Review: XCM XFPS Sniper Plus

[bandit]

XCM XFPS Sniper Plus
Manufacturer: XCM
Site: Buy from Play-Asia
Price: $89.90

Overview : Let's be honest, first person shooters just weren't pioneered to be played on a standard Xbox 360 controller. Ask any First-Person-Shooter (FPS) fan out there what method of control they find optimal, and you will find the resounding majority shout out mouse and keyboard! The days of getting your fingers in a twist while trying to grapple with those unfriendly analog sticks are over. The XFPS 3.0 Sniper Plus is here to help Xbox 360 gamers with the ultimate way to play FPS titles – with a Mouse & Keyboard! The XFPS 3.0 Sniper Plus is the latest edition of this amazing device!

The XFPS 3.0 Sniper Plus is an innovative keyboard and mouse adapter for the Xbox 360 which allows you to have an unrivalled First Person Shooter (FPS) experience for the next-generation gaming console. Not only is the XFPS 3.0 Sniper Plus compatible with all standard PS/2 input devices but also modern USB keyboards and mice. The XFPS 3.0 Sniper Plus even makes traditional Playstation 2 Dual Shock 2 controllers compatible with the Xbox 360, as well as a multitude of other peripherals. This amazing device even manages to bring auto-fire to the Xbox 360.

Features :

• Compatible with 95% of the PS/2 or USB keyboard and mouse combinations
• Instant plug and play technology
• Ideal for use with all First Person Shooter titles such as Call of Duty and Halo series and more!
• Extremely durable Yellow coloured shell
• Brings auto-fire functionality to the Xbox 360
• Allows gamers to use Playstation 2 Dual-Shock 2™ controllers on the Xbox 360 ™
• Allows remapping of any Xbox 360 controller key (include both analog sticks) to any key of the keyboard.
• Compatible with the newest version of the Official Xbox 360 wired controllers.
• XFPS Sniper v3.0 Plus is the latest version of the XFPS Keyboard and Mouse Adapter!

Compatible with these PS2 products:
As already touched upon, the XFPS 3.0 Sniper Plus is compatible with Playstation 2 controllers but also the following Playstation 2 peripherals :

• PS2 Light Guns
• PS2 Racing Wheels
• PS2 Dancing mats
• PS2 Guitars

Quality/Usability : I lost count on how many XCM XFPS version are there for the Xbox 360. I think theres like 5 of them? Seriously, I lost count. The XCM XFPS Sniper Plus is a slight upgrade to the XCM XFPS Sniper. Before I go on with the review, is there a difference between the two? Other than the new uglier color in my opinion, no. Is it worth to get this if you already have the green Sniper version? No, unless you love to spend money on things and want the latest product.

To configure your keyboard to act as an analog button for movement, simply set the switch from DEFAULT to SET, plug in your wired Xbox 360 controller and unplug your mouse. Press "P" to program. A red LED will light up. Move the left analog stick either left, right, up or down and press the key on the keyboard you want it as. Repeat until you have done this for all 4 directions. For the right analog stick, perform the same procedure.

To configure your mouse as the trigger, simply unplug your keyboard and connect the mouse. Like the keyboard, press "P" to program. Press the right trigger and than press the left mouse click. Now your mouse is configured to be the trigger. You can use the keyboard as your trigger as well. You can configure it however you like and which ever is more comfortable for your gaming style.

To set up rapid fire function, flip the switch, RT for Right Trigger and turbo is automatically enabled. So when you pull the trigger on the controller or press the left mouse click, your gun will fire rapidly.

The same mouse and keyboards will work on the Plus version. As mentioned, nothing has really changed except for color and minor tweaks.

Conclusion : Overall, the XCM XFPS Sniper Plus works like it should but do we really need all these different revisions? They should just make one product and have it be updated via firmware or something unless its a whole new redesign/product. I think XCM might be running out of colors of the rainbow. Clear colored shell would of been a lot nicer looking like the XCM XFPS RateUp for the PlayStation 3. If you already have the original Sniper version, stick with it. Not worth getting this unless you're rich and want the latest product.

Images via comments

[The real]

Features :

• Compatible with 95% of the PS/2 or USB keyboard and mouse combinations
• Instant plug and play technology
• Ideal for use with all First Person Shooter titles such as Call of Duty and Halo series and more!
  
• Extremely durable Yellow coloured shell
• Brings auto-fire functionality to the Xbox 360
• Allows gamers to use Playstation 2 Dual-Shock 2™ controllers on the Xbox 360 ™
• Allows remapping of any Xbox 360 controller key (include both analog sticks) to any key of the keyboard.
• Compatible with the newest version of the Official Xbox 360 wired controllers.
• XFPS Sniper v3.0 Plus is the latest version of the XFPS Keyboard and Mouse Adapter!

Sounds awesome, nothing I would buy though but the yellow coloured shell is very tempting.