SplitFish edgeFX PS2 Mouse Controller Review

One of the biggest problems for me and console gaming has been the fact that I prefer to play with a mouse, especially on FPS games. This fact has kept me from using my PS2 for anything other than driving games and console exclusive titles. SplitFish is looking to woo some PC gamers back to the console with its new edgeFX which brings a much needed mouse style controller to the console for FPS games. If you want to know how well the SplitFish edgeFX performs read on.

Gallery

9 images

Benchmarks

Features
I had never heard of SplitFish before the package with the edgeFX showed up at my door. The SplitFish edgeFX replaces your standard PS2 controller with a split controller with the mouse portion controlling the same movements as you normally use the right side of the Dualshock 2 controller for. The separate left hand section controls the normal left side functions.

Splitting the controls up like this and adding a mouse to control movement is fantastic and exactly what the PS2 has been missing all this time. The right and left mouse buttons map to the R1 and R2 buttons that are on top of the normal Dualshock 2 control. You still get the standard “X”, square, triangle and circle buttons on the side of the mouse right where your thumb would fall. The side buttons are far enough back from where your thumb naturally falls to keep you from hitting them accidentally, yet close enough that they are not difficult to reach when you need them. The mouse also has adjustable sensitivity and vibrates for force feedback just like the standard Dualshock 2 controller.

On the left hand portion of the SplitFish edgeFX you get a familiar joystick and D-pad along with the L1 and L2 button on the top of the controller just like you get on the Dualshock 2. There are also two additional buttons on the left controller that you don’t see on the standard PS2 controller. One of them is a sensitivity dial wheel used to change the mouse sensitivity, making movements faster or slower. The other button on the left hand portion is situated right above the L1 button and is called the F button. This white button lowers the sensitivity when pressed and it is pressure sensitive. Pressing harder makes the sensitivity less than when you press the button softly. This is fantastic for sniping in FPS titles where full sensitivity is too twitchy to aim accurately.

edgeFX In Use
Every mouse needs a mouse pad and the mouse for the SplitFish edgeFX is no different. The mouse pad has a built in holder for the left hand portion of the controller. Covering the mousing surface is a fabric mouse pad material that is black in color. Rigid plastic is used for the frame of the mouse pad and is designed to use in your lap rather than on a desktop. To help keep the SplitFish edgeFX in place during spirited matches the portion mouse pad that holds the left controller extends down further than the bottom of the mouse pad and helps to keep the mouse pad from slipping off your lap during use.

Overall I really liked using the SplitFish edgeFX controller for the PS2. The lack of a mouse is the factor that kept me from buying FPS games for the console. The sensitivity of the mouse is good as is accuracy. The only thing I think PC gamers looking to pick this controller up for some console FPS gaming will wish for would be real keys for the directional pad rather than the analog stick, after all a mouse and keyboard is how PC gamers get their frag on. If you walked away from console FPS games because you didn’t like playing with a gamepad it’s time to come back thanks to SplitFish.

Verdict

Conclusion

Pros

• Great for FPS players used to gaming on the PC
• Mouse works very well
• Adjustable sensitivity

Cons

• Mouse pad doesn’t sit flat on a table or desktop

Verdict
SplitFish is going to bring FPS gaming back to the PS2 for many hard core PC gamers with their edgeFX mouse controller. Sensitivity for the mouse portion is very good and playing FPS games like Socom 3 are much more enjoyable with the SplitFish edgeFX than without. If you are a console FPS gamer who hates gaming with the normal gamepad, the edgeFX is here to save you.

What Others Say about This

Traction PR Hits a GlandSlam

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Traction Public Relations, LLC., a multi-award winning full-service public relations agency for the games industry, announced today it has become the agency of record for four new clients including: Thr ...
Full article at: Freshnews.com  More like this  19 hours ago, 5:37am CST

Traction PR Hits a GlandSlam

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Traction Public Relations, LLC., a multi-award winning full-service public relations agency for the games industry, announced today it has become the agency of record for four new clients including: Thr ...
Full article at: PR Newswire  More like this  20 hours ago, 4:39am CST

Traction PR Hits a GlandSlam

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Traction Public Relations, LLC., a multi-award winning full-service public relations agency for the games industry, announced today it has become the agency of record for four new clients including: Thr ...
Full article at: Street Insider  More like this  20 hours ago, 4:31am CST

Don't miss ...

• More Gaming Gear Stories
• I4U News Homepage