PlayStation controller for Android

[Tippon]

I remember reading about someone using a playstation controller for their Android phone, and connecting it through Bluetooth to play games, and also using a holder so that the controller and phone were clipped together. From what I’ve found, it needs to be a PS4 controller, and there are a few different holders.

Does anyone have any experience with these? I need one to hold an Honor 9, which is 3 inches, or 7.5 cm including the case. The clips seem to be about £10, and I can get a wireless controller for about £30 second hand. I’m guessing that unofficial pads are cheaper, but I haven’t got any experience with them.

Thinking while I’m typing, connecting my bluetooth headphones while I’m gaming would be handy too, so is there a way to connect two devices through bluetooth, or would I be better off with one of them being wired?

[PlaneMan]

I use the Shield controller, by far the best joypad I’ve ever used. It has a headphone port built in.

It isn’t cheap and might not be for you, it’s a personal thing whether you like the feel of it or not. It allows me to game for longer than I could with another controller because of my hands not getting as sore.

[Tippon]

Sorry for the slow reply, we’ve had a busy few days.

Thanks for the link, I know there was a separate controller for the Shield. It is a bit expensive though, especially as I don’t game much at the moment. The idea is to get a few more ROMs onto my phone along with some free games, then see how I go. You have reminded me that I’ve got a few Xbox 360 wireless controllers here though, so I’ll look into getting one of them working too.

The main thing I’m after is some sort of holder, whichever controller I go for, as I basically want to make a handheld system. If it can work with a OnePlus One as well, all the better, as I’m going to wipe and update that soon.

I’ve just found out that my current case blocks the headphone socket on the Honor 9, so that’s a pain. Some cables fit and some don’t ?

[The Duke]

I’ve had a PS3 controller on my phone, think it wad the note2, however I for info the Wii worked the best for most games, because most games only need a d pad and two buttons.

Playing old Mario roms for example just feel right with the Wii controller. As do most mobile games. Works perfect for game boy roms too.

I’m sure you can by cheap connectors to mount any controller to any phone.

[PlaneMan]

I used my wired Madcatz Xbox360 (licensed) controller for a few years on various Android devices. Only issue I had was button mapping in some games made it uncomfortable for more than a few minutes.

[Tippon]

Sorry, just noticed a typo in my last post. Should have said I *didn’t* know there was a Shield controller ?

Using the Xbox 360 controller needs either a USB OTG cable, or a wireless receiver, which defeats the object of a wireless setup. Doesn’t help that the new phone is the only thing I’ve got with USB C too, so none of my existing peripherals work.

Thanks Steve, I wouldn’t have thought of the Wii remote. I’ll have to dig that out and see if it still works, and look at what games I’ve got too. I’ll probably need more buttons for a SNES emulator though 🙂

 

EDIT: Just had another look on Amazon and saw this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/KevenAnna-Sminiker-Wireless-Bluetooth-Controller/dp/B01DJ5LDBM/

For the price, I’m going to give it a go. Both my phones have the power button just under where the clip will be, but as they’re fairly close to the centre of the phone, there’s not much I can do about that. I’m tempted to get this too, and load up on SNES ROMs ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/8Bitdo-XTANDER-8bitdo-Xtander-SF30/dp/B01CRHRMMC/

[Tippon]

Found out today the the Wiimote no longer works with Android. Apparently there’s been a change in the Bluetooth stack that stops it from connecting.

[The Duke]

That’s a shame, for me it was the perfect style of controller for mobile games game boy and nes roms.

Though tbh, the gb emulators/games work well without a pad. They are the games I waste my time on when I bored.

Good only knows why Nintendo haven’t released an official  emulator (app) with in game purchases for £1 or 2 a pop. It would take them one developer an afternoon to do it. And they would sell millions and millions of games that are atm worth zero to them.

Androids and ios, (thought they couldn’t have an game store within an app on ios) are powerful enough to to run everything unto the Wii u. There is no reason they don’t release upto the cube catalogues.

 

[Tippon]

That’s a good point. For £1 or two, I’d happily buy quite a few of my old SNES games, especially things like the Mario games, and Mario Kart.

On the plus side though, I’d forgotten that John GBC Lite uses onscreen buttons below the game screen, so they don’t block the view. I just need to dig out some of my old Gameboy games and see if it runs those too 🙂

[Tippon]

Tippon wrote:

EDIT: Just had another look on Amazon and saw this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/KevenAnna-Sminiker-Wireless-Bluetooth-Controller/dp/B01DJ5LDBM/ For the price, I’m going to give it a go. Both my phones have the power button just under where the clip will be, but as they’re fairly close to the centre of the phone, there’s not much I can do about that. 

Sorry, I meant to report back on this sooner.

It’s a great little controller, especially for the price. The clip is a little stiff when you first connect it to the pad, and the stand could do with being adjustable, but that’s it. The clip doesn’t quite interfere with the power button on either phone, and it’s completely out of the way when you’re gaming. It comes with a short mini USB cable to charge the controller, but it could easily be cable tied and hidden behind the screen if you’ve got a USB OTG connector, letting you use Bluetooth headphones instead.

I tend to hold controllers fairly upright when I’m playing, and thought that this would make the angle of the screen too steep, but the weight of the phone pulls it back a bit, so that the controller sits naturally in my hand. Obviously this might be different for others though.

The only downside I’ve found is that the buttons are labelled the wrong way around for a SNES controller, so A is B etc. Obviously nothing major, but it was really confusing until I realised. PSP games don’t seem to run too well on the Honor 9 either, but I haven’t had a chance to try tweaking them yet, or PPSSPP’s settings.

So, all in all, a great controller for the money

[Author]

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