Wireless Freedom

The new Cordless Rumblepad 2 is a smaller, lighter edition of the original Cordless Rumblepad, requiring only 2 AA batteries instead of 4.

The new button layout is similar to that of the playstation controller. Compared to the original cordless rumblepad, the rumblepad 2 finally gets a button to represent the "select" button on most consoles such as playstation or SNES emulators, but loses the throttle control (a slider useful for flight sims). A 4 button layout replaces the 6 button layout of the original, but the joysticks also double as buttons so the new controller actually has one more clickable button overall. The D-pad is also improved with an imprinted cross-pattern.

Unfortunately, the new controller is not nearly as comfortable to hold as the original. The construction quality also seems to have taken a step backward with buttons that feel loose and are noisier than the very solid feel of the original.

Overall, both the original and new cordless rumblepads are worthy replacements for clumsy wired controllers, with no detectable lag and no messy wires to get in your way. You can find the original cordless rumblepads in 2-packs for about the cost of one rumblepad 2 which make them an excellent buy.