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Introduction

I have created a USB driver which allows you to use wired XBox 360 Controllers via USB, and wireless XBox 360 Controllers via the Microsoft Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows, on your OSX machine, including support for the Apple Force Feedback library. The driver is licenced under the GPL.

Snow Leopard

I've released a version which will hopefully install and work fine on 32-bit Snow Leopard. It also contains 64-bit binaries, however I've been unable to test them because Apple have disabled my MacBook from booting into 64-bit mode. I have however been informed that 64-bit and 32-bit builds are both working.

ChatPad

I have got the Microsoft ChatPad working with my wired controller. The latest release of the driver includes support, and I'll be updating the USB information section of this website shortly. I've not yet checked the wireless receiver for compatibility.

Other info

Sadly, my PowerMac has died, which as my primary development machine has slowed progress.

I have added a version of the driver without support for the Guitar Hero controller, to allow the Guitar Hero for Mac game to work (it attempts to access hardware directly, which doesn't work if a real driver has claimed the device).

Downloads

Newest version:
Driver (disk image)
Driver (no Guitar Hero) (disk image)
Source (ZIP file)

The Driver disk image contains an installer, which when run will install the driver, and a Preference Pane to control it.

Revisions

Help

If you find the driver does not work for you, please attempt and find out as much as you can about the device, preferably using the Apple "USB Prober" application provided with the developer tools, but the output of System Profiler for the device may be enough. E-mail it back and I'll try and work with you to get it working.

Force feedback-enabled games

Games I've currently tested for force feedback support (only games that support basic rumble will probably function currently, as I've only implemented triangle, square and sine wave-type effects. I also lack any other force feedback device for comparison :) ):

• Jammin' Racer - seems to work fine

Still needing implemented

• More settings, e.g. trigger deadzone, button remap
• Force feedback may elongate effects
• Force feedback (DirectInput-style interface) emulator may need more work
• Preference pane currently only tests rumble motors, by creating a force feedback interface but then just using the Escape functionality
• Driver needs to handle more possible errors.

Possible future additions

• Ability to alter HID descriptor, both to remap buttons and change device type (e.g. make it function as a keyboard)
• Support all 360 controller devices without adding to the plist file - I attempted to make it match by interface but it wasn't picked up by the kernel when I tried

Screenshots

FAQ

Miscellaneous questions

Can I use a wireless controller without the Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows?

Sadly, the wireless controllers communicate with the XBox 360 using a propreitary RF protocol, and not Bluetooth, so the Bluetooth module built into your Mac won't help you out. Additionally, the Play n Charge cable only charges, and won't allow you to use the wireless controller as a wired one. If you want to buy a Wireless Gaming Receiver from Amazon, use the links below and part of your purchase will be donated to me!

Can I use the 360 controller with a game that doesn't explicitly support gamepads?

If you're using a game like WoW or an emulator that only supports the keyboard, I recommend ControllerMate to allow you to configure any HID device to appear as another device to the system. In addition to this, there are applications available if you want to generate a MIDI feed from your controller for creative purposes!

Specific games

MacMAME

The driver should work with MacMAME, and indeed many users have used it successfully. However, I've not yet tried it myself and so Google will be your first stop. If, after looking, you can't get it to work, you can still try e-mailing me at the link at the bottom of the page.

Halo

I'm told you need to upgrade to version 1.5 of Halo before it will accept gamepads. Install the update, and I'm told it will work perfectly.

Can I donate to the cause?

Developing drivers takes time (and thus money). If you like this software, please consider donating! You'll be both encouraging me to do further work, and possibly causing me to do more neat things in the future.

PayPal

You can donate using the popular PayPal.

Buy me a gift

If you want me to work on specific drivers and would like to buy me the hardware, such as for the wireless steering wheel, contact me and we'll arrange something.

Alternatively, you can check out my Amazon wish lists:

Amazon.co.uk Wishlist

Finally, if you're rich and generous, my current object of desire is a Sony HVR-A1U pro HD camcorder!

Buying a controller? Or something else?

If you're looking to buy an XBox 360 controller to use, or any otherAmazon items, please consider using my affiliate link to support development of my driver!

Amazon.com: XBox 360 wired controller XBox 360 Store