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OS X Help! Gamepad Not Working With Mac

BigMacAttack1

BigMacAttack1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Feb 4, 2013
123
10
Bellingham, WA
I got this today and I cannot figure out how to get it to work with the Lego games that I have (LOTR, Star Wars, etc.). I can get into the games and the game recognizes the USB controller, but I can't do simple things like select "move up" to work on the gamepad. The gamepad is not recognized in my Finder anywhere, if that matters.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Gamepad...t=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item19c21031d6

Do I need a driver? If so, is there a good free one available?

Thank you!
 
BigMacAttack1 said:
I think i've figured it out--it does work, but only on some games. Odd, but I'll work with it for now.
Click to expand...

Most of the newer LEGO games require analogue sticks to play so your pad is lacking critical buttons so will not be supported. For the LEGO games that do work without analogue sticks it should be recognised.

Personally I recommend you buy a well known pad like a PS3 or a 360 wired gamepad. These have all the buttons needed for all games and due to their console origins are very robust and will last for years.
 
edddeduck said:
Most of the newer LEGO games require analogue sticks to play so your pad is lacking critical buttons so will not be supported. For the LEGO games that do work without analogue sticks it should be recognised.

Personally I recommend you buy a well known pad like a PS3 or a 360 wired gamepad. These have all the buttons needed for all games and due to their console origins are very robust and will last for years.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the reply. Would something like this work? It doesn't say it's for a Mac, but will my Mac recognize it and make it plug 'n play?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-GamePad...t=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item2c6b32cf64

I know it's not the best quality, but I'm just looking for something basic.
Thanks!

Or, better yet, how about simply getting this one? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Logitech-Du...t=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item33806c0f54

Finally, I'm curious why you recommend a wired USB gamepad? I found this wireless one that's pretty affordable and the idea of wireless sounds good to me: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wireless-Er...t=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item3f230c8ab9
Thoughts?
Thanks again for the feedback--much appreciated!
 
Last edited:
BigMacAttack1 said:
Thank you for the reply. Would something like this work? It doesn't say it's for a Mac, but will my Mac recognize it and make it plug 'n play?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-GamePad...t=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item2c6b32cf64

I know it's not the best quality, but I'm just looking for something basic.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

It will work with most games although you might have to ask us to make a plugin file as it is not a brand I have seen before. Also some Lego games have a strict list of supported pads that cannot be added to with plugin files so it might not be supported.

BigMacAttack1 said:
Or, better yet, how about simply getting this one? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Logitech-Du...t=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item33806c0f54
Click to expand...

This is a well known brand so should work with pretty much all games that have pad support.

BigMacAttack1 said:
Finally, I'm curious why you recommend a wired USB gamepad?
Click to expand...

I suggested a wired 360 gamepad not wired in general. The PS3 pad for example is wireless. The wireless version of the 360 pad requires a dongle which cost money. As you are looking at the cheaper gamepads I thought I would make sure you avoid buying a wireless 360 pad as it will also require a dongle.

BigMacAttack1 said:
I found this wireless one that's pretty affordable and the idea of wireless sounds good to me: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wireless-Er...t=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item3f230c8ab9
Thoughts?
Thanks again for the feedback--much appreciated!
Click to expand...

It will work with most games although you might have to ask us to make a plugin file as it is not a brand I have seen before. Also some Lego games have a strict list of supported pads that cannot be added to with plugin files so it might not be supported.

Edwin
 
Thank you! It seems that I should go with the LogiTech. Thanks again!



edddeduck said:
It will work with most games although you might have to ask us to make a plugin file as it is not a brand I have seen before. Also some Lego games have a strict list of supported pads that cannot be added to with plugin files so it might not be supported.



This is a well known brand so should work with pretty much all games that have pad support.



I suggested a wired 360 gamepad not wired in general. The PS3 pad for example is wireless. The wireless version of the 360 pad requires a dongle which cost money. As you are looking at the cheaper gamepads I thought I would make sure you avoid buying a wireless 360 pad as it will also require a dongle.



It will work with most games although you might have to ask us to make a plugin file as it is not a brand I have seen before. Also some Lego games have a strict list of supported pads that cannot be added to with plugin files so it might not be supported.

Edwin
Click to expand...
 
edddeduck said:
Personally I recommend you buy a well known pad like a PS3 or a 360 wired gamepad. These have all the buttons needed for all games and due to their console origins are very robust and will last for years.
Click to expand...

One important addendum: You can buy and use a 360 controller if you don't own a 360, but this is NOT the case with the PS3 controller. If you don't own a PS3, for the love of god don't buy a PS3 conroller for PC gaming. For whatever reason, the controller will only charge if there is a PS3 in the vicinity and that PS3 has to be powered on.

It's the weirdest thing. You can charge it with a PC or another device, but only if the PS3 is also on.

Anyway, long story short, you should probably just stick with a wired 360 controller as far as console controllers go.
 
My 2 Cents :)

Another strange thing about the PS3 Controller is that there are no less than 103.5 ways on how to use them with a Mac ( Mac OS ).

So , I needed another adventure :D

I went to Target , and bought there , Crimson Red / Target Only , PS3 Controller , and tried getting it to work with Mac OS / both 10.6 & 10.8.

It was crazy nut`s for awhile , but a few things I was able to find out:

1) You must charge the PS3 Controller before you can really know what is going on. You do not need to own a PS3 Console to do this. Simply plug the special USB Charge cable for a PS3 Controller into a USB port on your Mac , and then check your mail / surf the web / post on a forum or whatever for about 2 to 3 hours. Durning this time you will notice the RED flashing lights on the PS3 -C ( all 4 of them ). The lights WILL go out once the PS3-C is completely charged.

2) Open Sys. Pref. and select Bluetooth , make sure to check mark the Make Discoverable box.

3) Unplug the USB cable from the PS3-C , but not your Mac. Plug the cable back into the PS3-C and push the Playstation logo / button and hold for a few second ( just count to 5 and let go).

4) Unplug the PS3-C , and click the Make Discoverable box so that it is unchecked , then in a couple of seconds , re-check the make ( count to 2 ).

5) Click on the gear and make it a favorite.

Now what should be happening is the PS3 controller will be listed as connected but not paired , for get about it !! , it`s A-OK !
If you are running OS-X / ML then you can rename it anything you want , however if you have X.6 , then you will have to settle for the default name.

Now about those flashing lights I have read so much about !!

When you set this up for the first time after charging is complete there should be NO flashing red lights.

HOWEVER :
If you turn off , or sleep , your Mac , then , you can do one of to things.

Plug the cable into your Mac and PS3-C , hold the PS3 button and pull out the plug , the light should go out.

OR , you can turn on the PS3 controller by pressing the PS3 logo , and just let the red lights flash !!

Both way are ok , personally , I just plug it in and unplug it so I don`t have the flashing lights.

FINE PRINT :

Since there are now no less than 104 ways to hook up a PS3 Controller , this may or may not work.
I offer this freely , as just another POSSIBLE way to get the PS3 - C to work with a Mac and it`s OS.

IF , you use BootCamp , then I can`t help , Mac only :)

Have fun , I hope I have helped save someones sanity !!

Later :D

Gary 
 
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