2nd Op By

Chi Kong Lui 6.5 RATING

I clearly didnt have as many issues with the Dual Force controllers as Dale. While the controllers are somewhat bigger then the Sonys own Dual Shock Pad, I still thought they were relatively similar shaped and sized (which is remarkable when you consider wireless controllers in the past were practically the size of lunch boxes!). In terms of performance and how they handled, I again found them very similar and on par with the Dual Shock Pad in almost every way. If its one thing that was positively different on the Dual Force, it was the D-pad. I found is its smooth feel exceptional when compared to any other controller Ive handled in recent memory.

As for the wireless feature, like Dale said, it more or less works the way you expect with the aforementioned problems. This is actually the main issue I had with the Dual Force and which is why my score is rather unenthusiastic. When it comes to gaming hardware and peripherals, I tend to expect them to be a little more high-tech then what is normally expected from default offerings. These 3rd party products are made by companies that are solely dedicated to refinement and innovation of already existing products and that is where the main attraction lays.

By that virtue, the Dual Force feels definitively archaic and totally unsexy in its use of the good old infrared technology; something that is further emphasized by its TV remote control mode. I mean to liken your PlayStation controller to a TV remote is about as exciting as describing the latest Palm Pilot with all its Internet connectivity features, as a plain old Rolodex.

While the Dual Force package is functionally sound and would benefit anyone who had an ideal placement of their PlayStation and looking to reduce wire clutter. For everyone else, the Dual Force takes a huge misstep in that its just so boring and unattractive as a piece of gaming hardware.

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