Msxbox-world takes a look at the official Microsoft wireless and pedal free Speed Wheel in their product review.
The Wireless Speed Wheel is a sleek looking device, though retains the feel of a steering wheel not matter which position you choose to hold it in. Of course, there is no option for a low hold, as the L and R triggers are based on the back of the wheel and used as brake and accelerator respectively in the default control schemes for most Xbox 360 racing games. The Wireless Speed Wheel uses two AA batteries and offers a well balanced overall weighted feeling, enough to make each turn felt through force applied and the force feedback.
Why O Why??
A totally unnecessary accessory that is better done with already available ones for racing games...
Really... WHY ?
This sort of wheel is just the thing for casual racers. Mario Cart Wii would not have been so popular had people not been able to use the Wii Wheel. Such controllers make it easy even for little kids to race.
Yes they aren't as precise as a real wheel but for casual racers that's not an issue.
Sony really screwed up by not offering such a controller when Mod Nation Racers was released, it would have done much better had they done so. Regular controllers are too difficult for many people to use in racing games. I'll use my Logitech for racing but something like this would be great for when you have people over who want to do some racing.
@Kneon, would love to see you using a Logitech wheel on a 360 lol. I agree though I'll use my Fanatec GT2 for serious online racing but will pick up one of these for casual play with mates.
I don't have a 360 so the logitech is on my PS3, don't know why they don't support Xbox.
None of my friends with 360's have wheels, even those that bought Forza. I'll suggest they try this new wheel as they aren't likely to spend several hundred+ on a good wheel.
@kneon
Opps, Missed the concept of casual... Guessing then Kinect isnt good enough for that then...
For the price you can buy a "Casual" priced steering wheel that offers "force Feedback"..
But than again, casual players dont really want to feel like they are driving in a driving game I guess..
Hey , its my opinion, and you have yours (as so do the disagreers) but I honestly cant see the benefit, nor fun, that this product supposedly offers.
@Rhythmattic
Well Kinect for racing would only be for the ultra-casual as it will be even less precise and have even less control options.
Sure you can buy a cheap wheel and if there is only one person playing that's ok if you've got something to mount it to. But try having 4 people over wanting to play and try and set up 4 wheels and pedals that need to be mounted to something. It's just too much hassle for most people so a simple wheel like this is ideal for this non-serious kind of racing.
Seems I missed "Ultra Casual"
My Thoughts - 4 people, 4 Hand held controllers.. Much easier , Plus you would generally already own a few...
After-all, everyone is competitive playing multi-casual... so no one would want the lesser option..
IMO.
I use to own a Logitech G25 and G27 but now I prefer Fanatec products. I love the Thrustmaster T500 (wheel gives your forearms a workout) but it doesn't have the variable adjustments on the fly that Fanatec offers.
I will be rocking Forza 4 with the GT2 like Si-Fly but I am really waiting on the new Fanatec CSR Elite. If only they would start taking preorders.
On topic: Just the mere fact this wheel perp exist deflates me a little. Forza is suppose to be a more serious race game and now they are trying to appease a wider audience (casual) than putting more emphasis on the sim side and giving us even better wheel support.
When ever Turn 10 is asked about wheel support they shrug it off or say our primary focus is pad players and implementing kinect because the majority of Forza fans play on a pad.
That is frustrating for a wheel only guy like myself. Forza is the reason I spend so much coin on racing gear and now they are focusing on cameras and gimmick controllers like something you would find on a Wii.
@Si-Fly
How do you have your GT2 mounted? Desk, manufactured cockpit or DIY setup?
Just so everyone knows here,to be clear, I'm not dissing, Forza, 360 nor kinect..
I'm not Pacther, and most likely , someone will buy it.
I just dont get it... and I wont.
I think it looks fun and I can't say wether it's unnecessary or not until I've tried it. Might work better than you think. And it even has force feedback.
Jelly you're as stupid as the person who wrote the article, it has a rumble pack, there is no force feedback lol.
Yep... No Force Feedback.
If it did, it would be a technical marvel...
The question is, how long will you last if you use this while you're standing??..
For someone like me who can't be assed to keep setting up a wheel & peddles & just like to lounge with me feet up racing with a controller, it'll be perfect.....
But when you are kicking back with a controller you are resting it against your body and not holding it with your arms out straight. I don't care if this device weighs less than 1lb it will tire your arms and especially your shoulders out quick.
