General Information

The Microsoft SideWinder Freestyle Pro game controller is perfect for arcade-style driving, flying and combat games. Its internal motion sensor lets you control pitch and roll just by tilting the controller in the direction you want to go. Or, you can switch to digital (aka binary) control, for a traditional game pad feel.

The Computer Guys Say

Microsoft's freestyle pro is a neat piece of technology, combining many functions, perhaps the most amazing being the motion sensor incorporated within the game controller. For those of us with long memories this technology was pioneered by N.A.S.A. and used on the moon landings. The great granddaddy of the sensor went to the moon !

Any how the main question is does it work, surprisingly yes. It does need some getting used to, but within thirty minutes of opening the box I was playing Motocross Madness with the sidewinder, and I hope playing it well. Those of you more used to a joystick will have to allow some learning time, but those used to a came pad will catch on quickly. It has one more positive feature, for the crowded desktop with no room for a joystick, it offers an alternative, because no desktop space is used. 

To use Microsoft SideWinder Freestyle Pro you need:

Personal Computer with a Pentium 90 processor or higher

Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows 98 operating system

16 MB of RAM

8 MB of available hard-disk space

Double-speed CD-ROM drive

Super VGA, 256 colour monitor

Sound Blaster compatible audio board with Game port/MIDI port

DX 5.0 or later

Internet Explorer 3.0a or later or Netscape Navigator 3.0 or later, or other frames-capable browser

To use Microsoft SideWinder Freestyle Pro with USB adapter, in addition to the above, you need:

Multimedia PC with a Pentium 90 or higher processor and a USB port

Microsoft Windows 98