Game controller

I just picked up a Microsoft Freestyle Pro from my local softwar store. As soon as I got back home I hooked it up to my USB bus and installed the bundled game that came with it, Motocross Madness. All I can say is...... WOW! -- - My e-mail: chjohans at online dot no #include <std/disclaimer.h>

It comes with the full version of Motocross madness. It's a nice popcorn game, in that while I don't really feel like I'm simming, I still enjoy firing it up and playing, and playing, and playing... I think I paid US$60 or $70. I own the old Sidewinder 3D Pro joystick, the USB ready game pad mentioned, and full HOTAS and wheel sets from Thrustmaster. While I enjoy the look (= feeling of realism) and multiple buttons, etc on the TM products, the MS products are far more reliable (the 3D Pro must be two or three years old now) and need recalibration only after reformatting my hard drive. Come to think of it...I have a Formula T2 for sale (cheap, in good condition w/box, manual, etc). I think I want to try the MS wheel, but don't want the added baggage of trying to explain to driving wheels to my wife.

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>>and installed the >>bundled game that came with it, Motocross Madness. >How much did you pay for the controller? And, did it come with the FULL >version of Motocross madness? >This game is very expensive I find. In canada, $70CDN typically. I would >think that the controller should even be cheaper than that. So basically

if >you wanted the game you could save money *and* get a free controller. >Any comparison shoppers out there? >I was looking at controllers today but I was looking more at full size >joysticks. I ended up with a Microsoft Sidewinder precision pro and I'm very >happy with it so far. All I did was plug it into my USB port and Win98 >detected it and installed all the drivers for it automatically. Very nice. It >was fully installed and all I did was plug it in. Nice and smooth control too. >glen

The game itself (Motocross Madness), although it's a really good game IMHO, isn't what made me go "wow". It was the MS Sidewinder FreestylePro in combination with game. The difference between this amazing controller and a joystick/pad/wheel is just amazing for this game. I've since then tried the controller on several different games and I've cameto the following conclusion: - The controller is just *brilliant* for games like Motocross Madness, Monster Truck Madness 1/2, Moto Racer and other non-sim or light-sim car/bike games. It adds a whole new dimension to the gameplay. - It's usable for more serious sim racing games like for instance Grand Prix Legends but I still prefer a good wheel. - It's fun to use in flight sims. It could be a good alternative to a joystick for civilian sims if you don't have a yoke but in military sims it's just about useless (still fun to use though). - Haven't tried it in any first persons shooters yet but I hardly think it will replace my mouse/keyboard once I do. - In any game that you would normally use a gamepad you can just turn of the motion sensor with the click of a button and there i your standard gamepad. My conclusion: An excellent (and I Mean excellent) controller if you like motorsport type games (which happens to be among my favourites) but not worth the money if you don't. -- - My e-mail: chjohans at online dot no #include <std/disclaimer.h> >It comes with the full version of Motocross madness. It's a nice popcorn >game, in that while I don't really feel like I'm simming, I still enjoy >firing it up and playing, and playing, and playing... >I think I paid US$60 or $70. I own the old Sidewinder 3D Pro joystick, the >USB ready game pad mentioned, and full HOTAS and wheel sets from >Thrustmaster. While I enjoy the look (= feeling of realism) and multiple >buttons, etc on the TM products, the MS products are far more reliable (the >3D Pro must be two or three years old now) and need recalibration only after >reformatting my hard drive. >Come to think of it...I have a Formula T2 for sale (cheap, in good condition >w/box, manual, etc). I think I want to try the MS wheel, but don't want the >added baggage of trying to explain to driving wheels to my wife. >>>and installed the >>>bundled game that came with it, Motocross Madness. >>How much did you pay for the controller? And, did it come with the FULL >>version of Motocross madness? >>This game is very expensive I find. In canada, $70CDN typically. I would >>think that the controller should even be cheaper than that. So basically >if >>you wanted the game you could save money *and* get a free controller. >>Any comparison shoppers out there? >>I was looking at controllers today but I was looking more at full size >>joysticks. I ended up with a Microsoft Sidewinder precision pro and I'm >very >>happy with it so far. All I did was plug it into my USB port and Win98 >>detected it and installed all the drivers for it automatically. Very nice. >It >>was fully installed and all I did was plug it in. Nice and smooth control >too. >>glen