Thrustmaster eSwap Pro XR Forza Edition assessment – Time to swap your racing wheel?

Unlike the high-speed motion discovered inside Forza Horizon 5, my appreciation for the Thrustmaster eSwap Pro XR controller was a lot slower to materialise. The eSwap Pro XR’s two important promoting factors are the power to swap out its varied modules for the right set-up, and the racing wheel module which replicates the steering wheel – albeit on a a lot smaller scale. It takes some getting used to, however with some experimentation and a little bit of observe, the eSwap Pro XR actually begins to develop on you.

As you may see from the picture above, the eSwap Pro comes with two analogue sticks, a D-Pad and a miniature racing wheel. 

These modules may be rapidly and simply swapped out relying on what you are enjoying and no matter feels essentially the most snug.

You can go for the basic two analogue sticks and a D-Pad structure for normal video games, all of the whereas altering the place of the D-Pad to present it extra prominence.

If you scrap the D-Pad altogether, then the 4 rear buttons mechanically function the directional buttons for in-game shortcuts. It’s all actually easy and uncomplicated.

Without the racing wheel module, the eSwap seems like a bonafide Pro Controller, full with set off locks and mechanical buttons for elevated responsiveness in on-line shooters.

It additionally appears to be like the half, that includes a lovely black and white color scheme, full with pink racing stripes and the Forza Horizon 5 brand.

While they’re visually just like the grips discovered on the Xbox Pro Controllers, the black grips arguably look a bit misplaced on the eSwap XR Pro, particularly as they don’t seem to be textured. I’d have most well-liked the stripes to wrap across the controller as a substitute.

Some folks may also be dissatisfied to seek out out that the eSwap Pro is a wired controller, so you aren’t getting the identical stage of freedom as you’d from a wi-fi pad.

On the plus facet, you do not have to fret about working out of battery, and the equipped cable is actually lengthy sufficient that it’s best to have the ability to comfortably play on the couch.

Of course, the most important promoting level – and positively the controller’s most unusual promoting level – is the addition of a racing wheel module which goals to higher replicate the driving expertise.

Boasting a 95° rotation angle and a non-slip floor, it lets you grasp your trajectories and drifts with much more management.

Likewise, whether or not you are navigating sharp turns or manoeuvring throughout Forza Horizon 5’s diverse terrains, the module’s re-centering system helps you keep in command all through your races… however solely after you get used to it.

If you are something like me, you may spend the primary few races wiggling it round like a standard analogue stick. Once you decelerate and begin to deal with it like a steering wheel, you may discover you have got way more management over the automobile.

The result’s a smoother racing expertise with a larger sense of immersion, even when it is not fairly on par with a correct race wheel.

Arguably that is the most important drawback dealing with the Thrustmaster eSwap Pro XR Forza Edition.

Despite its versatility, it is not fairly on par with a racing wheel, and it is only a rung or two under a Pro Controller.

This makes it a a lot more durable promote, particularly when you think about the £169.99 price ticket.

Still, the. versatile Hot-Swap know-how and customisable options make sure that the controller adapts to your wants, placing you accountable for your gameplay.

With its wonderful construct high quality, mechanical buttons, and vibrant design, the officially-licensed Xbox gamepad is a strong alternative for racing followers and critical avid gamers.

VERDICT: 3.5/5