How to Configure a Hori Xbox 360 Fighting Stick EX2 for use in Windows

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I purchased an Xbox 360 in August, and it’s been a fantastic system, and I’ve had a lot of fun with it. One of the things I’ve really been looking forward to on the 360 has been Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD – although I’ve never been great at Capcom fighters, especially SF2, it looks absolutely amazing and I think will be a must play for all fighting game fans. However, as any fighting game enthusiast knows, good controls are critical to fighting games. The Xbox 360 pad simply does not cut it. While it’s a good controller for most games, neither the D-pad nor the thumbsticks have the precision and ease of use necessary to properly play a fighter.

Enter Hori, almost indisputably the finest manufacturer of fighting game sticks in Japan (and by extension, the world). A lot of American players prefer the classic American style bat top sticks, such as the great MAS Systems sticks that many top ranked fighting game players use. However, many other players including myself prefer Japanese ball top sticks – which are also used by the best players in the world, since the best players are generally Japanese. Personally, I just find Japanese style sticks more responsive and precise. While Hori’s top of the line Real Arcade Pro (or HRAP) series sticks are only available in Japan or through import stores and are expensive and hard to find, they do release cheaper sticks in the US, mainly its “Fighting Stick” line. While these aren’t quite as good as the HRAPs, they still use high quality parts and are in general the best Japanese style arcade game controllers you can get in the US, short of ordering parts and constructing a custom stick or paying out the nose to import a HRAP.

Hori has come out with a stick for 360 – its Xbox 360 Fighting Stick EX2. This stick works on 360, and all 360 controllers also work on PC – meaning that for $60, any fighting game enthusiast can have a great Japanese style arcade controller that works on 360 and PC!

The Fighting Stick EX2 works flawlessly on the 360. You just plug it into one of the USB controller ports on the front of the console, and boom, you’re all set to go. It even has the special jack on the bottom for a 360 Headset so you can trash talk while you play online. However, when you plug it into your PC, things get a little trickier. Windows will recognize it as an Xbox 360 controller, and will in fact download specific Microsoft drivers for the Fighting Stick EX2. Herein lies the problem: for some reason, the drivers specify the Joystick as controlling the “Hat Switch” rather than a joystick.

Because of this, the Fighting Stick EX2 will not work properly with most arcade emulators (including MAME) or fighting games for PC (these are mostly Japanese and include games such as Melty Blood, Big Bang Beat, Akatsuki Blitzkampf, etc). Searching the internet will turn up plenty of forum threads, generally either advising you use Joy2Key (which will work for MAME, but not most fighters), buy a different stick, or to use XBCD, a custom driver written to solve this problem. The regular instructions for installing XBCD will not work, however! Even if you do manage to install XBCD, you may run into further problems – for example, the 2nd and 3rd button on the bottom row of the Fighting Stick EX2 are configured to Left and Right trigger – which input Z-Axis+ and Z-Axis- by default, meaning it is impossible to press both of them at once – a huge annoyance in many games, such as Capcom’s vs Series.

After combing the internet for instructions and some experimentation on my part, I did manage to properly configure my stick, and now it works great for both MAME and Melty Blood ReACT. I’m sure there’s plenty of other gamers out there who would love to use this great and affordable stick for PC gaming, so in order to help I’ve put together this little guide to installing and configuring XBCD for the Hori Xbox 360 Fighting Stick EX2, based on the guide I found at http://xbcd360guide.50webs.com/guide.html, with some modifications specific to the Fighting Stick EX2 controller. Hope it helps somebody out!

  1. Plug in the Hori Xbox 360 Fighting Stick EX2, and install it with the default Microsoft Drivers (which your computer should find automatically through Windows Update).
  2. Download the All in One installer provided by XBCD360Guide from http://xbcd360guide.50webs.com/download.html. Pick the driver that applies to you from the first half of the downloads listed. Then, download this XBCD profile that I created (use Right Click -> Save As), which reassigns the L and R trigger buttons to digital buttons rather than the Z-axis, and reconfigures the Stick to control the X and Y axes rather than a Hat Switch.
  3. Run the “All in One Installer” you downloaded.
  4. Edit the XBCD driver’s .inf file. This file dictates what devices the XBCD driver supports. The latest version does not specify the Fighting Stick EX2, which means you will be unable to install the XBCD driver for the Fighting Stick. Typically, the .inf file will be found at C:\WINDOWS\inf\XBCD.inf. In order to add the Fighting Stick EX2 to the supported device list for the driver, add the following line to the inf file:%XBCD_360.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_0F0D&PID_000D
  5. Continue starting with Step 3 of the XBCD driver installation guide at http://xbcd360guide.50webs.com/guide.html, using the XBCD profile I provided instead one of the ones on that page.

