Now you too can practice safe gaming thanks to GlovesPlay.
Recently there has been a "thing", some might call it demand, for fancy controller options. I've actually gotten a few of these in the mail, product samples they call them. One PS2 controller in my possession has a nearly complete QWERTY Keyboard on the face of the pad itself, in case you need to type out the fact that you busted a cap into a friend during SOCOM II. Of course, Nyko's Air Flo Controller tops the list of "could be cool, but might be too nerdy" category with its patented air fans that give sweaty palms a nice flo of air.
This month we review GlovesPlay patented(I love that word), Controller Gloves. Made of "faux suede", with a thin black vinyl interior, these puppies come in PS2 and Xbox versions and cover the part of the controller that most gamers grab with their hands.
Nothing says sheik like "faux suede" snug upon a PS2 controller.
With that in mind, I tried out the covers during a Fight Night 2004 gaming session, a true test for a controller due to its unique, yet demanding, control scheme.
Initially I thought, "Wow, I have controller covers, I'll never live this down if someone stumbles upon me." Yet after an hour or so passed, I began to really like the GlovesPlay Covers. Maybe it's just me, but faux suede feels just a tad better to grip onto than plastic. The comfort level which I had never really minded in previous years was a lot better with the GlovesPlay Covers on. Additionally, not that I have a problem with palm sweat... but it never became a factor during the gameplay session. They also double as personal germ shields (which can be put on and removed easily) if you have friends coming over a lot and don't want their germs all over your controllers. That brings up the next point about cleaning these things after a few months of intense gaming, which I'm not quite sure about even at this point.
The Xbox version of these gloves is equally sheik.
Still, now that they are on my PS2 and Xbox controllers, I see no reason to take them off. They are comfortable, non-obtrusive to the functionality of the controller, and I can usually say "I have one and you don't" to most of my gaming friends.
The versions I was sent for review came in black, but other colors are planned and can be viewed at the GlovesPlay Website in the near future. The covers retail at a modest $9.99, and can be found at most video game retailers or online at their home website (free shipping included).
+ : Relatively cheap, and oh so comfortable... - : Possible increase of personal nerd factor for having controller covers. Just don't brag about it in general conversation.
