Custom PS5 hitbox controller build

[Eternal21]

I started playing the game for the first time last night.  For a while I knew this would be the toughest game I'd ever attempt, so I figured if I'm going to spend the next couple of years going for 100%, might as well not handicap myself in the controller department.  After being unable to buy a XIM adapter anywhere, I decided to build my own Crypt of the Necrodancer controller, that wouldn't need to rely on a 3rd party device.  To that end, I ended up sacrificing my release white controller.  It wasn't a big loss, as it was already falling apart, and I hated the white color.  My approach was to simply 'remote' the buttons on the controller itself to the big buttons on a hitbox.  The advantage of this solution is that to the PS5, it looks just like your original PS5 controller, so you can use it wirelessly, and don't have to worry about any latency introduced by 3rd party adapters.  It will also work with any PS5 game.  The disadvantage is that you obviously can no longer use the L/R sticks, L2/R2 triggers or the touchpad, but luckily those are not needed for the game.

I also opted to use quick-connect terminals for the buttons, so I could easily remap the buttons without having to re-solder the wires each time, but turns out it wasn't really necessary as you can easily remap the buttons in the game itself.  Maybe it will come in handy for another title.
 

 

 

Required Parts:

1. Hitbox Controller Enclosure (with or without buttons if you want to customize yours)
2. PS5 Remapper (you just need the ribbon board, no paddles or other hardware needed)
3. 24mm Arcade Push Buttons (if your enclosure didn't come with them)
4. WASD keycaps (if your enclosure didn't come with them)
5. Cherry MX Red Keyswitches (if your enclosure didn't come with them)

Optional Parts

1. Blank PCB Prototype Board
2. Panel mount USB C Socket
3. USB C to USB C Cable 1ft
4. 2.8mm Female Spade Quick Connect Wire
5. Power Cable Daisy Chain 2.8mm Wire Harness
6. Nylon Spacer Standoff Kit
7. PS5 Stickers for Button Box

Useful Links:

1. Gamepad Tester (online tool to help troubleshoot any issues)
   1. Online Tool to DS5 mapping:
      1. B0:
      2. B1:
      3. B2:
      4. B3:
      5. B4:
      6. B5:
      7. B6:
      8. B7:
      9. B8: SHARE
      10. B9: OPTIONS
      11. B10:
      12. B11:
      13. B12:
      14. B13: TOUCH-PAD
      15. A9 (-1.0): ⬆️
      16. A9: (-0.42857): ➡️
      17. A9: (0.14286): ⬇️
      18. A9 (0.71429): ⬅️
2. DS5 PSB Scans (shows locations of L1/R1/TP vias)
3. Fightsticks (pics of another build, with better way of soldering SHARE and OPTIONS cables (top inner side of corresponding push-buttons))

 

1. Side View:

2. Initial disassembly:

3. DS5 motherboard with adapter cables soldered

4. Closeup of adapter board:

5. Final assembly:

Edited August 15, 2022 by Eternal21

[TheRedMaverick]

Damn dude this is impressive...very cool

[Helyx]

Thanks for sharing this, and good luck with Necrodancer!

[postofficebuddy]

Interesting set up. Best of luck. BTW, kind of off topic but how do you like the hit box? I know they’re kind of controversial in the fgc. 

[Eternal21]

1 hour ago, postofficebuddy said:

Interesting set up. Best of luck. BTW, kind of off topic but how do you like the hit box? I know they’re kind of controversial in the fgc. 

 

This is the first time I've used one, and so far I'm liking it.  The directional buttons are obviously the most important part when it comes to Necrodancer, since the other buttons get very little use in comparison.  So there aren't that many advantages over just using a keyboard, other than the convenience of wireless connection without having to use an adapter.