Reviewed: May 11, 2005
Reviewed by: Mat Houghton

Manufacturer
MadCatz

Type: Wireless Controller
System: PlayStation/PlayStation 2

Rating: 6.0

Features

  • Pressure sensitive buttons & D-pad
  • Unblockable RF wireless technology
  • 40' Operational Range
  • Dual vibration motors
  • Two analog joysticks
  • Gel grips for handling and comfort
  • Manual Channel Assignment
  • 15% Smaller

    MSRP: $29.99

    		•
    Normally I’m a big fan of the MicroCon, even though it's hard to compete with Sony's first-party DualShock, but this one just doesn’t do it for me. My first gripe with the PS2 MicroCon Wireless is that it requires two AAA batteries instead of the normal AA, and I don’t know about you, but I don’t have too many of those lying around the house. Not only that, batteries aren't included with the controller, so be sure to pick some up if you’re going to buy this.

    Strike two came when I forgot to switch the controller off (yes there is an on/off switch) and picked it up to play the next day with no battery power at all, so you’re looking at about 10-20 hrs of battery life with no power drain aside from the device simply being active. Ordinarily I would say that having an on/off switch would be something good to have. You can conserve battery power, and not have to worry about sleep modes or anything. The problem with this one is that nearly every other wireless controller I’ve used does not have one, so it takes some getting used to, and while you’re getting used to it you’re burning through batteries like nobody’s business.

    Strike three is a little more on the strictly aesthetic side of things in that the receiver that you plug into the PS2 is HUGE. It’s not that it would cause any problems unless you have some sort of weird space constrictions, but the receiver is easily twice the size of your memory card and it would seem unnecessarily so since Logitech can put out a wireless controller with a receiver that is ¼ the size. Strike four (no we’re not playing baseball) is that the controller just isn’t comfortable in my hands; it seems too light and just too small.

    With all the downsides, there are a few good points. It is a decent controller with nice little gel grips, doesn’t loose signal, and has a manual channel switcher so you can have several MicroCons running at once. I wouldn’t say that it could outdo its Logitech brethren, but it is cheaper and functionally just about as good.