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Linksys Wireless-G Game Adapter
Price: £116

Features
Performance
Ease of use
Value for money
Overall

Reviewed By: Matt Chapman

This review updated: 26/04/2004
Featured in magazine:
Issue 80
Manufacturer Contacts:
Supplier: Linksys
Tel: 0800 068 0327
Web Address: www.linksys.com


In the same way that wireless connections are starting to find their way into the homes of 'normal' people, playing online games using your PS2 or Xbox is taking off. It's no wonder, then, that these two technologies have collided. The Linksys wireless game adapter lets your games console tap into your broadband account, without needing the machine to be within touching distance.

Features
You can use the adaptor to connect a games console to the internet for online gaming, or you can flip the switch on the back to the Adhoc setting and play directly against other consoles fitted with wireless adaptors. Because it uses the wireless G standard, the information is exchanged at speeds up to 54Mbps. And since it's backwards compatible, you can also connect to Wireless-B devices and networks at up to 11Mbps.

Performance
Once we'd set the adaptor up to work with a PlayStation 2, there were no more set up procedures required. As long as we remembered to switch it off and on again between switching consoles, we could plug it into an Xbox and just log straight in. The adaptor also handled being on the opposite side of the house to the rest of the wireless network without any connection problems.

Ease of use
The three pages of the Quick Installation guide filled us with hope that this was going to be an easy set up, and we weren't disappointed. There are only three stages to connecting everything up. First you plug the game adaptor into your PC; then you run the software and enter the key or password to access your wireless router; before finally unplugging the adaptor and attaching it to your console. When you try to get online using that console, the adaptor logs into your network and you've got internet access.

Value for money
Having already purchased a games console, its network connection kit, some wireless broadband network kit (like a router or wireless adapter for your PC) and a network-playable game, you may feel that this is an extra expense too far. Especially if running a wire across your house and into the back of your games console doesn't cause any problems. But if you want to be able to plug your games console into any TV in the house and start mixing it up online, the cost is easily justified.

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