Game Controllers

Joysticks

A joystick, the classic gaming device, is the peripheral of choice for flight simulators and vehicular combat games. Joysticks are generally more expensive than other types of controllers. There's not an overwhelming consensus on which joystick is best, but the Saitek X52 Flight Control System (*est. $100) for PC rates highly on two reviewers' lists. Distinguishing it from other joysticks is a stand-alone throttle. This two-piece PC joystick has an extensive list of features. The joystick includes four fire buttons, 3D rudder twist and an eight-way hat switch. The throttle provides two additional fire buttons, a scroll wheel and mouse controller. Peter Suciu of PC Magazine says, "The only thing missing is the smell of airplane fuel as you head to your next dogfight."

Shane McGlaun, Guide to Computer Peripherals for About.com chooses the Saitek X52 Flight Control System as his favorite joystick, saying "The Saitek X52 Flight Control System has excellent feel and accuracy during your flight giving you precise control over your aircraft." The Saitek gets high scores from the majority of owners posting reviews to Amazon.com as well. While there are cheaper joysticks out there, this one gets high scores as a splurge.

A less-expensive sibling to the Saitek X52 is the Saitek Cyborg EVO (*est. $35) for PC and Mac. It's a typical one-stick operation, but doesn't lose useful features such as five fire buttons, an eight-way hat switch and 3D twist. Another bonus is that its design allows for both left- and right-handed use. While the X52 joystick is said to win in the areas of form and function, experts at FiringSquad.com say the Cyborg joystick focuses more on function. Still, if X52 is beyond your budget, the Cyborg is a solid basic model.

If you're left-handed, reviewers say just about any steering wheel or gamepad on the market will be a good choice; joysticks are another story. Of the joysticks currently available, the Saitek Cyborg EVO (above) is the best choice for left-handed gamers. You can easily alter it to accommodate folks of either handedness, and reviewers praise its comfort, ease of installation and customizability.

About.com nominates the Saitek Cyborg Evo Force Joystick (*est. $65) as the number one pick in the Top 10 Computer Joysticks report. This joystick is similar to the basic Cyborg EVO joystick with the addition of force feedback. Force feedback is a feature more commonly seen in steering wheels. With force feedback, the controller pushes back when you apply force to the control, attempting to mimic the way a real flight stick would resist, based on the position of the craft you're trying to pilot.

Steering wheels

Steering wheels are generally the most expensive and most specialized type of controller, but they're a must for racing aficionados. These controllers include a steering-wheel dash unit and a floor pad with pedals. Force feedback is the most coveted feature here; this allows you to feel the car push back against you when you turn the wheel and kick in the throttle.

In PC Magazine's latest tests of steering wheels, the pricey Thomas Enterprises TSW2 (starting at *est. $310) is judged best overall. This steering wheel can be customized on the Thomas Enterprises Web site, and you can spend up to $1,000. PC Magazine's Don Labriola writes in his review that the TSW2 is "utterly convincing" and that games were "unnervingly realistic." Testers got the best lap times with this expensive luxury steering wheel. Interestingly, the Thomas Enterprises wheel doesn't have force feedback, which the manufacturer deems merely a gimmick. There are pictures on the manufacturers' Web site of NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. playing with his TWS2.

Most people probably won't want to spend over $300 on a steering wheel. The Logitech MOMO Racing Wheel (*est. $85) comes with six buttons, two pedals, a shifter knob and two paddle shifters. It has force feedback on the 10-inch wheel. Another nice feature is that it can remember your settings for different games, so your profile is saved for the next time you play. In PC Magazine's tests, the MOMO steering wheel performed "superbly," and was better than the Saitek R440 (*est. $70) , which editors said was too over the top with respect to force feedback. The Saitek "never delivered the detailed driving experience possible with NASCAR and GTR," according to Don Labriola.

Although the Thrustmaster Ferrari GT Rumble Force (*est. $50) takes some knocks for durability, it's deemed a best value in PC Magazine's review. Editors say it's not the best steering wheel, but you get a lot of bang for the buck. The pedals tended to slide around a bit, but the "understated" force feedback is a nice touch. It is significantly less expensive than the Logitech MOMO and is compatible with both PCs and PS2 game consoles. This steering wheel goes by several different names, including the Thrustmaster FGT 2-in-1 Rumble Force and the Thrustmaster Enzo Ferrari Rumble Force.

Important Features: Game controllers

Here are some things gaming enthusiasts should keep in mind when purchasing a controller:

• The controller should feel relaxed and natural in your hand. Buttons should be easy to reach. Some controllers come with built-in fans. The air blows directly onto the hottest parts of the hands, keeping you comfortable during continuous play. Some users may find this annoying, but most like it.

• Look for customizable buttons and profile memory. Every game is different, and each requires different play mechanics. That's why it's nice to have a controller that allows you to customize exactly which button does what to maximize the gameplay experience. Many controllers allow for specific setup for specific games. The Logitech MOMO steering wheel can save profiles for different games.

• If you want the ultimate gaming experience, opt for force feedback. The sensation of having your controller physically react to the game adds another layer of immersion. It also adds significantly to the price. Force feedback is best in steering wheels and joysticks. Force feedback isn't generally found in gamepads, but you'll often see vibration feedback in a gamepad -- the pad will shake when you take a hit or crash into an obstacle.
  
  

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Gamepads (with retailer links)	Details from Amazon.com
3	Logitech Rumblepad 2 Cordless Vibration Feedback Gamepad for PC and Mac (*est. $30)	details
2	Thrustmaster 2-in-1 Dual Trigger Gamepad for PC and PS2 (*est. $20)	details
1 each	Logitech Dual Action Gamepad , Saitek P3000 Wireless Gamepad
# of Picks	Joysticks (With Retailer Links)	Prices from Shopping.com
2	Saitek X52 Digital Flight Control System (*est. $100)	details
2	CH FighterStick (*est. $120)	details
1 each	Saitek Cyborg EVO Force , Thrustmaster Top Gun Fox 2 Shock Joystick
# of Picks	Steering wheels (With Retailer Links)	Prices from Shopping.com
1 each	Logitech Driving Force for PS2 , Logitech MOMO Racing Wheel , Thrustmaster Enzo Ferrari GT Rumble Force Racing Wheel , Thomas Enterprise TSW2 Cup

There aren't an overwhelming number of reviews for game controllers, but we found the best reviews for the Logitech Rumblepad 2 and the Saitek X52 Flight Control System. The CH FighterStick (*est. $120) also gets some good reviews from owners, but it's more expensive than the Saitek and doesn't have a separate thruster controller.

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