• Products

by TheDCD on 12.15.10

Seeing as how we're going all Tron crazy here at NfamousGamers.com, I figured I would take some time and discuss another video game accessory worthy of your nerddom — the Tron controller from PDP. As you can see from the box art, the controller lights up like anything within Tron's world, giving a bright neon blue glow as you play your game. It's a neat little effect, especially if you shut off all the lights and keep the room lit with just the controller. But how does it perform?

Well, first, the controller comes in a slick collector's edition box. It includes a certificate along with a see-through window for the controller itself, should you want to keep it in there for storage when it isn't in use. It also has a magnetic closing, so you don't have to worry about the box accidentally flying open and getting damaged (unless you're playfully throwing it around or something — it's too nice a box to be doing that).

As for the controller itself, it performs admirably, if not perfectly. You've got the usual bumper and trigger buttons on top, the face buttons, the dual analog sticks, the start and select buttons, and vibration functionality. A word of warning — this is a wired controller. If you were hoping to plug in some batteries and play wherever you'd like, you're in for some mild disappointment. It works in the same functional manner as PDP's previously released AfterGlow units, needing a constant power supply to keep it lit.

That's the major complaint, though. The rest of the controller works very well. The triggers are a little stingier than most Microsoft controllers but perform impeccably. The bumper buttons and face buttons are good, and the analog sticks function as they should, though some folks who prefer "faster edge" gaming might think they're a little too loose for their own good. If anything, our main problem is the size of the start and select buttons. They're practically a quarter of the size of our thumbs. Now, granted, that does avoid accidental pausing, but what if you really need to pause to take a bathroom break? You'll need to look down for the buttons — and who knows what kind of accident can happen. (In game, mind you, not in your pants.)

One other thing — the D-pad is great, if that's what you use for gaming. It sticks out like a good traditional D-pad should, rather than being embodied more into the controller interface. More third-party companies should follow this example.

The glowing effect on the controller is outstanding, similar to PDP's AfterGlow units (but not nearly as bright). You can see a Tron logo right there on the front of the controller, and the vector lines are very cool. Furthermore, it's quite comfortable to hold in your hands, thanks to rubber grips that make it easy to hold, even if you've managed to break a sweat during a frenetic match.

If you're a Tron fan of any sort or are looking for a cool third-party controller (and don't mind the wired functionality), you'll love PDP's funky Tron accessory. The collector's box is dreamy, and the controller itself impresses. Plug it in, and hop into Tron's world.