Fly away, from the comfort of your PC

Pros: Well designed, buttons have number printed on them, lockable rudder

Cons: Other PC-only joysticks are better designed

Bottomline: A good joystick suitable for serious simulations and more action focussed gaming

Price: £25

Manufacturer: Thrustmaster

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Flight simulators are not entirely the preserve of Windows based computers, so for those who own both PC and Playstation 3, the T.Flight Stick X can work with both: a switch on the side changes between them.

The joystick is well designed with all the buttons within easy reach, if you use the throttle slider with the left thumb. In fact, the basic design of this joystick hasn't really changed for some time. One welcome change, though, is that the button numbers are now printed on the buttons, making it easier to learn new game controls.

The handle of the joystick can be twisted to control the rudder of an aircraft. As there are separate rudder units available, this axis can be locked with a small screw at the base of the handle. The resistance of the joystick can also be adjusted with a wheel underneath the base.

Changing what buttons control is simple on Windows simulators, but this kind of control isn't possible on the Playstation, so the joystick can swap buttons using its own mapping and preset buttons. Cleverly, such changes are remembered even if the joystick is left unplugged.

This is a good joystick for owners of both Playstation 3 and PC, otherwise we would recommend the Saitek Aviator as having the edge in design terms.