P120 Controller
Score: 90% Developer: Saitek Device Type: Controller
Function: Do you like playing PC games but prefer a ?gamepad? style controller to other game controls such as a mouse or keyboard? That sounds like a job for the Saitek P120! The P120 is ergonomically designed, allowing for a comfortable grip, and provides ten digital inputs: a D-pad (with optional joystick attachment), four quick response fire buttons opposite the D-pad, and two shoulder buttons.
Performance: The Saitek P120 gamepad has a unique shape, a little different than other gamepads. This takes a little time to get used to for gamers who are more familiar with gamepads shaped more conventionally. However, after using the Saitek P120 gamepad for a short time, it feels perfectly natural. The gamepad claims to be ?ergonomically designed for hours of comfortable gaming.? While this is a common statement which may usually be translated as ?This controller is completely non functional, but doesn?t it look weird!?? this controller actually does feel comfortable in the hands. The P120 Controller is for use with Pentium and above computers with Windows 95 or higher. I know there are some die hard DOS gamers out there, along with low budget gamers trying to play something on their outdated Win3.1 systems. Can you use the P120? I don?t know. Saitek doesn?t offer support for these outdated platforms, and I don?t have sufficient call to own and test on these systems. (And besides, I know you die-hard DOS gamers write your own device drivers, right?) You?ll have to have a free game port to install the P120 Controller, but if you meet the system requirements, you?re pretty much set. Simply plug the P120 into your PC?s game port (with the computer off, of course) then boot up your system. Then go into the GAME CONTROLLERS section in CONTROL PANEL and choose ADD. You?ll need to select ?4-Axis 6-button gamepad? and then calibrate the pad, but that?s it. The required drivers are included in Win 95 and Win 98, so no driver disk is needed (or included).
Features: Quick and responsive eight-way D-pad Optional handle transforms D-pad into a mini-joystick Mini-Joystick stores securely in built-in chamber on gamepad Six independent and assignable buttons Four quick response fire buttons in ?Console? layout Two shoulder triggers Ergonomical design (that really is comfortable!) Six-foot cord
Drawbacks & Problems:: I found that the instructions for installing the gamepad were slightly incorrect, possibly making references that were completely correct for Win 95, but slightly different than what I faced when installing it on my Win 98 system. This was not a great hurdle, no less reassuring than had every prompt matched the exact text indicated by the install guide. I was actually quite surprised that the Joystick attachment stayed secure in its compartment; not based on Saitek?s reputation, but rather on the general reputation of the entire gaming industry. Usually small details like these are not given the appropriate amount of thought. I was very pleased with the overall design of the Saitek P120 Controller and really have nothing worthwhile to say against it. Good job, Saitek. Keep it up.
-Geck0, GameVortex Communications AKA Robert Perkins
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