Gamepad Review

You may use them with your PlayStation or Xbox, but have you considered how much having a gamepad for your computer could improve your response time, precision and overall gameplay? The buttons are customizable so it doesn't matter which game you are playing, you can have all of your functionality exactly where you want it. Now, you might be wondering if having a gamepad is really worth the extra expense. If you have any interesting in improving your game or playing RPGs such as Final Fantasy on your computer, then the answer is yes. Don't limit yourself to the confines of your keyboard and mouse. The last thing you want in your game is to miss a shot because your mouse wigged out over a speck of dirt on your desktop.

There are some games available for your PC that need more than just a mouse and a keyboard. Have you ever tried to play Halo with a mouse that doesn't move smoothly on your desk? Instead of feeling limited, take control of your games. With the right gamepad, you can blow your competition out of the water. For more information check out the articles on gamepads as well as the best gamepad comparisons and reviews. For the best gamepads we recommend the Razer Onza, Logitech Wireless Gamepad or the Logitech Rumble Gamepad.

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Gamepads: What to Look For

These gamepads plug directly into your computer and let you customize the buttons just as you like them so you can be in command of your character. But not all gamepads are the same. That's why we used the following criteria to evaluate and rank the best products to help you decide which is the best for you.

Features
The best game controllers give you control is most important. We made sure that every controller we reviewed had customizable action buttons. Some are wireless while others leash you to the computer. We also looked at button sensitivity and gameplay features, from rapid-fire, pressure-sensitive triggers to a microphone jack.

Design
This covers the physical design of the PC game controller. We looked at the cord length, if the gamepad isn't wireless. While many people automatically think wireless is the best way to go, it is important to remember that the corded controllers don't need batteries. Some of the gamepads have more buttons available or even a flexible layout that lets you switch the location of some of the buttons.

Convenience
This section is all about how easy it is to install the gamepad and get it up and running. Some of the controllers come with software that requires installing an application in order to access all of the features available. Some of the additional features of the PC game controllers include vibration feedback to choosing which key combination does what in the various games. Make sure you compare PC game controllers to get the one to fit your needs.

Help & Support
Though help and support may not seem like a big deal when it comes to something like a plug and play gamepad, we wanted to make sure that if you had any questions about using or setting up the device, you can get the answers you need. These come in the way of FAQs, manuals and even a phone number or email address to contact the manufacturer.

There are two reasons to look into purchasing a gamepad. The first is if you want to be a competitive gamer. A mouse and keyboard won't keep you alive for long in a firefight against others who use a gamepad. The second reason is if you want to have more control over your game. All of the gamepads we reviewed have programmable buttons so you can decide exactly which key combination does what. Don't feel like you're being held back. Unlock your inner sharpshooter with a gamepad and take out the competition on the first shot.