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The traditional PC joystick can be a versatile controller, depending on its overall design. But they excel in flight games and in games that specialize in armored-vehicular combat (for example, tank sims and mecha games like Mechwarrior 3). As with all other controllers, there is a huge variety of these on the market, with a wide range of features and price points. I spent most of the stick time in eitherEuropean Air War or Mechwarrior 3.
The classic F-16 CombatStick from veteran controller maker CH Products has been updated to support USB. The CombatStick is my all-time favorite game controller. I have several gameport F-16s lying around, and the USB version is a worthy inheritor of the CH name. The CombatStick bears a superficial resemblance to the flight stick used in the F-16 multirole fighter. As such, it's a right-handed stick. While southpaws may groan, I need to point out that real F-16 jockeys who happen to be left-handed have to live with the situation, too. When you first plug the CombatStick USB into the USB port, you can either configure it with the CH INF file or simply treat it as a HID game controller. It seems to work equally well either way. Other than the plug-and-play capability of USB, it's just like the gameport version - and that's a ringing endorsement. The F-16 CombatStick has a long throw and a light, precise action. Your arm doesn't get overly tired after long game sessions, and the long throw lets you make those minute adjustments that are necessary to line up your targets. The CombatStick has ten buttons and a view hat, plus throttle and trim controls. The trim controls are very handy in flight games. The throttle is perhaps the weakest point in this superb stick, having a relatively short play. The placement of the throttle next to the stick well is perfect. The CombatStick is built like a truck, too, so it's sturdy and durable over the long haul. I can't say enough good things about this stick - and I've used just about every flight stick ever made. Some are more realistic, but they have stiff actions that get very tiring over extended gameplay. The only downside with this product is that you can't use it with a rudder pedal or independent throttle. CH is hard at work at rectifying this deficiency. We'll soon see the USB Pro Pedals, and the USB Pro Throttle is not far off. At that point, you'll have a nearly perfect HOTAS (hands-on throttle and stick). All you'll need then is a good USB hub to plug in all the gear. Next:
Suncom and Guillemot Sticks
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