Game Controllers > Microsoft Game Controllers > Joystick

Advantages: Great Features
Disadvantages: Price, Compatibility

Microsoft have done it again. They have brought out yet another product that is not totally compatible with other Microsoft products (where's the sense in that i wonder). I am of course referring to the Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2 (I can't find it but no doubt the same will be true of most of the sidewinder series). The manual states that the controller is only compatible with Windoes 98 and Windows 2000. Fair enough I suppose but I am using ...
...it works. Thanks alot Microsoft I have a product that clearly works with Millenium but I have to install Windows 98 first. I have found that Microsoft's products are generally incompatible with some programs, it would be quite difficult to make everything compatible with everything however both of these products are made by Microsoft so you would think Bill Gates and his army of computer invaders would say to themselves why does my joystick not work ... Read review

Advantages: great egronomic design
Disadvantages: some of the buttons jam

the microsoft sidewinder 3D pro is a very modern joy stick. It is very handy for games like flight simulator games becaues there is a slideing dial wich is like a throtell. on the joy stick its self there is five buttons one slim on the left and side faceing you and beside tahat there is a small button wich is like a mini joy stick with 8 directions ,there is two buttons parralell with each other and of course there is always the fire/trigger button ...
...to about 35degress ,this is a great feature for simulation games. there is also four buttons on the base marked A,B,C,D and a flat arow button in total it has around 29 functons and 21 of these are on the stick alone. the stick its selfe is a very egronomic design wich is very comfortabil wich wont hurt youre hand. all te bottons are placed very acuratley so the can be reached esely whilst holding the stick. the joy stick can be pluced into the ... Read review

Advantages: Any windows task made a doddle
Disadvantages: Sometimes doesnt respond to input

...however it is annoying that Microsoft did not spend that little bit more to offer either colour changing displays or a choice of colours for the light as my desktop has a blue theme running through it. Another problem I have is that only 6 of a total of 12 buttons light up which to me suggests poor implementation of the design. On a final note about how I feel about the device I have found it does sometimes catch when doing turns with the unit, ...
...is to use the USB plug and remove it. However this has only happened 2 times in nearly a year of ownership. Go out and get one if you play just about any MMO, MMORPG games. If you play strategy games this will make life so much easier to order units. Just pre-program it with what to do and it can order you anything from the touch of a button while you continue to play. If you play RPG games or any first or 3rd person shooters then it is great as ... Read review

Advantages: Good Clean Controls
Disadvantages: Expensive

The sidewinder is comfortable. Very comfortable. It is especially good for playing games such as Flight Simulator. I think that there is a model with force-feedback, but the one I had didn't have that. Responsiveness: 9/10 It's very responsive, even the slightest movement is detected, its like having power steering for your joystick! Installation: 10/10 I just plugged it in the USB port and away it went, very easy to install especially on windows ...
...model the shop I was in had at the time, as I play games reguarly I decided to buy it anyway. If you can get it for less than $50.00 US then it's a bargain. Overall: 7/10 If you want the best, you have to pay for it. Sidewinder is good, and it is very easy to use, however it is also very costly. ... Read review

Advantages: Great design - a cool looking controller
Disadvantages: Quite expensive

This limited edition Halo 3 controller has two different version available - the first being this spartan one (which i own) or there is also a covenant one available. THis is very much similar to a normal wireless controller with all the same buttons and triggers, except that it has a much smoother surface. However the main difference is that it has some very cool artwork on it, made by Todd McFarlane. This shows images of master chief standing ...
...the other side. The art is of very high quality and will not come off - i have owned mine for six months and it is still in very good condition. The back of the controller is just black and this is quite unique from the standard white controller. Another advantage of buying this controller is that you get a cool little figurine of master chief aiming a machine gun. This looks quite nice to stick on top of your television. This controller costs ... Read review