So, my old joypad was starting to get unreliable, i just couldn't kickflip on Tony Hawks like i wanted to. My Skyline GTR in Need For Speed Underground would suddenly drive into a wall. Time for a new joypad methinks!
Walking round PC world, I was simply looking to replace my old Thrustmaster with a similar pad, but it wasn't in stock at the time, and most pads on the shelf had about two buttons like an old NES controller, or cost far too much money. Then my eyes wondered over to this controller. Similar features to my old pad, slightly different button configuration but hey, you can't have everything.
The Logitech Cordless Rumblepad 2 ( I never saw the first but never mind) is a robust little pad. I have pretty large hands, and all the controls just sit in the right place. It has an 8 way directional pad/pov hat, two analogut controllers with integrated buttons, a further 10 buttons including four shoulder buttons and two on the centre console. Stylistically it resembles a slightly more chunky PS2 controller but as that was so well designed to fit in the hand that is no bad thing. I haven't looked but I wouldn't be surprised to find an almost identical pad available as an aftermarket PS2 controller just with square circle triangle and cross on the four main action buttons.
Installation is relatively straightforward. The device is class compliant so you can just plug it into a USB port and it will work as a joypad. There is also a driver CD which allows you to configure the button configuration for specific games, but to be honest I don't bother with that. In use the pad is responsive and the controls all fall under the fingers nicely. There is a mode button which you use when registering the pad with the receiver, and in use it switches the operation of the left hand analogue stick and D pad. As the name suggests the pad also has force feedback, but to be honest there is only a handful of games where I have managed to get that to work with any success. And even then it is quite intermittent. I don't know if it is a problem with the drivers, or it simply isn't supported in games or direct X properly, but this is a nice feature that simply doesn't do what you want it to.
Battery life is quite average to be honest. In light use it is ok, but when my wife was on a serious Tony Hawks 3 session recently, she was going through more batteries than I care to think about.
Overall it is a good pad and for what you are likely to pay for it you can't complain too much. There are a couple of issues with the force feedback that need more digging to solve than I really have time to offer, but apart from that it is a good comfortable and responsive gamepad that should fit the bill for most average gamers.
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Good stuff - sounds like rechargeable batteries are needed hehe, especially given how much I'd use it. I haven't bought a new pad in the last couple of years so might look into this - very good review, you covered all the important areas. :) tom
Experience the freedom and eliminate the clutter.The Logitech Cordless Rumblepad 2 ... more
delivers what gamers have been searching for: a PC gamepad that combines vibration feedback and superior control with reliable, lag-free cordless freedom. Step up to 2.4...
Postage & Packaging: £3.99 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Aug 11th, 2007
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