The features that are most greatly promoted are the lighting effects and the Ferrari F1 license. However, the lighting effects, while cool looking, are unlikely to be seen much at all when you're playing a game. I found myself puzzled, trying to think of when I look at the controller while playing a game and my tests showed that unless I'm actively trying to look at the controller (and putting myself in awkward positions to do so), I'm unlikely to notice the lighting effects much at all. In order to see them, I found I had to lay on a beanbag chair while playing and hold my hands up so that the
GPX was in my field of vision. If you want the controller to look cool to spectators when you're playing, that's another thing altogether. The Light Feedback illuminates the sticks when the feedback motors are active, allowing spectators watching you to observe when your feedback feature is going off. The Light Speed Gauges are much the same way, neat in theory, but unlikely to be something you'll use personally; but again, someone watching you play would have an idea of how much you have the triggers depressed. So, it may prove to help your little brother figure out how you make those sweet turns and remain in control, I suppose.
I like what they were trying to do with the rubberized backing. When I first picked up the GPX LightBack Ferrari F1 Edition Gamepad, a smile came over my face; the coating felt soft and comfortable. However, given just a matter of minutes of holding the GPX, I noticed that it retained my hand's heat too much. Perhaps the satin texture doesn't allow enough air flow between my hand and the controller, but my hands begin to sweat almost instantly when I use the GPX LightBack Ferrari F1 Edition Gamepad. I found that I would end up wiping my hands on my pants in between races. Ug. Again, I know what they were going for, but something's just slightly off, resulting in a controller that feels like I can't get a good grip on it and makes my hands sweat.
The length of the cord is about average, but at under nine feet, I couldn't sit on the couch to play my games. Instead, I had to sit in front of the couch, in the middle of the room, or risk pulling the cord and disconnecting the controller. Mind you, there is a quick disconnect, so you're not likely to pull your 360 down by the cord or anything, but it would still be bad to accidentally disconnect the controller, especially if playing online.
I really wish the rubberized backing didn't make my hands sweat. It's so silky soft and very comfortable... at first. If you're a fan of Ferrari F1 racing, the fan-collectible aspect might put it over the top for you. However, while I really like the action of the force feedback motor, the back texture really precludes me from being able to recommend this controller, unless you can get your hands on one and find that the rubberized backing isn't a sticking point for you.
