I loaded up Jetfighter IV and gave the Xtreme a test drive. Joystick response was very good, and all buttons functioned perfectly. I had to use some keyboard functions due to the lack of buttons, but that's nothing new in the world of flight sims. I just wished there were a few more for quick access. I also had to use the keys to look around during flight since there is no hat switch. --whaaaaa...quit whining Koggs! ---Hey, just calling it as I see it : ) After a bit of flying, I decided that maybe a driving game might better suit this stick. I fired up OffRoad by Rage and decided to use the Precision Mode on the joystick to give me 'half lock' for the steering. --Half lock is just that, you get half of the range of motion as opposed to full range of motion. Taking corners, avoiding obstacles-and the competition, were all done with a feeling of being in control. This joystick's movements were as smooth as my bald head, as I maneuvered my way around the course.

The instructions suggest that I plug it in, then choose a 3-axis, 4-button joystick within the Windows Game Controllers configuration window. My PC however decided otherwise! First I had to pull out the Win98se CD so that it could load something called a "Human Controller Interface" driver--or something along those lines. After a shut down, I fired the rig back to life, went into the Game Controller configuration window, and...schtymie!... there it was! The Destroyer Xtreme was already in there. Not the 3-axis, 4-button joystick that the instructions called for. ---weird but...ok! I checked to see if it needed calibrated but the thing was all configured up and ready to go.

As it all turned out in the end, everything was fine. Not at all what the instructions recommended but in this case, things were better. I do wonder though about the person who has one of those pre-built PC's and has no Win98se CD...just the recovery disk. Would it act the same? This reviewer will never know. But if you do get something different, you may want to jump down to the Help Instructions part of this review and look to the tech support part!

As I always say, gimme at least a demo I can play with here!

If by chance you are unable to get the Xtreme to work properly, you have a few choices at hand to choose from. First, you have a few things to double check but if everything is correct and you still have a limp biscuit, --don't worry Z, I won't even go there! you can cut to the chase, get on the telephone, and call Gravis direct. If the Web is more your thing, then their web site has a FAQ section that allows you to type in the problem you're having and view all the possible solutions that have been posted. You may also e-mail Gravis tech support for any additional help you may need.

Short of sending someone out to your home to fix the problem itself, Gravis' tech support seems to be designed for YOU the user. --Major props to Gravis in this category.

However, since I am obligated to JR to give a complete report of how it felt in my 'still greedy' lil hands, I will say that I felt it needed a bit more tension in the stick. My hand when resting on the palm rest caused the stick to sway to the right just a bit. Keep in mind this thing is brand spankin new so after a few months of use you may see it become even more loose. (just don't put your complete weight on the palm rest without countering force to the left to equal balancing.) You want to feel as though you’re completely immersed and in total control right? You know,... it's like when everything else around you stops and the only thing that matters is the target in front of you! The joystick is not just a joystick anymore, it's an extension of your own hand. Your in the "Zone" so to speak! I just felt like that part of it could have been a bit better. More tension would have definitely helped. Don't get me wrong though, this is just a minor inconvenience as each movement of the joystick, no matter how small or great, equaled exactly the amount of movement you gave it. Furthermore, all movements seemed silky smooth which is a must in flight sims. The Precision button provided even greater control while using it in a driving game --just as long as I kept er' straight!

I've seen where some people use these types of joysticks for first person shooters. Is this true? I can't imagine using one for that but if you do, then you might want to know that there is no twisting action on the joystick which would be very useful in those type of games (not to mention flight sims). Twisting can act as side stepping while the side to side action (Y-axis) is used for turning left and right. You can set up two of the buttons to replace the twisting motion, but in doing so, you'll be trimming your available buttons down to two.

Overall, The Xtreme provided above average control while gaming with it. Which is more than I can say for other joysticks in it's price range.

A medium sized footprint, heavy duty plastic construction, and four non-slip rubber pads on the bottom for the feet - that kept this joystick in one place while on my desk- made for a enjoyable time while gaming with it. It's not very heavy but it seemed to stay put none-the-less.

For the money, this is one heckuva solid joystick! This stability also translated into the game while gaming with it. Every movement was precise and exact. You really get the feeling of good quality while using it.

At the rear of the base there is a purple shield with the Gravis name on it - in chrome lettering, which looks really kewl. However, it would have been Xtremely tasty if Gravis would have put some lighting in behind the purple shield X-ccentuating it's kewlness! Because of the purple being a bit on the darker side, buttons included, if it's not in a well lit room you would never know they were purple. The throttle lever is easily distinguishable though. --- A light in the throttle and the buttons would be kewl too!