Reviews / previews
While Macintosh computers are experiencing a well-deserved renaissance as gaming machines, peripherals like the Funstick F-104 may be incentive enough for Mac lovers to move over to IBM PCs.
In a blatant, bullet-pointed feature list on the box, the Funstick claims "Ergonomically designed for both right and left-handed players." This is 100% categorically false, and a quick look at a picture of the Funstick will confirm this. This didn't stop us from checking the Mac-specific manual and the controller for some method of "reversing" the stick, however. If this initial conundrum was meant to be fun, it wasn't.
Additionally, the MacSense Web site claims the Funstick F-104 has "8-programmable buttons." Wrong! It has six, and despite the Funstick's box claim "For Mac & PC," the included instruction manual is strictly for Mac users. It is true that Funstick works with IBM PC's, however. Installation was easy, with Windows 98 identifying it upon connection as a "HID compliant Game Controller." However, with no special driver software, this means no programmability for Windows users.
Sure, the Funstick works. The base is reasonably solid. Almost half the buttons are well placed, and it's easy to install. It also looks cheap, feels cheap, and it's uncomfortable to use (particularly for left handers). The poorly placed throttle is also too small.
If you're looking for Fun, give the Funstick to a left-handed Mac user. Now that's fun! -- P. Bryan Edge-Salois / GamePro
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