Archive for Controllers

Mad Catz rolls out Rock Band Fender bass guitar

Posted in Controllers by Nino Marchetti on September 8th, 2008

Mad Catz Rock Band Fender Precision Bass Replica for Xbox 360

The craze of video game controller guitars for titles like Rock Band continues today with the shipment of Mad Catz first ever Rock Band bass guitar. It is known as Rock Band Fender Precision Bass Replica for Xbox 360 and it prices around $70.

The Fender Precision Bass from Mad Catz is its initial offering under license from Harmonix and MTV Games related to the Rock Band game. It is compatible with both the older title and the upcoming sequel Rock Band 2 and can be used, according to Mad Catz, to play both lead and bass guitar portions of a music track.

Chrome joypad from Dream Cheeky

Posted in Controllers by Conner Flynn on August 24th, 2008

Chrome joypad from Dream CheekyIt’s odd but for some reason no one has made a chrome joypad until now. This isn’t just cheap plastic pretending to be chrome either, it’s made from metal. Some of the benefits of a chrome joypad include, but are not limited to: Checking your appearance and seeing if someone else has been using it because the left oily fingerprints behind.

It’s from China’s Dream Cheeky, who are no stranger to USB gadgets and gizmos. The controller sports an 8-way directional pad, four game buttons, start/select buttons and shoulder triggers. The back of the controller has a rubber covering, so you can get a good grip. Not sure if it’s Mac compatible, but it plugs into the USB port on any PC. No word on pricing yet.

Teen girls get Aly & AJ guitar controllers

Posted in Controllers,Games by Shane McGlaun on August 21st, 2008

Aly & AJ Guitar ControllersWhen most people think of gamers, they think of guys. While that is fairly accurate, many girls also enjoy playing video games. One the most popular genres with the ladies are music games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band. The plain and masculine guitar controllers typically available with the games can be a problem for the ladies. Thankfully girly controllers are available in the aftermarket.

PDP has announced that new guitar controllers compatible with both Rock Band and Guitar Hero will be available in mid-October for $69.99 each. The controllers were designed with cooperation from teen rock star’s Aly & AJ. The guitar designed by Aly features a heart and cross bone print in pink and brown.

Starpex Guitar Controller Rocks Rock Band and Guitar Hero

Posted in Controllers,Games by Shane McGlaun on July 16th, 2008

Starpex Guitar ControllerMusic games are huge right now and the popularity of the games has music labels and bands rushing to get their tracks into games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero. Another big market for music games is for aftermarket controllers to replace the generally junky ones that ship with titles like Rock Band.

Perhaps the coolest guitar controller ever for the PS2 and PS3 consoles has been announced by Peak Products. The controller is called the Starpex and it offers complete functionality in both Guitar Hero and Rock Band. The Starpex is made from real wood by a leading maker of real guitars and has lots of optimization for serious gaming.

Logitech debuts PS3 force feedback steering wheel

Posted in Controllers by Nino Marchetti on July 15th, 2008

Logitech Driving Force Wireless

Logitech, besides announcing a wireless Wii keyboard, also unveiled today a force feedback steering wheel for the PlayStation 3. It is called the Logitech Driving Force Wireless and it prices around $100.

The Logitech Driving Force Wireless wheel makes use of force feedback, which “creates directionally precise, tactile feedback that accurately simulates forces experienced in the game.” This wheel is also wireless, making use of a USB receiver to connect to the PS3.

SteelSeries does gaming bundle for female gamers

Posted in Controllers by Nino Marchetti on July 7th, 2008

SteelSeries Iron.Lady Bundle

Professional gaming gear manufacturer is making available a new bundle for all those lady gamers out there. It is called the Iron.Lady Bundle and you’ll find it pricing around $100.

The SteelSeries Iron.Lady Bundle consists of a special SteelSeries mouse, mouse pad and branded wristband. The mouse is one of the company’s Ikari mice. It operates at 1,000Hz and allows for hardware-based counts per inch (CPI) adjustments in increments of one, allowing for “precise adjustments…with a small LCD screen located on the bottom of the device which displays CPI.”

Fanatec shows off Porsche-licensed video gaming gear

Posted in Controllers by Nino Marchetti on April 28th, 2008

porsche-wheel.jpg

Fanatec, a developer of input devices for game consoles and PCs, unveiled today Porsche-inspired racing hardware for the PC and PlayStation 3 gaming platforms. It is called the Porsche 911 Turbo Racing Wheel and you’ll find it pricing at around $350.

The Fanatec Porsche 911 Turbo Racing Wheel is licensed by Porsche and designed to work with racing games like Gran Turismo 5: Prologue and Racedriver: GRID. It makes use of wireless USB technology for the wheel and pedals. Key features of this product include three force feedback motors, a smooth belt drive, 6+1 speed H-pattern gear stick and a clutch pedal and brake with soft-stop for the pedals.

