There are a couple problems with the stick. For one thing, the two stick buttons are a little too low for a thumb to comfortably reach, they are also on the small side. For another the footprint is still very large compared to regular joysticks, it's smaller than the original and much, much smaller than the competing force sticks available. There is a bug, recently squashed at Microsoft's website, that reportedly makes the stick problematic with VIA-based chipsets. Lastly, the new Sidewinder software doesn't replace the old Sidewinder tray. So if you'd like to keep your old Sidewinder gamepads (author raises hand) you'll have to deal with two separate programs to monitor them. Also, this is not a stick to buy if you are left-handed.

No joystick is perfect but this one is a distinct improvement over the original. It won't pry steering wheels out of race fans' hands or yokes away from flight simmers, but as an all-purpose, force feedback supported or not joystick, it's one of the best you can buy. Plus, your wife will like the machine gun effect.

Multimedia personal computer with Pentium 166 or higher processor and USB port
Microsoft Windows® 98 or Windows 2000 Professional operating system
16 MB of memory (RAM)
25 MB of available hard-disk space
DirectX® 7.0a API (included)
Quad-speed CD-ROM drive
Super VGA, 256-color monitor
Microsoft Mouse, or compatible pointing device
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or later browser software to view User Guide
Printer for profile printouts (optional)
Joystick is compatible with Windows 98 or later based games only

Andrew Bub
Contributing Editor & Beatdown Scribe