Trick Controller Score: 95% Developer: Pelican Accessories

Function: Pelican Accessories has come up with probably the best development in the history of video game controllers. How? Well, the Trick Controller not only gives you a slightly smaller Xbox controller (than the first-party controller) for less money, but also allows you to program it on the fly. No, I'm not talking about just programming combos onto a single button. But instead it actually allows you to keep the original function of the button, plus program in-game movements and button presses to a secondary function of the button! This means perfectly timed combos, every time. Programming the Trick Controller is as easy as 1-2-3. First, simply press the Program button and the LED will light up. Next, press any of the 6 action buttons (the box says 8, but only the six main buttons worked for me), and the LED will begin blinking. Finally, when you are ready to enter a combo (you don't have to right away), just hold down the Combo Shift button as you play. Once you release the button, you can at any time perform your personal combinations by holding the Combo Shift again and pressing the assigned button. And since the Combo Shift button is positioned for use with your left index finger, you will always have quick and flawless action at your fingertips.

Performance: Under intense pressure, the Trick Controller's combo features were flawless. However, it must be noted that you will not be able to 'capture' any analog stick movements, only the D-Pad. So, if you're game doesn't allow for D-Pad movement of your character, you won't be able to program character movements, instead only button presses. All buttons can be programmed, however. This means that anything using the 6 Action Buttons, the Back or Start buttons, the Right or Left Triggers, or the 2 buttons associated with the analog sticks, as well as the D-Pad, will work fine. Believe it or not, the controller will actually save your combos into its 'memory,' even after the system is shut down. The standard features of the controller don't seem to perform quite as well. In some instances, it seemed as though button presses weren't very sensitive, so I had to press a bit harder to get them to register. Also, the analog sticks don't seem to have the same freedom of movement as Microsoft's standard controller. In other games, it seemed to work just fine. The rubberized grips do give the Trick Controller a very nice feel. And, even though I love the feel of the first-party controllers, the smaller design of the Trick Controller may fit smaller hands a bit better.

Features: Patent Pending Combo Cheat Feature Combo Shifter with Real Time Save Fully Analog Joysticks & Action Buttons 9' Cord for Gaming from a Distance Smaller Design for the Hands of all Gamers Fully Rubberized Grip 2 Expansion Slots for Memory Units & other Devices

Drawbacks & Problems:: The only real drawback to the Trick Controller is that at times the buttons and analog sticks didn't seem to respond as easily as first-party controllers do. In tight situations, this may become more noticeable. The on the fly programmability of this gamepad more than makes up for this, as you'll be able to execute flawless combos or perfectly time difficult jumps with ease. I'd have to say that with a lower price tag and all of the features, the Trick Controller has definitely got to be a top choice among third-party Xbox controllers.

-Woody, GameVortex Communications AKA Shane Wodele