Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro (656-00004) Joystick

Pros: provides very realistic feel
Cons: cost but I think it is worth it even though I don't use one often

When I play a game I usually play with the keyboard and the mouse and not a joystick but if I was going to use any joystick at all I would use this one. First of all, sidewinder is definitely the best joystick that you can buy. It is definitely better...

Pros: DIGITAL PERCISION! INCLUDES EXCELLENT FORCE FEEDBACK! It is very durable!
Cons: It can be a little pricy and the force feedback feature isn't compatable with every game.

The Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro is the newest edition to my joystick collection. Actually, I don't collect joysticks, but it might seem that way; I currently have 4 total PC gaming devices. The reason that I bought a new joystick was for the...

Pros: No Batteries Needed
Cons: More game profiles would be nice.

So you like flight and space simulation games? Microsoft has been producing a line of gaming peripherals known as the SideWinders to tailor to your game. Among these many controllers, wheels, and joysticks lies the Force Feedback Pro. The Force Feedback...

Pros: Quick Action, Accurate Controls
Cons: Starting to be out of date

Sidewinder 3D-Prod was my first joystick for my PC. I don't play a lot of games or simulation games that require it but I got a good deal on it and some free software with the purchase made the deal even sweeter.

Installation and setup...

Pros: Force Feedback, Software, Digital Accuracy
Cons: Sloppy around the center, FF doesn't support every game, a bit big

A year ago I went out looking for a new Joystick. I heard of these Force Feedback joysticks, Joysticks that move and vibrate, and immediately decided I would get one of those.

After coming back home, I immediately opened the package. I...

Pros: Very realistic forces, lots of fun
Cons: somewhat bulky and hard to store, but ITS WORTH IT!!

I am a fanatic of Flight simulators. I have every single flight simulator I know that is out. I am 13, and I want to obtain a career in the Navy with F-14s. Great Flight Simulators have given me plenty of practice, and this is all thanks to my...

Pros: Flying high again
Cons: Crashed and burned

This stick broke on me TWICE. Once during Mech Warriors and once during Fighter Ace. I shelled out the $129 at the time thinking it was a lot but I didn't care because I thought the return of play was going to take me to the next level. Boy, was I...

Pros: USB, ease of use, ergonomically designed
Cons: Limited range of movement

Why do some people buy computers? GAMES!!!! I really didn't buy a computer with playing games on my mind, but after playing few games it seems like that's all I use my computer for these days. I have a Playstation, but the graphics between the two are...

Pros: Grip feels great. Plenty of buttons, all reachable. No longer has unusually loud fan.
Cons: Still has unnecessarily large footprint. Feedback isn't as strong as older models.

I tried out my friend’s MS Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro about four months before I bought mine. This was back in 1999. I really liked the feedback in the race games I played with him (Carmageddon 2 and Motocross Madness are the only ones that come to...

Pros: Well designed and very functional.
Cons: Heavy, expensive, and needs to be plugged into the wall.

10 And the gamer did look upon the joystick and behold it in all its glory.
11 And he saw that is was good.
12 And the gamer was heard to say, "Dude..."

Say what you will about their operating systems, but Microsoft actually manages...

Pros: Adds extra interactivity to games, works with Windows XP, durable
Cons: Now outdated, not USB, limited support in games, quite expensive, big

Before I start this review I would like to make a couple of things quite clear.
Firstly, I am reviewing Force Feedback 1 and not the newer USB Force Feedback 2.
Secondly, I did not buy this joystick myself but had it given to me by a relative....

Pros: Ease of use, improved game experience
Cons: separate power needed, base a little light

I just got this new force feedback joystick from Microsoft and so far I must say that it truly adds a new dimension to your gaming. It is amazing how much it can add to a video game. It is especially good for some of the newer racing games such as...

Pros: Fits hand nicely
Cons: only for right handers

The Microsoft Force Feedback Pro joystick lets you feel the game as you are playing. The Force Feedback feature only works in games supporting Force Feedback. The game that I play the most, which has this feature, is the Interstate '76 game that came...

Pros: easy to install and use
Cons: needs a firm surface

I bought this joystick as a present for my husband. I have never experienced anything like it. It came with Mech warrior 3, and is well worth the $125.00 cost. When you grasp the stick, you feel everything as if you are sitting in the cockpit. Whether...

Pros: Everything
Cons: too light

I play Flight Simulator 98 a lot and I love flying the helicopter. I downloaded a lot more helicopters for Flight Simulator 98. With an ordinary joystick, you are not capable of doing things that you can do with the Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Pro...

Pros: Solid Construction, Easy to Configure, Plenty of Buttons
Cons: Price, Base is a Little Light, Possible Faulty Fan

I love playing games on my computer, especially ones that allow me to devastate entire universes without leaving the comfort of my home. Most of my computer upgrades have been with the purpose of increasing "playability" of my games and...

Pros: A great stick, good feel, and solid heavy base.
Cons: Force feedback gets annoying.

Ever thought that playing a game would be so much easier, or cooler if you could feel it? Well then the MS Force Feedback Pro is right up your alley. The stick and, heavy base, make for a really awesome combination in gaming. If want an integrated...

Pros: Fits the hand nice, Force Feedback add tremendously to the realism of simulations and games supporting the feature. A total of 16 programmable buttons and a separate Point Of View button virtually eliminate the need to use the keyboard while using this joy
Cons: Expensive, Large "footprint" on desk or table. Force Feedback only works in Force Feedback compatible programs.Designed for use by the Right Hand.

I purchased my Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro joystick in January 1999 and love it! It is an excellent addition for some serious gaming and simulation program players.

The Force Feedback feature only works in programs supporting Force...

Pros: Solid, customizable, only works when hand is on stick
Cons: Large base

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me :)

Features
- Force feedback, of course!
- 8 buttons, 4 on stick, 4 on base
- Throttle
- Stick handle rotates (for rudder control or strafing action)
- 8 way hat switch...

Pros: Expensive and Hard to Install
Cons: Awesome response and feedback

Why did you purchase this product?
I chose to purchase the Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 because I have never owned a joystick before and decided it was time to buy one. After reading what others had to say about this joystick I decided...

Pros: easy to use
Cons: none

With the Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro 16-bit on-stick processor, you feel as many as 100 or more forces--from subtle sensations to rugged power forces--in every game that supports Force Feedback technology. You choose the amount of force you...

Pros: Good construction, innovative control design
Cons: Bit of a learning curve to properly control it.

The Freestyle Pro was the first "freestyle" type gamepad out for the PC. It is a very solidly built unit, made of ergonomically contoured black plastic, with very durable buttons and D-pad. The most interesting feature is the motion sensor...

Pros: Comfortable, Force feedback is fun.
Cons: A little expensive.

When I made my decision to get back into flight sims I decided I would need a good joystick with which to enjoy them. I settled on the Sidewinder Force Feedback because, well, it sounded really cool. Being able to feel the game, every shake of of your...

Pros: Force feedback
Cons: Price

If you are looking for a high quality joystick, than this is the one for you. The Microsoft Force Feedback Pro is one of the best joysticks I've ever used although it is a little pricey. The joystick doesn't slide around your desk because of the weight...

Pros: The feedback technology is incredible and lets you feel the game
Cons: None

On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate this joystick a 10. But since its only on a scale from 1 to 5, I give it a 5. This joystick is well worth its money. The feedback technology lets you know weather you are doing something wrong which is a useful tool in...

Pros: Great feel, incredible realism
Cons: Lower than average accuracy in games

It is curious that I would get a force feedback joystick, considering I'm more into the strategy and adventure aspects of gaming, but it's a toy, and far be it for me to pass up playing with a toy. So I broke out a few space sims, flight sims, racing...

Pros: Compatibility, Flexibility, Form, Function, Support...
Cons: No USB version, another adapter that blocks outlets...

I gave this product a 9 out of 10.

