Customer Reviews

Nyko 80610 AirFlo PC Game Controller

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I bought this controller because I needed something to be able to play console-style games on the PC and frankly, this was the only choice in the store at the time. I'd looked over Belkin's, and it just seemed too cumbersome in my hands. I'd read that Thrustmaster's had weak sticks and a tendency to break.

I've been impressed with the Nyko Airflo ever since I took it out of the package. On any of my Windows XP Pro machines, I just plug in the controller and it works out of the box. No drivers, no configuration, no calibration mess. For Windows 98 users, you can download driver files to support it, but I haven't tried them.

I've been playing Silent Hill 2 and 3, Metal Gear Solid, and a handful of emulated games, and the controller has just naturally worked every time. The Airflo has fans in the handles that blow cool air directly onto your palms. A switch controls two different speeds for the fans, or you can turn them off. I didn't buy this for the fans, but having used them I'm really grateful for it - I'm surprised how well they cool your hands. I'd been concerned that my hands might block the intake, but it's tucked up under the middle, so no worries there. The rubber grips are pretty solid to hold, and although I don't intentionally bang the analog sticks, I have accidentally knocked them around and been surprised they didn't snap right off, but instead kept working.

I've got relatively large hands, so this controller is about the right size for me, and I recommend it to anyone looking to get the "Playstation feel" to their gaming.

One thing to note: some of the older (or just lamer) games I've seen don't support the Nyko. For instance, Sonic Adventure DX for the PC says it'll only work with an analog stick. It's a poorly-built game, and no matter how I fiddle with it, it won't even see the analog sticks on the Nyko. Ditto for games like South Park Rally and Sonic R.

I don't play a lot of games and almost none on the PC. Call me sentimental, I still pick up my Nintendo64 every now and then. At any rate, I bought the Harry Potter Quidditch World Cup game and loved it muchly, but my fingers got tired using the keyboard for it. So I went out and picked up this controller to use. It was a completely random choice (as I said, I'm not a gamer, so I didn't know what to look for) based more on price than anything else. I discovered that it was the best choice I could have made.

The controller works perfectly with the game and I was able to program all the buttons and analog sticks and everything. Made playing so much easier and better. I don't use the air flow thing so much because I don't have the sweaty hands problem, but I like that it has a bigger grippy area so it fills my hand more. I've been playing with it for several months now and it hasn't broken or gone wonky on me. Very sturdy, works as it should, and helped me win the World Cup :)

This controller is excellent in comfort and ease of use. The fan really helps, although for a real idea of how much it helps you will have to play the same game for an hour with the Nyko controller, and then for an hour with a different controller. The form factor follows the Playstation 2 controller design, which is really the best controller out there (much as the designers of other game systems may wail and gnash their teeth, lol.) However, there are a few improvements over the base PS2 design here. First, the analog thumbsticks' tips are textured with raised ridges, making them much less slippery than the PS2 equivalent, and the handgrips have "cleats" of soft rubberized plastic to give both better grip, and add a bit of "give" to it. It is a VERY comfortable controller to use.
It does have a couple of drawbacks. Other reviews I've read online indicate that a problem I ran into was not limited to me, but seems to be general, which is that after a few weeks of use, the controller "forgets" its calibration and will cause *ahem* unintended results *ahem* in-game. Sadly, there is A) no way to prevent this, and B) no way to tell it has happened until you're in-game and your character (for example) runs in place in a corner and cannot be moved.
This sounds more serious than it is; all you need to do is go to Control Panel -> Game Controllers and recalibrate it, but this IS a hassle some users might want to avoid. If this is no big deal to you, this is an excellent controller, and much more comfortable than its competitors.
Especially if you're playing Final Fantasy XI on PC.

There's not really much I can say about this controller that any of the other reviewers haven't said. The "Airflow" technology really helps, the PS2 button scheme is excellent, and the D-pad is awesome. The one error that I've run into, is that none of my games let me use the d-pad to control! I always have to use the left analog stick! This isn't really a big problem, except in games like "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3". It's actually better in games like "LOTR: Return Of The King". I don't understand why it won't let me use the d-pad, but other than that, this is the best controller available to the PC.

UPDATE (6/26/2008): Just wanted to fill anyone in who may still want to buy this (do such people exist?) that one of my Nyko controllers actually broke. The left analogue stick no longer works correctly and is constantly stuck in "LEFT! LEFT! LEFT!!!" mode, which is unfortunate for all the other directions I'd like to use. All right, that's all for the update.


Unlike all the other reviewers, I'm using this controller with a Mac. None of the packaging or instructions say it supports Macs, but the Nyko website offers a Mac driver that works perfectly well with OS 10.4.3. I mapped the controller to keyboard functions so I get universal support in all my games... and I can even use one of the analog sticks to manipulate my cursor from a distance (great for using it as a remote to watch DVDs on the computer, especially with the long cord). I should note that both the Windows and Mac drivers were updated early in 2005, so some of the older complaints by reviewers here may be solved with a driver update.

The usefullness of the fan is arguable, but I like it because it works and I hate the feel of even the tiniest bit of perspiration. Besides, controllers get passed around and no one's going to wipe them down, despite the inevitable hand sweat. However, the fan on low makes more noise than my Powerbook's fans going full-steam, and it wafts up some plasticky scents from within the controller (not foul, but I'd rather not smell my controller). But I'd deal with the minor faults for sweatless gameplay.

As for use and comfort, the controller is very comfortable in my hands, and I have ridiculously small hands (I've seen 10-year-old boys with hands the same size as or bigger than mine). I can get at all of the controls just fine, though it takes a bit more work to get the analog sticks to respond quickly with short thumbs. For the RPGs, racing games, and occasional 2D fighting game I play, these controllers are great.

The controller feels very sturdy (despite being laden with holes), though some of the buttons on mine are very wobbly (might be due to it being a refurbished controller). Still, it works perfectly fine and I'd recommend it (though not for $25; get a wireless controller if you're going to pay retail).

This is the absolute best game controller that I have ever purchased. It is a steal for the price, and it works great. This controller has 13 buttons, most others have 8. Without the air flow, this works great, with the air flow it works even better. This controller works on any ME or up computer with a USB port, which most new computers have. Another great thing about this is it has 2 analog sticks, not just one. This is good if you have a game where you have to move and aim. Another great thing-no batterys are needed! You just plug it into the computer and it works like a charm.

This is a very nice control, it REALLY cools ur hands and i was surprised on how light it is. It worked for all the games i tried it on. The only reason I gave it 4/5 stars is cuz I dunno if it was just mine but it only lasted me 3 months. At first a fan blade broke off somehow i dont even know how that happened, and a week later the whole control just stopped working completely. I got the Logitech Cordless rumblepad 2 now and hasnt given me any problems yet. Read the reviews for the Logitech one.

Wondeful controller. I've been using for a few years and never had problems. Great buy.

Not much to say. The controller is easy to use, has cooling fans for your hands, and is just the right size. Its great!

It is a really good controller with a good airflo feature! The only problem is that the black part on the back is a little bit uncomfortable. Other than that, good controller and shipped only one day late!