Cord length, Turbo function, etc.: The Fightpad has other features worth covering, too. The cord is a typical USB cable, but it’s pretty generous in length and even my unusual table setup had no problem accomodating it; I was even able to loop it around my PC for use on that. The Turbo function works well, and can be programmed per button. You hold the Turbo button, then press the other button you wish to turbo-fire; one press does it extremely fast (certainly faster than my hands can go), two does a more moderate speed, and a third press disables turbo. There are only a few games where I would want turbo, but this does well in those cases. Also, a switch on the bottom swaps the d-pad from behaving either as a d-pad, left analog stick, or right analog stick. Its analog features are limited, able to either sit in neutral or point full force in one of eight directions. For this reason, the Fightpad isn’t very useful for games like Halo, or twin-stick shooters like Geometry Wars. On the other hand, this switch does help some with a few games and definitely makes PC compatibility easier in some cases.

PC games (Windows XP, etc.): As this is an Xbox 360 controller, it works on Windows XP machines and some other similar operating systems. Plug it into a USB port and it will register either as a "SFIV FightPad" or a generic Xbox 360 controller, and be patient; it may take several minutes for the drivers to install. At that point, compatibility tended to be hit or miss for me; the d-pad registered as an eight way POV switch, and some games don’t like that. Using the switch on the bottom of the Fightpad to make it behave as the left analog stick helps to some extent, though just how well depends on what game you’re playing. I do see some potential for this as a PC gamepad, but your results may vary.

Linux (reviewer used Kubuntu 9.04, your results may vary): Much like I said in my Saitek P3200 PC gamepad review, I have to stress that this is not marketed as a Linux gamepad in any way, shape, or form so any functionality here is a bonus. But there is some good news, because the controller is somewhat ’plug and play.’ Put it in and it will work with some but not all games. Some completely refuse to read its POV switch no matter what mode you set it to, some will accept one mode but not another, others work perfectly, and so on; your results will vary. While I can’t say it’s a wholly Linux-compatible gamepad, this controller did work with some games and did pretty well with them! You should definitely be buying this as an Xbox 360 pad, but if you have a Linux rig and want to try it with a Fightpad, it does work to some extent.

Conclusion: This is definitely a specialized gamepad. It is not meant for the latest high-tech games, but instead offers better control in 2D fighters, old school platformers and brawlers, and other such titles. I cannot stand the default Microsoft pad for many of these games, and the Fightpad made them much more fun to play. For games like Castle Crashers, TMNT, and Castlevania, you’ll do very well to use a Fightpad. For competitive fighting games, this has some viable uses. Is it better than an arcade stick? No, but it’s only $40 compared to the $80-$200 you can pay for a stick, and is almost as good as those more expensive controllers. It’s also a lot more portable than a stick, and I can see some value in bringing it with you to a tournament as a backup controller in case your stick breaks. All told, the Street Fighter IV Fightpad does very well in the sort of games it’s meant for, and I definitely recommend getting one!