This will only be comfortable for short periods of gaming.
With a wheel you can rest the weight of your arm on the wheel itself like driving a real car. Besides, Forza is suppose to be a sim racer and not a game for casual gamers. I don't understand why Turn 10 could not put more emphasis on true sim aspects, mostly advanced wheel support, instead of Kinect and this crap controller.
Whilst I'll love Forza 4 I've recently spent 90% of my racing on iracing, are you on it Brutal? The FF from my Fanatecs is fantastic, feel every tiny bump in the track!
I mount my wheels to a gamepod GT2, did try a rennsport stand first but this is the business, i bought the frame only from gamepod and im using a competition Corbeau bucket seat with it! How about you?
Not yet Si-Fly.
I just recently pieced together a gaming rig and I am in the process of building a DIY cockpit to house everything. So far the only game I tried on my PC is Dirt 2, 3 and GRID. I am finishing up my rig over the weekend and I am going to get into I-racing early next week.
I played it at my brother in-laws on his rig and he had to drag me off his seat. It's extremely challenging and very addicting. So I am in no hurry to get started on it. If you know what I mean.
Yeah, I know! What I love about it is that once you're settled into a championship you're better off just doing a few races per week and spending most of your time practicing. The irating and safety ratings work brilliantly and would love to see something like that incorporated into forza, would put an end to the bumper car sessions online if driving bans came into place. My iracing id is SJ Povey, hit me up when you get it :)
Forgot to say earlier, have you seen the latest vid from InsideSimRacing? They're testing a Derek Speare button box but in the background you can see their fanatec CSR... still drooling! Thomas better get it out before Christmas!
Everyone goes on about sim racers. These are games, ive had three track days in a Lamborghini, Ferarri & Porsche and I can tell you nothing in Forza or GT comes close to the real thing. I take your point about arm ache but I just wish everyone would remember that these are games to play and have fun, not real life.. Drive a Lamborghini round a bend at 60mph and then go on your game with your force feedback wheel, you'll see what mean then.
Originally revealed at the Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles back in June, the official Xbox 360 Wireless Speed Wheel was confirmed for launch in the US this September and throughout PAL territories in ‘early October’. At a recent press event in the UK however, Microsoft offered confirmation of not just the release date, but the UK price also.
Where does this really fit in? Surely the hardcore racing gamers will have proper steering wheels, the average gamer will prefer using a thumbstick and the casual gamer will be expecting to use their kinect?
@Jeffail, honestly I think the real question isn't where does this fit in....its will it work better than just a gamepad?
I love my racing...I have a race wheel but rarely use it as my life changes just don't have the room for a proper racing wheel set up. It's also just too much of a pain in the arse to hall out the wheel on the occassions that I want to race. So something akin to a game pad that game me more responsive fidelity than the pad is welcome. I know it wont be as good as a wheel set up, but if its an improvement over the pad I can see using this as its small enough that I would use it more often.
I feel the same way if its a step up from a controller and a notch below a regular racing wheel then I can see buying it.
From the video I saw of it..it looked very responsive. And he mentioned that you can play ot without holding it in the air...(that was something I was wondering)
He says u can play with it resting on your lap knees whatever. That is a plus IMO.
I had a regular racing wheel and I agree it can be a pain to lug it out and hook it up. THis thing seems to be something I would want.
It's actually very responsive.
It works to pull the casual in by its simple yet cost effective design. Notice the no pedals. I'd prefer this over a controller any day.
I saw a DEMO video on youtube and I was actually surprised by it.
My question is...do you have to have the kinect for it to work. Im assuming yes but the article didnt state if you needed it.
FOr under $50 I would get it. IMO it would be better then a controller but not better then a regular racing wheel.
No Kinect needed. This works independently...its a self contained controller.
I saw a video of it in action. I believe it was on this site....do a search and Im sure it will pop up.
It looks like it works quite well. For under $50 I would buy for sure!
Here is a video... http://www.youtube.com/watc...
There is an actual hands on review of the wheel by some site but for the life of me I cant find it. Was posted up on N4G I am pretty sure.
found it: http://www.youtube.com/watc...
... instead of this kinda thing which you have to hold up in the air in front of you, which seems tiresome and stupid.
LOL OMG"
I've got the wheel and its actually fantastic! I only got it because it was an extra $20 (Australian) with F4, but it was money well spent. I only wish it had paddles for gear changing.