This feature provides a tactile stimulation to certain actions in a game. In games that support them, analog features such as these allow for amazing control over gameplay.Īnother feature of the Dual Shock 2 controller, actually the reason for its name, is force feedback.
By monitoring the output of each potentiometer, the PS2 can determine the exact angle at which the joystick is being held, and trigger the appropriate response.
Resistance is increased or decreased based on the position of the joystick. Current flows constantly through each one, but the amount of current is determined by the amount of resistance. Two potentiometers, variable resistors, are positioned at right angles to each other below the joystick. These joysticks work in a completely different way from the buttons described above. PS2 controllers also have two analog joysticks. This varying degree of conductivity makes the buttons pressure-sensitive! As the button is pressed harder, more of the disk comes into contact with the strip, gradually increasing the level of conductivity. If the button is pressed lightly, the bottom part of the curved disk is all that touches the strip, increasing the level of conductivity slightly. When the button is depressed, the disk is pushed against a thin conductive strip mounted on the controller's circuit board. Each button has a tiny curved disk attached to its bottom. Analog, Start and Select buttons in the top middleĪlthough each button can be configured to perform a specific and distinctive action, they all work on the same principle.four buttons arranged as a directional pad on the top left.