If Microsoft could make software half as good as their hardware, I would be in heaven. This joystick function is as good as its form, and if you have ever seen one then you know that is saying a lot. If only...

Pros: 4th axis great for strafing in 3d games or for rudder in flight sims, 4 extra buttons on bottom, analog throttle
Cons: ???

Wow. This is one of the best joysticks i have ever used (second only to the sidewinder precision pro, which is a little more accurate). It works great with all 3d gamese, especially because of the strafe function and 4 buttons on bottom for changing...

Pros: Good feel, easy to use
Cons: none

This is the best joystick there is. Especially the sidewinder with the force feedback! It includes everything! It has a throttle, rudder, and many programmable buttons. If you are a cyber pilot using the latest flight simulator software, or if you like...

Pros: Very fast forces, very sturdy, and very fun
Cons: Price is a little steep, but you could probably find it cheaper then the list.

This joystick is above all force feedback. The price may be a little steep ,but's well worth it. I think the thing will last forever. As thee years go by more and more games are starting to use this technology. So don't be afraid to buy it because of the...

Pros: force feedback
Cons: none

My husband bought the sidewinder and it came with a game called mech warrior 3. When playing mechwarrior 3 with the sidewinder every missile volley,you feel your battlemech recoil. You feel the diversity in terrain with each step. Also you can feel the...

Pros: you won't be able to stop playing!
Cons: newer USB model works in 60% of games

Ever feel the recoil of a double barrel shotgun? or the rumbling of a diesel engine? Get inside the games, try it forcefeedback style! This joystick is from another world. The action and power of the force feedback is impressive (when you crash, you...

Pros: great control
Cons: price

With its $149 list price, you'd expect this stick to be a high-end flight controller, but it has more in common with its lesser sibling, the Precision Pro, than with high-end gear. As with the Precision Pro, it's an all-in-one controller with an...

Pros: Comfortable grip, programmable, force feedback technology
Cons: lousy on some older games, expensive

I had recently upgraded my computer and wanted to take advantage of the better gaming experience by upgrading my joystick.

I had an old Gravis stick which serve me well for years, but it had not have a POV switch, any programmable buttons,...

Pros: Realistic feel, compatible with a wide range of games
Cons: Precision is not perfect, tuned more for feel than for effectiveness.

I bought the forcefeedback pro six months ago and ever since then it has been the only game device I have used. It offers several levels of force, and compliments games that use force feedback (Many games made in the past several years support force...

Pros: Huge variety of rumble effects, VERY precise, comes with MechWarrior 3.
Cons: Doesn't work with Dell business computers (I learned the hard way).

The SideWinder Force Feedback Pro (SFFP) is a wonderful piece of gaming technology that I have now enjoyed for the past year. Aside from learning that it doesn't work with my Dell (due to the way business computers are assembled), I have found it a major...

Pros: good feedback
Cons: large Base

First of all I got this joystick back in 1998 back then the price was about $150 and so that's what I payed for it. But really I think thats too much for what the product is.

Some or most games support force feedback now and it's not that bad...

Pros: New Technology takes games to a new level
Cons: Force Feedback not universally available

I purchase this Joystick when it first came out because of all I had read about it in magazines and the like. I was AMAZED when I used it the first time. I was playing the Star Wars Shadows Of The Empire game that came with it, and I could feel every...

Pros: Realism when playing, easy to use controls, easy to program
Cons: None yet!

I recently purchased this product as a gift for my SO, little did I know that it would surpass Sunday Football in keeping his attention. (Had I known it would still be on the shelf in the store!)Seriously this joystick far surpasses any expectations...

Pros: locking, look, style, feel
Cons: nothing

I bought this a year after I bought my computer two years ago. I bought this particular product because I know Microsoft has the best hardware and nothing can beat it, and because I like the Force Feedback feature. It makes the game you are playing make...

Pros: Great features
Cons: Dead on arrival

As an avid "flightsimmer", I have been anxiously awaiting the availability
of Microsoft's new Sidewinder Force Feedback 2. I've used a number of joystick controllers and this one looked like it was going to be good.
I bought the first...

Pros: Force feedback, ergonomic grip and ease of use
Cons: Huge and expensive

I was browsing through an online auction when I cam upon this joystick. At first I didn't even know what force feedback meant. All I knew was I needed and wanted a joystick to make my game playing more enjoyable. I went around to check the prices of new...

Pros: Lots of buttons, great for gamers
Cons: Not easy for beginners or small kids

I've enjoyed this joystick since I got it. It has nine buttons, speed control, a top hat and an optional USB attachment. I like using it for flight sim's due to not having to use the keyboard for using any keys. I first got it just after I got Rouge...

Pros: Adjustable Force, Digital Optics
Cons: Bulkiness

Quite frankly this is the best joystick i have ever used. Hours before I got it, I was cleaning the dust off of the old Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Pro and it doesn't compare. One of my favorite features is the adjustable force levels. If I am...

Pros: Realistic Feel
Cons: None

This is the coolest..You really get into the action with this handy little item. When you play games with a light saber it really feels like you are using a real light saber. I am currently playing a cool game called Urban Assault and when you shoot a...

Pros: USB connection. Easy installation
Cons: Programing controls could be simpler. (see text)

The Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Pro Joy Stick is a definite improvement over earlier models. The range of motion can be programmed as well as the axis choice for twisting the joy stick to select either a rotation or a left to right movement.
...

Pros: Precise controlling, good look, not bad price,good grip on handle
Cons: pretty big size

I have had a Microsoft force feedback pro for some time now, and it is real cool. First thing is that it looks good, it isn't in a box shape or...

Pros: Its is incredible for quake type games
Cons: Has definite problems durability

I have now owned 3 dual strikes the thumb pad is *very* poorly crafted. The store I bought it from offered a replacement guarantee for 4.00 so I bought it, and I’m glad Ill be getting my fourth dual strike today. Why you say because is an incredible...

Pros: Good solid joystick. Force feedback is neat.
Cons: Buggy software. Not for enough games

I don't play a lot of 'joystick' games. But when I do I want the best. So I went out and bought the top, of the line most expensive, biggest joystick I could find. I play a lot of RPG's and Action/Adventure games but I got into flight and combat...

Pros: force feedback, ease of use, no need for constant calibration
Cons: the price is a bit high, some features don't work with certain games

If your into simulation games then you might want to check this joystick out. So far I've played FlightSim 98, Motorcross Madness 2 and MechWarrior 3 with it and I must say I am very impressed!

Why I like it:

This joystick...

Pros: Great feedback feeling
Cons: price

I've had the Force Feedback for over a year. It has 9 programmable buttons, with the shift you can program 8 more. It also has a convenient throttle slide. The feedback changes almost every game I've played. The standard analog or digital joysticks...

Pros: Adds Realism To Games
Cons: Pricy.

If you think all this thing does is shake like a leaf, you are VERY mistaken. This is the best joystick out there. you couldn't ask for more precision and control. And with more and more games supporting Force Feedback, it makes this a definate BUY. One...

Pros: Realistic feedback
Cons: price

The first time you play MechWarriors, or Falcon 4.0 with this joystick your level of playing ability increases drasticly. The force from turns or weapon fires is very realistic and the settings for the feedback are very changible. With 9 buttons and a...

Pros: Microsoft has done it again!!!! Please read on to the cons
Cons: Loved features that the 94% of everyone recommends, they neglect to mention vital piece...

I loved the joystick 2 years ago, and all the features that the 94% of everyone else is recommending; however they neglect to mention one vital piece of information. For those of you out there who consider yourself hardcore gamers, I would like to point...

Pros: Easy to install, perfect feedback, great grip (for right-handers), turning joystick (sidewinder feature)
Cons: Loud clicking buttons, light base, big base

I needed a joystick for playing combat sim games. Recently, I have playing Jane's series, such as Longbow, USNF, and ATF, all the time. These are great games but they were really hard to fly with a mouse. I tried the Logitech Wingman but I had a very...