PDP Versus Fighting Pad (Xbox 360)

As a fighting game enthusiast who is used to playing with a standard controller I have found some serious issues gaming competitively on the Xbox 360. Microsoft's game controllers just don't cut it when it comes down to owning other players in online fighting games. The DPad does not function as well as it should. As a former PS3 gamer I was able to actually pull off some cool wins simply, because the PS3's controller functions much better with fighting games. It's a sad fact, and Microsoft definitely needs to fix on future controllers if they hope to win over more customers. There are third party developers out there who produce better functioning controllers, and as a result gain more buyers.

Throughout this year I've been observing the various types of fightpads available at the local GameStop, but none of them really looked that impressive to me. It wasn't until my friend @MasterBlud told me how awesome PDP's versus fightpad was that I truly became interested in getting such a controller. I honestly believe @MasterBlud knows his stuff when it comes to video games, and I trusted his judgement. After a recent trip to GameStop I picked up PDP Gaming's Versus Fighting Pad for a cheap $14.99. When I got home, and tried it out I found out exactly how good it was.

For those of you who don't have a clue what a "fightpad" is it's simply a controller that is geared solely towards the fighting game experience. In a way it's like a combination of a standard controller, and an arcade fightstick combined. Fightpads greatly simplify the control layout giving the controller a more arcade cabinet style of functionality. The PDP Versus Fighting Pad features a six button layout that nearly every fighting game enthusiast will be familiar with. Unlike a standard controller though the DPad has been replaced by a swivel button that easily moves in all 8 cardinal directions. This allows players to execute the various moves within a fighting game much easier than usual. Keep in mind though that remapping the controller layout within a fighting game is a necessary step if you hope to harness the PDP fightpad's full potential.

After remapping my control scheme in "Super Street Fighter IV" I decided it was time to give the PDP Versus Fighting Pad a proper test run. When I first gripped the controller I immediately noticed it was light in weight like @MasterBlud had told me, and it seemed to be a little cheaper made than Microsoft's standard Xbox 360 controllers. I guess the price tag justifies such a build though. Regardless of it's fragile feel the controller performed surprisingly well. In "Super Street Fighter IV" used my main character which is 'Vega', and was able to execute all of my supers with the greatest of ease. It's important to note that 'Vega' is a charge character though. This only points to the controllers precision when it comes down to executing time/charged attacks.  As it turns out charge based characters such as Vega are much easier to play using the fightpad whereas characters like Ryu, and Akuma proved to be a bit more challenging to control.

As a gamer who likes using a diverse selection of characters in a fighting game I needed to see how characters like Ryu panned out when it came to the PDP Versus Fighting Pad's performance. In the end I was able to pull off the usual hurricane kick, and different versions of fireballs with ease. When it came to doing Ryu's uppercut, and Ultra though there was a bit of a problem. Since the improvised DPad moves in practically every direction with ease, and quickness it made doing the usual (F, D/F) movements difficult to pull off. This was definitely a significant drawback to the controller. One thing that really concerns me now that I'm typing up this review is whether or not I'm going to be able to do Akuma's ultra since the movement inputs have to be done precisely, and in quick succession. I honestly don't see it working out well in that situation. Regardless of that fact I do main as Vega, and as such the controller will work out for me.

If I'm somehow able to get used to the unique DPad I may someday be able to pull of the more challenging control inputs. Only time will tell with that situation though. What it boils down to is whether or not a gamer is willing to learn how to utilize this new type of DPad. I kind of wish PDP had stuck with the usual DPad, but improved on it in some small way. There's nothing wrong with using a standard DPad design, so why try to create something totally different. I understand that PDP was probably trying to reinvent the controller, so that it's easier to play with, but sadly their execution didn't go exactly right this time around. Hopefully sometime in the near future someone will release a fightpad, or controller that answers my prayers. One can hope can't they?

In closing I hope you enjoyed my first controller review, and that it brought some insight for you concerning PDP's Versus Fighting Pad. If I were a blogger who rated games I'd have to say this product was a "3 out of 5". It's not superb, but it is good for the asking price. Ultimately it does take some getting used to, but I'm sure if you have the time/patience to commit to learning the controller you'll likely get some good use from it. For $14.99 you're getting something that at least functions halfway decent. As some say though, "Patience is a virtue". If you're able to hold out long enough maybe someday a gaming company will develop a fightpad that's perfect.