Type – Controller Manufacturer – Logitech MSRP – $39.99 Platform – PlayStation 2
Controllers are a dime a dozen, whether they’re corded, cordless, or have motors to air condition your fingers during play. There seems to be a third party controller for every occasion and, after awhile, the consumer generally stops looking because of all the low quality product they have to wade through. But in the midst of all of this, there is one controller that stands out as being the very best in its class; a controller that not only obliterates the competition, but actually beats out the first party product. This is the one: The Logitech Cordless Action Controller.
Really, can it be more comfortable than the Dual Shock 2? It’s possible, but highly unlikely, or so you’d think. But when talking ergonomics, the Cordless Action really is the better choice. Though it copies the same basic shape of the Dual Shock 2, the Cordless Action went under a complete redesign (and therefore, bears no real resemblance to the corded Action Controller), and the result is truly one of those rare peripherals that beats out the first party original. While the button placement is the same as on the Dual Shock 2, the fit is similar, but the Cordless Action further contours to the hand, creating an unbelievably comfortable grip.
Performance is top notch. The Cordless Action performs flawlessly, almost as if the controller still has a cord attached to it. The buttons are as sensitive and responsive as is expected, and the shoulder buttons are in better shape than that of the Dual Shock 2’s, being sturdier in build. There is no lag whatsoever, and offers this pain-free experience for up to 30 feet. What are even better though is the battery performance, and the power-saving abilities of the Cordless Action. Logitech promises over 50 hours of lagless performance on just two AA batteries (which Logitech even includes), even with the vibration motors running strong the whole time. This is thanks to Logitech’s auto sleep technology, which automatically shuts down the controller after a few minutes of inactivity. Turning the functions back on is easy enough too: just press a button. Logitech also went the extra mile to shut off the vibration motors automatically when the batteries are low, so you actually squeeze out as much control as possible from the batteries.
With all this goodness comes only one drawback, which falls to the analog sticks. Though solidly constructed enough, the feel of the sticks are just a bit too loose. It won’t take too much time to get used to, but there is definitely going to be at least a few plays (especially first-person shooters) that’ll be required to get the hang of the sticks.
But in the end, the Logitech Cordless Action is the controller to get. Even if you aren’t in the market for a cordless pad, the comfort and smart design is just too good to pass up. Add in that flawless cordless performance and an auto-sleep feature to save battery power and $39.99 is more than reasonable. It’s a steal. This controller is better than the Dual Shock 2, and products like this don’t come along often. Choose the Logitech Cordless Action Controller the next time you buy a PS2 pad, and we guarantee you won’t regret it.
