In this tutorial, we’ll see how to install a small vibration motor in our beloved
R36S (purchase link)
, allowing us to enjoy vibration feedback in all PSX/N64/DC games that support it.
The process involves both a hardware installation and some software configuration (RetroArch):
Hardware Installation:
Let’s start with the hardware installation. In the following video, I show how to install the vibration motor and an
M7
diode. Keep in mind that whenever there is an inductive load (the motor coils), a back current is generated when the component stops. This current will flow back to the microprocessor pin, which can eventually damage it. This diode prevents that backflow.
| Vibrator | Diode |
|---|---|
Software Configuration:
RetroArch supports vibration in PSX/N64/DC, but to make it work we need to configure some settings. Each emulator requires different steps.
PSX:
You can refer to the
ArkOS documentation
for details on enabling vibration in PSX, and
this link
for a list of games that support DualShock.
FN+x
Controls
Port 1 controls
Device type: dualshock
FN+x
Core options
Input
Rumble effects: on
FN+x
Controls
Manage remap files
Save core remap file
FN+x
Restart
N64:
You can check the
ArkOS documentation
for how to enable vibration on N64, and
this link
for a list of games that support the RumblePak.
FN+x
Core options
Player 1 pak: rumble
FN+x
Core options
Manage core options
Save game options
FN+x
Close content
DreamCast:
You can check the
ArkOS documentation
for how to enable vibration on DC, and
this link
for a list of games that support the PurupuruPack.
FN+x
Core Options
Input
Purupuru Pack/Vibration Pack: on
FN+x
Core Options
Manage core options
Save game options
FN+x
Restart
Enable vibration in the game