From a programming point of view you can get the same functionality from a Force Feedback Pro Joystick.
When you get XP to AutoDetect a SideWinder in your game port, and it finds the force feedback one, then you actually have the ability to use it in two modes at the same time.
In one mode, it works just like a normal joystick, and you can control stuff.
In the other mode, it will go stiff( centring) but will fail every time software tries to create a force feedback effect (of any sort).
from a programming perspective, you could muck around with both these modes at the same time, to get control with stiffness, but i don't think any games do this.
