What do you think of the MS Dual Strike?

[RedRooster]

I'm just wondering if anyone here has some experience using the MS Dual Strike gamepad? There's a couple reasons I'm looking at it for a possible gamepad:
1) I'd like to stay loyal to MS. I know that sounds bad, but my keyboard, mouse, steering wheel, and joystick are all MS, and I've had nothing but good luck with all of them. And their warranty and RMA policy is fantastic.
2) I've owned and LOVED the Gravis Xterminator, however that was only because I needed a good all around controller. But now that I have a wheel for driving games, and a joystick for flying games, I just need something for the occasional arcade game or the upcoming GTA3.

I know the controller looks odd, but how is it to actually use? The reviews sound pretty good.

 

[CZroe]

I own virtually every Sidewinder made (MS Sidewinder Loyalist) but I can not recommend this pad to anyone. It's so gimmicky it's unbelievable. It doesn't work for FPS games like it claims it was designed for, the D-Pad is the worst ever (MS has always lacked in this department), and the "ball" joint doesn't work correctly. It should feel like a "ball in socket" but the reality is that when you twist forward or back, the left and right axis changes position to where when you try to twist left and right naturally it will not move at all (Making it feel "stuck" forward or backward). It doesn't even work well for flying games (A joystick is better) but that's the closest to anything I would try to play with it. I picked up a few of these for $9.98 at Big Lots and I'll sell if you decide you still might want one BTW, the ABSOLUTE BEST game pad for PC is a REAL N64 controller with "The Adaptoid" from Wishtech. It's expensive, but NOTHING compares to Nintendo's D-Pad (Not even Sony). Have fun...

[edit]
Why would ANYONE think this controller is acceptable for first-person shooter games? With a mouse/keyboard combo, you can whip your view around, and if you run out of room, simply pick up your mouse and move it again. If you try to turn around with the Dual Strike (or any other 'joystick'), you have to hold it in a direction and -wait- for your view to finish turning...Yech!

 

[RedRooster]

Haha, thanks for the advice! I mean....er....warning.
Guess that explains why the price got driven down so quickly on a fairly high tech looking device.
I might just end up grabbing a Sidewinder Gamepad Pro(the silver one), or move on to a different company for my gamepad. I hear the Thrustmaster Dual Analog controllers are not bad.

 

[CZroe]

The SW Gamepad Pro has an analog pad, which is not ideal for action, arcade, or sports games which require quick responsiveness.

 

[RedRooster]

I keep trying to pick out analog pads after being so used to my Xterminator I guess, but I actually don't need analog controls now that I have the wheel and joystick.
I suppose just a regular Sidewinder might be my best bet, however, would there be a PC specific(I've use an N64 controller in the past, and its definately an acquired taste, I'm sure ) digital gamepad you could suggest that would have around 6 buttons on the face and perhaps two digital shoulder buttons? I don't need a button laden pad like the Xterminator was, just something for the occasional game of NHL2002 or playing emulators or something.

 

[CZroe]

The N64 pad layout is the best because it has shoulder buttons and 6 face buttons which can be easily configured for any emulator. Perfect layout for SNES, PSX, Genesis, NES, GB, etc...Fighting games, platformers, sports, action, all work perfectly.

As a PC gamepad, I recommend the new version of the original Sidewinder Gamepad. It's USB so you don't need the bulky daisy-chaining feature of the original. The d-pad is still the mushy 'floating style' though, which sux for fighting games...

[edit]
Oh yeah, the trigger on the bottom of the N64 pad is usually configured as the 'select' button for some emulators...

 

[CZroe]

Nintendo and Sony are the only companies I can think of that don't have those crappy 'floating' D-pads. Nintendo's pads feel superior, and the Sony pad looks like they were trying to get around some kind of patent.

 

[CZroe]

Oh yeah, the Adaptoid/N64 Pad supports DirectX force feedback with an N64 Runble Pak inserted into the controller, sweet!

[edit]
The Rumble/Mem Pak options require the Wishtech driver, which is not required for other features.
The device installs without drivers as a Direct Input compatible Human Interface Device and works perfectly with all Windows games.
It even has features to swap the axis from pad/stick through a button code (no sofftware needed, you can change the axis in mid-game!)
When the pad is the default axis, Up/Down/Left/Right on the stick simulates buttons 11, 12, 13, and 14.

 

[Wolfsraider]

thanks CZroe,
great info
and just what i was looking for a better 30.00 solution.
i use the hammer fx but no xp support so this looks cool
and i have 4 different n64 controllers all different colors hmm...

thanks again and have a nice day