Nyko AirFlo
Score: 90% Developer: Nyko
Function: Uh - yeah... where to start? Without question, this has to be one of the most unique ideas for a controller function ever imagined. Mad props to Nyko for the out of the box thinking because I can honestly say I have never said to myself, 'You know, my hands are sweaty, I really wish someone would develop a controller that would fan them with air while I played.' When Nyko first announced this controller, I had as much faith in it coming out as I do a TJ Hooker reunion movie. I completely expected to see this controller right next to the controller that shocked you in the Vaporware Hall of Fame. But, here it is, in my now cold and dry hands, ready for review.
Performance: Aside from its unique extra function, the AirFlo is a solid controller. Even when compared to both of Microsoft's first part offerings, the AirFlo delivers a smooth, yet floaty at times, experience. Unlike the Dreamcast controller-like shape of the standard controllers, the AirFlo takes a shape reminiscent of the old Star Trek insignia. After a year of holding the former shape, the latter takes a little getting used to, but in the end proves to be the more comfortable of the two. Even with the added function switches, every button and stick is exactly where it needs to be in order to play. This also helps to ease the transition between controllers. Using the fan function is a strange experience. As I stated before, I have never thought about sweaty hands as being a problem while gaming. I have caught myself rinsing my hands off or wiping them on my clothes a few times, but I have never really noticed the problem. The fan function is easy to use, just press the 'On' switch and you are in business. For gamers with hands that are sweatier than usual, the fan can be switched between slow and fast at the press of a button.
Features: Stops sweaty hands during play Dual-speed fan control Rubberized grips with air vents Built in variable vibration function
Drawbacks & Problems:: Anyone with a basic knowledge of how nature works can probably guess the AirFlo's biggest flaw. The sweat on your hands is water, and the air generated from the vents is usually cold. What this means is that after about an hour or so of playing, I had to let go of the controller because my hands were cold. I also found that I actually noticed that my hands sweating while playing with the AirFlo, which was not the case when playing with a standard controller. This is mostly due to the previous problem of my hands being so cold. The AirFlo is a very good controller; it's comfortable and has a nice feel to it. As far as the fan goes, it's something that is neat for the first few days, but ends up being an annoyance in the long run. In the end, I think it is more of a personal choice. I am sure some gamers will love this feature; I on the other hand, did not.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
Cyborg EVO Eclipse