Customer Reviews

Gamester FPS Master Controller

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

My biggest complaint about the controls on Halo is that I couldn't slap someone without taking my thumb off of the joystick (which is bad because someone can you get in the the second or two that it takes to push the button and come back to the joystick). I could switch controller profiles so that the slap is on one of the triggers but then I couldn't throw a grenade without taking my thumb off of the joystick. It was kind of frustrating to me.

Finally my wife bought me this controller for a Valentine's gift (now that is a romantic wife, I wouldn't trade her for anything).

What I did not like: Let's start with this part. I did not like that it took me almost a week of playing Halo (an hour a night) to get back to the same level of skill that I was with the original controller. I've been using this controller for seven months and even now I still don't know which button corresponds to the x, y, a, or b button. I also do not like that I if try playing Halo with a normal controller, [...]. I don't remember the buttons very well and am no where near as good with the normal controller as I am with the FPS controller (but that's not the controller's fault). I'm sure that if I played on both for awhile, I could switch between the two without a problem.

What I liked: I love this controller. It is the best thing to happen to me and Halo. Once I got past the learning curve (1 week), I increased the already large scoring divide between me and my lan party buddies (usually around 7 points) to 10 points. I no longer have to lose control of where I'm looking or running to throw a punch or throw a grenade. Even though I don't know which button on this controller is the B button, I instinctively know which button is the slap or which will switch weapons. The buttons are in an excellent spot. I at first thought that I would bump the buttons in intense moments but that's not the case. You have to be deliberate with your button mashing for you to throw that punch. The feel of thing is great and actually adds to the experience (if you haven't noticed, it kind of looks like a gun) Another great things about this controller is that because it has a kind of high learning curve, no wants to borrow this controller. They may ask to use it but I tell them about how hard it is to use at first and they leave my prized controller where it belongs, with me. This thing is awesome.

I had high hopes for this pad, as it seemed to be the ideal layout.
Unfortunatly, the design and construction don't live up to this controller's full potential. On my particular copy, the left thumbstick is so far off center that there is noticably limited movement in the lower left quarter. The underside buttons (A,B,X,Y) which are the main point of the device, are poorly placed and occasionally hard to hit, undermining the usefulness of the feature. Additionally, the whole pad is (at least for me) very uncomfortable to use. I purchased this controller primarily to play Halo, one of my favorite games. I've beaten Halo 1 and 2 more than a dozen times each; the original game I cleared once in a single sitting using my original Xbox controller with no problems or discomfort. I mention this to give perspective. When I say that after clearing one level of Halo with the FPS my hands and arms actually hurt, understand that it's not just an idle complaint. This pad is very poorly designed, and qualitiy control is obviously lacking as well (note the tweaked thumbstick).
I was truly disappointed at the poor workmanship of this product, because I had high hopes of improving my gaming experience, but the pad is unplayable in its current form. Maybe in the next round of consoles, an improved model will be released, but for now, I can't recommend this to anyone.

PROS:

(1) You'll almost never need to take your fingers off the thumbsticks in order to press a button to jump, change weapons, reload, or toggle an item/vehicle. This will shave off those fractions of a second that you need to frag harder (or die less) in Halo or Halo 2.

(2) If you attend a LAN party, you'll almost always know which is your controller.

(3) If you attend a LAN party, no one will want to use your controller for long because it takes time to get used to it.

(4) [...] you hear when fellow gamers see the thing. =)


CONS:

(1) It takes a good day or two of extensive playing to rewire your brain to the "instant reflex" level with the controller's button layout.

(2) My controller broke (spring in trigger #1) in 4 months. I've never had an xbox S controller break on me in 4 years.

(3) Ergonomics may not be as good as the standard controller. Just didn't feel as comfortable as the standard xbox controller to me. If only the Gamester FPS controller had adjustable angles on the pistol grips....

I originally purchased this for the PS2 for playing Max Payne and Hitman and I loved it so much when I got a Xbox I immediately bought this controller as well. It can be difficult to remember which buttons are X and which are B but (especially having two different versions of the controller) it's never hard to remember which button throws grenades and which punches. It does have a fairly high learning curve and no one else ever seems to want to use it but that can be a plus sometimes. On another note this controller is almost worthless playing anything else besides First Person Shooters. In short this controller is a godsend for getting the upper hand in Halo or any FPS.

I'll be brief: the controller is awesome. As the others mentioned above, it really is fantastic for Halo/Halo 2, especially if you dig melees. BUT, its one big downside (in my opinion) is that the triggers break frequently. More specifically, the spring in the right-hand trigger breaks. One customer noted this above, and I second that notion. But, if you don't mond buying a new one every few months, it does give you an advantage in the games it was designed for :)

this item does not work for xbox 360. the AYXB buttons are located where your middle and ring fingers are. the four buttons are really flimsy and it would be very easy to press them mistakenly if you are holding your controller with a tight grip. i wouldnt recommend it. i returned mine because it doesnt work for xbox 360.

When Halo 2 dropped on the Xbox I remember being frustrated with the controller in trying to do things like use the flash light or switch grenades or even just throwing them. Thanfully this controller came out when it did. the placement of the handle buttons where you grip the controller made a lot of functions in FPS games so much easier. If you like the old Xbox and playing Halo 2 on it, this is DEFINITELY the controller you want.

This is a great controller for the xbox, but finding computer drivers to use a usb adapter can be a hassle. Great controller though for shooter games.

Got my controller used yesterday. Popped in Halo 2 and this controller functioned amazingly right out of the box. Controller grips feel great in my hands, the buttons on the grips for A, X, B, Y are designed perfectly that you can feel the ridges to know which button your finger is resting on and about to push. I don't understand how people are pressing both or incorrect buttons when they are clearly defined by feel. The joysticks are very tight, there is "somewhat" of a dead spot when you first engage the joysticks, but honestly it is nothing that can't be compensated for after 5mins of practice, and maybe it's my playing style, but this so called dead spot is barely noticeable to me, and hasn't effected my game play whatsoever.
The controller looks awesome, feels awesome, aids in less fatigue (numb or aching fingers/joints) do to it's design, and is smart. With the ability to even relocate almost ALL button functions and store 3 different settings, it's not hard to get this controller setup perfectly to match your memory, eye hand coordnation, and style of play.
I HIGHLY recommend this controller (for the price as well) for ANY serious FPS gamer, with a little patience and practice, you'll end up using this controller for ALL your games.

I bought this controller years ago, before Halo 2 came out and I loved using this with Halo. Three roommates and myself would play 3-vs-1 frequently and one night I was the odd-man-out. This controller helped me to be the first (and only) roommate to win as the odd-man-out.

One day one of the trigger buttons broke and I wasn't able to fix it. I've missed having it for FPS games and have never been able to find a comparable controller for the Xbox 360. This controller is well worth the money.