ClashPads [PS2]

Ok, let's start with my least favorite peripheral(s) of the batch, the ClashPads for the PS2. The idea behind these linked PS2 controllers is that it's all sorts of fun to mess with your buddy when playing multiplayer games. The ClashPads are two PS2 controllers linked up by a control box that lets either player do all sorts of crazy things to the controller of the other. Let's say your buddy is rocking the house at Madden 2004. Well, why be crushed by him when you can flip a switch that lets you temporarily take over his controller and run his plays for him? Watch him scream in anguish as you send his QB rolling deeper and deeper into the backfield, just waiting to get hammered by your defensive linemen. These "disruption" effects become available at pre-set frequencies during play (preventing you from just constantly using them) and the frequency can be adjusted during games.

The ClashPads have four disruptive effects available:

• Switch: Scrambles the button layout of your opponent's controller
• Knockout: As the name implies, you basically shut down the other controller
• Overturn: Alter the analog stick sensitivity of your opponent's controller
• Possess: Vengeance is yours as you temporarily take complete control over your opponent's game

While the ClashPads are a cool idea, they unfortunately fall flat after a couple of rounds of gaming. It's not that they're defective in any way, they actually work fine and are some solidly built controllers. The problem is the concept behind them: ruining your buddy's game. Sure it's funny the first few times you scramble his controls or take them over, but after just a short bit, it becomes a war of attrition as you both spend your time waiting for the light to signal that it's time to hose your buddy's game. Sooner or later, you find you're not really enjoying the game any more and you just switch back to the plain old PS2 Dual Shocks. In the end, the ClashPads are more a novelty than something you'd stick with for the long haul, so I'd recommend against them. I'll give Gamester points for building a unique and technically solid product that does what's advertised, I just question the utility of them after a few games.

FPS Master [Xbox]

The idea behind the FPS Master is to take the boring old handheld controller design and reshape it to boost realism and control. Sure we can all get along happily by playing Rainbow Six on the Controller-S or the classic Xbox "Duke" controller, but what if you were holding a controller shaped like two pistols? Now wouldn't that be fun? And so we have the FPS Master, which is shaped like two pistol grips wedded by a wide plastic bridge. On that bridge is an LCD display that lets you customize program the controller button layout. A bit of built-in memory lets you store three such custom configs, so you can practically tweak the button layouts on a per-game basis.

The FPS Master vs. the Controller-S (Controller-S not included)

The two standout features of the FPS Master are the symmetrically-placed thumbsticks and the ergonomic dual-pistol grip shape. While it's a bit of a large controller compared to the "S" (see our photos above), it's still incredibly comfortable for hands of all sizes. And the placement of the thumbsticks makes moving and aiming a breeze.

The key problem with the FPS Master is that its thumbsticks are hyper-sensitive, requiring that you immediately jump into the control settings of your favorite FPS and tweak the sensitivity a couple of times to get things right. In all honesty, even after lowering the sensitivity to practically nil in Rainbow Six for the Xbox, I still found the sticks to be too touchy for my liking. And Heaven forbid your favorite shooter requires you use the D-Pad, because the one on the FPS Master is a mess. It's mounted on the arch of one of the grips, which means you'll all -too-frequently hit it by mistake, or when you do intentionally hit it, you'll press it at the wrong angle, frequently in the diagonal instead of straight ahead. The triggers, on the other hand, work wonderfully. I really can't complain about them. And while the face buttons are oddly placed and not as pressure sensitive as I'd like, they do the job for the most part.

Would I recommend the FPS Master to Xbox gamers? That's a tough one, as I still find myself going back and forth with this controller, sometimes enjoying it, and other times, especially in games that require precision D-Pad movement, just hating it. I guess it's one controller you'll just have to try out to see if you like it, or convince a friend to buy it so you can test it without having to fork over the cash yourself.

Game Changer SP [GBA SP]

Now this is what I'm talking about when I say "cool peripherals." The Game Changer SP is a really simple device, you just seat your GBA in it, plug cartridges into each of the three slots provided and then you can switch between any of those games at your leisure. No more swapping cartridges or carrying extra games in a carrying case. The Game Changer SP is great if you're a guy since it increases the size of the GBA SP for gamers with bigger hands. Lady gamers and others with smaller hands might have problems with the increase in size, but overall it's a very cool product. Ever since receiving the Game Changer SP for review, my GBA has never left the unit. I love using it for travel since now I can take my top three games with me anywhere I want and not worry about losing loose carts. Pretty much any guy who's seen the Game Switcher has fallen in love with the form factor and convenience, and even the ladies I know enjoy convenience of three games being available at any time. For $10, it's tough to beat. And if you're a clumsy oaf such as myself, the Game Changer is a nice shock shield for the SP, mine's already been dropped twice and is still going.

The backside view of the Game Changer with three carts loaded (Carts not included)

The Game Changer from the side (Game case shown only for scale, not included)