Microsoft Sidewinder 3D Pro

Microsoft Sidewinder 3D Pro**

Sidewinder 3D Pro

**Manufactured By: Microsoft

Retail Price: $20-40 **

Review Date:11-19-98

My first controller with more than two buttons was a Microsoft Sidewinder 3D Pro. Friends and family thought I was crazy spending $80 on a Joystick (bundled with Mechwarrior II). I soon learned what control was all about using the 3D Pro for Mechwarrior II. I was circle strafing my opponent before I knew what circle strafing meant.

Microsoft now classes the 3D Pro as a "Classic" controller; I have to agree. Although I no longer use it, but still credit the 3D Pro as a major contributor to my love of gaming controllers.

Features -

• 8 Programmable buttons
• 8 way hat switch
• slide throttle
• stick-twist rudder control
• digital interface

System Requirements-

386 or higher processor, Windows 3.x or 95/98, game port

Price -

The Sidewinder 3D Pro can be found at around $30. Not many controllers in this price range offer the features offered by the 3D Pro.

Performance -

The 3D Pro joystick is very nice to use. Since it uses an optical digital interface problems with drift are nonexistent. In flight sims the rudder, throttle and hat switch are very nice features giving you full control. However, ergonomics were not fully considered when designing this stick. The placement of the buttons can make use awkward but I never experienced and hand cramping despite the 100's of hours I logged on it.

Setup -

Setup is very simple using the 3.02 software and drivers. The profiler allows custom configurations, even for games that do not allow button programmability.

**Software -

**The Sidewinder 3D Pro currently available comes with a CD containing the latest drivers and a few demos from Microsoft. You may still find the 3D Pro as part of a bundled package containing Microsoft FlightSim 95.

Documentation -

The 3D Pro ships with a small manual but the bulk of the technical information lies in the online help files.

Overall Rating -

If your willing to search this controller out you will not be disappointed. The features and quality of construction of the 3D Pro make it a recommendable controller.