Logitech WingMan Force

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Review: Logitech WingMan Force

Well, it might be Logitech's new cable-actuated WingMan Force stick, which certainly doesn't fit the bill of "all-purpose joystick." More likely-despite some of its attractive features-even avid players of flight sims, driving games, and action titles will still find some shortcomings in the Force.

For starters, there's its footprint: you'll need a huge 13-inch by 9-inch worth of desktop. At that size, we're talking stashing the keyboard out of the way. With nine programmable buttons and an eight-way hat-switch, you may not have to replicate many keyboard commands, but that's a demanding space investment no matter how you fudge placement of your other peripherals. Add the sizable power transistor to drive the Force, and you're looking at some serious space requirements. At least its girth gives it some stability-once you've plunked it on your desktop, it'll stay right where you put it.

The USB connection requires either Win 98 or that stalwart Win 95 users find and install Microsoft's AGP/USB patch. There's also a serial connection on the same cable, which is just fine if you've opted not to buy into USB.

Since the Force uses a newer software driver than Microsoft does, there's a list of more than a dozen force-feedback-enabled games with which it won't work. For the rest of the force-feedback games, the Force worked well. We took a rip through Ultimate Race Pro, where even getting off track and onto the grass caused some rough bucking. Similarly, the jolts when landing jumps in Motocross Madness made tricking out stunts even more challenging than merely lining up the landing onscreen.

The force feedback itself is smooth and responsive. The cable-drive transmission is, as advertised, definitely less jerky than standard gear-based force sticks. As a normal stick, the Force handles nicely, with just the right amount of slack (sensitivity can be controlled at the Game Controller control panel, too). I did miss the Z-axis, but in general, the feel of the stick is pleasant and the overall molding and construction sturdy. If you can handle this behemoth on your desktop-and the size should give you pause if you're not a regular joyrider-the payoff is equally sizable.-- Danny W. Lam / GamePro