It's no G25, but it's still pretty good!
Written: Jun 25 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: More immersive racing experience, decent force feedback effects, the only wheel available?
Cons: Questionable build quality
The Bottom Line: It makes playing racing games a much more realistic experience, and it allows me to drive more effectively. Buy it!
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| dmatsumo's Full Review: Microsoft Wireless Racing Wheel for the Xbox 360 |
I got a great deal on one of these steering wheels for the XBox 360, so I figured that I might as well buy it and try it out on Forza Motorsport 2. Overall, it makes the game a lot easier to play -- I haven't played a racing sim without a steering wheel since Gran Turismo 2!
What's in the Package:
Steering wheel
Pedals
Project Gotham Racing 3 / Driver disk
Power adapter
Phone cord
Mechanical Details:
I guess I am a bit spoiled by the build quality of the Logitech steering wheels. I own 3 (including the G25), and the Logitech wheels are so much more solid than the Microsoft one. The biggest problem I have is with the significant shaft play in the steering wheel itself -- there's nothing more disconcerting that turning the wheel and realizing that it moves side to side as well as twists in strange ways. The Logitech wheels never do this! In addition, the newer Logitech pedals have a retractable spike strip that keeps the pedals in place on carpet. The Microsoft design favors a gap between the pedals and base -- this serves as a place to rest your feet, as well as keeps the base in one place. I have found that this approach is not nearly as comfortable as if there is a spike strip. If I used the left foot braking technique, it would work better, since the left foot would help keep the base in place. However, if you only use your right foot for the
brake and accelerator, the base will tend to shift / pivot during play, which is really annoying.
Although it's not necessarily a fault, the Microsoft wheel doesn't support 900 degree rotation like the newer Logitech wheels. The paddle shifters are a bit cheap-feeling, and have noticeable flex during shifting.
The one thing I *do* like about the Microsoft wheel is that it allows you to rest the wheel on your lap and play. Although it's not as solid as mounting to a desk, table, or TV tray, it's great for a quick and casual race. The bottom of the wheel assembly has a nice contour to it that is comfortable, and does a decent job of keeping the wheel in your lap during turns (although it's a little weird in the hairpins).
Installation:
Installation was a snap. It's really nice that the wheel is mostly wireless (i.e. no cables going from the wheel to the XBox 360). You just plug the pedals into the steering wheel with the included phone cord, and then plug the power cable
into to wall and the steering wheel.
I'm not sure if putting in the included Project Gotham 3 game really did anything or not, but supposedly that was necessary to install the drivers. I did this, and didn't see any noticeable installation process. After PG3 loaded up, I switched it out for Forza Motorsport 2. I did have to press the Connect button on the wheel before it would link up to the XBox 360, but after doing that, FM2 worked with the wheel flawlessly.
Gameplay (with Forza 2):
It is SO much better playing Forza 2 with the wheel. Obviously, it allows you to drive much more smoothly than is possible with your thumbs. The force feedback is a little weak compared to my G25 wheel, but you can still feel the rumble strips and collisions with other cars. Although I haven't paid much attention to it, I think the other effects like loss of traction are more or less realistically transmitted, since I rely on that (along with sound) to countersteer. Tire squalling is not modeled -- when driving a real car, you would normally feel the wheel shake when this happens. This is just an issue with the game, and not the wheel itself.
Overall, I'm very happy with the Microsoft XBox 360 wireless steering wheel. It makes playing racing games a much more realistic experience, and for me, it helps me drive much better than I could with the gamepad.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
dmatsumo
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Location: San Jose, CA
Reviews written: 81
Trusted by: 19 members
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