When first looking at the controller, it has a carbon black color.  There is the orange Logitech symbol that immediately stands out when looking at the controller.  The controller seems like a hybrid between the PS2 and Xbox controllers.  It resembles more like a PS2 controller but the carbonn black color and rugged feel gives the controller an Xbox feeling.  When using the directional pad for the first time, I immediately knew it was better than other controllers.  The one thing I did notice about it is that there is a slight click noise when you press the button.

There are 4 buttons at the top of the controller.  Usually, most controllers typically have only 2 at the top, but the extra two buttons will definitely allow you to assign more buttons. Two of those buttons are slightly larger (also known as R1 and R2 on a PS2 controller) which allow you to distinguish between the rear buttons when in use.  The buttons at the right hand side of the controller follow the diamond placement like the PS2 controller.  The buttons are labeled from 1 to 4.  There are 4 buttons at the center of the controller where the 'Start' and 'Select' buttons are typically places.  Two of those buttons can be used for those.  The other two are the 'Vibration' and 'Mode' buttons.
 

I found the controller to work very well as a controller.  The directional pad is soft and stopped making the clicking noise after I used the pad for a while.  Logitech took the safe way out by making the design similar to the PS2 controller.  The controls are where they should be and the controller felt natural when using it.  With the controller containing the batteries, the controller had a solid weight that felt like this controller was durable and comfortable.  It wasn't too heavy to use at all.  Since your thumb can make quicker and more forceful movements that lets say your 'pointy' finger, Logitech has done it right again by making to the top buttons easy to press.  It takes just a tad less force to press the top buttons than the main buttons on the directional pad.

One of the games I used to test the controller was Need for Speed Underground.  I did test the controller in other games, but I have tried this game on other force feedback controllers.  Although this game has force feedback capabilities, I had to install Logitech's controller software before the force-feedback worked in the game.  Turning the car left and right worked flawlessly with both the directional and analog control.  The force-feedback mechanism is neither too strong or too soft which is nice.  If it was too strong, then your hands would be aching after a long period of time with the controller.  I did encounter a minor issue with the force-feedback with the controller.  Having been used to the game with a Saitek P2500 controller, I found the Logitech RumblePad 2's force feedback less distinct.  Whenever I would turn or even crash into the car, I would feel a similar rumble.  On the Saitek, whether it be crashing into a car, or entering a sidewalk, I found the effects a little more natural. I could feel better whether I was hitting a car or grinding against the side of the road.  This might have to do with the slightly thicker shell casing of the controller.  I would recommend a thinner shell casing instead so you can feel the force-feedback vibration better.  Since I have smaller thumbs, I did find myself pressing the vibration button constantly because that is where I usually find the 'Start' button.  I would prefer if Logitech switched the '9' and '10' buttons with the position of the 'Vibration' and 'Mode' buttons.  In addition, the buttons at the center of the controller are hard to read, so I would like them to be more legible.