Microsoft’s Xbox 360 controller pretty much sucks. No, it’s okay, you can admit it — they already have. Earlier this year, Microsoft released a new controller, complete with raised d-pad for better accuracy. Sounds great right? But what if another company did it better? Enter Evil Controllers.

What is it?

Evil controllers is a company that makes modified controllers and controller pieces. They’ve got a ton of products from different controller designs to controllers that are modded to perform better with a specific game. For this review, we’ll be focusing specifically on the Evil D-Pad, a modified d-pad replacement for the Xbox 360 that’s supposed to be more accurate and respond better to your button presses.  We’ll also be taking a look at the evil sticks for Xbox 360, which changes out the Xbox 360 thumbsticks for a pair with a better grip.

You can get both the Evil D-Pad and the Evil Sticks in two different ways, already mounted on a refurbished controller or as a kit that you can put on yourself. Don’t let the word refurbished scare you, the controllers the company buys and uses are described as “like new” fashion and as the company shows on the website, comes in great condition compared to other sellers.  Regardless of how order, the items come packed in a cool little box that holds everything together quite nicely.

How should you get yours? Trust me, you’re going to want to get it pre-assembled. Maybe it’s just me, but taking the entire controller apart and putting everything back in was nerve-wracking and incredibly difficult. The controllers that the company provides are in great condition (they even do their own soldering).

How does it work?

Surprisingly well actually. I was especially impressed with the thumb sticks and how much more comfortable they felt. Rather than the Xbox’s standard indented top, the Evil Sticks feature a rubber gripped top that make your thumbs stick incredibly well. I used my modified thumbsticks for a while and then the originals,  the difference was amazing and I soon found myself switching back to the modified version.

The same really goes for the  D-pad, which I’ve protested since the Xbox 360 first released. Essentially what the Evil D-pad does is separates the four directional buttons into separate buttons. The difference is amazing. Not only is the d-pad more responsive, it’s also much more comfortable. Take a game like Gears of War 2, where you switch weapons with the D-pad, no longer are you switching to the wrong weapons at the worst moments.

The Blast Factor: If you’re at all serious about your gaming, do yourself a favor, check out Evil Controller’s line of products at http://www.evilcontrollers.com. Their done with quality and pride  and could make quite the difference in your game.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Want to own an Evil Controller evil stick as well as some other cool goodies? Keep your eyes on Blast the next few days, we’re doing an auction for relief in Japan, and Evil Controllers has been kind enough to send us two awesome prize packs. There will also be items from Microsoft, Sony and some other awesome publishers.

Politics are messy, so I won’t offer my opinion. Enjoy.

As seen on Toby Toons

]]> http://blastmagazine.com/the-magazine/gaming/gaming-news/obama-is-not-a-gamer/feed/ 0 http://blastmagazine.com/the-magazine/technology/splitfishs-motionfx/ http://blastmagazine.com/the-magazine/technology/splitfishs-motionfx/#comments Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:25:55 +0000 Manuel Uribe http://blastmagazine.com/?p=1163

While unknown to many gamers, the name SplitFish Gameware is an important piece of the gaming puzzle. Their line of products range from simple adapters, to 3D gaming glasses, to PlayStation 3 controller replacements.

Many products out there claim to enhance gameplay, but most turn out to be frivolous gimmicks. More than once, SplitFish’s tech has turned out to actually upgrade the way you play.

One of their recent pieces of gameware, recently released stateside after almost two years of availability abroad, MotionFX is a standalone motion-sensing adapter for the PS2 controller. It turns your Dualshock into a Sixaxis.

Out of the box, it’s literally a snap to set-up. The small booklet of instructions shows you how to snap it on, then turn it on. Depending on the amount of sensitivity you’d prefer, you’re able to adjust that as well.

Originally, I couldn’t believe the MotionFX’s claims. The sales people at my local gaming store weren’t familiar with it and didn’t know if it actually worked or not. No one had bought it yet. So I took it upon myself. I splurged. I spent a whole $10.

The thing that first surprised me was the fact that the adapter came with a cord. Which made sense, since this thing runs without batteries. It’s sort of a mixed blessing.

I followed the simple instruction and snapped it on. Running NASCAR 08, I clicked the main button and the blue and red lights turned on, letting me know it had calibrated itself. You can recalibrate and adjust the sensitivity by pressing a few buttons.

You are also able to select which stick you want to substitute the adapter for. By default it assigns it to the left thumb-stick. I started the race and away I went. I found that I had to adjust my degree of tilt to get the controls comfortable. From then on, it was just a matter of getting used to the motion sensing, since I’m a traditional gamer, who just sits back without much hand/body motion.

I made the investment in a second MotionFX and did some PlayStation 3/Sixaxis comparisions. One of the first differences we noticed was the cord — powering the device off the PS2 instead of a battery pack.

You’re probably going to have to adjust the motion sensitivity a few times to get used to the MotionFX, but you’re in for an experience that’s very similar to the Sixaxis, only on a PlayStation 2!

One of the real “wow” factors with this thing is that the MotionFX can be re-calibrated for a desired angle of center. One friend was holding it level, like a normal controller, while another tried holding it like a steering wheel.

The only real downside is the cord, but you’ll never have to worry about recharging or the batteries dying out. Also, when I’m in a menu, as I tilt the controller to navigate, it tends to rummage through the selections out of control. So I just level it off, and use the stick to make my selections.

Overall, I’d say SplitFish’s MotionFX is a must-buy for loyal PS2 owners looking for a new experience without a $400 upgrade. Like a phoenix, the PlayStation 2 just keeps coming back for more.

Download the manual

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars

One of the greatest features on the Nintendo Wii is the Virtual Console, giving players a chance to relive some of the greatest games ever made, including the original Mario Brothers and Zelda games.

But try as you might, many people just don’t feel the Wiimote — or even the Gamecube controller — feels right. That’s because we played these games for countless hours with the familiar two buttons of the rectangular NES controller and the breakthrough six buttons of the SNES. Or, if we really got fancy, we might have had a NES Advantage arcade-style control platform.

The Wii RetroPorts from RetroZone are simple small wire adapters. You can buy an NES or SNES version. Just plug it into the Wii with your original controller and you’re allset. The adapters don’t come with a controller, but you can use any controller with either a NES or SNES plug. The adapters just plug in as GameCube controllers, and you can use them for any Virtual Console games that are configured for the corresponding amount of buttons. (Genesis?)

I tried a few NES and SNES games in the Virtual Console. They played just the same as the original system. I felt like I was playing my original console games without having to blow on the cartridges.

The Original NES controller feels sooo much better in my hands than the Wii-Mote for Super Mario Brothers.

At $19, this is a perfect product.

Quick hits:

Developer/Distributor: RetroZone
Platform: Wii, Gamecube (Uses NES or SNES-compatible controllers, depending on which one you buy)
Genre: Gaming accessory

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars