Peripheral - Playstation 2 - Stealth Controller
Console: Playstation 2
Developer: Pelican Accessories
Reviewed by
Richard Brownell on 2003-07-13
Overall Rating:
10
When looking for a controller for the Playstation 2, a smart gamer will go automatically to the Stealth Controller. Many gamers are skeptical of the value of third party controllers. They view them as cheaper alternatives to the first party controllers and thus purchase said first party controllers. However, the "rules" don't apply to Pelican's Stealth Controller.
The Stealth Controller was specifically designed to be different from normal third party controllers. Normally, they tend to have gimmicks, cheaper quality controls, or a few other problems. Pelican wanted this controller to be an enhancement of the controller packaged with the system. Hence, the controller's regular functions are all in perfect working order, as you'd expect from a first party controller.
The Stealth also has numerous enhancements. First off, it feels great! Instead of a regular plastic feel, this controller has a "satin grip finish" which makes it feel somewhat like mercury in the palm of your hands (note: drumlord does not condone the use of mercury in your hands due to it being poison. However, Stealth in your hands will not cause any harm). Another improvement for its feel is that the R2 and L2 buttons have been repositioned. They are now a bit lower and this makes the controller fit much nicer (read: why didn't Sony make them this way?) in your hand. It also makes those two buttons a bit easier to use, which can come in handy for games requiring frequent use of them. The last comfort change is one that is easily done, yet almost always a problem with first party controllers: the cable is 12 feet long.
The reason the Stealth is so stealthy is the main enhancement to this controller: it has a headphone jack on it. They make this headphone jack work through use of an easily plugged in wire passing the audio from the A/V port in the back to the controller port in front. Mute your tv, plug in the high definition headphones that come with the controller and huzzah! Total immersion into your games. By far, the best use of this controller is for single player games (or modes), because sometimes you want to play loud at 4:00 in the morning...or your siblings want to talk on the phone without hearing your amazing games...or you simply want to have that extra quality sound that only headphones (or a $1000 surround sound stereo system) can provide.
The Stealth manages to be one of my favorite third-party controllers ever made. I have no doubt that most gamers would feel the same way. The shock on this controller feels nice and a bit stronger than the Dual Shock 2. The controls feel perfect. I didn't notice even one problem while using this. Do yourself a favor and grab one of these while they're hot.
