Game Controllers: Reviews

Updated October 2011

When playing games on a PC, it's key to have a controller that's responsive and easy to set up, whether you're into first-person shooters or racing games. ConsumerSearch editors looked at reviews that considered durability, comfort, in addition to performance. Many of the sources we used have reviewed a wealth of game consoles and accessories. We also found several enthusiasts who are hard core gamers or focused on a particular area of interest, such as flight simulators.

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Best flight stick

Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog

*Est. $500 Compare Prices

The Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog was created to be an exact replica of the throttle and flight stick found in an actual A-10C Warthog airplane, and reviewers say the effort has translated into the best flight stick… expandavailable. Praised for its metal-bodied durability, unparalleled accuracy and flexibility, this joystick and throttle combo has reviewers raving and gamers completely devoted. The powerful software included with the HOTAS Warthog allows users to completely remap every button and switch on the device, so you're able to use it for flight sims featuring other aircraft as well -- though some say it doesn't work quite as well with other aircraft. If you want to save money or aren't interested in owning a Warthog-specific replica, the older Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control (*Est. $150) still garners high accolades from reviewers. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

SimHQ.com: This seven page review of the Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog focuses on the physical build of the controller itself, the powerful software included with the stick, and motion and accuracy benchmark testing.

SimHQ.com: Reviewer Chris Frishmuth is a pilot himself, giving him a unique perspective as he puts the Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog through the paces in several different flight sims.

CombatSim.com: Douglas Helmer's review of the Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog covers every aspect of the stick, from unboxing the controller to installing its software on Windows 7 to hands-on impressions.

GamingNexus.com: This review of the Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog isn't quite as detailed as the other reports we used as sources, but still much longer than an average hardware review -- and chock full of useful remarks from a pilot who has clocked over 800 hours in the air.

Amazon.com: The Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog doesn't receive as many reviews as more moderately priced options, but the people who have checked in give the flight stick an admirable 4.3-star average, with over three-quarters of respondents awarding it a perfect grade.

NewEgg.com: Only a small handful of Newegg.com users have reviewed the Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog, and their experiences are overwhelmingly positive, with every user giving the stick a perfect 5-star rating.

HubPages.com: When HubPages.com reviewer "ojkershaw" places the Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog on his list of the best flight sim accessories, he instructs readers to check out his longer standalone review of the product on a different page.

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Buy from Amazon for $399.95
B&H Photo-Video- -Pro Audio for $399.95	eBay for $432.99	Buy.com for $499.99

Budget flight stick

Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X Flight Stick

*Est. $50 Compare Prices

Although the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X Flight Stick is less realistic and accurate than its much more expensive sibling, the Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog, it still offers everything you need to get off the ground,… expandthough not much more. Users love this affordable flight stick, recommending it for gamers who want to enhance their flight experience with a well-performing peripheral but aren't seeking the utmost realism in flight simulation. While the stick features 12 buttons, five axles and a removable throttle, you won't find force feedback or advanced configuration options, and a couple of users note a small but noticeable "dead zone" when the stick is in the center position. The controller is also compatible with the PlayStation 3. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Amazon.com: The Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X Flight Stick is reviewed by over 140 users, who give the stick an impressive 4.5 average rating.

NewEgg.com: Over a dozen users chime in with their opinions of the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X Flight Stick at Newegg.com.

About.com: Reviewer Christine McKee names the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X Flight Stick the best budget option for sim fans in the roundup of the best joysticks on the market.

HubPages.com: The Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X Flight Stick gets another nod as the best budget option around in this HubPages.com roundup of the best flight sim gear available.

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Buy from Amazon for $49.95
eBay for $62.99	Amazon for $49.95	J&R Music and Computer World for $49.99

Best gamepad

Razer Onza Tournament Edition

*Est. $50 Compare Prices

With the Onza Tournament Edition, Razer builds upon the highly successful model established by the Xbox 360 controller. While the only noticeable change at first glance is two additional shoulder buttons (which are… expandmappable), Razer also made alterations to the physical design of the controller that reviewers say make this controller even more desirable than the Microsoft peripheral it imitates. These include responsive, clicky-feeling backlit buttons, longer and more accurate control sticks that include a tension control for custom levels of precision, and a non-slip surface. The positive reviews are overwhelming, but some critics dislike the "sliced-pie" D-pad for fighting game maneuvers, and a number of Amazon.com users report defective hardware. The controller also works on the Xbox 360. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

IGN.com: Scott Lowe takes a look at the Razer Onza Tournament Edition gamepad and gives it a "Great" 8.5 score.

HardwareHeaven.com: This review of the Razer Onza Tournament Edition is the longest one we found, complete with multiple pictures to drive home the points made in the text.

TechRadar.com: TechRadar.com rounds up six of the better gamepads available for PC gaming and assigns each one a numerical percentage score in a quest to identify the best controller.

Wired: Bryan Gardiner delivers a comprehensive review of the Razer Onza Tournament Edition that focuses on the changes made to the design of the controller.

GamingShogun.com: This review focuses not only on what the Razer Onza controller is capable of, but also how it handles itself in relation to the standard Xbox 360 controller.

MaximumPC.com: The only thing Alex Castle dislikes about the Razer Onza controller is the redesigned D-pad; everything else receives praise.

Amazon.com: Amazon.com users hold a more mixed view of the Razer Onza Tournament Edition than professional reviewers.

