Verdict: Solidly built, but less than perfect operation

ThrustMaster is a fairly big name in gaming peripherals and the Dual Power 3 shows why. It's a wired force-feedback gamepad with a design similar to the others on test. Extra controls include two buttons under the handgrips, in addition to the two pairs of buttons on the controller's shoulder.

Finished in a rubber-textured material, the Dual Power 3 is comfortable enough, but responsiveness was an issue. A button to switch between digital and analog modes would often not register, and allocating buttons to the throttle and brakes in Need For Speed: Underground was problematic with the throttle stuck on until we braked. Thankfully, we had no such problems with the joysticks, which offered much more precise control. Force feedback is also good.

But, if you look closely at the photo you'll see there are no button labels at all - not a particularly useful state of affairs. Plus, the profiling software isn't included on the CD - you have to download it from ThrustMaster's website. Overall, we prefer the Saitek P2500 Rumble Pad, which is more comfortable, has more controls and costs less.

• Cases - 21st November 2008
• Motherboards - 24th October 2008
• Gaming Headsets - 26th September 2008
• Dream PCs - 24th September 2008
• Headphones - 12th September 2008
• Media PC components - 22nd August 2008
• PSUs - 14th July 2008

• Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB - Hard disks / storage
• Asus EAH4870 TOP - Graphics cards
• Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro - Sound cards
• Multiwinia - Games
• Zotac GeForce GTX 260² - Graphics cards
• Sapphire Radeon HD 4850 X2 - Graphics cards
• Scan 3XS X58 Core i7 - Desktop PCs