2000 Award Winners (2001) · joy-stick.net

The year 2000 has been an exciting year with many great- and not so great products and moments. The PC game controller world is no exception. The Control Center would like to recognize some of the best things to come out of the year (and mention some of the worst too!). The categories range in scope...

Hottest controller design of 2000-

The rumble pad is the latest, greatest design addition to hit the market this year. Thrustmaster, InterAct, Logitech, Saitek and others jumped on the bandwagon originally created by InterAct (arguably created by the console market) with the Hammerhead Fx debut last year and released their own versions (or improved models) of a PC rumble pad.

Support in sports games is still minimal but the rumble pads offer a cheap mode of entry into effect type controllers. They work quite well with: action games, basic flight sims, racing games and more.

Runner up-

USB! The 12+ year old gameport standard may just be declared dead. The must faster USB interface offers speed, accuracy and fewer compatibility issues. No longer are manufacturers limited in axis and button configurations thanks to the popular USB connection.

Most surprising controller story of 2000-

The December 6th announcement from Miacomet telling the world they are acquiring ACT LABS has to be the biggest surprise of Y2K. Miacomet had been quiet throughout the year and even delayed the release of their sports controller for snowboarding, baseball and fishing. In the meantime ACT LABS continued to support and sell their highly acclaimed wheels, add-on shifter and PC gun system. The combination of these two innovative companies should produce some of the most unique, high quality controllers available.

Runner up-

The January 25th announcement from InterAct and Microsoft that they will be collaborating on the design and production of the latest Microsoft controller releases. These one time competitors have since worked together on the fall released Microsoft line of Sidewinder gear.

Controllers I wish I could have reviewed in 2000 (but didn't)-