Game Controllers Reviews

The reviews below are assigned ratings by ConsumerSearch. These ratings are based on credibility in testing, evaluating and identifying the best Game Controllers. See our ratings criteria

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Game Controllers Reviews Reviewed
Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Game Controllers Ratings Comments on Reviews
1. PC Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	Hot Wheels Don Labriola Oct. 12, 2005		This is one of the most recent roundups we found on steering wheels, covering five models. The expensive Thomas Enterprise TSW2 Cup gets an Editor's Choice rating as "unnervingly realistic." The Thrustmaster Ferrari GT Rumble Force Racing Wheel is the best value for the money.
2. About.com	The Top 10 Game Pads Michael Klappenbach Not Dated		This article highlights About.com Guide, Michael Klappenbach’s ratings for the top ten gamepads on the market. Ranking last is Microsoft’s Sidewinder Gamepad Pro while Logitech’s Wingman Cordless earns the top spot. Write-ups for each model, however, are confined to a single sentence, and no comparisons are made. This article isn't dated, and we know the Wingman is discontinued.
3. About.com	The Top 10 Computer Joysticks Shane McGlaun Not Dated		About.com’s Shane McGlaun rates his favorite computer-gaming joysticks. His picks cover a wide variety of products, ranging from the Top Gun AfterBurner Force Feedback Joystick (tenth place) on up to Saitek’s Cyborg Evo Force, which has the highest rating. However, models are not compared, and the review write-up consists of just a couple of sentences.
4. FiringSquad.com	CH FighterStick/Pro Throttle and Saitek X52 Review Jakub Wojnarowicz Mar. 29, 2005		This review is fairly detailed, but you have to read it very closely to determine how these different products compare to one another. Standout features of the Saitek X52 include its throttle and ergonomics. Designers didn't skimp on snappy features such as aluminum trim and blue LED lights. A handicap, however, is its performance, which isn't fully precise. Also, some users say its light-weight, which allows movement from a light touch, is a flaw. The plain CH FighterStick is the opposite of the Saitek when it comes to design appeal, but experts say it's solid and offers easy control. Performance on the FighterStick offered "no dead spots, no sensitive areas, no flakey hat switches," they say. After weighing pros and cons of each, experts find the X52 ideal for new or infrequent gamers and the FighterStick good for regulars.
5. Consumer Guide.com >> Details/Subscribe	Game Controllers Editors of Consumer Guide As of May 2006		Consumer Guide covers a handful of game controllers, rating several Best Buys. The review write-ups sometimes refer to hands-on testing in an informal way, but products are not compared. It's unclear who is writing these reviews. Models receiving Best Buy ratings include the Logitech Rumblepad 2 Vibration Feedback, the Saitek P3000 Wireless GamePad, the Logitech Dual Action Gamepad, the Logitech MOMO Racing Force Feedback Wheel and the Thrustmaster Top Gun Fox 2 Pro Shock Joystick.

Game Controllers Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Game Controllers Ratings Comments on Reviews

6. GameSpot.com	PC Hardware Editors of GameSpot.com As of May 2006		This site offers a few controller reviews separated by categories, including gamepads, joysticks and wheels. There are many reviews on discontinued products, but the archives are difficult to search. The write-ups, however, are very thorough, so this is a good source if you're investigating a specific product. The Thrustmaster 2-in-1 Dual Trigger Gamepad is good for both PC and PS2 use, the Real Arcade Pro for Playstation is called "easily one of the best joysticks to come from Hori in recent years," and the Logitech Driving Force Pro wheel for Playstation offers a number of gearshift options and 900-degree rotation.
7. GameSpot.com	Playstation 2 Racing Wheel Roundup: Gran Turismo 4 edition Editors of Gamespot.com Feb. 23, 2005		Editors state that the most important ingredient to a good driving wheel is control -- and the Logitech Driving Force Pro offers the best. Its younger sibling, the Logitech Driving Force, comes in next as a great value. Thrustmaster Enzo Ferrari 2-in-1 receives a decent score, while the Mad Catz Universal MC2 Racing Wheel rates low for driving, even though it supports most consoles.
8. PC Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	Ready…Game…Fire! Peter Suciu Jan. 18, 2005		This roundup reviews 12 game controllers, including dance mats and a golf simulator. While the range of products goes beyond the scope of this report, ratings are given to controllers such as gamepads and racing wheels. Reviews are short and do not show comparisons. Highly rated products include the Logitech Rumblepad 2 Vibration Feedback Gamepad for PC or Mac and the Saitek X52 Digital Flight Control System joystick for PC. Featured products also include the Intec Wireless Racing Wheel for PS2 and Xbox. A lower rating goes to the Thrustmaster Wireless Dual Trigger Gamepad for PC or Playstation, which has an impractical button arrangement.
9. IGN.com	Gear: Controllers Editors of IGN.com As of May 2006		Reviews here are listed according to console. In addition to a very in-depth analysis, editors give a numerical rating for performance, build, value, features and comfort. We'd love to be able to see reviews also listed by rating to get an idea of how they rank against each other. Controllers receiving a high overall score include the Logitech Driving Force Pro for both PS2 and PC, and the Thrustmaster 2-in-1 Dual Trigger Gamepad for PS2 and PC.
10. IGN.com	Gear Spy: PC Gamepad Roundup Chuck Miller Oct. 2002		Although dated, this article contains an in-depth comparison of PC gaming controllers, many of which are still on the market today (at discounted pricing). The article is broken down into three categories: Traditional Gamepads, Force Feedback Gamepads, and wireless Gamepads.
11. Smart Computing >> Details/Subscribe	Gamester FPS Master Tracy Baker May 4, 2005		According to this reviewer, the Gamester FPS Master, available for Xbox and PS2, leaves much to be desired. Controls are in unreasonable locations and play is stifled by analog sticks where "aiming accurately is nearly impossible. The out-of-box Xbox gamepad is preferred over this Gamester release.
12. Amazon.com	PC Gaming Hardware Contributors to Amazon.com As of May 2006		While no models are ranked or compared here, user-reviewers give the inside scoop on favorite and not-so-favorite controllers. Logitech's Cordless Rumblepad 2 Vibration for PC receives rave reviews. On the opposite end is the Logitech Dual Action GamePad USB, which is criticized for durability. The Saitek X52 Flight Stick and CH FighterStick get high ratings from most owners.

Game Controllers Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Game Controllers Ratings Comments on Reviews

13. CNet.com	Game Accessories Editors of CNet.com As of May 2006		Eleven pages of game controllers and accessories are featured here, but only a handful are reviewed. Logitech sweeps controllers with the Driving Force Pro for PS2, followed by the basic Driving Force and the Cordless Precision Controller for Xbox. Even though the Driving Force Pro receives a high rating, editors note that after days of dedicated driving, the brake pedal began sticking without fully returning to its initial position upon acceleration. Most of the reviews here are very dated.
14. Epinions	PC Game Devices Contributors to Epinions As of May 2006		Epinions invites consumers to post their own reviews. A variety of joysticks, gamepads and steering wheels are covered here. But ratings are not limited to current products, and many items don't receive any comments from owners.