Using the X360CE input wrapper will help you take full advantage of the Smash Box, and show you why it is the best alternative to a keyboard and fight stick on PC.
X360CE reads the Smash Box's inputs going into the PC and translates them into something that most games can recognize: Xinput. This greatly improves the Smash Boxes compatibility with games on PC.
Note: If you have already gone through the Smash Box on PC blog, you can start this guide at Section 3.
Outline
- Adapter Compatibility
- Testing with joy.cpl
- X360CE - Smash Box Setup
- X360CE - Mapping
- Enable Mapped Devices
- Testing X360CE
- Steam Setup
Ensure you go through each section thoroughly and step-by-step.
1. Adapter Compatibility
The first thing to do is to ensure you are using a GameCube adapter that is compatible with both Smash Box and X360CE. The following adapters are what we recommend to use (other adapters may not work):
- Lossless adapter
- Recommended adapter for Smash Box due to functionality and options.
- Nintendo adapter
- Best availability, overall a good adapter.
- Mayflash (4-port) adapter [warning]
- Requires V05 firmware (any other firmware will not allow the Smash Box to be used).
- New Mayflash 4-port adapters come with either V06 or V07 firmware, which is incompatible with Smash Box. The firmware cannot be downgraded.
- If you can confirm that an adapter has V05 firmware, then it will be a better option than Nintendo's adapter due to its overclocking and PC capabilities.
- Hit Box GC adapter [discontinued]
For full details on the adapters that are compatible with the Smash Box, please read through our Smash Box Compatibility guide.
If you have a 4-port Mayflash adapter, you will need to install its driver to ensure that it will work on PC and properly with the Smash Box.
- Download the driver: Mayflash driver download
- Unzip the download
- Open "W012 GC Controller Adapter 4 Ports Firmware V.05"
- Plug in your Mayflash
- Plug in both USB cables
- Set to "PC" mode
- No controller plugged in
- Select "Update Firmware"
2. Testing with Joy.cpl
Be sure to test to make sure your Smash Box and adapter are working on your PC.
First, open up joy.cpl on your computer. You can search for it in your Windows search bar. (We recommend having joy.cpl as a Desktop shortcut for easy controller troubleshooting)
Next, plug both of the USBs of your adapter into your PC and move the switch on the back of the adapter to "PC."
Four lines of "GameCube Controller Adapter" should appear in the window. These four lines represent the four ports on the adapter.
Once your adapter is showing up in the window, plug your Smash Box into the first/left-most port in the adapter, then double-click on the top controller in joy.cpl.
This is where we will check to see if inputs are being read by the computer.
Note: the port you have to select in joy.cpl - or any other program - may not correspond with the port you have your controller plugged into. Be sure to select every port to ensure you are able to test your controller.
Press the buttons on your controller to see if they are being read by the program.
If your Smash Box is not being read by joy.cpl, try these troubleshooting steps in order:
- Unplug and plug your Smash Box back in
- Select another port to test in joy.cpl
- Plug your Smash Box into another adapter port
- Plug the adapter into another USB port on your PC
- Unplug other devices that send inputs to your computer, then plug in your adapter and Smash Box (plug in your other devices after confirming that Smash Box is working or not working)
- Restart your PC and try the above again
- Test that your Smash Box sends inputs on a GameCube or Wii
- If your Smash Box works on this step, then the issue is either PC or adapter related
- If your Smash Box still is not being registered, please contact us: support@hitboxarcade.com
Once you have confirmed that your controller is working and interacting with your PC, then it can be used on gaming programs on your PC.
If at any point through these instructions you were not able to solve your issue, email us: support@hitboxarcade.com. Please include your name, order number, a link to this post, and a description of where you stopped in the instructions.
3. X360CE Smash Box Setup
3A. Download and Open X360CE
3B. Check "Issues" tab for needed driver installations
Select the "Issues" tab. Within this tab there may be some drivers to download. If you have to download any drivers, close and reopen X360CE after they are finished.
3C. "Add" GameCube Controller Adapter ports to Controller 1
Select the "Controller 1" tab.
