SteelSeries Free Touchscreen Gaming Controls

By Jamie Cifuentes

Tablet and smartphone gaming has become a popular way to pass time. One issue that remains, though, is the frustrating and awkward touch-screen controls. The ThinkGeek Joystick-It attempted to solve this problem, but the suction cups slide around and the joystick doesn't feel comfortable under the your thumb. The SteelSeries Free Mobile Wireless Controller?also attempts to fix this issue, but at too high a cost. The Logitech Joystick for iPad comes the closest to making touch-screen gaming enjoyable, so it earned Editors' Choice for tablet gaming controls. The SteelSeries Free Touchscreen Gaming Controls has a similar design as the Logitech Joystick with the addition of three tactile buttons that can be placed over virtual buttons. For $19.99 (list), you get a thumbpad and three clickable buttons that can be placed on your touch screen. Unfortunately, it doesn't offer a better gaming experience than the Logitech Joystick, even with the addition of the buttons.

Design and Setup
The set consists of the thumbpad and three small black buttons. The plastic thumbpad rests on two spiral arms that connect to an outer circle equipped with micro-suction cups that stick to your tablet's screen. The arms are flexible so the thumbpad can move around in any direction inside the circle and spring back to the center. The three rubber tactile buttons have special tape underneath that sticks them to your screen without sliding around. They come off easily, and don't leave a sticky residue behind. According to SteelSeries' website, if you find that the buttons lose their adhesiveness, just clean them off with a damp cloth. You get a small clear plastic carrying case for the four pieces that's small enough to easily slide into a pocket.

To use the Controls, just set up the thumbpad over the center of your game's virtual joystick and press down on the outer circle so the micro-suction cups stay in place. The joystick is intended for tablets, and is too large for a smartphone. Next, place the tactile buttons over any virtual buttons in the game (or the buttons you'll use most during gameplay, since the package only comes with three) and you're good to go.

Performance
These controls will essentially work with any game that has a virtual joystick and buttons. I played several games on both the latest-generation iPad and a Motorola Droid Razr Maxx HD. Playing Final Fury Pro and Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II on the iPad, the thumbpad came loose when I held it in one direction for too long. Although it was less of an issue in Final Fury Pro, it caused me to die repeatedly in Sonic 4. The tactile buttons are much more secure and worked effortlessly with both games. The tactile buttons felt good, while the thumbpad was much less useful.

With the Razr Maxx HD and its 4.7-inch display, the buttons fit pretty well over the virtual ones without taking up space on the screen. Using two tactile buttons for the Fire and Jump buttons on Zombie Dash, I was able to play smoothly through the levels. Just don't expect that you'll be able to use the thumbpad effectively, even on a phone as large as the Maxx HD.

The SteelSeries Free Touchscreen Gaming Controls definitely give the Logitech Joystick a run for its money with the addition of buttons, but it's not enough to beat it. The thumbpad coming loose during gameplay is a downer, and although the buttons are a nice addition, you're still better off buying the same-price Logitech Joystick. It's much more secure and offers a better touch-screen tablet gaming experience.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/g4I1d80L4qo/0,2817,2417335,00.asp

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