| MãkoPad PC (AKA PC PowerPad Pro) Manufactured By: InterAct
Retail Price: $19-29
Review Date: 1-24-99 |
![[]](../../images/mako.gif)
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InterAct puts out a wide variety of products both for the PC and
console gaming rigs. They are listed as the #1 selling manufacturer of multimedia PC
gamepads and joysticks. They are a division of Recoton, makers of home electronic
accessories and also make the Performance line of controllers. By visiting their
site you would have no idea they are the top seller and you would not get a feel for how
many controller they currently have available (just look at the quality of the only
graphic available for this controller above!). Their PC controller page was last
updated November 19, 1998. They continue to release controllers and don't promote
them. I have the FlightForce Plus and have seen a hand held
force feedback wheel from them but don't look to their page for details- Their not
even mentioned!
This doesn't mean they have bad products. The FlightForce
Plus and UltraRacer PC controllers from InterAct have faired
well in my reviews. When you see all the buttons, D-pad and mini-joystick you
may think the MãkoPad PC is similar to the Gravis Xterminator in function. However,
it lacks any type of programmability and you have limited selection of what features can
be used together. For example if you use the throttle control you will only have 4
button operation; disable the throttle and all 9 buttons function but 3 are redundant
(only 6 functions). The D-pad and mini-joystick cannot be used at the same
time. The D-pad is available in digital mode and the mini-joystick in analog mode.
The MãkoPad PC is comfortable to hold. I found using either the
mini-joystick or D-pad with my left hand thumb acceptable. The buttons are well
placed and the redundancy of their function allows the user to use the MãkoPad PC in a
way most suitable to them. The throttle control is placed just below the right
trigger button and is a little too slippery to make precise movements.
I tested the MãkoPad PC with games that I would typically use a game pad for.
I did not test it with flight sims or racing games although it would function well
with them thanks to its throttle. In analog mode the mini-joystick was a bit jumpy
even with proper calibration.
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Features
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- 8 way digital D-pad
- Analog joystick w/trim controls
- Throttle Control
- 9 buttons (6 usable at a time depending on mode)
- Auto-fire switch
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System Requirements -
PC gameport, Windows 95/98
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Price
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At $19 you receive a usable game pad. At the high end of its price range you
may want to consider one of the many other game pads available.
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Performance
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The MãkoPad PC did well in NHL 97 in digital mode
(using the D-pad). It also performed well in Tonic Trouble, Rocket Jockey and
Shadows of the Empire. I did not like the way it or any other gamepad worked with
Quake II, Half-Life or SIN. The control needed for effective play in a
first-person-shooter (i.e. strafing, looking, and other advanced functions) just are
not possible with a gamepad having its features.
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Setup
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Setup is simple. Plug in the game pad and run the setup utility on the
included floppy disk. Then calibrate it using the particular setup you prefer and
your done. |
Software -
The drivers for the MãkoPad PC are provided on a single floppy disk.
No other software is necessary or provided. |
Documentation
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The MãkoPad PC comes with an instruction manual,
registration card, and a $10 mail-in rebate form for GameShark if purchased separately.
The 24 page manual has 3 languages with 8 pages dedicated to English instructions.
The manual explains the setup options and the functions of the 3 switches on the
face of the pad. There is also a very brief troubleshooting section. The
readme file on the floppy disk also provides some information that did not make it to the
manual including some additional troubleshooting information.
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Overall Rating
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Overall the MãkoPad PC is a decent game pad offering a
few extra features you are not likely to find in similar priced controllers. It
doesn't excel in any particular aspect or have any major shortcomings. If your
looking for a gamepad to use with console-like or arcade style games you should give the
MãkoPad PC a try. The addition of a few extra features not usually found on game
pads in its price range push it just past its competitors.
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1
Stick - Not Recommended
2 Sticks - Functional
3 Sticks - Recommended with some issues
4 Sticks - Recommended
5 Sticks - Highly Recommended! |
