Requires: Mac with ADB port, System 6.0.7 and greater, hard disk recommended.
 
Ever wish you could plug your Super Nintendo game controller into your Macintosh? Well, now you can. Sort of. Advanced Gravis, the company that brought you the MouseSticks I and II, has come up with the Mac GamePad, a game controller similar to those found in the Super Nintendo and Genesis machines.
The GamePad plugs into the Apple Desktop Bus (ABD) port, just like the MouseStick II. Similarly, the GamePad has a joystick handle and multiple buttons. Thus the dilemma. How do you choose between the MouseStick II or the Mac GamePad? The answer probably depends on what kind of games you play.
 
The Hardware. The Mac GamePad contains three types of control buttons and switches: the Movement Pad, the Fire Buttons, and the Control Switch.
The Movement Pad provides control for up to eight different directions. Depending on your tastes, you can screw on the removable joystick handle to control direction or simply leave it off to use your thumb for control. A foreseeable problem could arise if care is not taken when screwing in the handle. The threads on the handle can be easily stripped if not screwed on properly. Worse yet, the handle can be easily lost if not placed in a safe place. However, if you should break, strip, or lose the handle, a replacement handle can be ordered for a small fee (two for $5) from Advanced Gravis.
The GamePad also features four multi-colored fire buttons. Each button can be set to execute keystrokes and command keys.
Lastly, the Control Switch, a little switch to the left of the cord, lets you switch between Keystroke and Cursor Control. In Keystroke Control, the GamePad functions as determined by the active GamePad Set. In Cursor Control, the Movement pad functions like a mouse while a Fire Button acts as the mouse button. This comes in handy when you don't feel like reaching over to use your mouse.
Smartware. The GamePad software driver is styled similarly to that of the MouseStick II, which can be summed up as nothing short of spectacular. The software comes configured with GamePad Sets for about 40 games. To activate a set, simply drag one to the picture of the GamePad in the middle and Poof! You're ready to roll.
However, this method of activating GamePad Sets can get tiring, especially if you play quite a few different games in one day. Thankfully, Gravis has incorporated an “Application Aware” feature to the software. Setting up the Application Aware feature takes minimal time and after properly configured, GamePad Sets automatically load whenever playing a particular game.
Another nice feature is the ability to “flip” the GamePad. A Flip button in the software reverses the Movement Buttons directions and flips the graphic in the Set Editor. All you have to do now is flip the GamePad itself. This is perfect for people who are left-handed.
Choose Your Weapon. In countless hours of testing, the Mac GamePad worked excellently with arcade and adventure games that demand keyboard commands like those required by Eightball Deluxe, Spectre Supreme, 4D Boxing, Jewelbox, and a host of other games. However, when I tried the GamePad with a game like Hellcats or Flight Simulator, it became obvious that the GamePad was not intended for those type of games. So the choice is clear, right? Well — not really. I found some games like Out of this World worked great with either game controllers. Other tests with other games revealed similar results.
So the dilemma, which one is right for you? Your best bet would be to analyze the type of games you play. If you enjoy mainly action/arcade games, the GamePad is the better choice. But if you are primarily a flight simulation buff, the MouseStick II is the clear winner.
You can, of course, buy both. Although this might be an expensive option, both game controllers can be put to good use. Quite a few people use the Mac GamePad and the MouseStick II conjunctively. With a game like Hellcats, you can use the MouseStick II for main flight control, weapons, gear, and brakes, and use the GamePad for rudder, throttle, rear view, auto pilot, flaps, etc. This is definitely the ultimate combination.
Finale. The Mac GamePad represents a great alternative for people who are looking for a game controller not primarily designed for flight simulations, like the MouseStick II. The GamePad's construction quality, smart software, and helpful documentation are top of the line. Except perhaps for its rather short ADB cable (compared to the MouseStick's), there is not much to discount in the Mac GamePad.
Although the GamePad can take a bit of getting used to (especially after being so familiar with playing Prince of Persia or Spectre on the keyboard), the GamePad is a real treat and is a must for the serious game player.
Pros.
• Sturdy, well designed hardware
• State-of-the-art software
• Relatively inexpensive
• Great documentation
Cons.
• ADB cable too short
• Getting used to the GamePad can take a long time
