| Thrustmaster Run-N-Drive PC/PS3 Wireless Gamepad |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Input Devices | |
| Written by Olin Coles | |
| Wednesday, 08 April 2009 | |
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Thrustmaster Run'N'Drive Gamepad As the executive editor for Benchmark Reviews, I don't often get to enjoy the products I test since my project workload receives my full-time concentration. But back in March (2009) Benchmark Reviews celebrated two years on the web and I felt like letting our writing staff take charge while I relax for a low-key break from the action. Since testing computer hardware products is a PC-centric task, I've never wandered very far from what I know. But after writing my editorial Year In Review: 2008 Computer Hardware Industry Failure it seemed wrong not to taste the forbidden fruit... so I purchased a Sony PlayStation 3. Like most things I do in life, my PS3 acquisition was overdone. I didn't go and just purchase the system with a few games, oh-no. I must shamefully admit that I leapt into the world of console gaming entirely head first. Aside from the PS3 system, which quickly received an Editors Choice Award-winning Solid State Drive upgrade, I also purchased nearly two-dozen games and a Blu-ray remote control.
So what was missing, besides the time needed to enjoy myself? Well, for starters, I had a horde of games and only one controller. Several of the titles were multi-player capable, and more than anything I wanted to beat-up my friends at VirtuaFighter or Tekken. Once that got old, I decided to mix up the genre and challenge them to racing games such as Gran Turismo and Need for Speed. In the end, I discovered that my fighting skill was far superior to my racing skill... and I needed an edge. Enter the new-and-improved Thrustmaster Run'N'Drive wireless gamepad, SKU 4160527. Now unplugged and built around the 2.4 GHz wireless radio band, this PC/PS2/PS3-compatible controller takes the Sony SIXAXIS to the next level and adds an optical wheel and under-belly triggers. With these very subtle additions to the standard controller, I was able to adjust my game play style and improve my competitive skill without a large driving wheel glaring in front of me (and friends). About Guillemot CorporationGuillemot Corporation is a designer and manufacturer of interactive entertainment hardware and accessories for PC and game consoles, offering a wide range of diversified products under the brand names Hercules for video, audio and Wi-Fi products, and Thrustmaster for PC and console accessories. Active in this market since 1984, the Guillemot Corporation Group is currently present in 10 countries including Germany, France, the UK, the United States, Canada and Italy, and distributes its products across more than twenty countries worldwide. The Group's mission is to provide innovative, high-quality products which increase the performance and fun experienced by gamers and music lovers. The new Run-N-Drive GamepadThe Thrustmaster Run'N'Drive model 4160527 is designed the be the wireless 'cross-trainer' gamepad to fit several needs into one device. The idea is that gamers who enjoy all genres of video games can enjoy every title with the same gamepad. First Person Shooter's (FPS), Racing, and Flight Simulation are all easily capable with the wireless Run'N'Drive gamepad. Very recently Thrustmaster attached the Run'N'Drive gamepad to the popular console (and later PC) game Grand Theft Auto IV (GTA IV). Here's what they're take was on the combination: When playing the game Grand Theft Auto IV (GTA IV), gamers will learn one harsh lesson: the slightest error has dire consequences, whether taking a poorly-aimed shot, miscalculating a curve when behind the wheel, or recklessly flying a helicopter. To survive on the merciless streets of Liberty City, players need a controller that is as precise and intuitive as a steering wheel in a car, a control stick in a helicopter, a firearm in a first-person shooter. GTA IV's new game engine, combined with the technical possibilities offered by the Playstation 3 console, brings to this latest opus a number of features that require even more control and precision than the previous chapters. The Run'N'Drive Wireless* controller, which features an Optical Wheel, two triggers offering unrivalled precision, as well as Mapping and Preset features, enables players to make the most of the newly-released game GTA IV. Thrustmaster specifically designed its controller for multi-action game play where players will be walking or running one minute and driving and shooting the next. In short, it's the ideal controller for GTA and GTA-likes. With the Run'N'Drive Wireless controller, gamers will enjoy unrivalled precision when driving cars, handling aircraft or firing at foes! When it comes to driving, GTA IV requires even greater precision than its illustrious predecessors. The unique and exclusive Optical Wheel on the gamepad offers an undeniable advantage when roaming the streets of GTA IV's Liberty City: Effortless turns and controlled skids. This exclusive feature on the Thrustmaster controller is as intuitive as a racing wheel and has automatic centering feature, it is one of the most reactive driving game accessories ever designed. Plus, two long-stroke triggers provide perfect control in acceleration and braking. The application of the Optical Wheel is not limited to driving - it is ideal for taking aim on foot or for increased visibility in an air craft. Players can use the Optical Wheel to zoom in and follow their targets with extreme precision or to progressively move the point of view left and right inside a cockpit. The Optical Wheel, combined with the two strategically-located triggers, enables users to switch to manual targeting with ease and comfort. When flying helicopters, the Optical Wheel delivers precision and stability in both navigation of the flight path and rudder control. Finally, the Mapping button enables users to configure their Run'N'Drive controller to their preferred settings, while the Preset button allows them to instantly switch from one programmed mode to another.
