Nerf Wireless PS2 Controller- Video Game Stress Management

Author's Rating:

Pros: Tough, responsive, wireless, impact-resistant

Cons: Small L2/R2 buttons, no rumble feature

The Bottom Line: 
If you're looking for a value wireless controller for your PS2 that stands up to abuse, this is it!

Author's Review
Hello and thanks in advance for reading! I've been trying to find a value wireless controller to pair with my other PS2 Pelican Predator wireless controller so when I stumbled across the Pelican Wireless NERF controller at Wal Mart on sale for $15.00, it was an easy decision.

The Guts and Construction

The Pelican Wireless NERF controller is a 2.4 Ghz unit that uses two AAA batteries and has a 30-foot range. That's quite good enough as I have a medium-sized gaming room and sit only 7 feet from my PS2.

The controller itself is, as advertised, fully encased in NERF foam. Even the battery compartment is encased in foam; a nice touch. But do note that you'll need a very small screwdriver to open the battery compartment. The amount of foam does make it a bit lighter than other full-sized wireless controllers, but there's a tradeoff- the NERF controller does not support the rumble feature many PS2 owners are used to. However, I question how the rumble feature would feel when transferred through NERF foam as such a coating inherently suppresses impact. Not having rumble will affect my rating, but not as much as if it were a hard plastic wireless controller.

The controller is also a bit larger than normal. From the L2 and R2 buttons to the tip of the right handle, this controller measures about 4.5 Inches. In comparison, the original wired Sony PS2 controller measures @ 3.5 Inches and my other wireless controller (Pelican Predator) sit a little over 4 Inches. In short, if you've got small hands, this controller mandates that you adjust your hand positioning to compensate for the added size.

I also need to note that the L2 and R2 buttons are the same size as the L1 and R1 buttons. That was, IMHO, a mistake. I worry that many gamers (especially those with smaller hands) will not be able to access the right button at the right time. The positive is that all secondary buttons are coated in rubber rather than plastic; making it easier for sweaty hands to grip them. I still think Pelican could have produced bigger L2/R2 buttons so it's hard for me to give them a pass on this.

The Performance

The analog sticks are excellent- even better than the Sony PS2 and competing wireless controllers. Very very responsive and when you're moving the analog sticks to their extreme, your thumbs don't feel the same kind of impact as with other controllers. And yes, that's due to the NERF foam covering around the analog stick(s) impact areas. The coating just cushions the impact of dramatic analog stick movements better. Nicely done and that earns this controller points as it saves wear and tear on my thumbs.

The normal Triangle/Square/Circle/X buttons are also very responsive. They're a bit more raised than the normal PS2 controller buttons and are just as responsive even with little pressure. The D-Pad controls are responsive, but when playing fighting games, the D-Pad is a bit less accurate than the original controller. However, that may be due to the fact that the D-Pad buttons are "fused" rather than individually assigned as with the normal PS2 controller. In any case, for the same effect as a normal PS2 controller, the NERF controller requires more precise thumb pressure points.

The Stress Management

I don't think there's a gamer out there who doesn't get completely ticked off after losing a hard-fought fight or when they end up just short of that next save point. Well, this controller helps! The handles are almost entirely devoid of hardware. Squish away! Bend 'em! Squeeze to your heart's content.

This controller isn't indestructible, but it's the next best thing. To test, I threw the controller across the room. And pretty hard. No damage. No issues with future gameplay. It's a tough unit and it allows you to take out your frustrations better than anything I've seen.

Conclusion

At $29.99, this controller represented a pretty good value. But at $15.00, the Pelican Wireless NERF controller is a "must-buy" if you don't care about the rumble feature. It's responsive, tough, and a whole heck of a lot of fun. Get thee to Wal Mart and find one!