Logitech Thunderpad for Xbox
Publisher: Logitech
Mon, 6 December 2004
by: Mugwai
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If, like this reviewer, you purchased X-Box prior to the release of the much improved controller S and have been lumbered with the big black housebrick original controller (also known as Duke, man they love their PCP at Microsoft), then you will definitely want for the superior condensed version. Once you do upgrade, it’s impossible to go back. The smaller size really makes a vast difference and when picking up the old pad it’s hard to believe you ever used it (it wasn’t that bad, just bigger than Venus Williams on steroids).
Now, you can spend the fifty on Microsoft’s controller S (an admirable controller) or you can try a third party controller, saving a few bucks. Buyer beware when it comes to this option though, some third party gamepads can be complete shatmandu(and about as reliable as Robert Downey Jr at a frat party). Fortunately with the help of this review you can end up with a pretty decent controller to replace your old one or for a friend to play with you (if you’re tired of playing with yourself…um yeah).
Having purchased the Logitech Thunderpad and thoroughly play-testing its abilities over a couple of months, let’s see how it stands up.
The pad fits very comfortably in your hands, the handles (with rubber grip inlays) perfectly sit in your palms while the triggers and left thumbstick feel naturally well positioned. Trigger performance (having frequently used the pad playing Amped 2 and IIIX) is smooth and responsive although they don’t feel as tight as Microsoft’s and it’s that minimal it will hardly bother you though. Analogue stick control feels accurate but with one gripe. The right thumbstick feels unnaturally too far away from the button layout and compared to then S type it is, honestly though bar a rare few games it won’t be problematic.
The d-pad functions superbly and accurately, having stood up to rigorous testing with Tony Hawk and Capcom VS SNK 2 (perfect for hadokens), with full eight way movement. The pad feels nice and flat under your thumb and although most games don’t support it these days (except for weapon and menu scrolling) it is nice to see it’s not ignored.
Button sizing feels fine and performs well, be warned, they are a closer to each other than the layout of some other gamepads. It didn’t bother me (nothing much does except ex-porn star midgets with Bulgarian phrasebooks) but if you’re used to S-type spacing or have large fingers, they may not be to your liking. One small problem, the new reversed button layout is not really suitable for games like Capcom VS SNK or Guilty Gear XX. If you are a hardcore fighting nut (2-D loyalists represent!) the button angles just don’t feel intuitive. For everything else they’re fine. Please someone release an arcade pad for the X-Box (actually, there are a few, but the ones I’ve found on the ‘net all cost a fortune - Sammy).
The Thunderpad also features a turbo/rapid fire function, which you can assign to any buttons (sans triggers and d-pad) and have three different speed settings. It’s nice to have extra features but realistically you probably won’t use it unless you’re playing Mame X or until a hardcore shooter is released on the X-Box (does Panzer Dragoon Orta qualify? - Sammy). It’s good to see developers are offering something extra anyway.
Overall this is a commendable pad, accurate, durable (mine hasn’t broken or glitched yet), sleek and comfortable. Also I picked this baby up half price at an EB sale so search around, you may find it cheap (like the budgie). Definitely a decent replacement controller for your X-Box and hopefully someone else will play with you instead of just playing with yourself.
by: Mugwai
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