Nyko AirFlo Controllers

Written by Matt Swider on December 30, 2002

Nyko AirFlo Controllers: Never lose your grip on [virtual] reality!

Like each holiday season before this one, gamers spend their time off playing recently received games from the moment the presents are open up until the point where we must all return to our daily routine. Many of us spend the entire week playing the most intense games of our virtual lives. Chances are, you too will endure the same fate if your collection includes any action packed, party inspiring, or long enduring titles. TimeSplitters 2, Super Monkey Ball 2, Unreal Championship, Contra: Shattered Solider, Kingdom Hearts, and MechAssault are a small faction of the games that will take a toll on the average player and cause even the most hardcore gamer to break a sweat after an hour's time.

To reduce the aggravation that comes using a pair of sweaty hands when playing games and to prolong a cool and collective substitute, Nyko has created the AirFlo Controller containing patented cooling technology. For anyone who has yet to derive what the main feature is despite a product name like СAirFlo,' the controller sports fans implanted into its body in order to keep player's palms from soaking with sweat. The innovative idea brings more to the table than the simple modifications often seen in lackluster third-party hardware by offering something truly unique for one to experience.

Nyko AirFlo Controller for PlayStation 2

Out of all the systems currently available, the PlayStation 2 has the most controller incarnations with the Dual Shock pad spanning both this system and the original PlayStation. With that in mind, there are a lot of options for gamers when it comes to purchasing an alternative, third-party controller. For the most part, these pads skew ever so slightly from the first party model by altering its basic feel or button setup. Other than that, the only big difference comes with various cosmetic touches in the color scheme or overall theme of the controller. While these principals remain true when testing out Nyko's AirFlo controller for PlayStation 2, it does a little more than the usual third-party pad with its constant flow or air.

Whether it's making the rounds through the skatepark with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 or shooting off a couple rounds in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, the AirFlo controller keeps you high and dry on the PlayStation 2, exactly as it promises. It's the design of the controller that seems unfit in some areas, especially for those already accustomed to the Dual Shock 2 and are narrow minded about using anything else. Though the D-Pad isn't held in high regard like it once was, some games still require its use and many players out there prefer it to the analog stick. Sadly, a great deal of imprecise movement can result from its use. While the problem may seem negligible to the many that avoid its use, the D-Pad clearly doesn't function as well as it should.

The analog sticks offer slightly better precision when it comes to in-game accuracy and it even features a flat rubber surface for excellent thumb support. Going along with this theme are rubberized grips that remain my favorite part of the controller aside from the variable functions of its fan. The grips make room for some great support as well and if it weren't for the difficulty in accessing the first right and left shoulder buttons, my hands would be just as comfortable as they are cool. Those able to get past some of the gripes in its overall design will thoroughly enjoy the AirFlo controller and it's unique technology that outshines any leading feature seen in other third-party pads.
Score: 8/10

Nyko AirFlo Controller for Xbox

Let's face it, if you're a serious Xbox gamer, you are probably using the Controller S, and won't accept any substitutes, especially one coming from a third-party developer. I for one don't blame you. The Controller S is definitely one of the best controllers to come around over the years, while the third-party pads usually feel cheap, aren't as responsive, and can have strange layouts. However, Nyko's latest controller innovation, the AirFlo technology (okay, it's just a fan and some vents), might be well worth checking out for those gamers with above average sweating in the hands region, and it's a pretty solid controller to boot. Still, it's by no means perfect. The button layout is much like that of the original Xbox pad, and that's all fine and dandy, but the face buttons have virtually no play in them, making games that use the pressure sensitive feature difficult to play.

On the opposite side, the two thumbsticks have too much play in them, leaving games that take precise movements a little harder than they should be. Additionally, it features one of the worst, most unresponsive directional pads I've ever used. So, if you use the D-pad a lot, definitely avoid this controller at all cost. Rounding out the negatives is the fact that the memory card slots weren't designed with the Xbox Live Communicator in mind. Why do I say this? Well, the communicator module that plugs into it won't fit right, making the pad useless when going Live, which is kind of funny if you think about it Ц what better time to have the AirFlo technology then playing your friends online in some intense action? All in all, the AirFlo is a decent third-party controller, with a cool innovation, but like most third-party pads it also has a good deal of negative aspects that you should consider before making a purchase.
Score: 7/10

Nyko AirFlo Controller for GameCube

The AirFlo controller for the Nintendo GameCube is a great way to enhance your all-day sessions with Metroid and Mario. The dual selectable fan speeds help to cool even the sweatiest of palms as they work with the rubberized grips to draw heat off of your hands. The controller ergonomics are tweaked just slightly from those of the Nintendo manufactured controller. The balance of the AirFlo controller for the GameCube is a little bit off when compared to the standard controller but when you take the improved grips into account, everything feels A-OK. The inclusion of a ten-foot cord alone makes this controller compete with anything on the market. The only complaint that I have about the controller is that the fan speed dips drastically when the rumble feature kicks in. I also have to admit that the inclusion of an extra shoulder button has me a bit confused. All things considered, the AirFlo Controller from Nyko performs excellent and the extra features make it a superior choice to almost any other controller out there.
Score: 8/10

Even with some ill-conceived patterns in each design, Nyko's AirFlo controllers remain strong through intentions to diminish sweat involved in extended gaming sessions and in effect, lengthening of playtime. Anyone who finds themselves victim to such a problem will take joy in knowing there is a solution. For everyone else, the gimmick of having a controller with a fan feels cool and to your unknowing friends often impressed by innovative accessories such as this one, it'll look cool too.

Nyko holding a contest to give three very lucky gamers six AirFlo controllers each, all the major consoles, games and other prizes. You can enter the contest through Nyko's website. If you can't win there, you can always find it for a cool twenty bucks on the web, so don't sweat it!