Pedals are probably the least common PC game controller out there. For every ten gamers with a joystick there's probably only one with foot controls for their games. The niche aspect of PC simulation has led to few manufacturers even producing pedals, but thankfully Saitek has stepped up and released a set to match the quality of their gaming keyboards and controllers. Dubbed the Pro Flight Rudder Pedals, they're exactly what you'd expect from a set of foot controls, but also include a couple of nice extras.

If you're not a sim fan you might be scratching your head wondering why anyone would ever want to control games with their feet. The most common application is flight simulator games, where the see-saw sliding of the pedals control the rudder, and the depression on each pedal controls brakes. My guess is that most people picking up these Saitek pedals will be flight sim fans, but you could also use them for racing games if you wanted to.

What set the Pro Flight Rudder Pedals apart from the competition is the amount of customization for the pedals that make the experience much more comfortable. The sliding action of the pedals is smooth and doesn't make much noise, but if the default tension doesn't suit your needs, there's a dial located in the center of the base that you simply turn to adjust it. You'll also notice that the pedals in their standard configuration are a little short, but there's a reason for that. The pedals can be adjusted to three different length settings, allowing you to set the the pedals to conform perfectly to your shoe. That might not seem like an important detail, but when precision is key you'll want complete control for subtle movements.

Setting up the Pro Flight Rudder Pedals is as simple as plugging in a USB cable and inserting a driver CD. You can install Saitek's SST programming software if you choose, but most people will probably stick to the base driver installation which is lightweight and lets you access device settings from the Control Panel. Just about any flight simulator will recognize the pedals, and I even had good luck with several racing games.

The only real problem with the Pro Flight Rudder Pedals comes when you use them with carpet. On a hard surface the rubber feet on the base do a good job of keeping the pedals in one place, but on carpet the base can slide around if you're not careful. They don't slide as much as some other pedals I've tried, but it would be great if they implemented little teeth on the bottom to keep the base stationary on carpet. Besides that one issue, using the Pro Flight Rudder Pedals was a seamless experience while cruising the skies.

If you've been surviving with just a twistable joystick for your rudder and buttons for your brakes you should take a look at Saitek's Pro Flight Rudder Pedals. Enthusiasts looking to take their sim experience to the next level can't go wrong with them.