59
Using third-party controllers
While The Spectrum has been designed to work best with its keyboard, it is also
compatible with Retro Games’ THEGAMEPAD and THEJOYSTICK as well as some
third-party controllers and joysticks.
The button designations of most USB controllers follow one of the three conventions
established by Microsoft (Xbox), Sony (Playstation) and Nintendo. The following table
shows how the buttons of these, THEJOYSTICK, THEGAMEPAD and THECXSTICK
compare.
Xbox Playstation Nintendo THEJOYSTICK THEGAMEPAD THECXSTICK
A B Left Fire
A
B A Right Fire
B
X Y
X
Y X
Y
LB L1 L
L
RB R1 R
R
Back SELECT SELECT
M
Start START START
H
Home
If you have two controllers connected to The Spectrum and start a game using a
controller, then that controller will be assigned to the joystick port, usually acting as
player-1. The other controller will function as the player-2 joystick, if supported by the
game and congured correctly (see Mapping the controls).
CHAPTER 14
Using your own peripherals