Manufactured By:  Gravis

Retail Price:      $29.99 (US)

Review Date:  12-27-00

Gravis started producing gamepads many years ago.  My first gamepad was the classic Gamepad from Gravis.  It was a bone shaped controller with 4 buttons and a d-pad.  The layout was not very comfortable but it got me started.

The new controllers from Gravis are broken down into 3 groups- the Xterminator, Eliminator and Destroyer families.  Each line offers similar looks and to a lesser extent the same types of features.  The Eliminator family is the most extensive and includes gamepads and joysticks with basic to advanced features.

• 8 way proportional d-pad
• 10 programmable buttons (4 triggers)
• Powerful Xperience profile software

• Sports games (NHL, NFL, Baseball series games)
• Flight Sims/Arcade (MS FlightSim, CombatSim, Crimson Skies etc.)
• Racing Games (Need For Speed, Powerslide, Midtown Madness, etc.)
• Space Sims (Descent Freespace, Forsaken, Mechwarrior III, Incoming, etc.)

The d-pad is a very well designed socket type pad.  Its a smooth surface that does not offer much grip, nor does it have a recess for your thumb to sit in.  Still, its action is clean enough that this is not an issue.  It glides in all directions with a small amount of pressure.  The added precision button in the center of the pad changes the read of the d-pad for improved accuracy.  This setting may be too accurate for some and can be turned off.  A green LED indicates the precision activation.

Under extended use the pad continues to be quite comfortable.  The pad has a nice solid feel to it without being over-heavy.  The fact that the pad is easy to grip and the d-pad does not require great effort to operate makes the Eliminator Pro a good choice for heavy sports games fans.  I played NHL 2000 for a few hours using the pad and was never disappointed.  Likewise, FIFA 99 was also well received with the pad.

In racing games you need to assign buttons the action of the gas and brake functions.  Since none of the buttons are proportional the gas and brake operation are an all-or-nothing proposition.  Most race games, even arcade style ones, require you to have semi-accurate brake/gas control.  Its just not possible with the buttons of the pad.  Alternatively you can use the d-pad to control both turning and acceleration/braking.  This requires a bit more attention to the movement on the d-pad.  I often find myself decelerating over time as I loosen the up press of the pad.

Space and flight sims were limited with the GamePad Pro.  The lack of a throttle and the need for the d-pad axis for other controls left me with no other choice but to use the keyboard in conjunction with the pad.  The simple fact is no gamepad is great for flightsims and the Eliminator is no different.

Action games such as Tomb Raider, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, and the like played well with the pad.  The 10 buttons and the ability to program them with the profiler was a joy.  Most of these games have a few primary actions and a few other minor actions.  The profiler allowed me to easily assign these actions to the different buttons of the controller and get into gameplay without having to hunt for the proper key on the keyboard.

I also had the opportunity to test out the use of multiple Eliminator pads.  I connected and used 3 of the pads through a USB hub.  Detection, setup and use went on without a hitch.  The games needed to support multiple controllers such as most sports titles for proper function.  I was able to use multiple profiles for each controller if desired.

Setup -
Setup was problem free.  Its easy too!  With the USB setup you can plug the controller into you system with it on, let Windows recognize it and insert the CD.  A purple haired maven congratulates you on your controller selection and helps you with the process.  The only thing you will need to do on your own is determine which controller series you have.  For the Eliminator Gampad Pro select the Eliminator option and the proper drivers and profiles will be setup.

Once the software is installed put it through a quick calibration and test and you're set to play with the advanced settings of the Gamepad Pro.  You can create a variety of settings and save them for use.  

To get the best understanding of this powerful utility you should thoroughly read the manual and consult the online help files.  The online help files are the best source of information since they are updated with updates to the software itself.  

The Xperience also offers comprehensive on-line help files.  They go into specific details on setting up, saving, exporting and using specific game profiles.  The Gravis website offers few details on this new controller and historically they have given good support.  Hopefully they will create a profile download section for this and their other controllers.

If you are looking for a great, easy to use gamepad the Eliminator Gamepad Pro is a great selection.  The Xperience' s purple haired maven even thanks you after you have made the purchase.  

• Precise and stable USB connection
• Numerous buttons 
• Powerful profiler/setup utility
• Nice ergonomics

• No throttle or analog stick
• Few profiles available, must create your own

1 Stick  - Not Recommended
2 Sticks - Functional            
3 Sticks - Recommended with some issues 
4 Sticks - Recommended
5 Sticks - Highly Recommended!

Buy the GRAVIS ELIMINATOR GAMEPAD PRO USB 4BUTTON 4FLIPPERS