Logitech Rumblepad 2 Vibration Feedback Gamepad

Product Summary

Popzara Rating

For an asking price between $24.99 and $33.99 the Rumblepad 2 is certainly worth the greenbacks if you want to bring that console feeling to your PC gaming sessions, but don't want to break the piggy bank. In many ways Logitech's offering easily bests its competition (even Microsoft's own made-for-Windows version), and a large range of customizable options certainly make the experience that much more compelling. It feels tight and plays even tighter, resulting in one of the very best controllers I've ever used for console-style PC gaming. Logitech scores again with this fantastic slice of heaven! Manufacturer: Logitech Model Number: 963325-0403 Price: $29

Written by Herman Exum

You could say a lot of things when it comes to PC gaming, but you can’t include a lack of options when it comes to choosing how to play.  While keyboards and mice are fine for some, as a console gamer I prefer the familiarity that a controller has to offer.  Thankfully, one brand that almost always delivers the good stuff is Logitech, and while even these peripheral masters have released some questionable controllers in the past, nearly all is forgiven thanks to the extremely comfortable and functional RumblePad 2 Gamepad.

Putting one of these in your hand feels sturdy and thicker, with welcome textured grips that won’t have it slipping away from you and still remaining comfortable.  The button layout with seem blissfully familiar for those migrating away from console gaming, with its typical PlayStation-style layout and corresponding analog sticks and triggers.  The sticks themselves were more than adequate and very responsive, which was surprising given the relative cheap-o quality that most PC gamepads are passing off these days, and the 8-way directional-pad could arguably be among the best I've ever played with on a PC controller.  It's that good.

Another area the RumblePad 2 thrives is customization, which in the world of PC controllers never seems to be as intuitive as I'd like.  Here it's a snap, with the included software/driver configuration opening up a world of options ranging from vibration sensitivity, button-mapping (yes!), and axis-swapping to name a few.  Unfortunately, one option that was sadly missing was analog stick sensitivity, although I imagine a problem easily rectified as most analog-stick compatible games should have their own sensitivity levels and adjustments.  USB connections make all the difference, and this alone helps make pulling the controller out in a pinch that much easier.  There shouldn't be any real compatibility issues as Logitech’s product works for both Windows and Mac operating systems, and Vista owners needn't worry at all as it works like a charm.

For an asking price between $24.99 and $33.99 the Rumblepad 2 is certainly worth the greenbacks if you want to bring that console feeling to your PC gaming sessions, but don't want to break the piggy bank.  In many ways Logitech's offering easily bests its competition (even Microsoft's own made-for-Windows version), and a large range of customizable options certainly make the experience that much more compelling.  It feels tight and plays even tighter, resulting in one of the very best controllers I've ever used for console-style PC gaming.  Logitech scores again with this fantastic slice of heaven!