Then select "+Add" button on the right side of the window.
A "Map Device to Controller" window should pop up.
In this window, uncheck anything that is not a GameCube controller adapter. Then hold 'ctrl' on your keyboard and select all of the GameCube controller adapter ports. Once they are all selected, select the "Add Selected Devices" on the bottom of the window.
3D. Determine controller port
Select the "Direct Input" tab.
On this tab, you should see a listing of the ports of the adapter. The blue highlight is the port that is currently selected.
Once a port is selected, you can test buttons.
Look at the "Buttons" section and press buttons on your Smash Box to test if you have selected the correct port.
4. X360CE Mapping
You can use premade mappings or map your own buttons in X360CE. Below we provide instructions how to use both methods:
4A. Mapping inputs individually
If you wish to map buttons on your own, we recommend mapping each button individually - it will make the process more accurate.
Simply click the drop-down arrow next to a button's title, and select "Record."
Once it is ready to record, the button that you are mapping to will start blinking.
As the button is blinking, you can press any action button to map.
Continue this process with all the buttons you want to map.
4B. Using Presets
Using premade presets for X360CE requires having a text file to paste into the program.
The below instructions are showcasing:
- The "Smash Box - PC-FGC Layout" x360ce text preset - download here: preset download.
- This preset is meant to be mapped with the FGC layout on Smash Box, file name "Default - PC - FGC (Adapter)" for when you import the button mappings in Designer. If you wish to use this layout, follow through our blog post "PC Fighting Game Layout on Smash Box" for more information.
Once you have a premade text file of a mapping to use, open the text file and copy all of the text.
Once you have the text copied, go back to x360ce and select "Paste Preset" at the bottom of the window.
Once you have selected "Paste Preset" you should see the mappings filled out.
If you have issues pasting the preset, we recommend closing the program and reopening it to reset whatever issue you are having.
5. Enable Mapped Devices
Once everything is mapped, select the "Enable Mapped Devices" option in the top left of the window. If you have system sounds on, you should hear a sound as if something has been plugged in.
Now you have your Smash Box being read as a Xbox 360 controller on your PC!
Minimize the x360ce window to limit any lag, and let us test to input wrapper.
If at any point through these instructions you were not able to solve your issue, email us: support@hitboxarcade.com. Please include your name, order number, a link to this post, and a description of where you stopped in the instructions.
6. Testing X360CE with Joy.cpl
Once again we are going to use joy.cpl - this time to test if the input wrapper is working. When you have the program open, it should look something like this:
Note: If the "Controller (XBOX 360 For Windows)" controller is not showing up, follow through the instructions in the previous step to ensure x360ce is working properly.
Next, double-click "Controller (XBOX 360 For Windows)." And test if the buttons are working.
Once you have confirmed that your Smash Box is working through x360ce, then you are good to try in your PC games!
If at any point through these instructions you were not able to solve your issue, email us: support@hitboxarcade.com. Please include your name, order number, a link to this post, and a description of where you stopped in the instructions.
7. Steam Setup
Open up the Steam program.
Go to the "Steam" menu at the top left of the window, and go to "Settings." Then go to "Controller" and then "General Controller Settings."
Once you have that open, you should see "Xbox 360 Controller" and the adapter being read at the bottom of the settings options.
Turn off all of the "Configuration Support" options to help ensure Steam's compatibility system does not interfere with x360ce or the adapter.
Note: If the "Xbox 360 Controller" does not appear, please go through the steps above again.
Now you should be able to play games on Steam!
If you are still having issues with Steam, please read through our troubleshoot blog post: Controller Troubleshoot on Steam.
Final Notes
In order to turn off X360CE, you must close the program. Knowing this will help ensure that you do not affect any other controllers you try to use or games you try to play in the future.
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Note: If you have a Gen2 Smash Box (received between December 2018 and July 2020) you will not need an adapter. You can follow the most of the instructions above, but can also use our other post: Gamepad Mode on Smash Box.
If at any point through these instructions you were not able to solve your issue, email us: support@hitboxarcade.com. Please include your name, order number, a link to this post, and a description of where you stopped in the instructions.