ESPN Football X-Box vs. PS2

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 2:32 am

I really don´t usually vent like this about games, but I´m so frustrated I just can´t resist...
 
 Just switched from PS2 to X-box for the Live play, and I can´t believe how much more convoluted the controls are for X-Box!
 
 At first I thought it was just a learning curve thing, but after 5 games, I´m swearing as much or more.
 
 I can´t believe they´ve assigned such important functions (especially on defense) to the white and black buttons! I especially like how you have to use the w/b buttons and the _Right_ analog stick to adjust your LBs and Secondar <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_mad.gif"> I only need about 3 more fingers on my right hand for that.
 
 Then they ask that you power up with one of the "primary" buttons (A) but use the b/w´s to Swim/Spin!!
 
 Awful, just awful. This is the one and only time I´ve found something substantially inferior to the PS2 version.
 
 My last niggling point is the correlation of playcalling options with the buttons. Rather than having the buttons aligned with the 3 plays on-screen (ie, X = Left, A or Y = Middle, B=Right), they use X and both middle buttons, leaving the right button (B) as the cancel. I know that´s sort of an X-Box standard, but it´s utterly counter-intuitive.
 
 Well, at least the game looks better on X-box.

pacuca · Post by **pacuca** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 3:10 am

Rob,
 Pick up a Pelican Eclipse XBox controller at Walmart or Best Buy. It has the B/W buttons on the shoulder (Just above the L/R triggers) like the PS2 DS.
 
 It works great and makes the game more enjoyable.
 
 pacuca

Cincinnati_Kid · Post by **Cincinnati_Kid** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 3:59 am

pac that controller isnt compatiable with live as well is it ??

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 10:50 am

I curse those black and white buttons when I am playing almost any sports game.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 4:56 pm

I checked out some reviews, and there´s not any indication in them that it isn´t compatible with X-Box Live. Have you used it with Live, Pac?

pacuca · Post by **pacuca** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 11:21 pm

No, but hope to soon <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif">
 
 pacuca

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 12:24 pm

Man, I am having the same problem but playing ID 2004.
 
 Why did they make the b/w buttons so small? And why make them built into the controller(for lack of a better phrase)?
 
 Really hampers my defense. If someone mapped it better, please tell.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 12:41 pm

After further review, it seems that the Eclipse is compatible with Live. The Wireless version, much like the Logitech, has the memory card slots on the radio receiver, however. This makes it essentially useless for Live. The hardwire version does not suffer from this problem, as it has the slots built in like the Controller S.
 
 I still await Pac´s verification, but it seems that this is the reason for the mix up. If so, I´ll be picking one up later today...if I can find it. Curse those little black and white buttons!

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 3:01 pm

Pete:
 
 I have the same troubles with the small buttons with ID 2004. I commit a couple of backcourt violations per game because I hit the wrong button when passing to the white or black button player while bringing the ball upcourt.
 
 My fault, but I do wish the profile of the black and white buttons was raised slightly.
 
 Take care,
 PK

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 12:54 am

For those of you, like me, looking for the Pelican:
 
 After traveling the length and breadth of the Western Suburbs of Chicago, I discovered that 1) Best Buy only carries the wireless version; 2) Walmart has them on clearance...but they´re tough to find; 3) EB, Target, Circuit City don´t carry them at all.
 
 Short answer: I´m heading online to order one.

kevinpars · Post by **kevinpars** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 10:35 am

I have the Pelican Eclipse and have really enjoyed it. I don´t have live (I am living in a fricking hotel room right now) but for regular gaming it is excellent. I got it because of the extra trigger buttons for black and white, and I think it is a better deal than the other more expensive wireless controllers for the Xbox.
 
 I got the silver version and it seems improved from the one that was used for most of the reviews. Some of the reviews complained that it was easy to forget to turn it off and drain the batteries, but it now has a sleep mode to conserve battery life if you leave it on.
 
 The only thing that I don´t like about it is that the buttons do have to be depressed slightly harder than on the regular controller and the R3 and L3 (Left and right analog controllers) take a good bit more pressure to click (but very few games use them anyway).
 
 But other than that, I was very pleased with this controller.
 
 I tried the PS2 adapter, but it is problematic. For example, when taking foul shots in ESPN Hoops, you have to use the L2 and R2 triggers to center the ball, which is simply impossible. And in NCAA football, the Black Button mapping means that R1 on the PS2 controller is for pitches, so I find myself pitching the ball by mistake ALOT. So I went back to the Xbox controller.
 
 My major problem with some of these Xbox games is that the PS2 equivalent sometimes has more alternate button options. For example, NCAA had 4 total button setups for the PS2, but only 2 choices for the Xbox.

Cincinnati_Kid · Post by **Cincinnati_Kid** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 10:40 am

i was able to find the pelican/eclipse controller rather easily at my local super wallmart last night right after work
 
 i just tried on live quick before i go too bed for awhile it worked fine...but it didnt allow for use of the headphones

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 12:56 pm

Cincy,
 
 Is that the wireless version?

Cincinnati_Kid · Post by **Cincinnati_Kid** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 6:26 pm

sorry rob i was sleeping
 
 no i grabbed the hardwire version
 
 the buttons up top are very convient i never had much problem with the black n white buttons per say as i had long ago simply resigned myself to the fact that how it was with xbox controller
 
 but this is kinda sweet
 
 and if im not mistaken you can simply plug the headset into the other controller take both online with ya and just keep one in nuetral while playing simply too speak on

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 12:15 am

That´s an excellent workaround! If that´s the case, I suppose the wireless version would do the trick as well.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 12:33 am

Does that actually work? If so, I´ll snap up the wireless version from the local Radio Shock pronto.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 2:25 am

Good call on the Eclipse. I found the wired version for cheap at Best Buy and it´s been nice to finally use the stiff arms and defensive line spin moves in ESPN football.
 
 Anyone want to get a game in online? I´m no football genius and I have yet to play on Live, but want to try.