Piranha Xtreme's Wireless 2.4 Ghz X-Box Controller Manufacturer: Piranha Xtreme Product Type: X-Box Wireless controller Connection Type: through X-Box port System Requirements: X-Box Extra: 2 memory ports, 4 player mode switch Retal Price: 40.30 euro Date posted: 22 October 2003 Written By: Bjorn Introduction X-Box. The new pc-console box that will let you play games in all its glory, watch dvd movies and listen to your audio-cds. With the successful launch in Europe last year Microsoft's top-notch console didn't had a decent controller for playing with it. Sure the original 'too big' X-Box controller was there and even other manufacturers jumped on the wagon to fabricate more lighter, more comfortable controllers. Still a decent WIRELESS controller, that controls a 2.4 Ghz high frequency, was not available at that time. Things have changed so far in the controller market because manufacturer "Piranha Xtreme" has developed, what they call Xtreme, a 'Wireless 2.4 Ghz RF Controller for the X-Box. It's our duty to examine this beauty closer and see if gamers really need such a controller. Read on. Package received When opening the package that we received from 'Piranha Xtreme' we notified that a product sheet was included with general information about the product. Besides that, the package also included the wireless X-Box controller and the RF receiver unit. According to the sheet, their controller uses high radio frequency (RF) of 2.4 Ghz which provides continuous play and no disturbance. It has an ultra long range of 20 m. (60 ft) The most important part is also that the receiver unit has, on its back, a 4 selectable channels without any reference (for 4player mode). After opening it and installing 4 small batteries in the back on the controller, it was time to test it.   Wireless ?? Exactly. The controller uses 2.4 Ghz! radio frequency which enables you to have totally freedom with the controller. After testing it with numerous games (such as Project Gotham Racing, Halo, Dead Or Alive 3, etc) we came to the conclusion that it does have more benefits using such a frequency. First, there is absolutely no disturbance. Even when we were hiding the controller behind a brick wall of stone, we could just play on and on. No hassle what so ever. I find this a pretty strong point since most of the time with wireless (even infrared) devices, there is no signal anymore if you go 1) too far from its receiver unit or 2) break the signal with anything thick. Happy to announce that this controller from Piranha Xtreme does NOT have this faults. Wireless device using 2.4 Ghz RF is definitely 'a good selling point'. I was sometimes fed up with controller cables since it adds restricted freedom of game play. Even playing on 6 metres with this controller from its receiving unit was no problem at all. The manufacturer claims that it can be played from a distance of 20 m. (which is 6 ft) but we just didn't had any place to test that ultra-long range. Ehm .. 2.4 Ghz ? 2.4 Ghz Radio Frequency. That is in fact the frequency that this controller is working with. In the past, there were wireless devices available but they never used this Ultra High frequency. Most of them didn't worked anymore if you were a few metres away from its unit or if you used the controller behind something thick, it stopped working. The new 'wireless 2.4 Ghz RF controller' uses this ultra high radio frequency so you can play continuously and without being disturbed by any cables. The signal also pass any thick object so you don't have to worry if you are playing from your desk or anything else. Analyzing Controller And RF Unit When taking a closer look on the controller we notice that the name of the brand is located in the middle of the controller. It has the same buttons like any ordinary X-Box controller (6 buttons are present and the 2 back (green) trigger). However it has some differences. First, an ON/OFF button, when put to ON a red led will lighten up on the controller and its RF unit. It also have 2 buttons more which are the 'Turbo' and 'Clear' button. The turbo enables in certain games to act more 'faster' then your enemy. Like doing a fighting move more faster or running faster. Clear just disables the turbo function again. Second, it is MUCH lighter and compacter then the original X-Box controller. This makes playing more comfortable. On the left and right of the controller we notified rubber green casing which allows you to have more "grip" on the controller when playing. Especially nice for those of you who have sometimes sweaty hands.   Examining its RF unit, where you have to plug it in a control port on your X-Box console we see that Piranha Xtreme has opted for light casing. A red light will also lighten up as soon as you switch the controller to ON. Seeing its back there are "2 memory ports" so if you have run out of memory ports on other controllers you can always fit two cards right here. Just plug them in the back of the RF unit. On its back, there is a pretty neat switch which will allow you to play in 4 player mode WITHOUT any interference! This is neat especially when you have more wireless devices and don't want that theinterfereer witeach otherer. Unfortunately we could not test this feature since we only got one wireless device. Playing with it ... Now the only thing we have to do is testing the controller, using its wireless function with a numerous of games. From fighting like the excellent 'Dead Or Alive 3, car racing with Project Gotham Racing or an adventure game such as Halo', Piranha's Xtreme controller has to pass it all! After turning the controller ON we instantly could select in any game any function. It all went without any hassle or signal loss. Every move with the controller, from pressing one or (more) button(s), changing movement the controller reacted smoothly and there was absolutely no hick ups. Even, and this is highly important, hidinourselveses after a wall did NOT translate itself in signal loss!! The game reacted on every move we did with the wireless controller, no matter where we stood. The RF unit received the signal from the controller and translated it in every game we played. Even playing with a distance of 6 metres did not react in any signal loss too. As far as we can test it, we did not had any problems when playing. Conclusion This is the first item we actually reviewed from "Piranha Xtreme" and well what a hit! Their new Wireless controller for X-Box, which is using 2.4 Ghz technology is definitely worth your money. No more hassle with cables, playing with all the freedom you want. You can even play where you want using its range of 20 metres! It also offers 2 more memory ports that are in the back on the RF unit and has a selectable 4 player mode without any interference. If you are looking for a new wireless controller for your X-Box so you can play without any hassle, then you should take a closer look at this one from Piranha Xtreme! Up Previous Page If you want to review your favorite game, or if you work with a computer game company and want your products reviewing, mail info@playdevil.com. All contributions are welcome. 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