Xbox 360 gets 'Wireless Speed Wheel' from October

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Wednesday, 08 June 2011 12:31

Your IT - Entertainment

Although the Xbox 360 has had a wired steering wheel available for some time, a brand new wireless model will zoom into stores and homes from October, just in time for what could well be a speedy holiday sales season!

Among the various E3 announcements from Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo and the world's games makers comes news of a new Xbox 360 Wireless Speed Wheel.

Naturally aimed at racing enthusiasts, Microsoft says its wireless Speed Wheel is intuitive, approachable and 'makes it easy for novice and veteran gamers alike to jump in and take off in any driving game for Xbox 360.'

Due for an early October 2011 launch, the wheel is 'completely wireless and controlled intuitively with precise steering, standard controller buttons/triggers, and haptic feedback with rumble', and is 'compatible with all racing games right out of the box', with the asterisked caveat that there may be 'limited functionality in some games', without going into any extra detail.

Set to cost a rather wallet-friendly price of AUD $59.95, and shipping to retailers worldwide from September 26, 2011 in preparation for that early October retail release date, Microsoft says its wheel 'combines a fun and immersive driving experience with the biggest racing game of the year' - Forza Motosport2.

As for features and benefits, Microsoft states that 'with trigger buttons for gas and brake, combined with a rumble feedback, the Xbox 360 Wireless Speed Wheel provides intuitive standard controller buttons that immerse the driver into the game, whether you like to white knuckle it down the race track with your hands at '10 and 2' or '9 and 3'.'

We're also assured that the wheel 'balances the realism of a wheel with the feel of a controller for greater user edge in game play.  It includes buttons for game specific functions including triggers, ABXY and D-pad along with green bands of lights on each handle to provide visual cues when necessary.'

More information on the wheel is being made available at the regular Xbox site.