Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 Joystick - Gaming Joysticks Featured

Buy Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 Joystick

SideWinder Force Feedback 2 is the ultimate joystick for those who demand the best. The over-clocked processor and on-board power supply deliver powerful, lightning fast forces for a more realistic feel in your favorite flight, combat and racing games. Precision engineered, the SideWinder Force Feedback 2 lets you feel the thrill of force! Buy here now!

To use Microsoft® SideWinder® Force Feedback 2 with the Game Controller Software you will need:

• Multimedia personal computer with Pentium 166 or higher processor and USB port
• Microsoft Windows® 98 or Windows 2000 Professional operating system
• 16 MB of memory (RAM)
• 25 MB of available hard-disk space
• DirectX® 7.0a API (included)
• Quad-speed CD-ROM drive
• Super VGA, 256-color monitor
• Microsoft Mouse, or compatible pointing device
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or later browser software to view User Guide
• Printer for profile printouts (optional)
• Joystick is compatible with Windows 98 or later based games only

Lowdown Pros: * Plenty of buttons * Very easy to hold and to use * Novel design clips onto counter Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Introduction Microsoft's Sidewinder Force Feedback Racing Wheel can be described as you describe any of Microsoft's hardware gaming products. It is ergonomically perfect, it has more buttons than you can shake a stick at, and it is easier to use than most other products. Why, though, would you want a wheel? First of all, I can't even imagine a serious race-car game driver playing without one. The mouse or keyboard simply lacks the feeling of sitting at a real wheel, pushing on real pedals. It is also not nearly as accurate or as intuitive. Also, the force-feedback is important for gamers who want the feel of the game. Sure, you can watch the road-signs fly across your screen, or you can feel as you hit each one, and know that that sidewalk you're driving on isn't so good for your car. 3d Accelerated.com had to test to see how Microsoft's Force Feedback Racing Wheel stacks up against the competition... Installation Installing the wheel is simple. Simply run the program, restart, and plug in your wheel. You don't even need to have the wheel plugged in when you start your computer, so you can switch right away after using a joystick or other gaming device. I don't know how they could make it any easier. Comfort The racing wheel forces you to put your hands at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions (rather than 2 and 10), however, which makes driving a wee-bit uncomfortable. Well, it doesn't force you, but it's designed for that hand positioning. The buttons on the back of the wheel, as well as on the front, assume your hands are in that position, so if you're not much of a button-pusher, you should be well off. The wheel also has a hand-grip for that area, so your sweaty hands won't slip over the surface as you're making that last turn into the finish line or passing the Lamborghini just ahead of you. The pedals are great, as long as you have a carpet floor or something where you can push them up against. Otherwise they just travel further and further away from you, until you have to bend down and bring them closer. Also, (at least for most games), the "brake" pedal is actually reverse, so you can easily get confused (brake is now on the wheel, as one of the thumb switches by default). Of course, if one of the buttons is uncomfortable, you can just switch it to where you want using the MS Sidewinder Profile Activator.