Advanced Wireless Controllers Score: 92% Developer: Mad Catz Device Type: Controller

Function: This thing is terribly handy. The two Advanced Wireless Controllers? crosspads are tight, and the button placement is correct. Unfortunately, the button that switches whether the controller is for the first player, second player, or the TV is right next to the Start and Select buttons, making it easy to accidentally hit the button and screw up your game in the heat of battle. You?ve got to just be careful if you have big fingers. It doesn?t support Analog or Dual Shock either. I suppose it?d be difficult to broadcast those signals over the infrared, but it?d still be nice to have. Not really a flaw, though. The controller is solid, and doesn?t feel like a cheap piece of plastic. And the controllers turn off after 45 seconds of inactivity -- nice.

Performance: You plug the little adapter in, slap in some batteries, and you?re ready to roll. Turns out that the default settings for the TV remote control functionality worked on my TV, so I was a happy camper from the get go. This controller is great. The controls are tight, and the infrared makes playing from across the room possible. The Advanced Wireless is rather sensitive to metal things in the way of the IR receiver -- I had problems when my trundle bed was pulled out -- but if there?s nothing metal in the way of the receiver, the controller works fine. And the fact that it?s a universal TV remote as well makes it all the more useful. If I didn?t have to use the computer occasionally, this controller could conceivably control my PSX playing. Now all I need is a robot that puts the CDs in...

Features: Infrared Receiving allows distance playing TV remote capablities Two controllers included Only Two AA batteries each Solid control

Drawbacks & Problems:: The Advanced Wireless Controllers do have a few slight setbacks. For one, there is no Analog or Dual Shock support. Like I said before, it?d probably be difficult for the signals with the infrared, but still. Also, the placement of the first player/second player/TV switch isn?t good. Finally, the IR port is really sensitive, so make sure you?re within a good range so the controllers work properly.

-Sunfall to-Ennien, GameVortex Communications AKA Phil Bordelon