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Buy from
Amazon

for $57.99

Best steering wheel

Logitech G27 Racing Wheel

*Est. $300 Compare Prices

With 900-degree wheel rotation, a six-speed gear shifter and a clutch, the Logitech G27 Racing Wheel is the hands-down favorite PC steering wheel among reviewers. In addition to being a top performer, reviewers say that… expandit's easy to set up and use the wheel, and the addition of six buttons on the wheel-face makes it easier to control games while keeping your eyes on the road. While the overall build quality is durable and exceptional -- with the gearbox said to be the best around -- some say the pedal board is too light and slides on the floor when the brake is pressed. Additionally, some question the value of the wheel when compared to the older, cheaper Logitech G25 Racing Wheel, which is now discontinued. The Logitech G27 Racing Wheel also works on the PlayStation 3 console. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

SimHQ.com: This review of the Logitech G27 Racing Wheel goes into much more exacting detail than any other critique available.

SimHQ.com: This article compares the Logitech G27 Racing Wheel against the highly regarded (and now discontinued) limited-edition Fanatec Porsche 911 Turbo S wheel in several different categories.

TomsGuide.com: James Pikover reviews the Logitech G27 Racing Wheel, the Fanatec Porsche 911 GT3 RS Clubsport Edition, and the basic Porsche 911 GT3 RS Wheel in this head-to-head matchup.

TheGamerAccess.com: Konrad Gawronski's review of the Logitech G27 Racing Wheel is comprehensive in a couple of different ways; not only is the text portion of the review amongst the longest we could find, but he also includes 15 minutes worth of video showing the wheel in action, and his impressions of it.

Wired: Terrence Russell reports that using the Logitech G27 Racing Wheel actually feels like driving a car.

TechRadar.com: In this reprint of a PC Format magazine review, Dave James ponders the value of the $300 Logitech G27 Racing Wheel.

Amazon.com: The response to the Logitech G27 Racing Wheel is overwhelmingly positive at Amazon.com -- over 90 percent of users give the wheel a 4- or 5-star rating.

NewEgg.com: The Logitech G27 Racing Wheel maintains a strong 4-star average score at Newegg.com, with users praising the excellent performance and sturdy build quality of the peripheral over and over again.

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Buy from Amazon for $209.99
eBay for $279.99	J&R Music and Computer World for $273.88	Walmart for $279.82

Best arcade joystick

Mad Catz Street Fighter IV FightStick Tournament Edition

*Est. $150 Compare Prices

Fighting games might not be as popular as they once were, and new arcade sticks are more and more difficult to find, but experts and users both love the build and the feel of the Mad Catz Street Fighter IV FightStick… expandTournament Edition. The controller uses the same hardware found on the actual Street Fighter IV arcade machines, which helps to deliver an arcade experience that's unparalleled by any other controller. Auxiliary buttons such as the Xbox 360 guide button are situated far away from the main portion of the controller, and can even be disabled if desired. Both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 version work on the PC, but the PS3 model only works with chipsets that still support the old USB version 1.1 standard, such as Intel and VIA chips. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

IGN.com: Scott Lowe dedicates two wordy pages to his review of the Mad Catz Street Fighter IV FightStick Tournament Edition.

GameSpot.com: This arcade stick roundup pits two Mad Catz sticks against two Hori models, and although the Hori models earn excellent reviews of their own, the Mad Catz Street Fighter IV FightStick Tournament Edition proves itself exceptional and is awarded a perfect 5-star rating.

Amazon.com: Amazon.com users offer their opinions on both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the Mad Catz Street Fighter IV FightStick Tournament Edition, and those 100-plus combined users almost all report being incredibly happy with the purchase.

NewEgg.com: Contributors leave their opinion on both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 version of the Mad Catz Street Fighter IV FightStick Tournament Edition at Newegg.com, both of which are PC-compatible.

GameTrailers.com: In this forum thread, one user asks for the group's recommendations for the best PC arcade stick.

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Buy from
Amazon

for $269.99

Motion-based controller

Razer Hydra

*Est. $140 Compare Prices

Gamers who have pined for a PC version of the Wiimote can find the first capable performer with the Hydra, Razer's foray into motion-based controls. Reviewers say the level of accuracy provided by the Hydra can't be… expandmatched by any other PC Wiimote-style peripheral, although it still can't compete with the sheer precision of a keyboard and mouse setup. Performance with the bundled version of "Portal 2," which is optimized for the controller, is second to none, but using it with other games isn't as seamless. Reviewers recommend picking up the Razer Hydra if you're a big motion-control fan and willing to wait, but in general users may want to wait until more titles come around that are built for the peripheral -- especially considering its $140 price tag. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

MaximumPC.com: Alex Castle's review of the Razer Hydra echoes the comments found in other reviews.

CravingTech.com: Aussie reviewer Michael Aulia's look at the Razer Hydra includes his impressions of the peripheral from the first minute the package arrives to several hours of hands-on play testing.

GamingShogun.com: The editors of GamingShogun.com playtest the Razer Hydra and end up enthusiastic about the peripheral.

Examiner.com: This review of the Razer Hydra is much more detailed than many articles found on Examiner.com.

AbleGamers.com: Marco Pasqua examines the Razer Hydra for its use as a therapeutic device for disabled individuals as well as its use as a gaming peripheral, which adds a perspective not often found in reviews.

NewEgg.com: Reviews are only just starting to appear at Newegg.com, but consumer opinion largely matches the comments from professionals.

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Buy from
Amazon

for $104.99

Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System *Est. $150

5 picks including: Amazon.com, IGN.com…

Saitek X-65F Pro Flight Combat Control System *Est. $400

4 picks by top review sites.

Saitek Pro Flight Combat Rudder Pedals *Est. $200

4 picks by top review sites.

Saitek Pro Flight Yoke *Est. $150

3 picks by top review sites.


	Saitek X52 Pro Flight System Controller In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Saitek PRO Flight Combat Rudder Pedals In Stock. Average Customer Review: