There are game controllers, and there are 'game enhancers', and for as long as we can remember, there has always been one simple rule of thumb, which differentiates between these two. The rule of simplicity, and precision. If anyone still remembers the D-Pad game controllers on the Nintendo Entertainment System, you would know that there is always a better way to implement the 'plus' button, and that is a four point joystick. Arcades all around the world moved away from the D-Pad, and fitted simple click-clack joysticks instead. Why, you might ask. These were simpler, didn't make your thumb ache from hours of Mario, and were precise!

First generation analog joysticks were the harbinger of pain for all of gamerkind - we had to calibrate them almost every two hours, and they still would not guarantee to not spin your Ferrari into the nearest wall, or dive your jet into the next river. Then came digital joysticks, and that was the end of calibration pains. And taking things one step further, is the Cyborg 3D USB...

The Cyborg scores big

When gaming controllers grow complex in terms of design, axis, buttons and POV hats, it becomes essential to make sure everything you put on the joystick is usable and easily accessible. Inane placements, which need seven fingers on each hand in order to make optimal use of all features, are just not on. And here, the Cyborg is by far the best joystick in terms of key placement. You won't find any small, weird buttons positioned around the main trigger (which is what you find on some other joysticks from manufacturers like Microsoft and Logitech), or a hardly-usable string of buttons on the stick's front.

This stick itself, has only four buttons, a simple POV Hat positioned on the top of the stick, and trigger position. Other six buttons, and the throttle, are built into the base of the stick, and are positioned ergonomically. Oh, and there is an extra axis of motion, called the "3D Twist", which translates into rotary motion on the stick. This is meant for navigation inside a cockpit etc., and is quite effective.

The Cyborg is, of course, Plug-and-play. Driver and software installation is as simple as it gets. The device gets auto detected once plugged, and without the need of a reboot, you can get down to play. A simple "first-time" calibration, and we dived straight into the realms of GTA 3, Need For Speed 5 and Colin McRae Rally 2.0. And we are happy to report that the level of control offered was just fabulous.

Colin McRae 2.0 is very reaction heavy, and keeps you on your toes. Cars twitch all the time, and you have to struggle to keep your sliding rally car in control. Here, the Cyborg's throttle/stick controls proved to be much more effective than keyboard-based controls, and the difference easily reflected in our lap times, and also showed on the unscathed car bodywork! We gained more than six seconds on a three-minute "perfect lap record" (which had been achieved using the most dexterous keyboard skills our testers could manage...), and the car was still very "healthy" compared to the thrashing it otherwise gets.

When it comes to flight sims, a joystick is by far the best controller you can have. We tested our skills on Comanche 4, and came away feeling more than satisfied with the Cyborg's performance. The notable thing about this stick is the perfectly straight line it lets you maintain once its calibrated, and the razor sharp responses you get with a simple flick of the wrist. Plus, even the most complex game controls can be mapped to the keys on the base, making the gaming experience far more rewarding.

Get this stick

This one is a real meaty game controller, which works really well! Flick, throttle, handbrakes, and burn that track down. It really does let you go all out in games. Non-Force Feedback controllers don't get any better than this. For Rs.2999, the Cyborg is not too expensive either - not if you consider its build quality, and all the features it offers. Recommended, certainly.

Test unit sourced from: Origin Marketing