You won't find a better third party controller than the Mad Catz Game Pad Pro. by Vaughn Smith

January 6, 2005 - Mad Catz has been revolutionizing the third party peripheral business for a few years now and it is no surprise to see them embrace the next gen technology of the Xbox 360 system. Their entries into the next gen arena are officially licensed by Microsoft and retail for approximately $5 less than first party wired controllers. Mad Catz redesigned some key aspects of their controller for the better and you might find yourself using it as your first choice rather than a runner up.

Since the Game Pad Pro's are wired you'll have to get used to that wire hanging down...again. Having played "wired" for so many years it honestly does not make a lick of difference to me whether I'm wireless or not. You might prefer the unfettered convenience of the wireless Xbox 360 controllers, so consider this when making up your mind when looking for an extra controller or two.

The first thing that impressed me about the Game Pad Pro was the weight. I hadn't noticed how heavy the wireless first party controller actually was until I put the Mad Catz controller in my hands. I guess two double A's and the battery compartment add considerably to the weight. Players who are prone to marathon gaming sessions will definitely appreciate the lighter density of the Mad Catz product. Again you'll have to weigh the varying factors of added weight versus wired.

While the first party X360 controller is slimmed down considerably in comparison to the original Xbox controller and even the Controller-S, the Game Pad Pro manages to outsleek Microsoft's design. On a side note, I had a chance to play on a couple of old Xbox controllers while visiting EA the other day and man, I had to laugh. Having not used the original controllers for so many years I could not get over how cumbersome and awkward they were. It was like holding Shaq's shoe with some buttons on it. That being said I'm a big fan of the new X360 controller, the button layout is clean, the 4 shoulder buttons are definitely a bonus and the X Guide button is a thing of beauty in terms of functionality.

Not surprisingly the Mad Catz Game Pad Pro is an equal in almost every way to the first party Xbox 360 controllers and in some cases surpasses the design of the original. There are some minor design differences but most people wouldn't even notice. For example the analog control sticks are raised higher on the Game Pad Pro then you'd find on the first party pad. This doesn't hinder gameplay in the slightest but players with smaller hands might notice that their two thumbs are having to sit at an increased altitude. Due to the increased height the analog sticks have a little more play in them then you'll experience on the first party controller, but again we're talking about a very minor design difference. The D-Pad is your standard cross pattern which is different from the rounded cross of the first party Microsoft pad. I personally like the cross D-Pad moreso than the rounded version as inputting directional commands is usually cleaner. This really comes down to personal preference.

One thing to take into consideration if you have exceptionally large sausage-type digits is the closer proximity of the face buttons to each other. As I get older I find myself becoming increasingly more anal about things and that's how my wife came to find me measuring the distance between the face buttons with a tape measure at 2: 13 am. Anyway, the Game Pad Pro features a distance of 3/16ths of an inch between face buttons while the first party controller measures in at a quarter inch apart. The difference may seem negligible, but if you have to buy XXL mitts in the winter time, that small measurement could play a significant factor in your gaming. At least you'll have a built in excuse when you invariably lose because you suck. "Hey, it's this damn controller. The buttons are only a paltry 3/16th's of an inch apart!" Try using that one during your next XBL marathon but you had better be wearing your ridicule-resistant overalls, you disgusting Nintendo fanboy. Sorry about the insult. The face buttons are raised higher than the first party pad, which I found to be preferable in the long run, although it might not make much of a difference to you.

The shoulder and bumper buttons feel excellent, although the bumpers are slightly more recessed into the controller than the first party pad. But in one well thought out move on the part of Mad Catz, the shoulder triggers have been spaced further apart. Xbox 360 owners will most likely have experienced pressing the R or L trigger when they meant to press the R or L bumper and vice versa. This is due to the 2/16th's of an inch spacing between the two triggers on the Microsoft controller. Mad Catz thoughtfully and mercifully spaced the triggers 1/4th of an inch apart, making accidental presses a thing of the past. Yes, I had my tape measure out again.

The back and start buttons are also slightly more recessed into the controller but this won't adversely affect anything. The X Guide button centered in the upper regions of the controller which allows one to access the Dashboard at anytime functions equally well, although it's not made of fancy metal as you'll find on the first party pad. It slightly downgrades the look of the controller in a direct comparison but it's a cosmetic complaint more than anything else. The X Guide button also features the green ring of light display allowing players to have a clue as to what player they are and what controller they are using. Mad Catz has also included an Invert Axis button on the back so you can change the right analog control direction with the touch of a button - especially good for FPS. They've also included Turbo but I've never used a turbo button and don't believe I ever will.

If you want to use the Game Pad Pro with Windows as a standalone USB controller you have that option. I had a little problem with calibration but eventually got everything under control and I'm happy to report that it has now become my controller of choice for PC gaming.

Last but not least is the casing of the controller. It's made of a shinier plastic than the first party pad, but also features rubber along the handles for added grip during sweaty moments in gaming. Ewww...there's a particular nasty visual for you. Sorry about that. The glossy white plastic isn't the most regal of cosmetic choices and tends to glisten a little too much compared to the subtle egg shell finish of the Xbox 360 controller.

We ran the controllers through every Xbox 360 game in our library over the last week and a half and it's passed with flying colors. We even managed to tackle the recently released DOA 4 with it. I've said this before but I'm extremely particular about the controller I use. The Game Pad Pro is by far one of the best third party controllers I've ever used as it addresses and fixes some of the issues with the original design. If you're looking for another controller, you're not going to find a better controller for the money. Available in White and Black.

Coming soon: The Micro-Con Game Pad Pro! I've called the Mad Catz Micro-Con controllers the best video game peripheral...ever! Perfectly suited for players of all ages with smaller hands. We'll review this upcoming product from Mad Catz as soon as it's released.

Features:

• Official licensed Mad Catz product
  
• Analog triggers & joysticks
  
• Features vibration feedback technology
  
• Injected rubber grips for improved handling
  
• Analog joystick invert switch
  
• PC USB compatible

By Vaughn Smith
CCC Site Director