Once you finish the installation process as normal, your Hori Xbox 360 Fighting Stick EX2 will be configured properly and should work both with any arcade emulators you’re using and with fighting games that use X/Y axis by default!

If anyone has any further questions, leave a comment and I’ll try to help. Have fun with your stick!

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    10 Responses to “How to Configure a Hori Xbox 360 Fighting Stick EX2 for use in Windows”

    1. Everett Whitehead says:
      April 3, 2008 at 1:21 pm

      Recovered comments about this post (added by Webmaster):

      1. jon Says:
      October 13th, 2007 at 11:56 am

      thanx man u the greatest!
      2. Jay Says:
      October 14th, 2007 at 12:00 pm

      Many thanks for this helpful guide!
      3. Onslaught Says:
      October 18th, 2007 at 2:53 pm

      Whenever I enter the line in the inf file It cannot create and that the path is not correct. So I never see the XBCD option when I try to upgrade the driver.
      4. John Says:
      October 18th, 2007 at 11:46 pm

      Are you sure you are editing the correct .inf file?
      5. Lobato Says:
      November 6th, 2007 at 4:23 pm

      Hi,

      I’ve just bought this controller and am having the same issue. The thing is, I’d like to keep using my wireless controllers with the PC as well. If I install the XBCD drivers, will the wireless controllers stop working??

      Thanks a lot for this tutorial. :)
      6. John Says:
      November 6th, 2007 at 4:32 pm

      If your wireless controllers are already installed and working, you shouldn’t have any problems. They should continue using the default driver, rather than updating to the XBCD driver.
      7. Lobato Says:
      November 6th, 2007 at 10:16 pm

      Thanks. I tryied installing it as the guide says, edited (and re-checked many times) the .inf file, but when I would update the drivers, XBCD was not listed. I even checked the device id and it matches the one you mention here.

      Any ideas?
      8. John Says:
      November 6th, 2007 at 10:27 pm

      Try picking “Have Disk” and manually selecting the directory the .inf was in.
      9. Lobato Says:
      November 6th, 2007 at 10:31 pm

      I did. It was on windows/inf and it only showed the original drivers. I moved it to another folder and it wouldn’t show any drivers.

      I’ve tryed uninstalling the original driver but when I reboot and plug the controller, the original one installs automatically.

      And one of the reasons I bought this controller was to use it in MAME.. :/
      10. John Says:
      November 6th, 2007 at 11:47 pm

      That’s very interesting. Can you post your .inf file somewhere so I can look at it?
      11. Lobato Says:
      November 7th, 2007 at 6:06 am

      Thanks for the help. :)
      –
      [Version]
      Signature=”$CHICAGO$”
      Class=HIDClass
      ClassGuid={745a17a0-74d3-11d0-b6fe-00a0c90f57da}
      Provider=%prov%
      DriverVer=12/23/2005, 1.0.8

      ; Driver information
      ; ——————
      [Manufacturer]
      %Mfg%=DeviceList,NTamd64

