PS2 controls wont work once in game play

some games directional controls wont work once in game play.
we have tried different controllers and all work fine initially for setting up the games, putting in your name and choosing settings etc but once you actually start the game the directional buttons wont work
everything else works fine eg you can zoom in and out and use other controls.
this only seems to happen on games that have been resurfaced
please help!