The Mad Catz Fantastic Four Control
Pad looks great, and is responsive, but may not be the controller of choice for
serious PS2 gamers
There is the
catch-phrase of a certain Ben Grimm, also known as The Thing. It is appropriate
here, if for no other reason than the image of the quintessential tank graces
the face of the Mad Catz controller. And besides, it is even on the left hand
grip of the controller itself.
But, this is
a time to refrain … and explain.
Mad Catz has
the official license for the Fox motion picture/Activision videogame and is
using it with the release of the Fantastic 4 Control Pad Pro for the PlayStation
2 console system. The colorful controller has a tight layout, solid plastic with
a high sheen and (the version received) comes in orange and blue with The
Thing’s image dead center. The look Ben is giving those using the pad seems to
mean you had best live up to using this controller.
The pad is
responsive, but does a few idiosyncrasies that prevent it from scoring in the
upper echelon. What, you ask? Well, the Start and Select buttons are located on
the top of the controller, on either side of the connecting chord and inside the
shoulder buttons. At first glance, they appear as though they are merely
indicators because gentle pressure does nothing to them. However, bear down on
them and you will hear that click that means you just triggered those controls.
The mode button is on the other end, in the recess created by the circular
thumbstick slots, and is also clickable, but not exactly easily accessible if
you have decent-sized hands.
The
controller does have an extra-long connecting chord, and has vibration features.
The top layout is tight and very accessible. The chord does not seem as sturdy
as the Mad Catz Dual Force 2 Pro controller (my PS2 controller of choice). The
vibration is solid, revealing that this controller is very well built.
There was no
marked difference in the response time between the F4 device and the Dual Force
2 or Sony first-party controller, and the Fantastic 4 Control Pad Pro worked
equally as well with other titles, though it seemed to be more appropriate when
playing Fantastic 4, for some strange and totally nonsensical reason.
The Mad Catz
Fantastic 4 Control Pad Pro is destined to be a collector’s bit of hardware. It
is a solid device, but those who spend a great deal of time with may wish for a
controller that is not quite as slick feeling.
The Control
Pad Pro does come in six designs – Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), The Thing (Ben
Grimm), The Human Torch (Johnny Storm), The Invisible Woman (Sue Storm, a
see-through controller that looks really nice), Dr. Doom, and a team F4 skin.
The Thing was the device received for review.
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Pros:
Rubberized pads
on the outside of the handholds help maintain grips in tough gaming moments. The
thumbsticks are responsive and the placement of the D-pad and hot keys are close
to the thumbsticks for easy access. The cord connecting to the console is also
longer by about 1
