Path: menudo.uh.edu!menudo.uh.edu!usenet From: kherron@ms.uky.edu (Kenneth Herron) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.reviews Subject: REVIEW: Gravis Gamepad Followup-To: comp.sys.amiga.games Date: 31 Jan 1993 03:08:45 GMT Organization: The Amiga Online Review Column - ed. Daniel Barrett Lines: 152 Sender: amiga-reviews@math.uh.edu (comp.sys.amiga.reviews moderator) Distribution: world Message-ID: <1kffrtINN537@menudo.uh.edu> Reply-To: kherron@ms.uky.edu (Kenneth Herron) NNTP-Posting-Host: karazm.math.uh.edu Keywords: hardware, game, joystick, control, commercial PRODUCT NAME Gravis Gamepad control pad and digital joystick BRIEF DESCRIPTION This is a game controller similar to that used by the Sega or Nintendo game systems. The Gamepad consists of a thumb-operated directional pad and four buttons. Switches allow left- or right-handed operation and autofire capability. Compatible with all Amiga models, as well as the Atari ST line. AUTHOR/COMPANY INFORMATION Name: Advanced Gravis Computer Technology, Ltd. Address: 1790 Midway Lane Bellingham, Washington USA 98226 #111, 7400 MacPherson Avenue Burnaby, BC, Canada V5J 5B6 Telephone: (604) 431-1807 [Canada] FAX: (604) 431-5155 [Canada] E-mail: Compu$erve: 75300,733 (Or type "GO PCVENB" to reach their support forum). GEnie: Gravis1 AppleLink: CDA0312 Internet: 75300.733@compuserve.com LIST PRICE Unknown (sorry); I paid US $24.97 + tax at a local store REVIEW Finally, a good two-button controller with autofire! If you've seen a Nintendo or Genesis controller, you have a good idea what the Gamepad looks like. It's vaguely oval, with a directional pad at one end and four buttons in a diamond formation at the other. Along the sides are two switches to adjust its operation. Typically, one holds the Gamepad in both hands, controlling the pad with one thumb and the buttons with the other. Construction is of high quality, and the case is comfortable to hold (even in a tight "death-grip"). The unit also has four rubber feet so you can rest it on a table-top. The directional pad has depressions in the diagonal directions, and it is easy to use once you get the hang of steering with your thumb. Tight maneuvering will take some practice. At the center of the pad is a threaded brass insert; a short plastic stick is included with the Gamepad in case you prefer traditional stick operation. I only tested this briefly; the stick seemed rather flimsy, and I could easily envision it's breaking during a high-stress situation. A switch reverses both axes of the pad, allowing you to turn the unit over and control either side with either hand. The four control buttons are interpreted two different ways, depending on the other switch: Red: Fire button A Fire button A Yellow: Fire button B Directional UP Blue: Autofire A Fire button B Green: Autofire B Directional DOWN Note that button B moves from one setting to the other; this is potentially confusing. Also note the buttons don't change function from right-hand mode to left. Each button takes a pretty soft touch and provides a light "click" feedback as its pressed. Autofire is in excess of two shots per second. Most of my play-testing was with the three games _F-18 Interceptor_, _Stunt Car Racer_, and _Turrican_. Turrican benefits greatly from the second fire button as well as the autofire capability. Neither F-18 or SCR benefitted especially from the Gamepad's design, but control was as good as with a regular joystick (I had some difficulty lining up with the carrier, which I blame on lack of practice and unfamiliarity with the thumb pad). DOCUMENTATION The Gamepad comes with a 16-page instruction booklet including button diagrams, a trouble-shooting guide, technical support info, warranty info, a glossary, and an index. An additional sheet gives the essential information in French, Italian, and German, along with a translation chart for words like "blue", "turbo", "right", and so on. Gravis also includes a warranty registration card which asks the typical nosy questions. LIKES AND DISLIKES As stated before, the unit is solidly built. The case doesn't flex or creak when twisted. The cord includes strain-relief on the plug end (but not the Gamepad end, though it's probably not necessary). The unit is comfortable to hold and contains no sharp corners. The two switches are recessed so you won't flip them accidently. The buttons and pad have a nice feel to them. Gravis could have put a little more thought into the button assignments; only the main fire button remains the same in both modes, and the other assignments aren't very intuitive: UP and DOWN in particular. The threaded section of the stick could also have been more substantial. The impression is that the stick was added as an afterthought. WARRANTY The Gamepad is warranted for one year against manufacturing defects. Breakage or cross-threading of the joystick adapter is specifically not a warranty item; new sticks are available at US $5.00 for 2 sticks. The warranty only applies to the original purchaser, and the claim procedure requires sending a copy of the original receipt. The box describes the warranty as a "1 year no-nonsense warranty", but the actual warranty doesn't read like anything special. CONCLUSIONS Controllers for the Sega Genesis work with the Amiga and also support a second fire button (they actually have three, but the Amiga doesn't handle the third). The Gravis Gamepad, however, offers in one package two fire buttons, autofire, and left-handed operation. I highly recommend it for anyone who needs a second fire button or who prefers the Nintendo/Sega style of controller. NON-COPYRIGHT NOTICE I place this review in the Public Domain. Kenneth Herron kherron@ms.uky.edu University of Kentucky +1 606 257 2975 Dept. of Mathematics "Your ball goes over them, it sails off the edge into a huge cauldron of fire-breathing dragons." "And they call this a par three?" --- Daniel Barrett, Moderator, comp.sys.amiga.reviews Send reviews to: amiga-reviews-submissions@math.uh.edu Request information: amiga-reviews-requests@math.uh.edu Moderator mail: amiga-reviews@math.uh.edu