Game Controllers: Reviews

Updated June 2009

August 17th:
Logitech Reveals G27 Racing Wheel
From: Game Focus

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Best flight stick

Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System

*Est. $150 Compare Prices

Packing nearly every feature a combat flight simulation gamer could want into the X52 Pro Flight Control System, Saitek has secured its lead in the flight stick market. Praised for its durability, accuracy and… flexibility, this joystick and throttle combo has reviewers raving and gamers completely devoted. Comparable flight sticks are more expensive and have fewer options. A favorite feature among reviewers is the throttle's multi-function display, which displays critical game-specific information that might get lost on the monitor. According to reviewers, the only downside is the spotty user manual.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

OverclockersClub.com: In this seven-part tour de force, the OverClockersClub.com addresses every conceivable angle you could possibly consider for a ...

IGN.com: Reviewer Bennett Ring provides a thorough review of the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System, comparing it favorably to the ...

FlightSim.com: FlightSim.com is dedicated to flight simulation aficionados, and its reviewers are clearly hard-core fans first and writers ...

SimHQ.com: In this opinionated discussion of his favorite flight simulation controllers, reviewer Frank Giger heaps praise upon the Saitek ...

OzHardware.com: In its only review of a game controller, OzHardware.com gives the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System a stellar 10 out of 10 ...

Techgage.com: Reviewer Pat Poole runs through the features of the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System, discussing the flight stick and ...

I4U.com: I4U.com provides relatively succinct reviews backed by hands-on testing. In this review of the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control, ...

Amazon.com: While reviews on Amazon.com are not necessarily as thorough or comparative as those done by professional reviewers, they are a ...

HubPages.com: This overview of controllers for flight simulation puts the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System at the top of its loose ranking. ...

FlightSimulationGuru.com: This flight simulation blog provides a detailed video review of the Saitek X52 Pro Flight Control System. Reviewer "Nick" likes ...

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Budget flight stick

Saitek Cyborg Evo Force

*Est. $65 Compare Prices

Although the Saitek Cyborg Evo Force is less realistic and accurate than its more expensive sibling, the X52 Pro, it does have force feedback and the flexibility to switch orientation for left-handed gamers. Reviewers… love this affordable flight stick, recommending it for gamers who want to enhance their flight experience but aren't seeking the utmost realism in flight simulation. A wireless version of the controller is also available, but that model does not have force feedback.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

GameVortex.com: Gaming site GameVortex.com provides a straightforward review of the Saitek Cyborg Evo Force, highlighting its features and ...

Amazon.com: Although Amazon.com reviewers might have only used one or two joysticks before, limiting the credibility of their reviews and ...

Computer Joysticks: Although it is unclear how reviewer Kevin O'Reilly selected this list of the best computer joysticks and his coverage is overly ...

Bright Hub.com: BrightHub.com provides relatively recent though rather brief coverage of a wide range of game controllers, including this listing ...

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eCOST.com

for $78.99

Best gamepad

Saitek Cyborg Rumble Pad

*Est. $35 Compare Prices

With the Cyborg Rumble Pad, Saitek builds upon the highly successful model established by controllers for the Xbox 360 and adds helpful features like a flippable D-pad and analog stick so you can emulate the layout of an… Xbox or Playstation controller. You can configure the controllers for first-person shooters with the touch of a button, save layout profiles for multiple games and desensitize buttons to maximize your accuracy. Although gamers accustomed to the Xbox 360 controller might want to stick with it as their PC controller, most everyone else should find Saitek's gamepad a worthy addition to their PC gaming gear.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

OverclockersClub.com: As with most of its other reviews, OverClockerClub.com covers the Saitek Cyborg Rumble Pad in extraordinary depth, devoting seven ...

About.com: About.com computer action game guide Michael Klappenbach lists his top gamepads and puts the Saitek Cyborg Rumble Pad at the top. ...

Bright Hub.com: BrightHub.com provides decent universal coverage of a wide range of game controllers. Although the review ranks a couple gamepads ...

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Best steering wheel

Logitech G25 Racing Wheel

*Est. $225 Compare Prices

With 900-degree wheel rotation, a six-speed gear shifter and a clutch, the Logitech G25 Racing Wheel is the hands-down favorite PC steering wheel among reviewers. Although other manufacturers try to pack in this many… features for a lower price, reviewers say only the G25 can withstand hours of abuse from high-speed racing and provide ultra-realistic force feedback. The G25 is programmable and compatible with Sony's Playstation 2 and 3.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Techgage.com: TechGage.com provides as much detail in its review of the Logitech G25 Racing Wheel as a few other sites, but also gives the ...

