In 1989, this commercial aired frequently on MTV, and it appeared to be a groundbreaking gadget, promising a seamless blend of skateboarding and cycling.
I recall the excitement my brother and I felt upon receiving Skatebikes for Christmas that year. The mild winter allowed us to test them immediately. However, it quickly became apparent that riding a Skatebike was exceedingly difficult. The small front wheels rendered even minor road imperfections hazardous. Even experienced unicyclists struggled. The resulting disappointment was considerable.
Why recount this experience? Because my initial impression of the Darkwalker Shotpad, a hybrid gamepad, mouse, and keyboard device we’re reviewing today, evoked a similar feeling of unnecessary complexity. Upon unboxing, the Shotpad exhibits a slightly plasticky, yet surprisingly robust, build quality.
The Shotpad fits comfortably in the hand, with all buttons within easy reach. Each button is clearly labeled. The Darkwalker Shotpad is a wired device, designed to minimize input lag during gameplay on PC, Playstation, and Xbox.
I began testing the DarkWalker ShotPad on PC with The Last of Us Part I. Initially, the keyboard malfunctioned, preventing any in-game actions or menu navigation. The Shotpad was also unresponsive, necessitating a hard system reset. The second attempt proved more successful by connecting the Shotpad only after the game and its menus had loaded.
The next step involved familiarizing myself with the DarkWalker ShotPad. As mentioned, the button placement is generally ergonomic, particularly for users with larger hands. However, memorizing the function of each button requires some effort. While each button is labeled, some have secondary functions accessed by holding the Fn (Function) button.
Having completed The Last of Us Part I multiple times, currently playing on the second-highest difficulty on Playstation 5, I opted for the easiest difficulty setting while evaluating the DarkWalker ShotPad to better focus on the control scheme.
During the first enemy encounter, the difficulty in quickly locating the correct buttons became apparent. I was swiftly defeated. While subsequent attempts fared better, the earlier Skatebike experience came to mind. The Shotpad should ideally offer enhanced ease, precision, and fluidity compared to traditional controls, not the opposite. Activating the flashlight in The Last of Us Part 1 requires a single button press on a gamepad or keyboard, but necessitates pressing and holding the Fn button while simultaneously pressing another button on the Shotpad. Weapon selection also utilizes distinct methods for navigating left/right versus up/down.
The DarkWalker ShotPad is compatible with Xbox and Playstation consoles, requiring specific configuration steps outlined in the accompanying documentation.
Are there any advantages? I found the right thumb aiming to be somewhat appealing, although it lacks the precision of a dedicated computer mouse. Despite adjustable sensitivity settings, it doesn’t quite match the accuracy offered by a mouse.
After several hours of gameplay, the controls became more intuitive, and I began to develop a rhythm. However, switching back to a mouse and keyboard provided immediate relief. Some gamers may find the DarkWalker ShotPad beneficial, and anecdotal evidence suggests it performs well for them. However, I concur with criticisms regarding the absence of vibration, gyro functionality, and a wireless option.
The Skatebike achieved brief popularity in 1989 before quickly fading into obscurity. The DarkWalker ShotPad may unfortunately follow a similar trajectory.
