Viper Score: 95% Developer: Blaze Device Type: Controller

Function: When you?re looking at an analog controller, ?Control? is the name of the game. Blaze?s Viper takes this idea a bit further with their unique ?3D floating D-pad.? This D-pad has a concave thumb pad that actually moves with your thumb when you move it in a direction. Essentially, the Viper?s D-pad is very similar to a analog stick, although its output is digital, like normal D-pads. The main obvious differences (other than the digital signal) are that being flat against the controller instead of raised, it has a quicker action and a shorter throw. This only makes sense as it?s dealing with on/off and an analog signal. Also, there is a very reassuring ?click? when you move the D-pad, providing both audible and tactile feedback that the move has, in fact, been actuated. The buttons are all placed conveniently and in the familiar places, but the lower shoulder buttons (L2 and R2) are larger, allowing for a wider range of hand sizes. Regardless of your hand size, if you align your fingers on the top shoulder buttons, your next finger should naturally fall on the secondary shoulder buttons. And for those of you who only use one finger for each side, you?ll be happy to know that the distance between the top and bottom shoulder buttons is a mere 1/8 of an inch, making it easy to switch between top and bottom shoulder buttons quickly, as well as to hit both with one finger.

Performance: The Viper?s analog controls are very familiar being much like other analog sticks, but instead having a comfy rubber coating. The handles of the sticks also are very comfortable, being covered in the same rubber coating. This part requires no learning whatsoever. Simply grab it and you?ll understand. The unique ?3D floating D-pad? feels and acts slightly different than a standard D-pad, but eliminates thumb slippage and has a feeling somewhat similar to an analog stick. This takes a little bit of use to get used to, but only because it feels different. Your performance should be at least as good as before, quite possibly better. The Blaze Viper is slightly heavier than your average analog controller, but it?s more a weight that comes from a solid, well-built product. It is also very well-balanced and feels delightful in the hand. It has made it into the ranks of my favorite controllers, having its own niche. (No, it doesn?t replace the Nyko Scorpion being less ergonomically dreamy, but I am quite impressed with the 3D floating D-pad.) The rubber grips provide a comfortable handle on your games, and the control puts it up there at the top of the list. (To check out the results, check my ?Control Freaks? feature...)

Features: Dual Shock compatible Unique ?3D floating D-pad? Dual analog with push-down buttons Independent Turbo button Rubberized coating on handles and analog sticks 6?3? cord

Drawbacks & Problems:: While the ?3D floating D-pad? is novel and works well, the Viper I tested had to be ?broken in? a little to work perfectly. When I first used it, the D-pad would occasionally get stuck in the ?left position.? After using it for a short time, this problem fixed itself. Other than that, it?s a pretty solid pad.

-Geck0, GameVortex Communications AKA Robert Perkins