FileFactory Games: Reviewer Walter Hurdle's in-depth review of the Logitech G25 Racing Wheel, discusses packaging, installation, set-up and testing. ...

OverclockersClub.com: This website for maximizing your PC provides detailed reviews for a number of game controllers, including this five-part ...

Real World Labs: Real World Labs provides a detailed walkthrough of unpacking, installing and using the Logitech G25 Racing Wheel. The review has ...

About.com: NASCAR guide Steve McCormick provides the most comprehensive coverage of racing wheels overall, though the individual reviews are ...

Game Planet: This review of the Logitech G25 Racing Wheel briefly covers all the key elements of a test-based review: packaging, installation ...

Amazon.com: Amazon.com contributors might not have the most comprehensive knowledge about racing wheels, but the Logitech G25's stellar 4.5 ...

TechRadar.com: This review of the Logitech G25 Racing Wheel does not go into a lot of detail, but TechRadar does rate and review multiple ...

Bright Hub.com: BrightHub.com's rankings succinctly run down the best game controllers, and this list is no exception, putting the Logitech G25 ...

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Budget steering wheel

Logitech Momo Racing Force Wheel

*Est. $80 Compare Prices

The Logitech Momo Racing Force Steering Wheel does not have all the features of its more expensive sibling, but reviewers say it is the best racing wheel for the price. It even has carpet grips for its pedals, a feature… the pricier Logitech G25 does not have. This, along with accurate controls, force feedback and comfortable design make this wheel a winner.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

IGN.com: In the most comprehensive review for this device available, gaming site IGN.com gives the Logitech Momo Racing Force wheel a ...

About.com: Steve McCormick's review of the Logitech Momo Racing Force Wheel is brief, skimming pros and cons and summarizing his experience ...

Amazon.com: As with several other affordable siblings of high-end game controllers, reviewers of the Logitech Momo Racing Force on Amazon.com ...

Bright Hub.com: BrightHub.com's brief listing of top racing wheels puts the Logitech Momo Wheel second behind only the Logitech G25 Racing Wheel. ...

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Best motion-control controller

NaturalPoint TrackIR 4 Pro

*Est. $100 Compare Prices

The NaturalPoint TrackIR 4 Pro looks nothing like the Wiimote, but both stake their claim to fame on being revolutionary motion-sensitive game controllers. Reviewers love the new levels of immersion this device brings to… their games through its ability to sense your head's movements and manipulate on-screen views accordingly. This frees up the buttons on other game controllers, thus improving gameplay. Reviewers also appreciate the device's easy set-up and use.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

FileFactory Games: This site seems to save its reviews for the best of the best, as nearly every device receives a high score. Spanning five pages ...

DriverHeaven.net: DriverHeaven.net provides detailed reviews of several game controllers that mainstream sites have yet to cover, including the ...

HubPages.com: This overview of flight simulation controllers is good for a broad introduction to the best peripherals, but it is not based on ...

Amazon.com: Most of the reviews of the Natural Point TrackIR 4 Pro are generally positive; complaints are generally about set-up and tech ...

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Buy from
Amazon

for 119.95

Xbox 360 Controller for Windows *Est. $35

3 picks by top review sites.

CH Products Pro Pedals *Est. $100

3 picks by top review sites.

Logitech Cordless Rumblepad 2 *Est. $30

2 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…

Saitek AV8R *Est. $40

2 picks by top review sites.

Saitek Pro Flight Rudder Pedals *Est. $110

2 picks by top review sites.

X-Arcade Tankstick *Est. $200

2 picks by top review sites.

CH Products Flight Sim Yoke *Est. $100

2 picks by top review sites.


	Xbox 360 Controller for Windows from Amazon.com New: $29.50 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	CH Products Pro Pedals USB Flight Simulator Pedals ( 300-111 ) from Amazon.com New: $95.00 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Logitech Cordless Rumblepad 2 with Vibration Feedback (Black) from Amazon.com New: $27.00 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Saitek Pro Flight Rudder Pedals from Amazon.com New: $88.99 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	X-Arcade Tankstick from Amazon.com New: $199.95 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	CH Products Flight Sim Yoke USB ( 200-615 ) from Amazon.com New: $95.00 In Stock. Average Customer Review:

Game Controllers: Reviews

Best flight stick

Budget flight stick

Best gamepad

Best steering wheel

Budget steering wheel

Best motion-control controller

Game Controllers by Price Range