irritated
Hey, uh, if anyone is still on this thread, please help! I bought this thing today and I must say it works great! The only problems I have with it though are:
When I need to do some configurations of the controller I’m using, I have to press cntr+alt+del, then I can access the configs. Otherwise, My mouse is completely pointless. I can move the arrow around, but I can’t click on jack squat. Anyone know what this is about? And another thing is, I’ll be playing a game on an emulator, and like every 15 mins in the game, my controller, along with any simultaneous controllers along with it, will just completely stop. I have unplug the the main usb unit from the hub, and re-attach it to my computer’s usb drive. Anyone know what this is? Any help would be great! Thx!
-Frequenxy
Just wanted to know when the 1.3 driver’s are going to be out cause from what i have read it will fix the issue’s i have had with it.For the most part it does work pretty good though.Even in vista! Good product!
the program is installed correctly, and it won’t show the xbox controller plugin. it only says “GC TO PC CONVERTER” and “PS TO PC CONVERTER”…is that right? i only have a gamecube controller and one of the usb ports filled, will that affect anything?
[...] hong kong … but do they work? Read here to find out, and to get drivers if you lost your disc.http://blog.sav2880.net/2007/08/05/gamemon-usb-converter-review-drivers/Convert Hong Kong Dollars HKD to Japanese Yen JPY – Exchange RatesConvert, To, Result, Explain. 1 [...]
It worked for me. I bought mine around the time of the last post on here April 08, it sat around and now I hooked it up and I want another one but my walmarts out of them. sucks. New drivers are available on the manufacturers website now. It fixes the dance pad problems…
When I go to converters settings nothing happens…wtf
Okay I got to the converter settings, dance pad mode…still I miss everything. there is like a half a second lag that fucks it all up
PS, PS2 controllers work on Mac OS X 10.4.11 with CarvWare GamePad Companion installed (minimum requirement 10.1) but no dice with the original XBOX Duke “hamburger” controller.
FWIW, the Gamemon Mini USB Game Pad, and Gravis GamePad Pro work too.
I bought this and I am using it for stepmania I only have one problem … It works but it will only let me hit one button at a time and stepmania has jumps requring you to hit 2 buttons at once … what can I do to fix this?
um i cant get onto the website that the 1.2 driver is on can somebody email it to me at
J_JOSLIN135790@yahoo.com
Wanna know another little thing about this wonder
You can plug it on you PS3 via USB and then you can use GameCube and PS1/PS2 controlers on PS3 games. just tested on Soul Calibur IV, cuz I needed another controler and didn’t have another PS3 controller, so I tried and worked like a wonder, just the buttons on the PS2 are a little messed up, as like square being triangle, circle being square, L1 as L2, same for R’s and viceversa. But man, also tested and gamecube control, L1 button is the start button, so the game doesn’t have start button with a cube control. Didn’t tested a Xbox one cuz I like of one of those
This is is amazing!!!!!
I HAVE MS/ VISTA 64 BIT AND IT WONT INSTALL THE DIVICE WITHOUT A DIGITALY SIGNED DRIVER. ANY CLUE WHERE THE HELL I CAN GET ONE?
same here BLASTER2K6 Ive installed before maybe its the new updates screwing me over
I bought one of these last year at our local Wal-mart, and decided to do a little ‘Googling’ around the web to see what other people were saying about this little unit, before posting it on my site as a fun little gadget.
Mine has been reliable and fun, and yes, perfect Vista install. First thing I tried to do with it was use my NYKO wireless PS2 controllers with it, and it worked fine. Next I plan on trying my Logitech PS2 wireless controllers, and maybe eventually a Gamecube one or two.
Thanks for this review site–it made for good reading, and others should find it informative and helpful.
I bought this little gadget, and it works wonders whenever using controllers, although I have updated and updated the bitch to work for my ddr pad in stepmania, and it still suffers from the axes problem, I can jump at the same time now after installing the driver, but the buttons switch sides on me. It’ll work right for a while and then switch to the other side. i.e. left becomes right, right left, up becomes down, down up, and it does it off and on, its driving me insane because its impossible to play like that!!!
Not working on Vista 64, even with signed driver check disable. Admin. account.
It just stop the warning and still cannot load driver.
Works on Vista32, Xp pro
To all those peopl having trouble with the converter settings, I have a solution, right click on the shourtcut, Then click the compatibility tab, then check the checkbox: “Run this program in compatibility mode for:” and select Windows 95 from the drop down list, then apply, then run your conveter settings, Its made in china, so china was cheap, and took shortcuts, It only run on windows 95 Dx Not shure if anyone has posted this yet, but thats my solution!!
Enjoy your gaming!!,
Nick Lisowski
Dunno about anyone else with Vista 64 and this Gamemon USB, but I have issues trying to use it with 1.2 of the drivers. I found a way to get it to work but can be some work (atleast with official PS2 controller). First you need to install ready driver plus (breaks signed driver support in vista 64). Then you need to follow these instructions http://www.reabo.co.uk/_tutorials/usbadaptervista.aspx and unplug the gamemon, install the EMS USB2 driver, once installed plug in gamemon box, now you should see what looks like musical notes in the gamepad center of control panel, you should be able to use the PS2 now and the panel looks generic. You can stop there but if you want, now install the 1.2 drivers from gamemon, it should now showup as PS TO PC CONVERTER and everything PS2 wise works great, buttons, Analog/Digital stick and even vibration now works. I have only tested Need For Speed: Carbon but worked just fine. Good Luck, It might take some effort to get it going, but that seems to work well for me.
Thamks so much for the Gamemon usb converter drivers!! U are a god for that lil post!! Im not worthy Im not worthy!!! lmao!
Dear…
Can you help me…???
I got problem with my dancepad for stepmania (im using psx-usb converter). i have install driver for converter its work…
But the problem is when i want play in versus mode or couple (i have 2 dance pad) it’s not work…. both of dance pad became one dance pad….
any driver psx-usb converter driver that can recognize 2 dance pad???
Thanks…
Just loaded this up on Vista Ultimate, 64bit edition. It would not load the drivers included on either installer, but going through the Device Manager -> Browse for Hardware -> Select from List -> USB Human Interface Device. That brought my PS2 pad to a functional state, though it didn’t have rumble support. I have not tried a Gamecube controller and do not have an Xbox controller to try.
My first, and really only needed game pad converter. I love that you can play multiplayer with two different controllers from the same converter. Thanks for uploading the disc. Lost somewhere in my house. Would recommend for anyone.
wow this thing really work hey i stoped by walmart and i bought one of these and its works with all three controllers and the usb ports 2 damn and i waz like nope this iz not going 2 work it cost $9.oo but its works great with my nes emulatar
i’ve had mine for a few years. works great. Sometimes I use seperate drivers though, but they’ve updated the drivers since i last checked so i’ll look em up…