Overview
SideWinder Force Feedback 2 is a joystick with an over-clocked processor and on-board power supply to deliver powerful, lightning fast forces for a realistic feel in your favorite flight and combat games. This joystick features "Forced Feedback" that lets you feel everything from a subtle bump to the impact of a crushing collision.

Features

• 16 programmable functions; 8 buttons plus 8-direction hat
• Rotating handle gives precise rudder control
• 16-bit 25-MHz on-board processor delivers 100 different forces
• Save and download programmed game commands into game-specific controller profiles
• USB connection for plug-and-play ease

The Stick
Out of the box, I hooked up the SideWinder with the USB cable and began using it immediately. My first thought was that the power adapter was an optional item, as it appeared to work with its own power. I learned quite soon that it may work, but it does not work with the forced feedback without its own power source. In fact, it's pretty much a limp stick in this mode. After plugging in the power adapter, I finally got to experience the forced feedback, and it was a pleasure.

I used the stick with Flight Simulator 2002, and took many flight adventures. The forced feedback feature causes the stick to react to elements within the software. For example, if there is wind turbulence, the stick rattles and gives a very realistic feel of what it might be like in a real plane. Take offs, landings, sharp drops and climbs, and even crashing, all provided a different feel for the stick.

The buttons on the stick are well-placed as well, and the ergnomic feel of the grip is outstanding. In addition to the buttons is a lever for increasing and decreasing throttle, and a twisting rudder control. The throttle lever, however, slid a bit too easy, not incorporating any of the feedback that the stick provides, so it didn't give the same realistic experience. Also, on the stick itself, I found that when I relaxed my grip on it, it would often go limp, similar to how it behaved when the power was off. There must be some kind of sensor control, and I found that I needed to stay tightly gripped on it to maintain the flow of realism. That made flying a little more stressful than perhaps it should have been.

Summary
Overall, the SideWinder Force Feedback 2 is a fantastic joystick. Its force feedback feature adds physical dimensions to the gaming experience that takes realism to the next level. I always judge my sense of realism by the affect a game has on me after I've turned off the computer, and after using the SideWinder with Flight Simulator, I continued to feel like I was flying for hours afterwards. That's a great testament and a good measure of just how much fun the force feedback adds to the software. The stick takes up more space than most joy sticks, but then again, it provides a much more sturdy experience, and I normally don't leave joysticks in place when I'm not using them anyway. There were some issues with the sensitivity of the stick and the unrealistic throttle lever, but all in all, the SideWinder gave me one of the best simulation experiences I've ever had. This joystick was a blast, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who uses software that takes advantage of it (such as MechWarrior or Flight Simulator). The joystick is USB, but for Mac users, the USB connection is not enough. There are no Mac drivers, so for right now, only your PC friends get to enjoy it.

Pros:

• Force Feedback truly enhances realism
• Lots of buttons, levers and controls
• Excellent ergonomic feel
• Solid and stable design

Cons:

• Joystick goes limp when not gripped
• Throttle lever a bit loose
• Takes up a lot of desk space
• There are no Macintosh drivers

Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Mice