Predator Score: 95% Developer: Pelican

Function: About a year ago, I vowed to go all wireless in regards to my controllers, but it seems that the only company that seemed to oblige my desire was Nintendo, with the Wavebird controller. For whatever reason, neither Sony nor Microsoft has seen fit to jump on the wireless bandwagon, choosing to leave me tethered to my consoles. Through various add-ons and extensions I've been able to increase my wandering range, but have yet to achieve the true freedom I get when using the Wavebird. Though it may seem a minor thing, the difference is noticeable. As is usually the case, a third-party developer has decided to help me out in my quest and, without further ado I give you the Predator from Pelican.

Performance: The Predator does a great job of avoiding all of the pitfalls that have plagued wireless controllers in the past. Instead of using technology found in most television remotes, the Predator uses radio waves to bridge the gap between the controller and receiver. Setup is a snap - just put two AA batteries into the controller, pop the receiver into the controller port and you're good to go. If you're using more than one Predator, you will also have to set the controller to one of four frequencies so you don't end up controlling your buddy's character (which may, or may not be a bad thing depended on how competitive you get). I really liked the weight and feel of the controller. The Predator uses the same layout as the standard PS2 controller, only with a few minor changes (all of which are for the better). The grips on the bottom of the controller are a tad longer than the standard and provide a better grip. The R2 and L2 buttons are also slightly recessed on the controller, instead of falling parallel to the R1 and L1 buttons. This setup looks odd, but helps to make the controller more comfortable in your hands. I found this especially helpful in games like Primal and Amplitude that feature extensive use of the shoulder buttons. Another change that may cause some concern at first glance is the position of the Start and Select buttons, which are dangerously close to the Square button. Unless you have really, really thick fingers, this isn't likely to happen since the face buttons are raised. The controller is also coated with what feels like a thin rubber-like coating that helps improve grip and keep the controller from getting sticky from sweaty palms (hey, you know it happens). The controller also features a nice 'sleep mode' that switches on (or off I should say) after a few minutes of non-use. This is a good feature since it helps conserve battery time, but during extended leaves I would recommend turning the controller off.

Features: RF Wireless Communication Sleep Mode Comfortable Design 4-Channel Settings for Multiplayer Gaming Rumble On/Off Feature

Drawbacks & Problems:: In order to test the controller's performance, I ran it up against a series of games requiring near exacting control, including a demo copy of Alter Echo, Mark of Kri, TimeSplitters 2, Amplitude and Britney's Dance Beat. All in all, the performance was excellent, but there were a few minor problems, mainly having to do with the Left Analog stick. The feeling is definitely playable, but tends to feel a little loose. This was especially noticeable while trying to sneak around in Mark of Kri since, at times, the slightest push seemed to make Rau charge at full speed since there's so little resistance. The face buttons all respond nicely, and I only experienced a delay when the signal would run into some interference (which was rare). As far as controllers go, I don't see how anyone could go wrong with the Predator. The wireless functionality is excellent and the solid design is arguably better than that of a standard controller. Highly recommended.

-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker