Chameleon
Score: 88% Developer: Pelican
Function: I've never really understood the complaint about the Dual Shock 2 being too small for some people's hands. Maybe I've just got freakishly small hands, but if you believe most Internet chatter, you'd be led to believe that most gamers are in fact huge brutes with giant hands. Or at least, that's what they'd like you to think. Anyway, I've always enjoyed the size of the DS2 and never thought it could get any sleeker -- until I saw the Chameleon. I'll be the first to admit it, when I was first handed the controller, I laughed. No, I take that back -- I didn't just laugh, I openly mocked it. But, size matters not, and as it turns out, the Chameleon is a kick-ass little controller.
Performance: Despite its diminutive size, the Chameleon packs a nice little punch and features everything a good third-party controller should. It's cheap, works and is comfortable. The look of the controller is really cool. The clear shell gives the controller a very 'tech' feel, which looks neat. Some may say it's a little tacky -- but guess that's one of those personal calls. The design of the controller follows the typical Dual Shock 2 layout, only compacted into the original PSX controller size (the one without the analog sticks). Other than the size, the Chameleon features the same shoulder button layout as the Predator Wireless controller. I really like the idea of placing the R2 and L2 buttons in a more natural feeling, slung back area instead of on top. It feels weird when you first try it -- but it's a definite improvement. Here's to hoping that Sony is taking note for its Dual Shock 3 design. Pelican should be commended for making a controller that not only looks cool, but also plays well. The buttons are easy to get to and respond wonderfully. The analog sticks are particularly impressive due to the nice, 'snap' of resistance they give. I'm usually not one for using the analog sticks unless I really have to due to their usually floaty nature and lack of precision control. While not as great as the D-pad, the amount of control afforded by the sticks was great to see. Perhaps the best part of all of this is the price of the controller. With a price point of around fifteen dollars, it's hard to not give the Chameleon a second glance.
Features: Sleek, comfortable design Full rumble support Full analog support Relocated R2/L2 buttons 8-foot long cable
Drawbacks & Problems:: As good a controller as the Chameleon is, it does have a few notable drawbacks that keep it from being a flawless offering. As responsive as the buttons may be, they also have an uncomfortable stiffness to them. This isn't so much of a problem while playing games like Arc the Lad, SOCOM or Disgaea: Hour of Darkness (where button presses are minimal), but while playing games like Britney's Dance Beat, Jak II and other button-mashers, it became a hindrance. This even led to a few problems with Soul Calibur II since it threw off the timings of some of my combos. The D-pad also suffers from this same fate. After seeing how well done the analog response was, this came as a surprise to me. When compared to other third-party controllers on the market, the Chameleon is clearly at the top of the heap. It feels great, works well and the price is right. It's not the world's greatest controller, but it's still a solid choice.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
Remote Free Predator