Games Radar did a mostly positive review of FSX (That, by the way, more or less mirrors my own views on it so far), but something struck me as I was reading it..

You may scoff at using a joypad rather than a dedicated joystick, but the ability to use the right-thumbstick to look around really does aid special awareness and I've founding my landings improved immeasurably.

Uh, what? Earlier in the review this person claims to have been playing FS since FS2 on his Atari, and he's somehow never heard of a HAT SWITCH? I mean, yes, I suppose strictly speaking he has a point, it would add to spacial awareness... But every stick that costs more than 9.95 at Wallyworld (And some of those!) have had at least one Hat switch for the last decade or so.

Every single review I've read so far of FSX has mentioned the X-Box 360 controller interface in some way. It doesn't make any sense to me. I've been able to (theoreticly, although god knows why I would want to) use an X-Box or X-Box 360 controller for years(Or any other gamepad, for that matter) - they are just treated as a USB joystick. Why is this such a big deal all of a sudden, and why does every review seem to go out of it's way to find something to praise about it?

Complete review here...

http://pc.boomtown.net/en_uk/articles/art.view.php?id=12617