      ;Windows 98/ME/2000/XP
      [DeviceList.NTamd64]
      %XBCD.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\CLASS_58&SUBCLASS_42 ; Generic
      %XBCD.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_044F&PID_0F07 ; Thrustmaster Controller
      %XBCD.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_045E&PID_0202 ; Microsoft Xbox Controller
      %XBCD.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_045E&PID_0285 ; Microsoft Xbox Controller S
      %XBCD.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_045E&PID_0289 ; Microsoft Xbox Controller S
      %XBCD.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_046D&PID_CA88 ; Logitech Thunderpad
      %XBCD.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_046D&PID_CA84 ; Logitech Cordless Precision
      %XBCD.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_05FE&PID_3030 ; Chic Controller
      %XBCD.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_05FE&PID_3031 ; Chic Controller
      %XBCD.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_0738&PID_4516 ; Mad Catz 4516
      %XBCD.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_0738&PID_4520 ; Mad Catz Control Pad Pro
      %XBCD.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_0738&PID_4526 ; Mad Catz 4526
      %XBCD.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_0738&PID_4536 ; Mad Catz Microcon Xbox Controller
      %XBCD.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_0738&PID_4556 ; Mad Catz Lynx Wireless Controller
      %XBCD.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_0738&PID_4588 ; Mad Catz Blaster
      %XBCD.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_0C12&PID_8802 ; Nyko Air Flow
      %XBCD.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_0E6F&PID_0008 ; After Glow Pro Controller
      %XBCD.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_0F30&PID_0202 ; Big Ben XS XBox Controller
      %XBCD.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_0E8F&PID_0201 ; Gamexpert PS2/GC/Xbox Steering Wheel
      %XBCD_DDR.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_12AB&PID_8809 ; Konami DDR Pad
      %XBCD_DDR.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_0738&PID_4540 ; Mad Catz Beat Pad (w/ Handle)
      %XBCD_DDR.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_0738&PID_45FF ; Mad Catz Beat Pad (w/ Handle)
      %XBCD_DDR.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_0738&PID_6040 ; Mad Catz Beat Pad Pro
      %XBCD_DDR.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_0C12&PID_8809 ; RedOctane Ignition Pad
      %XBCD_360.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_045E&PID_028E ; Microsoft Xbox 360 Controller
      %XBCD_360.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_162E&PID_BEEF ; Joytech 360 pad
      %XBCD_360.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_0E6F&PID_0201 ; Pelican XSZ Wired Controller (Model #PL-3601)
      %XBCD_360.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_046D&PID_C242 ; Logitech Chillstream
      %XBCD_360.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_045E&PID_028E ; Microsoft Revision 2 4-18-07
      %XBCD_360.DeviceDesc% =Install, USB\VID_0F0D&PID_000D ; Hori Fighting Stick

      ; Installation section
      ; ——————–
      [Install] ; Installation script for Windows 98/Me
      DriverVer=12/23/2005, 1.0.8
      AddReg=UpDateRegistry

      [360_Install]
      AddReg=UpDateRegistry

      [Install.NTx86] ; Installation script for Windows 2000/XP
      AddReg=UpDateRegistry

      [UpDateRegistry]
      HKR,,DevLoader,,*ntkern
      HKR,,NTMPDriver,,xbcd.sys

      ; Defining XBCD Service
      ; —————————
      [Install.Services]
      Addservice=XBCD, 0×00000002, Service_Info

      [Install.NTx86.Services]
      Addservice=XBCD, 0×00000002, Service_Info

      [Service_Info]
      DisplayName = %Service_Description%
      ServiceType = 1 ; SERVICE_KERNEL_DRIVER
      StartType = 3 ; SERVICE_DEMAND_START
      ErrorControl = 1 ; SERVICE_ERROR_NORMAL
      ServiceBinary = %10%\System32\Drivers\xbcd.sys

      ; Strings
      ;——————-
      [Strings]
      prov=”Redcl0ud”
      Service_Description=”XBCD Kernel Module”
      Mfg=”Redcl0ud”

      XBCD.DeviceDesc=”XBCD XBox Gamepad”
      XBCD_DDR.DeviceDesc=”XBCD XBox DDR Pad”
      XBCD_360.DeviceDesc=”XBCD XBox 360 Gamepad”
      12. John Says:
      November 7th, 2007 at 8:13 am

      Honestly, I’m pretty stumped. You said you already checked the Device ID and made sure it matched? If that’s the case, I don’t understand why the driver is not coming up as an option.

