Gravis Xterminator

Gravis Xterminator Game Pad

Xterminator

**Manufactured By: Gravis

Retail Price: $30-50 **

Review Date:2-6-99

Does the Xterminator exterminate its competition? The PC gamepad market, originally opened up by Gravis, has remained fairly stagnate. Sure, a few new features have been added here and there (digital interface, more buttons, etc.) but no one has brought game pad design back to the drawing board to see what improvements could be made. That was until the designers at Gravis came up with the Xterminator.

When you first lay eyes on the Xterminator you realize its not your typical gamepad. Its one of the few on the market with both a D-pad and mini-joystick controller. It also has buttons everywhere you look. Another feature not often seen on gamepads, a throttle, is built into the pad. Upon picking it up you will find it is well suited for both large and small hands alike. With any controller packed full features, some features are easier to access and use than others.

The 2 trigger buttons are proportional, or have incremental input. The first use I found for this was in a Pinball Sim. I was able to determine the amount and speed of the flipper movement by how I applied pressure to the buttons. Through the years I have been a real "pinball wizard" and might now have a chance at transferring that talent to my computer. The D-pad also has proportional output so you can better refine you actions. No more is a right press simply full right.

The only features that get an A for effort but D for implementation is the hot-set switch button and throttle. Not because they don't work but for their placement. The hot-set switch button resides just below and to the left of the primary button pad and allow you to assign complex actions to the buttons. The problem is you cannot easily reach it when using any of the 6 buttons on the Xterminator's face. It does work well for the 4 trigger buttons placed on the underside of the controller but would have been been more useful if situated somewhere else. The throttle, placed above the primary button pad, is also difficult to effective use because of its placement.

You even have the option of adding a second Xterminator to your system via the passthrough connector. It offers full function of both controllers. I did not have the opportunity to test this feature of the controller but this is an impressive, power feature for consideration when looking at the competition.

Features -

• 9 buttons on face (including 1 hot-set switch button)
• 2 Proportional trigger buttons
• 2 standard trigger buttons
• Proportional D-Pad
• throttle
• 8 way hat switch
• analog mini-joystick
• pass through connector to add a second Xterminator

System Requirements-

Pentium 60 (or equivalent), 16mb RAM, Windows 95/98, gameport

Price -

It is difficult to spend under $50 and get all the features the Xterminator offers. With a careful eye you can find it for around $30. The Xterminator is worth every penny.

Performance -

The Xterminator is a top performer. Not only did I find it useful for sport and console type games but it also did well for games I would not typically use with a game pad. Yes, I played Tomb Raider, Tonic Trouble, Atomic Bomberman, NHL 98 and the like well, but any gamepad usually fairs well with games like these. Where the shock came was the Xterminator works quite well with racing games thanks to the throttle; flight and space sims due to the throttle, proportional buttons and hat switch; and it plays games that don't even have joystick support through to the programmability features of the keyset manager.

Although it doesn't offer the same feel of using a wheel or flight stick it has all the function. I enjoyed using it and would consider bringing it to the next LAN party I attend rather than lugging 2 crates full of my other controller gear (I just said consider, I'll most likely load up the crates but its pretty impressive that I would consider it).

Setup -

Setup is pleasant. Once you plug the Xterminator into you gameport, boot the computer and insert the CD you are greeted by an animated purple haired assistant that guides you through the initial software installation and online registration process. Once the software is installed you will have to restart the system so the keyset manager TSR can load. Depending on the game I was playing I either used it strait (without the keyset manager) or after loading/creating a keyset. If a game offers good controller setup options I recommend using that to setup your Xterminator for play. Otherwise, create a keyset and test it into perfection. It may take a few tries.

**Software -

**The version 1.0 keyset manager and drivers (called Xperience) that came with the unit did not like my system. The installation is guided by an online assistant. The install program would not allow me to change the install directory without locking up so I was forced to install the files in the default directory. Under the game controller tab the D-pad and mini-joystick did not center. All of these issues disappeared when I installed the 2.1 update all worked well. It is very frustrating to receive a product that has a "Works with Windows 98" sticker on it and realize you must first download a patch for it to operate. This should be stated on the sticker.

Documentation -

Gravis drops the ball here. The documentation consists of a very brief manual. It offers no real useful information on how to use your new and very powerful controller. I spent much time learning through trial and error how to use the keyset manager effectively. I finally printed the useful help files and bound them in a notebook; creating my own manual. It is starting to become more and more common that real manuals are not included with computer products. However, when there are intricate features that the user must first master it is in the best interest of the manufacturer to provide a decent manual or they may find more of their products in the return bins than on the shelf.

Overall Rating -

The Xterminator is a great gamepad. Many others tout the ability to be used for practically any type of game but don't deliver. The Xterminator holds to that promise. Despite the lack of a manual and minor layout issues I recommend the Gravis Xterminator to anyone seeking a quality controller for use in a wide variety of games.