Reviewed: May 11, 2005
Reviewed by: Mat Houghton

Manufacturer
MadCatz

Type: Wireless Controller
System: Xbox

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
  • 15% Smaller
  • Play up to 60 hours with rumble or 160 without rumble with only 3 AA batteries

    MSRP: $29.99

    		•
    Normally I’m a big fan of the MicroCon, it seemed a vast improvement over the ungainly beast that was the original Xbox controller, but the new Xbox MicroCon Wireless just doesn’t do it for me. First thing against it 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, they don’t come included with the controller, so be sure to pick some up if you’re going to buy this.

    Next is what I would normally call a bonus for a wireless controller, and that is an on/off switch. The problem is that there is no sleep mode for the controller in favor of this switch, so if you forget to turn it off its good bye batteries, and since every other wireless I’ve seen does not have said switch you may be replacing batteries a lot.

    The receiver for the controller is also gargantuan. I mean it’s like the size of my cel phone, only twice as thick. Admittedly it’s nice that they made it that big so you can have Xbox Live or memory card (ha! Memory cards on an Xbox, I kill me!) functionality, but still I feel like I could kill small animals with it, or at least middle management executives.

    Also, and this is perhaps the worst part, is that the controller is just not comfortable in your hands. It’s too small, and worse the latch for the battery cover is right next to where you put your fingers on the right side, so there is this little projection digging into your finger the whole time you play.

    In short, it’s not comfortable, but it is functional, and the gel grips are at least an attempt at making it feel nice in your hand. It may not be the best controller on the market, but it is cheap and light and it works.