Run-N-Drive Features
Closer Look: Run-N-Drive 4160527Some readers might be wondering why Benchmark Reviews is testing a product that's been on the market since March 2007, and the short answer is that we're not. While the Thrustmaster Run-N-Drive gamepad isn't a new name for the Guillemot Company, the original version has been tuned and tweaked into what we're testing today. Two years after the original product series launched, Thrustmaster returned to the drawing board and updated the Run'N'Drive gamepad with several new features. The first Run'N'Drive gamepad was silver, corded, and lacked a few necessary buttons. The new-and-improved Run'N'Drive has certainly evolved, losing its corded tail in the process to become a pedigree's wireless gamepad. Now operating on the 2.4GHz wireless radio frequency, the Run'N'Drive model 4160527 is built specifically for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2 and PC gamers. Now the Run'N'Drive will allow gamers to play from distances of more than 32 feet (10 meters). Another technical enhancement is the inclusion of the much-needed PlayStation 3 'Home Button', which somehow went overlooked in the corded version of the Run'N'Drive gamepad. The Thrustmaster Run'N'Drive gamepad has also experienced a cosmetic makeover and is now offered in the color black to better match the gaming platforms with which it is compatible.
Additional features that make the Run ‘N' Drive stand out from the crowd include the 'Optical Wheel' dial with automatic re-centering for high precision when playing video games of all genres. In particular, Optical Wheel improves the experience for scoped weapons/sniping in first person shooters (FPS) games, sports, and racing games. The signature curved triggers have also been tweaked for better performance and comfort. A first for any gamepad, the Run'N'Drive remains fully programmable thanks to the "Mapping" function and internal memory. All buttons, mini-sticks, triggers, and the optical wheel may be reassigned to better suit the individual needs of each player. The wireless Thrustmaster Run-N-Drive has a few distinct advantages over the Sony SIXAXIS or DualShock3 controllers, and a few regrets. The Run'N'Drive beats out Sony's SIXAXIS controller in regards to buttons and controls, because it offers seven axis' with two curved triggers featuring a 8mm stroke for progressive precision.
I am constantly reminded how well Sony has locked-out third-party developers for their consoles whenever I see a wireless controller or gamepad for the PlayStation 3 console. Ever see any aftermarket gamepads using Bluetooth wireless technology for connecting to the PS3? No - I haven't either. That's because Sony leaves these features for their own peripherals. So while I'm not happy that the Run'N'Drive requires a 2.4 GHz adapter to connect into the PS3, the upside is that it will work on the PS2 and PC without any hassle (so long as a USB port is available for PS3 of PC).
On one end of the wireless adapter is a USB dongle, which connects into a PS3 or PC's USB port. At the other end of the adapter is a PS2 connection, which allows compatibility with the PlayStation 2 console. The adapter does not require batteries, as it draws power from the host system. The Run'N'Drive gamepad is not as lucky, and requires two AAA batteries for power (not included). As much as I would have enjoyed another USB-chargeable device, similar to how the SIXAXIS and DualShock3 controllers charge, I would have also liked to have a bit longer runtime than what AAA batteries provide.
One more unique feature of the Thrustmaster Run-N-Drive is the 7th and 8th buttons located at the underside of the gamepad. These two buttons can act as triggers, or can be programmed to function as combo buttons (or any other function). While I was much more pleased with the contoured triggers in their standard forward positions, the underbelly buttons could come in handy (pun) when using the Optical Wheel. The rubberized body of the Run-N-Drive is also a new feature, and has been ergonomically designed for comfortable use during lengthy bouts of gameplay. Gamepad Final ThoughtsSo how do I feel about the Thrustmaster Run-N-Drive wireless gamepad, model 4160527? At first, I was drawn in by the looks, and expected this to be an attractive upgrade to the standard SIXAXIS/DualShock3 controller. But then my hands wrapped themselves around the Thrustmaster Run-N-Drive, and that feeling of something new didn't bring positive emotion with it. The Run-N-Drive shares all of the same functionality, but the major difference comes with the expectation that everything will be the same just better.
While I will admit that my hands are larger than the average teenager likely to play games on a console, I think that it would have been a good idea to keep the profile identical to the source it imitates (Sony's SIXAXIS controller). The handle is roughly the same (only extended), but the thumb sticks have slightly smaller pads and are approximately 1/2" closer than normal. This was easy enough to get used to, but it's still not convenient to gamers who switch between controllers. Probably the biggest irritation was the position of the analog (cross) thumb pad, which was under-sized and made difficult to access because of the Optical Wheel dial. Run-N-Drive ConclusionThe Thrustmaster Run-N-Drive wireless gamepad comes in two packages: retail box (what we received) and a plastic bubble-pack. Guillemot offers the bubble-pack version for a few dollars less, even though the contents are identical, so it stands to reason that the retail package isn't the best deal if you've got a choice. Although I'm a fan of how nice the Run'N'Drive gamepad looks, the feel takes some getting used to. The construction is top-notch, and the functionality is better that nearly every other aftermarket gamepad available for the PS3. I really would like to see AA batteries used in place of AAA, and a larger/more accessible analog thumb pad, but otherwise I have not major qualms with the Run'N'Drive. As of April 2009, the Thrustmaster Run-N-Drive 4160527 sells at NewEgg for $29.99, but our price comparison tool has found many other online retailers stocking this wireless gamepad as well. There doesn't seem to be a unique part number for the bubble-pack version Guillemot offers, so some careful searching could save a few extra dollars (although I recommend simply searching out the lowest price). In conclusion, I can recommend the Thrustmaster Run-N-Drive wireless gamepad to gamers wanting an all-encompassing controller for the PC/PS2/PS3 platforms. It doesn't beat out the SIXAXIS/DualShock3, but Sony keeps the licensing for Bluetooth wireless technology for themselves. While it works well for driving and flight simulation games, it will never really beat a full driving wheel/pedal kit or flight yoke; both of which Thrustmaster also offers for an unusually low price. The new model 4160527 Thrustmaster Run-N-Drive isn't going to beat-out specialized controllers, but it's an excellent alternative for gamers wanting maximum functionality out of a single gamepad. Pros:
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