The Falcon controller just looks silly, doesn't it? Everything we've heard about it so far says it's pretty underwhelming -- the feedback doesn't work quite right, the controls seem a little less intuitive than a keyboard and mouse, and in general, it just looks strange. Fortunately, I'll be able to know for myself next week -- I've already got an appointment to check out the controller (and how it plays WoW) at E3 next week.But in the meantime, until I can get my firsthand impressions of the Falcon up here, what are some other strange controllers that actually do work with WoW? We've heard a lot about the Zboard, which seems like a pretty good combination of a keyboard and a custom controller for Blizzard's MMO -- anyone used it? A lot of people have posted before that they use the Logitech G15, and that's really just a keyboard, except for the extra display and macros. I've used Switchblade to play with an Xbox 360 controller (and found it not nearly as easy as playing with a mouse and keyboard). And I know some players, multiboxers usually, will even use foot pedals to supplement keyboard and certain macros.
Ever played WoW with a weird controller? Is there something out there that you swear by that's not the standard mouse and keyboard? Me, I'm perfectly happy with an Apple Keyboard and my Logitech gaming mouse -- at least until I try the Falcon next week. You never know, maybe I'll fall in love with it and decide that $190 (!) is worth it.
Update: I couldn't remember the name of this one, but a lot of people in the comments (and a lot of folks before this post) have mentioned the n52 Speedpad as a good controller option.
Subscribe
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
7-09-2008 @ 8:07AM
Argent said...
i used to not use anything fancy, but recently got a microsoft/razer reclusa keyboard (the backlight function is wonderful -- and so are the macros.)
i tend to prefer wireless mice and unfortunately for me, i mouse with my left hand, so i'm fairly limited to my choice in mice. currently i use the microsoft wireless laser mouse 8000.
one thing i'd *LOVE* to try is a setup with a wiimote, especially for fishing.
Reply
7-09-2008 @ 8:07AM
Ash said...
Personally, and although it doesn't cover every single key, I use the Belkin n52te controller. I don't use every possible key combination, but it is more than enough for what I need.
Reply
7-09-2008 @ 8:08AM
native said...
i use a nostromo n52 speedpad.
i dig it.
Reply
7-09-2008 @ 9:07AM
Fantastik said...
I swear by my n52 also.
7-09-2008 @ 9:16AM
Kaeb said...
It took me forever to relearn, yes RE-LEARN, the game after I switched to a laptop from my old desktop+nostromo.
I raided most of MC through Naxx on a nostromo. Playing TBC on a laptop made it that much newer and different.
8-06-2008 @ 9:21PM
Jubahl said...
I couldn't play anymore without my n52. Seriously.
7-09-2008 @ 9:59AM
Hugh "Nomad" Hancock said...
I, too, am a paid-up N52 fanboy.
7-09-2008 @ 4:42PM
Inscrutibob said...
The other day I logged into my account from a friend's computer. He doesn't have a Nostromo and I do. I was in despair. Life lost all meaning. Or something like that.
/love n52
7-09-2008 @ 8:13AM
Ganaw said...
I got the ZBoard's little brother, the Fang. It is so much more comfortable to me than a regular keyboard for gaming.
Reply
7-09-2008 @ 9:05AM
Quickshiv said...
I 2nd the Fang it is great. If you want you can get the merc keyboard but I already had a g15. It is extremely comfortable and has way more key access then a standard keyboard.
I also use a g5 mouse.
7-09-2008 @ 8:16AM
llart said...
I have a Z-Board and love it! The built in commands work wonderfully, from emotes to switching chat. It's so nice going from Battleground to Guild with a single button. The only downside is it is a noisey keyboard.
Reply
7-09-2008 @ 8:21AM
roguedubb said...
Apple keyboard + Apple mouse. I tried a fancy Logitech mouse, but didn't really use anything other than right/left click - just the same as the Apple mouse.
I do however use macros for just about everything, which lessens the need for multiple buttons.
Reply
7-09-2008 @ 8:23AM
Mowgile said...
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/input/77ba/
Must! Have! It!
Reply
7-09-2008 @ 12:09PM
Fleetfoot said...
That is the Ergodex DX1, I know I own one. It is cracking. You can put the keys anywhere on the perspex board in arrangement to suit you and the position of your fingers. It's sweet!
7-09-2008 @ 8:27AM
Jetson said...
Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard (the old one with all the keys)
Logitech MX1000 Mouse (buttons buttons buttons)
Combine that with Bongos/Bartender, and I almost never have to mouse-click a button.
Reply
7-09-2008 @ 8:28AM
Acidburn said...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfrMalBiXuY
Reply
7-09-2008 @ 8:29AM
Kristian Cee said...
I use the Nostromo n52te. It's not without it's issues -- the d-pad is bugged currently and waiting for a firmware upgrade to fix that -- but it allows me to customize controls to my liking while leaving the normal keyboard keys unremapped.
Reply
7-09-2008 @ 8:46AM
p-diddy said...
??? I use the n52te (and love it!) without any d-pad issues. Can you clarify?
By the way, the n52te (and the regular n52 before it) are the only way I can game now. d-pad for movement, easy access keys for 1-9, pinky key reach for vent... I started using it with Guild Wars and then WoW. Can't be beat in my mind.
I just need to figure out how to use it for Dawn of War....
-p-
7-09-2008 @ 11:05AM
ivan256 said...
I started with the n52, then went to the n52te...
The build quality of the n52 is better.. It feels like it'll last longer. The thumb button/"spacebar" on the n52 wore out on mine (I use it for PTT, and use "down" on the D-pad for space. Using the D-pad to move would be a handicap.)
The n52te is a software nightmare though. It sends bugged keycodes sometimes... It misses key-up events sometimes (It's fun when you're in the middle of a boss fight and you can't figure out why you're spinning in a circle.. Or worse, charging ahead) It often can't be reprogrammed unless you reboot... Until they figure out the issues, I'd say you should get the non "te" version.
7-09-2008 @ 8:29AM
Koohkies said...
A long time ago, I used a PS2 controller for my rogue. It actually worked quite well (I used L2 and R2 to shift into different menus) and was pretty fun. It made it feel like I was playing some hack n slash game. If there was a way to mouselook without holding down the mouse button, I would probably have stuck with it. Holding down one of the analog sticks was a bit complicated and didn't always work well if you had your mouse on a menu.
Reply