First Review of the SmartJoy FRAG Kb/m Adaptor for PS2 and XBox

[Soundwave]

http://gear.ign.com/articles/558/558944p1.html

Sounds good. They say configuring the buttons is a bit confusing, and it doesn't work perfect in a few games, but they also say it works excellent in Halo. This means it will work good in Halo 2. This means I'm quite happy that I ordered it and am heavily looking forward to it.

Discuss.

 

[Soundwave]

Come on...NO ONE is interested in this? It makes console FPS as playable as PC ones. I figured at least the Halo 2 fans would be interested...

 

[Warbie]

ergh - would you play Mario 64 or Golden Eye with a m&k?

Same for Halo 2.

Doesn't impress me personally (but can see why some may want one)

(analogue movement and rumble are some of the features that made Halo such a visceral experience. Halo/Halo 2 doesn't need a mouse - and will detract greatly from the overall experience, imo)

 

[DarkStar]

I hope using a keyboard/mouse isn't possible for online Halo 2. Seems like it would be a hugely unfair advantage.

 

[WhiteZero]

ergh - would you play Mario 64 or Golden Eye with a m&k?

Same for Halo 2.

Doesn't impress me personally (but can see why some may want one)

(analogue movement and rumble are some of the features that made Halo such a visceral experience. Halo/Halo 2 doesn't need a mouse - and will detract greatly from the overall experience, imo)

Ummm... YES...

Mouse & Keyboard will always be > any console controller setup.

 

[AmishSlayer]

Weird. I didn't really like the m/kb setup for Halo PC. Too akward for me. I'd just stick with my sticks

BTW - Warble - check your pm's

 

[Warbie]

Ummm... YES..

You have got to be joking - how to take two of the best games ever made and ruin them :/

Mouse & Keyboard will always be > any console controller setup

For some games, yes. For others, definately not.

 

[WhiteZero]

You have got to be joking - how to take two of the best games ever made and ruin them :/



For some games, yes. For others, definately not.

Ok, I'll admit that the N64 controller was pretty good for playing an FPS. It's the only console controller I'll play one on.

However, the steady control and accuracy of m&k can't be matched, IMO.

For instance: Lets say I'm playing a console FPS... alright, I'm having a good time shooting stuff. OH CRAP! Someones shooting me from behind!! I better turn around to face him. *hold the stick to the side... slowly turning around* Crud... I'm dead... couldent turn around in time. Ok, screw that, I'll turn up the sticks turning sensitivity! Alright, now I can whip around pretty quick to shoot some guys.

Alright, time to get a sniper rifle and pick off some guys. *zooms in on a moving target* Crud... I turned up the sensitivity to turn around fast... now I'm totaly over aiming... *has to put more strain on my thumb to only move the stick a few milimeeters so I dont over-aim*


I'd be willing to bet real money on this: Take 2 people with the exact same level of skill in an FPS, but one person uses console controllers and the other uses m&k. Have them play DM against eachother. I'm sure the average kill/death raio of the m&k player will be batter than the console controller players' ratio.

Just my opinion. :naughty:

 

[Warbie]

Sure - a mouse is easier, and definately the better choice for competing.

The problems you mention about using a pad with shooters is also valid - but only when the controls are implemented poorly. I never had any troubles with turning in time, or over aiming, in Halo/GE/PD etc.

If a game doesn't need a mouse (isn't a 'twitch' shooter basically) then i'd rather have the added immersion of analogue movement (which craps on digital), rumble and trigger buttons. For online I prefer m&k

 

[WhiteZero]

Sure - a mouse is easier, and definately the better choice for competing.

The problems you mention about using a pad with shooters is also valid - but only when the controls are implemented poorly. I never had any troubles with turning in time, or over aiming, in Halo/GE/PD etc.

If a game doesn't need a mouse (isn't a 'twitch' shooter basically) then i'd rather have the added immersion of analogue movement (which craps on digital), rumble and trigger buttons. For online I prefer m&k

Ahhh yes. I too enjoy the rumble feature. But I guess I put more priority on winning than immerson. *shrugs*

 

[DarkStar]

Isn't anyone else concerned that this is going to make Halo 2 multiplayer totally unfair online? I am.

 

[Warbie]

Isn't anyone else concerned that this is going to make Halo 2 multiplayer totally unfair online? I am.

Me too :/

(hopefully it won't turn out to be that much easier - if at all)

Might be best to just play with m8's

 

[Soundwave]

Yay, the old mouse/kb versus controller debate, plus with added "IT WILL BE UNFAIR ON LIVE" talk

Anyway, I agree Warbie, that mouse/kb is not good for any console game. That's pretty obvious. But for FPS, it will always be better than controller. Always. Sorry, but it's not opinion, it's fact. Just take a look around any forum with a topic about this adaptor and you'll see people whining that the adaptor gives an "unfair advantage". Strange how these same people used to say controller was better for FPS, now they don't want people using a mouse because it's an unfair advantage. Funny how that works.

Anyway, yes it's playable on Live, and no it cannot be blocked, unless MS wants to block ALL 3rd-party controllers, which they never will. Also, Bungie is SUPPORTING this device, they have it advertised on their website and want their Halo 2 tournaments to use it as well. They also wanted official mouse/kb support built right in, but MS wants to keep XBox distanced from PC for some reason so they said no. So basically, it won't be banned from Live.

EDIT: Also, I wouldn't worry about it being too unfair. If you are skilled with the controller, you should be able to do quite well against us adaptor users, because the adaptor still can only go as fast movement-wise as the fastest settings enabled through the analog sticks on an XBox controller, meaning no split-second 180 turn followed by a pinpoint sniper round through your head. So rest easy, it won't be like having an aimbot or something.

Also it can't really be an unfair advantage, in my case at least, because I would have to be at equal skill in the first place. I SUCK with a controller in every FPS (with the exception of Goldeneye) I've ever played. This will just give me more of a fighting chance online.

 

[WhiteZero]

Oh, yeah, did you think I meant that m&k is better for every game?

Oops... yeah console controller is awesome for any non-FPS game. I hate playing emulators on my keyboard. Can't wait to get my X-Box moded so I can emulate old games on that, with a nice controller.

 

[Warbie]

But for FPS, it will always be better than controller. Always. Sorry, but it's not opinion, it's fact.

I still disagree, but am glad if it will make many ppl enjoy more games

(Golden Eye would have been crap with a mouse and keybaord - now that is a fact )

They're also beter for single player shooters, imo of course (Halo was worse on the PC mainly due to being controlled on a m&k)

 

[Soundwave]

(Golden Eye would have been crap with a mouse and keybaord - now that is a fact )

Now that I agree on. The N64 controller handled FPS really well. I remember Turok controlling just fine too.