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Enhance Your Gaming with Vista-Friendly Peripherals - Part 2

By: Chuck Miller Sep 21, 2007

1. Introduction
2. Gamepads
3. Joysticks
4. Flight Control Systems
5. Flight Control Systems (cont.)
6. Steering Wheels
7. Headsets
8. Final Summary & Index

Although it's possible to play your favorite arcade, racing, sim and sports titles with a keyboard and mouse, it's not necessarily the best or most enjoyable alternative. For added realism, as well as a leg up on the competition, a dedicated game controller is a worthwhile investment. In Part 1 of this Vista-friendly feature, we examined widescreen monitors, keyboards, keyboard enhancements and mice. Now we turn our attention to gamepads, joysticks, flight control systems, racing wheels and headsets.

However, unlike other peripheral classes, when it comes to game controllers, few have qualified for the "Works with Windows Vista" logo and next to none carry "Certified" status (for a clarification on compatibility nomenclature, see "What’s It All Mean?") - just glance at the Windows Vista Hardware Compatibility List to confirm this. Eventually they'll arrive but, for now, the number of controllers bearing logo'd status is slim.

Recommendations & Examples

Of course, this doesn't mean you won't find compatible devices. Many game controllers work fine with Vista, though, all features may not be enabled. CH Products' entire line of flight sim controllers is Vista compatible and the same is true of Logitech's current gamepads, joysticks and racing wheels, as well as Saitek's entire device lineup. Plus, Microsoft's Xbox 360 wireless controllers (gamepad, racing wheel and headset) are all compatible when used in conjunction with the Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows. In fact, all the controllers in this feature are Vista compliant.

Nevertheless, as with the initial installment of this feature, please note that this is not a comprehensive product round up nor is it a comparative review of the devices covered. Rather, it's a representative commentary highlighting the positive and negative aspects of each controller examined. Also, unless identified as wireless, controllers are USB based. So, let's get to it!

Note: Average street prices, in US dollars and UK pounds, for each component (at time of publication) have been provided courtesy, in most cases, by Pricewatch, PriceGrabber, Newegg, iDealo, Deal Time and Amazon.