Reviewed: May 28, 2006
Reviewed by: Mark Smith
Manufacturer
Mad Catz
Type: Gamepad
System: Xbox 360
Rating: 9.5
MSRP: $34.99
Features
Anybody who has played the Xbox 360 will probably agree that Microsoft finally perfected the console gamepad. Whether you are using the cordless one or the USB wired controlled, the standard Xbox 360 controller fits in hands of all sizes and is extremely durability and responsive. So why would you ever need a third-party controller? Because Mad Catz does it even better…almost.
First, you have to get over the fact that the Xbox 360 Game Pad Pro is not a wireless controller. Microsoft still hold a tight reign on their wireless technology for at least another year, so until then all third-party gamepads are going to be tethered to your 360.
Mad Catz has created an extremely durable and very comfortable gamepad. The ribbed rubber grips will give you endless hours of no-slip control, even with the sweatiest of palms. The button configuration is identical but the face button are placed a bit lower than the original Microsoft controller, but the shape of the grips still puts my right thumb directly over the X button.
The Start and Select button are now flush with the surface and along the top edge of the controller above the Guide button. I’m not particularly fond of this design since I was already having trouble not hitting the Guide button when I really wanted to hit Start or Select on my original gamepad. At least the Guide button on the Mad Catz controller is slightly smaller and not as high off the surface, so there are less mishaps during gameplay.
The redesigned triggers are perhaps my favorite feature on this controller. The main triggers are curved to naturally conform to your index fingers, and they are removed far enough from the bumpers so you don’t accidentally hit them – a common problem with the original 360 controllers – just ask all my men who died from accidental grenades in Call of Duty 2.
The analog sticks sit a bit lower offering much more stability and accuracy and I really love the D-pad design that uses the much more accurate cross design. The circular D-pad on Microsoft’s controller is much more prone to error, especially when trying to input diagonals.
The crowning design achievement has to be the invert switch on the bottom of this gamepad. No longer do you have to fuss with going into options and profiles and changing input settings each time you hand the controller off to a friend who prefers to invert his Y-axis. It’s all handled electronically right on the controller with a flick of a switch. Awesome!
Going head to head against Microsoft’s wired controller, the Game Pad Pro wins hands down. It’s slightly cheaper, feels better, and outperforms the standard 360 gamepad. The D-pad alone is worth investing in this third-party controller, not to mention the totally improved triggers and bumpers. There's even a Turbo button, but I never had reason to use it.
So when it comes time to buy a second, third, or forth controller and you don’t mind not having wireless, I can totally recommend that you go with the Mad Catz Xbox 360 Game Pad Pro. Heck, even if you are looking for a quality PC gamepad, you can't do better than this for the price. It’s only $35 (or less if you shop around) and comes in “Chill” white or a sinister black if you really want to shake things up.