Rumble Force Gamepad

The game controller in your hand can make all the difference, sometimes between liking a game, and loving it, or just for getting the game to do what you intend. Is the controller designed well? Does it slip in your hands? Is it built well? Does it allow customizing of its buttons? Some controllers offer features others don't. Scheduled to be released in September 2007, just in time for the holidays, the Thrustmaster Dual Trigger 3 in 1 Controllers represent their latest with six axis of movement. Today I'm reviewing the 'Rumble Force' version. It offers vibration feedback in addition to full PS2/PS3 and PC compatibility, button/mini-stick/d-pad reprogramming, new-generation mini-sticks, and all in a controller that is comfortable to hold and use.

Introducing the Thrustmaster Dual Trigger 3-in-1 Rumble Force Gamepad for PC, PS2 and PS3. Thrustmaster is the Guillemot Corporation's PC and console gaming accessories brand name.

The controller comes with a mini driver CD and an instruction manual that covers seven languages.

Noted Features

1) Vibration feedback on PS2 and PC.

2) Two progressive triggers with long range travel bumps it up to a 6 axis controller

3) "Home" button has specific feature for each platform supported: for PS3 allow access to menus and to power off the console; PS2 it allows you to switch between analog and digital modes; on PC the home button allows you to switch from standard 4 axis to 6 axis mode

4) Fully programmable: All buttons, mini-sticks and the D-Pad can be switched between themselves and also programmed onto the triggers

5) "Preset" button allows you to instantly switch from default programming to your custom preset controls while in game

6) Internal memory: saves all of your programming, even when the gamepad is switched off (one reprogrammed mode per platform: PC/PS2/PS3)

7) Optimized handling: ribbed grip and rubber mini-sticks

Reviewer notes: With regards to the internal memory, I could get it to turn on & off Preset Mode but not store more than one custom preset for a single gaming platform. So it seems that you can have one custom preset configured for your PS2 and another set for your PC and another for your PS3, but you can't have more than one custom preset for your PS2 for example. Each preset configuration can have many or all buttons, mini-sticks, d-pad reconfigured.

Additional features noted by reviewer

The controller has ten buttons for gaming, a d-pad, two mini-sticks, and two triggers. It also has three more custom buttons for configuring and changing the controller's function. The game buttons are pressure sensitive (except for 'start' and 'select') for games that use that feature. This is also called 'progressive buttons.' The d-pad has a center rocker (more on this later). The rumble force version (the one I tested) has vibration feedback from two internal motors for PS2 and PC games. Thrustmaster stresses that the controller's new-generation mini-sticks offer optimum resistance and allow enhanced game play. The cord is 82 inches or 208 centimeters long or about a foot shorter than my PS2 controller's.

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