|
Peripherals Hardware Review
Introduction
Since Netjak’s inception (which
has been almost a whole 6 months, mind you!), our primary focus has
been on bringing honest reviews on video games for every popular
system. For a gaming site just starting out, that’s exactly what we
should be doing. Our goal is to hopefully provide enough insight and
information you may need when making a decision on a video game
purchase.
With Netjak growing as fast as it
is, we felt it was time to expand into the other areas of gaming
outside of software. What good is playing video games if you’re not
using the right gaming controllers, and any other gaming equipment
suited for your gaming needs? Netjak would like to introduce the new
Hardware Review section. This section will focus on any and all
gaming peripherals that we can get our hands on. Our goal is the
same, only this time we hope to provide enough information on
peripheral products to help you in making a better-informed
purchase.
We hope you enjoy!
Let’s face it: Third party
gamepads are usually crap, when compared to the console
manufacturers’ controllers (i.e. Sony’s Dual Shock controller).
However, there are a very small handful of third party manufacturers
that actually come out with some really great products. Some would
say that these products even surpass their first party counterparts…
MadCatz is definitely one of those few companies that come out with
such products. If not in the top spot of third party manufacturers
for console controllers, they’re definitely within the top 3.
MadCatz has been around for a little over a decade and only in the
last few years have they really shown what they’re capable of – a
good quality product for a reasonable price.
For the first of the MadCatz
product review, I’d like to introduce the MicroCON gamepad. Those of
you that are familiar with the MadCatz product line, think of the
MicroCON as the little brother of the Control Pad Pro.
Look and Feel
Who says looks aren’t important?!
This is the first thing that is going to attract anyone looking to
buy an additional gamepad. But like the other saying, looks aren’t
everything (we’ll get into that in a bit). The MicroCON gamepad has
an overall great look. It’s very sleek in design and has rubberized
grips that give a very cool and distinct look over all the others,
including Microsoft’s controller. These gamepads are also available
in a variety of great looking colors. I got the bluish, purple one.
As mentioned above, the MicroCON
has rubberized grips that really add to the comfort of your
gameplaying. As small as this gamepad is, the layout of the buttons,
joysticks and D-pad are spaced just right (the spacing of the XYAB
buttons are exactly the same as the full-sized Microsoft
controllers), so all you would really need to get used to is the
overall size of the gamepad, which should hardly take any effort.
The original Xbox controllers are just way too HUGE. It’s basically
a big brick. Due to many complaints, Microsoft came out with their
Xbox Controller S. The Controller S’s size is in-between the
full-size gamepad and the MicroCON. Personally, I feel that the
Controller S’s size is an ideal one, but MadCatz’s intent for the
MicroCON was probably meant to target the little kiddies.
Gameplay-wise, the MicroCON
performs exceptionally well. I use only this controller when playing
my Xbox and it performs just as well as the Controller S, which I
also have.
Other Features
The MicroCON offers all the same
features as Microsoft’s Xbox controllers, and then some. You get the
dual analog joysticks, pressure-sensitive action buttons and D-pad,
two expansion bays for memory cards or other game enhancers and
rumble feedback capability that lets you feel the action in the
game. A feature that Microsoft’s controllers do not have is the
macro programmability function that allows you to program complex
moves at the touch of a button. Although this may sound like a cool
function, I’ve never known anyone that actually took advantage of
this in controllers that offer a similar feature. The MicroCON also
has a shorter cable (9 feet) than the original Xbox controller (9.5
feet) and the Controller S (9.8 feet).
Price
When it comes to purchasing
peripheral products, this is what it comes down to. For the MicroCON,
you definitely get a little more bang for your buck. Here are the
price comparisons:
MicroCON
- MSRP: $19.99
Original Xbox Controller
- MSRP: $29.95
Xbox Controller
S - MSRP: $39.95
Conclusion
Typically, there aren’t many
third party console controller manufacturers that can compete with
first party controllers, such as the Xbox Controller S, as far as
overall quality. MadCatz’s MicroCON actually takes it up a notch. If
not for the price alone, the MicroCON’s design, look and feel should
be reason enough to pick one up if you need another controller. The
only real complaint here is that the controller may be a little too
small. Then again, I’m a BIG kid.
MicroCON controllers are also
available for the PS2 and GameCube
|
