Thrustmaster Firestorm Digital 3 Gamepad (2960626)

List Price: $9.99 Discount Price: $8.99

Features:

• The Thrustmaster® FireStorm¿ Digital 3 Gamepad features 8 programmable quick-action buttons and a responsive 8-way D-Pad for maximum control during gameplay. For PC
• This ergonomically designed controller offers optimized gameplay for beginners. - for PC
• USB Plug and Play connection

Accessories:

Rayovac NM715-8 Rechargeable NiMH AA Batteries, 8-Count Package

Customer Reviews:

OH THE HORROR [Posted on 2004-01-09]
While others love Thrustmaster, I made the mistake of trying their low end model first. After returning it to COMPUSA for another cause it wouldn't connect via the USB, the second one wouldn't either. Needless to say this one doesn't work either. BAD BAD BAD WEBSITE SUPPORT TOO!!!

GREAT LOW-END JOYSTICK! [Posted on 2004-01-26]
I bought this joystick because it was the middle of the summer, I was low on cash, and I needed a new gamepad for my gameing comp. So I looked around, and after a while, once you strip off all the bells and whistles(Vibrating, Dual Analog Sticks, etc.) You eventually come to this one. I plugged it in. Set it up, and in a matter of seconds was blasting T.I.E. Fighters out of the sky with it. I wouldn't send mine back.

Awesome price, no hassles! [Posted on 2005-01-26]
This gamepad is a no-brainer. For under $10, you get a gamepad that you can just plug in, and it works, first try, with Windows XP... which is exactly what I wanted. No drivers, no hassles! The D-Pad seems much improved over previous versions, and is 3x better than the very-hard-to-use D-Pad on my (original) Wingman Rumblepad. It has 8 buttons that work when you press them. The overall size of the gamepad is a bit smaller than some of the other models, and it works perfectly for my 6-yr-old. The USB cable is a bit longer than the other gamepads I've used, which is a plus.

The only thing I see that could be improved is to include the 2 extra buttons (Start and Select), which would have made it exactly like the Gravis Gamepad Pro. Some games like to have to two extra buttons, but most will let you just use the computer keyboard for those features (pause the game, go back to the menu, etc.).

All in all, you can't lose with this gamepad... order 2 or 3 and get everyone in on the game!

A great little gamepad for a great price! [Posted on 2006-01-20]
I was looking for a gamepad to replace the old Gravis I used to have. That is, the first-generation Gravis that had 4 buttons or could be converted to a 2-button pad with turbo-fire. Sadly that pad is incompatible with my new computer, so I wanted a USB-friendly replacement.

Well, this was just the ticket. For $9.99 I grabbed this and it was a breeze to use. On Windows XP it installs automatically, no fuss no muss. Newer games adapt to it well, and older ones can be used too--with a little help. Now with the help of DosBox, I can play the old games I used to enjoy, and it translates this USB controller into something the games understand. For other games, another little freeware program JoyToKey fills in the gaps, and with it I've quite enjoyed making use of the 4 new buttons more common to modern gamepads.

Obviously this is not intended for games that require aiming, analog movement, etc. It rules out most flight sims and 1st-person shooters. It is however ideal for older games that use simpler controls.

It's exactly what I wanted, it's given me no grief, and the price was right. How often does anyone have an experience like that with their hardware?

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