There are only seven games at the current time that use the Pro, with more on the way. Below is a listing of the games, along with individual assessments and notes on their combat-ability with Flightstick Pro.
Need for Speed is greatly improved by the Flightstick. The Pro gives this game a real down and dirty arcade feel and control, especially from the driver's seat perspective, feels great- this is the next best thing to a steering wheel and gas pedal. The first time you use the stick, however, you might encounter some difficulties. Have the flight stick plugged into control pad 1 the first time you use the stick. You need the stock controller to set the game up to use the flightstick( you can't access the menu very well with the flightstick.). The game automatically saves your configuration after this initial set up, so you can have the Pro plugged directly into the machine afterwards( unless you change the configuration again.). Need for Speed has detailed instructions in the manual for using the stick and even allows you to use the handbrake- which you can't use on a stock controller.
Shock Wave: Operation JumpGate. Like Need For Speed, JumpGate has detailed instructions for the use of the flightstick in the manual and on the game's help screen. The flight stick control seemed a tad overly sensitive for this one at times, though. The dial adjusts the speed, which is nice, and I found JumpGate to be pretty easy to control after some practice. JumpGate automatically configures the stick for use.
Mega Race requires that the flightstick be plugged into controller 1 whenever you play and must be reconfigured each time you play. I really didn't notice any advantages or disadvantages to using the stick for this one. Mega Race plays equally well with either controller.
Return Fire plays very well with the flightstick. Like Need For Speed, I much prefer the stick over a normal controller for Return Fire. The flightstick really lends to that "lumbering along through war" feeling of this excellent game. The helicopter is still a bit goofy to fly- no matter which controller type you use, but is better with the stick. Return Fire auto detects the presence of the stick, so you can either plug it directly to the 3DO or daisy chain it to a control pad for two players.
Rebel Assault. Bad Control gets even worse. The flightstick is a bit too sensitive for most of the sequences here, especially the asteroid fields.
VR Stalker. Borderline oversensitive control, but much easier button configuration. The flightstick is definitely preferable for VR Stalker, overall. The game auto detects the flightstick and configures it before you start a game.
Since the manual doesn't explain the control layout, here it is:
The Trigger fires your active weapon,
The A button( the left most button on the top of the stick) changes your view,
The B button( the center button on the top of the stick) switches between weapon types,
The P button( the lower right hand button on the base of the controller) pauses,
The dial on the left side of the stick is used for speed control.
Super Wing Commander gets a bit more complicated in it's control, because there's so much more to do. Like VR Stalker, the game autodetects the controller and can be plugged in directly or daisy chained. SWC uses the small thumb controller for menu selections and on the fly communications, which works well. Again, after gaining proficiency with the stick, you'll never play Wing Commander with a standard controller again. Here's a run down of Super Wing Commander's controls, since the manual doesn't explain them very well.
The button configuration goes like this: There are four buttons on the base, the two on the left are the "shift" buttons. The Left Shift is at the top and Right Shift is the bottom. The two buttons on the right side of the base are: The X button at the top and the P button below it. On the stick, the three buttons on the top are the A, B and C buttons and the trigger is for the main gun. Button combinations must be pressed simultaneously to work.
Left Shift + A allows missile selection.
Left Shift + C allows gun selection.
X + B brings up the computer, use the thumb controller to highlight sections in the computer.
X + A( or C) changes viewpoints.
Right Shift + C activates the autopilot.
To use the quick message shortcuts, press the X button and the thumb controller in the proper direction. For instance, the "Break and Attack" command would be: press X and up on the thumb control at the same time. See page 19 of the manual for a complete listing of the radio message shortcut keys.
The C button activates afterburners and B is used in conjunction with the stick to induce rolling( by moving left or right with the stick) and to increase or decrease speed( by pressing forward or back). You can also use the thumb pad instead of the main stick for these commands. As with most all of these commands, the B button must be pressed down the whole time while using the rolling and speed change functions.
