There are a good many 3rd party controllers out there vying to become your new and only controller, but there aren’t many 3rd party controllers that would really augment your gaming skills. Some controllers have graphics and decals to make you look “cool” and others have gimmicky “turbo” buttons. Below the break is my review of the Evil D-PAD Xbox 360 controller, a handset with no on-board graphics that promises to aid your gaming skills.
The touch, the feel, of D-PAD. The controller of our lives…
This is the wired version of the Evil D-PAD from Evil Controllers. As can plainly be seen in the photo below, the analog sticks resemble the familiar PS2/3 archetype, if not the layout. The sticks have a specific rubber compound that will help your thumbs grip it. This is what Evil Controllers are mainly known for. They sell these stick mods separately with tools to help you easily mod your existing controller.
The other notable feature is the D-PAD, a major departure from the stock Microsoft unit. Evil has replaced the traditional D-Pad with button-based layout. Initially I thought, why would one do this? It eliminates diagonal functionality completely. However, if you’re trying to input a diagonal on the D-Pad and not using the analog stick for that, then you are not gaming correctly.
Overall Opinion
Even though the Evil D-PAD didn’t actually improve my gaming skills for either Halo: Reach or Monday Night Combat, it did however make it more enjoyable. My thumbs slipped off the sticks far less often than the first party Xbox 360 controller. The modified D-PAD made navigating through menus a bit easier since you don’t have the option anymore to accidentally press on a diagonal direction and go to the wrong screen.
If you have some extra change in your pocket and want to lessen your frustration on accidental button presses or slipping off the sticks, this controller is for you.
The Wired Evil D-PAD controller is available now for $54.99 and also comes in a wireless flavor for $74.99.
This review was conducted using a review unit sent from Evil Controllers.