bit-tech Shopping: Mad Catz MicroCON Control Pad (PS2)

Rating: 6

Time with product: 1 Week

Strengths: Low Price, Small Form Factor, Immersion Rumble

Weaknesses: Button Layout

Summary: The review of this controller has a slight tilt to it, I must say that I mainly play rhythm, music, racing and fighting games on my PS2, so take that for what it's worth. The X,O,Triangle,Square button layout is very compressed for someone with slightly larger than average hands. This lead to many inadvertant button presses in fighting and music games where button presses are required to be distinct and timed properly. The shoulder buttons are very compressed from the small form factor. This also leads to multiple button presses, and this becomes bothersome in most of the game types that I play, fighting, music, and racing inclusive. I find that the controller is useful when multiple button presses don't adversely effect the game, such as in a classic arcade compilation when only one button is used, in turn based games, and I would assume in the RPG that isn't active driven. If you have small hands this may be a controller to look into. The same goes for if you play games that aren't primarily action based. But if your collection features games like Tekken, Twisted Metal, Wipeout, and Amplitude, you might be better off ponying up a couple more bucks for an official Dual Shock 2.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 3 Days

Strengths: Cheap,Durable,Looks great,Hand Grips for tighter grip,Easier to handle analog sticks,Good for little kids,Macro button

Weaknesses: Start/Select menu not marked,Small, if you have big hands then pressing multiple buttons often occurs,Sometimes the left analog stick does not respond for a second

Summary: I've only had this for a few days, but I feel that it was a great value. The controller is small, so it is great for people with small hands. Since the buttons are so small though, people with big hands will easily get blisters. If you need a cheap controller, this is it. It is a great value for $15 at target, compared to normal PS2 controllers that were $25 at the time.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 4 Weeks

Strengths: BETTER FEEL THAN MOST PLAYSTATION CONTROLLERS, AND THE MORE POWERFUL SHOCK IS NICE TOO, MACRO FEATURE

Weaknesses: GETTING USED TO THE START/SELECT BUTTON BEING IN DIFFERENT AREAS

Summary: THE MAD CATZ CONTROLLER IS A REALLY NICE CONTROLLER AND PROBABLY OUTDOES ANY OTHER CONTROLLER BY FAR. I HAVE USED MAD CATZ CONTROLLERS BEFORE ON OTHER SYSTEMS, AND NOT ONLY DO THEY HAVE A BETTER FEEL AND ARE MORE COMFORTABLE, BUT THEY ALSO LAST A LONGER AS WELL.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 20 Days

Strengths: price, good feel, great for childern, warranty

Weaknesses: None

Summary: A well priced PS2 controller with a good feel to it. Sadly, my hands seem to be in between controller sizes. This controller is just a tad too small for my hands, but perfect for my nephews & niece, who have smaller hands.