[KB-005] How do I set up my TankstickVR for 2-player support on PS5?

Product: TankstickVR | Platform: PS5 | Confidence: High

Answer:

For a full two-player setup on PS5, follow this connection flow:

Connect the TankstickVR USB to the DB9-to-USB adapter (included in accessory box)

Connect the DB9 port to the 2-in-1 adapter

Use the 2-in-1 adapter to split the controller output into two

Connect each output to a Brook Wingman FGC2 adapter

Connect both Wingman adapters to the PS5

Manually initiate the handshake for each side: for Player 1 (left side), press and hold the left flipper button and the Player 1 button together; for Player 2 (right side), press and hold the right flipper button and the Player 2 button together. This process is required to establish a connection between the Tankstick and Brook Wingman adapters on PS5, Nintendo Switch, PS4, or PS3.

Note: The DB9-to-USB adapter should be included in a small accessory box inside your TankstickVR package. Check the user manual for an image of this adapter.

Required Inputs:

For PS5: DB9-to-USB adapter (check accessory box), 2-in-1 adapter, two Brook Wingman FGC2 adapters.

For Nintendo Switch/Switch 2: When setting up a two-player configuration on the Nintendo Switch, the Brook adapters should be connected and the handshake initiated for Player 1 (left side) before plugging in the adapter for Player 2; connecting both simultaneously can prevent the Switch from completing the handshake properly. When the Wingman XE2 adapter is fully recognized on the Nintendo Switch, its LED should be solid (not flashing). To put the Brook Wingman XE2 into Nintendo Switch (NS) mode (PS + Up) when using a controller without a dedicated Home/PS button, users can temporarily connect a standard controller (e.g., PS4/PS5) to the adapter to perform the shortcut before swapping back to the X-Arcade unit. For compatibility with the Nintendo Switch 2, the Wingman XE2 adapter firmware must be updated to the latest NS2-supported version. When connecting to a Nintendo Switch 2 console, the rear toggle switch on the Tankstick must be set to Mode 1 (Keyboard Mode) to ensure the unit is correctly recognized. Additionally, the 'Pro Controller Wired Communication' setting must be enabled in System Settings > Controllers & Accessories, followed by a full console restart, for the console to recognize the adapter.

Troubleshooting Tip: Outdated Nintendo Switch system software or internal controller firmware can prevent the console from properly detecting X-Arcade hardware through Brook Wingman adapters.