Reviews / previews
The MacSense Funpad reminds us of the Macintosh of yesteryear in that it is overpriced and under-powered. In that same vein, it also reminds us of the new Macintosh motto, "think different." Rather than use an ergonomic, comfortable, pistol-like grip common gamepads these days, the Funpad is different. It's completely flat and awkward -- at times uncomfortable -- to use.
Included with the $39.95 "For Mac & PC" controller is a MAC-specific installer CD, a MAC-specific manual, and exactly no (not even Mac) software bundle. On the plus side, installation under Windows 98 was a snap. Plug the Funpad into a USB port, and Windows immediately identifies and installs the "HID Compliant Game Controller" driver for it. Unfortunately, there is no "profile editor" or other software for programming the FunPad, other than a small switch on the controller used to toggle two central buttons between "button" and "throttle" mode.
As with its FunStick brother, also by MacSense, there is no reason to spend $40 on a controller that looks, feels, and operates like it should have been pulled from a $10 bargain bin blowout. Even if this was a $10 controller, it's merely adequate, and you could do better with Saitek's P120 (in ergonomics at the very least).
If you can spend $40, buy something worthwhile like Interact's Hammerhead FX. And if you're a Mac user, keep shopping.-- P. Bryan Edge-Salois / GamePro
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