If you’re not using Steam and a particular game won’t natively work with the Xbox controller, the 360Controller software makes the controller work with macOS and gives you a few other controller-customization options (with one caveat—the software won’t work if you’ve paired the controller via Bluetooth, only over USB or with Microsoft. Game controller software, free download - Xbox 360 Controller, Hotspot Shield, TeamViewer, and many more programs.
I used to play most of my games on the computer. All of that changed when the next (that is, current) generation of consoles came out. For one, these devices had a considerable assortment of games and great graphics. Another consideration – perhaps most vital in putting me over the edge towards console gaming – was the price-quality.
In terms of hardware, consoles function as an opposite of gaming PCs. Usually, you upgrade a computer for it to match games specs. Console games, on the other hand, are adapted to the console’s specs.
I never got it over my heart to complete the switch, though. There is an amazing repertoire of indie games on the computer, the likes of which you just don’t find on a console. The next best thing is to bring a little console goodness to your desktop computer. You can even use your trusty old console controller to play games on your Mac OS X computer.
Flash games, indie games, blockbuster games; you name it. We’ll show you how to connect a game controller to a Mac, and make your Mac into a second console.
1. Connect The PlayStation 3 Controller ($4.99)
The PlayStation 3 Dualshock controller is a beauty. Black, slick, and with an impressive battery life. If you’ve tired of the amazing PlayStation 3 games10 Of The Best PS3 Games You Must Play [MUO Gaming]10 Of The Best PS3 Games You Must Play [MUO Gaming]This generation of games consoles is coming to an end, with the Wii U already having arrived to usher in the next-generation, and successors to both the PS3 and Xbox 360 expected in 2013. However,...Read More that are out there, why not connect it to your Mac OS X computer while you’re waiting for some exciting 2013 game releases10 Of The Best PS3 Games You Must Play [MUO Gaming]10 Of The Best PS3 Games You Must Play [MUO Gaming]This generation of games consoles is coming to an end, with the Wii U already having arrived to usher in the next-generation, and successors to both the PS3 and Xbox 360 expected in 2013. However,...Read More? Before we get started, gather your PlayStation 3 controller and its charging cable, and go to System Preferences -> Bluetooth.
You’ll be met with a pairing request, and asked for a passcode. Don’t worry about the passcode; you can enter anything you want here, but it should be something you’ll be able to remember. I suggest using 0000 or 1234.
After your computer finalizes the device pairing, you have to be quick. Otherwise, you’ll just end up with the device pairing screen again. With your PlayStation 3 controller selected, open the cog menu at the bottom left of the screen. First, select Add to Favorites, then Update Services.
Right now, your PlayStation 3 controller is connected to your computer, but it won’t do anything useful yet. For that, we need an application to interpret the PlayStation 3 controller’s signals. We’ll be using Joystick Mapper. It’ll set you back $4.99, but it’s one of the best applications of its kind.
Joystick mapper uses presets to interpret your PlayStation 3 controller’s signals. Selecting File -> Load Examples will populate the application with a number of example presets. Chances are these are all you’ll need, as they already include presets for mouse, first person shooter and flash games. You can enable a given preset by ticking off the checkbox to the left of it.
You can define your own controls by editing a sample preset, or creating your own. Doing so is very simple. If you’re creating a new preset, you’ll first have to add a new joystick (your PlayStation 3 controller). Then you can redefine, or add new control binds. Specify the input key of your PlayStation 3 controller at the left hand side, and the associated computer button at the right hand side.
To make things even easier, you can press the scan button to let Joystick Mapper automatically detect a given key. Just make sure you put your controller on a flat surface so as not to accidentally trigger the motion sensors.
2. Xbox 360 Controller
If you’ve never used your Xbox 360 controller with another computer before, the chances are you don’t have the prerequisite hardware yet. As we can’t connect the Xbox 360 controller over Bluetooth, you’ll either need a wired Xbox 360 controller, or Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Receiver for Windows. Don’t bother trying to use the charging cable that came with your wireless controller, as it transfers no data.
While you’re waiting for your order to arrive, have some more fun with your Xbox 360, and see if you’ve missed any of the top Xbox 360 games you must play10 Of The Best Xbox 360 Games You Must Play [MUO Gaming]10 Of The Best Xbox 360 Games You Must Play [MUO Gaming]At this time of year more than any other there will be a host of new console owners getting to grips with their system. And after they get bored of the games bought alongside their...Read More.
Wireless Mac Game Controller
To be able to use your Xbox 360 controller with your Mac, you’ll first need to install a driver. Tattiebogle’s Xbox 360 controller driver (which can be downloaded without charge) takes care of this, and provides a nifty interface for specifying the controls associated with your Xbox 360 controller. After installing the driver, simply open the newly added Xbox 360 Controllers tab in your Mac’s System Preferences.
3. Wii Remote
We already showed you how to connect your Wiimote to a Windows PCHow To Connect Your Wiimote To Your PCHow To Connect Your Wiimote To Your PCHow do you prefer to interact with your computer? Sometimes a mouse and keyboard just isn’t enough. Depending on what you’re doing, a completely different interface method is required for you to get the most...Read More. Connecting your Wii Remote (or Wiimote) to your Mac is a lot simpler! You won’t need any additional hardware, or premium software for this to work.
Before we get started, download DarwiinRemote, which can be found on SourceForge free of charge. Be advised that the official branch of DarwiinRemote doesn’t work on the later versions of Mac OS X. If it doesn’t work, you can download an updated version from here.
With your Wiimote at hand and DarwiinRemote running, you’re ready to get things rolling. Press the Find Wiimote button in DarwiinRemote, and hold the 1 button and 2 button until your Wiimote is detected by the application. At this point, you should be able to see some squiggly-colored lines populate the graph (this is data from your Wiimote’s acceleration sensors). If not, and if you’re using a recent version of Mac OS X, refer to the above paragraph.
By default, Darwiin Remote is configured for your Wiimote to play well with Front Row. If you want to define other controls, just open the Darwiin Remote preferences. Here you can add and edit existing presets for your Wiimote, Nunchuk, Classic Controller, mouse and Balance Board.
What controller are you going to pair with your Mac, and what games do you want to play with it? Drop a line in the comments section below the article, and let us know.
Image credit: PeterPhoto123 / Shutterstock
Explore more about: Game Controller, Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox 360.
Best Controller For Mac
The 'updated' version is a 404 error screen!
Simon, when I try to connect the Wii controller it asks password, it does not work, you tell me why?
that happened a few times to me but then it stopped