Xbox 360 Wireless Speed Wheel bridges gap between casual, hard-core

Microsoft's Wireless Speed Wheel will be available in late October.

(Credit:
Antuan Goodwin/CNET)

Along with my review copy of Forza Motorsport 4, I was sent an example of Microsoft's Wireless Speed Wheel to test with the game. As a car guy and a bit of a racing sim snob, I initially viewed this wireless, motion sensitive plastic bauble down the bridge of my upturned nose. By the end of the weekend, the Speed Wheel had won me over.

The Speed Wheel bridges the gap between the Controller S and a full racing wheel.
(Credit:
Antuan Goodwin/CNET)

Normally, I do my racing simulation from behind a proper racing wheel with 900 degrees of rotation; belt-driven force feedback; the choice between paddle, H-pattern, or sequential shifters; a trio of pedals; and an aluminum adjustable stand to hold it all together. The whole kit weighs about 30 pounds and takes me about 10 minutes to drag from its place in the bottom of my closet and set up, but once it is, the driving experience is spectacular. Surely the wireless wheel can't do better?

... [Read more]