      What OS are you running?
      13. Lobato Says:
      November 7th, 2007 at 9:44 am

      I’m using Vista. And I really don’t know what else to do as well. :)

      I’ve installed xpadder and am using it with MAME 117. It’s working with microsoft drivers, so I’ll give up for now. :)

      Thanks a lot for the help!
      14. John Says:
      November 7th, 2007 at 9:57 am

      That may be the issue then. I am running XP and I have not tested this on Vista. Did you use the correct Vista installer from XBCD360Guide? Also, try the procedure for Vistax64 -

      http://xbcd360.frih.net/Drivers/Vista%2064/readme.txt

      Good luck!
      15. thadwhit Says:
      November 12th, 2007 at 9:57 am

      Thanks for posting this, I’m going to give this a try. Hoping it will work with my NES and SNES emulators as well as gameboy and MAME. Screw Microsoft Arcade.
      16. doug Says:
      November 23rd, 2007 at 5:25 am

      i cant seem to find the inf files…to even try and edit them. i went to c/ windows…but i dont see anything labled inf…
      17. doug Says:
      November 23rd, 2007 at 5:29 am

      sorry i found it…i just typed it into the bar instead of browsing the folders..
      18. K’ Says:
      December 3rd, 2007 at 12:10 pm

      Thanks for the tutorial. I’ll be posting a comment about my problems with Vista, just in case you have any idea why it wouldn’t work.

      Thanks again.
      19. Jibs Says:
      December 11th, 2007 at 7:54 am

      thanks a lot for the tutorial man! i was thinking wether to sell or not the joystick. no way now! : D
      following step by step the tuto (except for the .nfo file location, that was in program files instead) now’s working perfectly with mame. i’ve not tryed anything else but i guess it will work properly.
      one thing im trying is adding another hori controller for 360 (a normal pad with turbo functions and largers analog sticks) i have to the settings. help very welcome! : )
      20. Jibs Says:
      December 11th, 2007 at 8:45 am

      perfect. it does work.

      with your explanations was very easy to add another controller (just finding the hardware ip) to the set.

      thanks a lot again!

      ( :

    2. jrronimo says:
      December 8, 2009 at 2:00 am

      Thanks for this tutorial! The XBCD profile is no longer posted, though… could you either please repost it or e-mail it to me?

      Cheers!

    3. Josh says:
      December 18, 2009 at 12:29 am

      Any idea if this will work for playing Street Fighter 2 and Mortal Kombat on an SNES emulator? That would be the only purpose for buying this controller, but I don’t want to spend the money if nobody has tested it for this specific application. Thx.

    4. Cal says:
      June 6, 2011 at 1:27 pm

      Yea, just got this pad for my birthday and when I try any of the links on here, everything is down. Can anyone make an all in 1 .rar file to get this going?

    5. jeezy says:
      June 13, 2011 at 2:13 am

      i’ve been trying to install mine but no use :/ can you help?

    6. Michael g says:
      July 6, 2011 at 5:22 am

      Gah! all the links are down. I just bought a non returnable copy of SSF4 AE and my hori fighting stick EX2 for 360 isn’t working at all. Which I was surprised to see because it worked perfectly for an emulator running third strike. I had no idea this issue existed with this stick.

      well i will hunt for any postings of these files or caches of the site somewhere in the internet.

      i will report back whatever I find :) promise

    7. Michael g says:
      July 6, 2011 at 5:23 am

      maybe anybody with the files can reupload them. hopefully one of us will share your driver.

    8. Michael g says:
      July 6, 2011 at 5:43 am

      Ok so I figured it out. You have to get a program called Xpadder. you can find some free copys from some youtube video tutorial but it’s the old version. The version of xpadder that works is the brand new one that recognizes the analog as a dpad. obviously I just pirated the torrent. you can pay the guy for his hard work but I’m pretty broke. otherwise the old version won’t pick it up because it has that hatch switch bullshit.

      you may also be able to download some custom drivers. but I havn’t explored that at all since this just worked for me.

      • junglonk says:
        August 28, 2011 at 8:16 am

        hey michael i`m having this same problem my ex2 isnt working in mame, im on wiindows 7 iv downloaded xpadder like you said but im not sure what to actually do with it and how you go from downloading xpadder to getting the stick to work in mame? can you give me any more tips? desperate to play some old arcade games with the hori!!

    9. Mylene says:
      October 10, 2011 at 3:58 pm

      Hello, this link “http://xbcd360guide.50webs.com/guide.html” is dead.
      I have a HRAP EX for XBOX 360 USB, recognized by windows 7 64 bits, but it doesn’t work with Mame, and some emulators. (1 or 2 emulators work)
      What should i do, or could you send me this guide, please ?
      Thank you very much in advance for your answers.

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