Manufactured By:   Microsoft Corp.

Retail Price: $69.99   

Review Date: 10-6-98     

Hummm, a controller that actually uses the body English I've been subjecting my controllers to since the days of Pong?  The special feature of the MS Freestyle Pro is not just a gimmick.  I have seen other motion sensing controllers before but haven't been impressed.

The implementation of the Freestyle Pro's motion sensing controls is impressive.
  The bundled copy of Motocross Madness displays the capabilities of this controller (and its the best game Microsoft has ever published).  I even put the Freestyle Pro to work on Need For Speed III, POD, and Ultimate Race Pro with impressive results.  It worked great! 

  You want to turn left? Tilt the Freestyle Pro to the left.  Just be sure to keep it level or you might flip off the bike if you lean forward.  If the motion sensing control is too much for a given game hit the sensor button for on-the-fly switching to a standard gamepad control setup.  The D-Pad is comfortably placed.  As a matter of fact, all of the controls are comfortably place.

  I was sorry to see Microsoft leave out the game port at the back of the controller that the MS Sidewinder GamePad had.  It was convenient for quick switching of controllers.  I think this feature was lost because the Freestyle Pro has USB capabilities and other controllers that would take advantage of the feature do not.

• Motion Control
• 8 way D-Pad (doubles as a hat switch when motion control enabled)
• wheel throttle
• 2 trigger buttons
• 6 pad buttons
• shift button (doubles trigger and pad button functions)
• start button
• USB or gameport connection
• digital interface

  The motion sensing capabilities are very well implemented.  With other controllers using this feature there are only extremes of movement.  With the Freestyle Pro the degree you move the controller is reflected in the movement you make.   However, sticking out you tongue as you play has no effect.

  There are some reports of intermittent control loss when used as a USB device.   I have experienced the problem but primarily use it through the game port.

  The same software is used for other Microsoft controllers such as the Sidewinder 3D Pro, Sidewinder 3D GamePad, etc.  making using all Microsoft controllers very enticing.
  Setup in games was not an issue.  I either used "game pad" settings or Freestyle Pro options within the game setup options.  The 8 buttons, throttle and hat switch came in handy for some of the more complex games.

NOTE:  Some PCI and non-Creative Labs ISA soundcards have difficulty detecting Microsoft and other digital controllers.  Check with your soundcard manufacturer for possible compatibility issues.

It installs drivers and a controller profiler for customizing individual game controls and actions.  this allows you to program complex moves to a single button.

Buy the SideWinder Freestyle Pro Controller