This strip was actually done as a christmas present to Steve from the rest of us, since his real gift wouldn't arrive for another month. In fact it didn't arrive for almost 2 months.

For those of you who don't recognize that beatifull shape, that is the controller dreams are made of. The wonderous beast which brings life to that which is Steel Battalion.

It costs around two hundred fifty dollers.

It has 2 joysticks, one gearshift, 3 pedals, 33 buttons, 5 switches, a radio dial, and a flip cover for the god-damned "Eject" button.

It is the most conceptually insane controller ever made for the home console market.

It is the controller we have dreamed of since the first time we took our first teetering giant robot steps in Activision's first version of Mechwarrior, oh so many many years ago...

And now it sits on the coffee table while he plays DOA Volleyball all day.

Did anyone NOT see that coming?

©2003 Eric A. Johnson