Gamers Cockpit GT3 gives us gamers woody

Posted in Controllers by Nino Marchetti on March 7th, 2008

gt3.jpgForget about those cheap steering wheel video game accessories if you have some serious cash to spend – the folks over at The Gamers Cockpit have your virtual racing desires covered if you have the money put down. Meet the GT3, priced at around $3,250.

The Gamers Cockpit GT3 will work with select racing games on your PlayStation 2 or Xbox 360. It consists of an all steel chassis, advanced racing seat, steering wheel, pedals, a Logitech surround sound system, your choice of video game console, your choice of video racing game and a 19-inch Samsung LCD television.

WiiMax Light Gun with laser sight

Posted in Controllers by Darrin Olson on March 2nd, 2008

WiiMax Light Gun with Laser sight for the Nintendo WiiWii gun controllers seem to have come out of the woodwork as of late with a number of them incorporating both the Wii Remote and the Nunchuck into the gun.

Another one to add to the list is this WiiMax Wii Light Gun. It has a place to mount and utilize both the remote and Nunchuck but adds a laser pointer mounted on the top which is powered by it’s own set of AAA batteries and can be removed if you want to try some free-hand aiming.The gun also features a handle on the bottom that folds down to use it like a machine gun or folds up to make more like a short rifle.

Novint Falcon controller gets new colors, pistol

Posted in Controllers by Darrin Olson on February 21st, 2008

Novint Falcon in Black and available pistol gripRemember that funky Falcon FPS controller from Novint? Well, the controller is pretty much the same but the company has announced an aesthetic upgrade to the device giving it a more “edgier” black and silver design instead of just the passive looking white model. Novint is also going to be adding a pistol grip controller to use with the Falcon to provide even more realistic FPS game play. Novent CEO Tom Anderson predicts that the less expensive pistol grip accessory alone will help drive sales for actual Falcon controller. The pistol grip accessory is expected to go for $19.99 and the black Falcon will be at $199.99.

Nyko offering up easy PS3 controller charger

Posted in Controllers,Nyko,PS3 by Nino Marchetti on December 12th, 2007

Nyko Charge Base 2Nyko yesterday gave PlayStation 3 owners a reason to cheer in regards to keep their controllers charged and organized. The new Charge Base 2 is priced at around $30.

The Nyko Charge Base 2 is designed to “rapidly” charge two PS3 controllers at the same time via an AC outlet. It sports visual charge indicators and a stylishly appealing, smaller form factor then a previous model. Nyko said it also has a new contact point dongle system for making charging easier.

Everglide reveals new slim gaming keyboard

Posted in Controllers,Everglide,Keyboards by Nino Marchetti on November 16th, 2007

Everglide DKTBoardGaming peripherals developer Everglide is out today with a new gaming keyboard/mouse pad combo which borrows some ideas from Razer. The Everglide DKTBoard is priced at around $70.

The Everglide DKTBoard is a slim, backlit keyboard with a brushed-aluminum chassis. Everglide says it uses a “slim keycap structure” for better key response and tactile feel while gaming. There exists on the keyboard eight one-touch hot keys and the size of this input device is detailed as being 402mm x 148mm x 24mm.

Wii Fishing Rod Advance attachment

Posted in Controllers,Nintendo,Wii,Wii Accessories by Conner Flynn on November 7th, 2007

Wii Fishing Rod Advance attachment

Even those who love the wii and own every attachment known to man will have to admit that the Wii fishing rod from Dragon may be taking things a bit too far. It attaches to the end of the Wiimote and even includes a telescoping rod with faux fishing line. If that wasn’t enough, they also saw fit to include a fake plastic fish to dangle from your fake fishing rod.

At $9.95 I guess it’s worth buying for the Wii lover who has to own everything, but be prepared to experience alot of laughter and ridicule from your loved ones. I would at the very least strongly advise you to ditch the fake fish and never speak of it again.

Scene It! for Xbox 360 has big button controllers

Posted in Controllers,Xbox 360 by Conner Flynn on November 6th, 2007

Scene It! for Xbox 360 features big button controllers

The first thing you’ll notice is that these controllers look like some sort of cartoon thermometers or maybe some weird electronic Candyland Game accessory. These big buttoned Xbox 360 controllers are strange to say the least. They come bundled with the new Scene It! game.

The big buttons are colored the same as the standard four buttons from the Xbox 360 controllers, just vertically aligned below the big button. The large button is for that game show moment when you slam the button and submit the right answer, cuing loud music and confetti raining down on you. It also has the Xbox gem and a “Start” and “Back” button on each controller. You get all 4 controllers with the $60 game.

Wii Soft Sport kit from dreamGear

Posted in Controllers,Nintendo,Wii,Wii Accessories by Conner Flynn on November 2nd, 2007

Wii Soft Sport kit from dreamGearThe remote extensions in these Wii accessories from dreamGear are made from a “soft and safe material”. In other words, you can get into the game and still have a working TV when you’re done playing.

Just announced, the kit includes a soft foam bat, golf club, and tennis racket, plus a few bonus items. The bonuses are a Wii fan to keep your system cool and a Wii remote glove for a better grip.