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I couldn’t find much wrong with the Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition – my verdict is it comes close to besting its rivals

4:00 pm | March 30, 2025

Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition: One-minute review

The Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition is designed for mid-level racing sim enthusiasts, promising a smooth and precise experience.

The leatherette steering wheel has a thick, squared-off design, which I personally prefer. It feels premium and smooth to the touch, sliding through the hands with ease. The paddles also feel excellent, responsive, and easy to tap.

All the other buttons are of a similarly high standard and are positioned well to make for easy access, just like those of the best racing wheels. The dial switch is also a nice touch, although it can only flick toward its two available directions rather than remain on them, which might limit its usability for some.

The pedals are metal and have a high shine, which makes them seem as though they’re made from plastic. They feel great under the foot, though, and the pedal base is stable even on hard floors.

Attaching the wheelbase to a desk is easy enough, if a bit awkward thanks to the weight of the servo and its clamp design. However, it remains firmly in place once attached. Once you power on the TX, take care to keep your hands well away from the wheel, as the autocalibration is quite vigorous.

The TX requires you to download a driver and software in order to get the latest firmware updates and tweak various settings. It’s not the most elegant tool in the world, but it’s stable to run for the most part and offers the usual force feedback settings with plenty of scope for tailoring the experience to your liking, with individual settings for spring and damper configurations, for instance.

In action, the TX is pleasantly smooth and accurate, imparting a strong sense of connection between you and the car. The pedals are also a pleasure to use, being easy to press while offering plenty of feedback, especially the brake pedal. The throttle might be a bit too loose for some, but I found it was still informative enough for controlled inputs.

I did have a few gripes with the TX, though. While the pedals offer plenty of adjustments, the throttle and brake were a little too close for me – although this is a problem I have with many pedal sets. Also, while playing American Truck Simulator, the calibration seemed to go awry, with wheel turns no longer syncing up with those in-game. Whether this is a fault with the wheel or the game is hard to say, but it’s worth mentioning all the same.

However, for the price, the TX is certainly a capable wheel, offering great feel and decent build quality in the main. Depending on your territory, it’s cheaper than the Thrustmaster T300RS, and I think it performs considerably better than this wheel.

Conversely, the Thrustmaster T248 is cheaper than the TX, and is our pick as the best racing wheel overall, thanks to its ease of use and great force feedback. And if you’re looking specifically for the best Xbox racing wheels, then the Logitech G923 is hard to beat. Nonetheless, the TX is a great wheel for those starting out on their racing sim journey.

Close-up of Thrustmaster TX Leather Edition Wheel — (Image credit: Future)

Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition review: Price and availability

$369.99 / £309.99 (about AU$588)
Available now with various accessories
Some rivals are cheaper

The Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition costs $369.99 / £309.99 (about AU$588) and is available now. It can be configured with various wheels and pedal sets, as well as handbrakes and shifters.

It’s slightly more expensive than the T300RS in the US, although quite a bit cheaper than that wheel in the UK. Regardless, the TX performs better in my view, thanks to the smoother steering, better paddles, and greater feedback from the pedals. The button placement is also better, and the T300RS lacks a dial switch.

However, the Thrustmaster T248 is cheaper than the TX, but it’s the best racing wheel overall in our view, thanks to its ease of use, brilliant pedals, and generally excellent performance for its relatively low price. The Logitech G923 is also one of the best around, although this is more expensive than the TX in the UK but cheaper in the US.

Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition review: Specs

Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition review: Design and features

Great feeling wheel
Stable pedal base
Unglamorous but stable software

The Thrustmaster TX follows a rather typical design. The steering wheel is relatively thick and flatter than perfectly cylindrical designs, which I prefer. It’s finished in a leather material that feels very smooth and makes for seamless slides whenever the wheel self-centers.

The T3PA pedal set features pedal heads made from metal with a high shine, although they feel more like plastic under the foot and are quite light. The base is pleasingly stable, even on hard floors, which I didn’t find with the T300RS. An optional conical stop for the brake is also included but uninstalled by default.

You can adjust the spacing, height, and incline of all pedals, and the process involves unscrewing the pedals with the included Allen key, which is simple enough, if a little time-consuming.

Installing the wheelbase is also quite straightforward, if not the most seamless experience. The screw and thread for fixing the clamp isn’t the smoothest, and the clamp itself tends to rotate out of place while screwing, which is a little frustrating. Also, the handle for turning the screw frequently gets in the way of the base, further adding to the awkwardness.

What’s more, the front-heavy weight distribution of the wheelbase means it won’t stay on the table without falling off, so I had to lean it on my chest while I attached the clamp to my desk with both hands. Ultimately, though, these are minor grievances, and it didn’t take long to get set up.

Thrustmaster T3PA pedal set on table with pink wall and plant in background — (Image credit: Future)

Once installed and powered on, you should take care to keep your hands well clear of the wheel, as the autocalibration of the TX – and other Thrustmaster wheels – is quite violent.

If you’ve owned a Thrustmaster wheel before, you should find software setup quick and easy. If you haven’t, you will have to download drivers and a configuration tool via Thrustmaster’s website, which took me a couple of attempts to get working correctly the first time, requiring a restart of my PC. It’s also a little awkward to open the configuration tool, since it’s integrated with Windows’ controller control panel, and it uses a rather dated-looking UI, but it at least functions well.

You’ll find the typical racing wheel adjustments, with options to change the steering angle, with a maximum of 900 degrees, and force feedback options for the periodic and constant forces, as well as those for the spring and damper parameters.

Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition review: Performance

Smooth and accurate steering
Great brake pedal
Experienced a one-time calibration issue

The overall performance of the TX is hard to fault. Steering feels much smoother and more connected than on the Thrustmaster T300RS, for instance – lacking that wheel’s notchiness, especially at the start of turns. This meant that making slow and small movements was a more pleasant experience, and was especially noticeable when playing American Truck Simulator, which largely calls for this style of driving. However, steering is still responsive enough for rapid turns and corrections, as I found when racing in Assetto Corsa.

Tracking is also accurate and precise; however, when playing American Truck Simulator, I did experience an instance of desynchronization, with the game lagging well behind my inputs. It’s hard to say whether this is an issue with the game or the wheel, but it’s worth pointing out. Thankfully, the rest of the time it was faultless.

The paddles are quick and provide enough feedback – another area of improvement over the T300RS. The same is true of the buttons, which are tactile and satisfying to use, with many positioned towards the edge of the center, which makes them easy to reach with the thumb. Despite how they feel, though, they’re still no match for those adorning the best PC controllers.

Close-up of dial switch on Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition — (Image credit: Future)

Pedal response, though, is more impressive. The throttle might be too light for some, but I adapted quickly and found it still offered enough control. The brake pedal is a real highlight, as it’s super smooth and offers the ideal amount of progressive resistance, which in turn imparts plenty of feedback to let you know how hard you’re braking.

However, my one gripe with the pedals is that the brake and throttle are too close together for my liking, even after I adjusted their spacing to their furthest points. I will admit, though, that this is a problem I usually experience with pedal sets in general, so others may not have an issue in this regard.

As with other Thrustmaster wheels, the force feedback can be extremely strong, and I found it borderline unusable on its maximum setting. Thankfully, there are plenty of adjustments you make to it, so getting the right balance between ease of use and immersion is simple. The other force feedback parameters, such as those for the spring and damper, offer noticeable changes too, allowing for greater degrees of steering weight and rebound.

Should I buy the Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition?

Close-up of Xbox button on Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition — (Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

You want good button selection
The buttons are laid out sensibly, and the dial switch is a useful addition, allowing for more mid-race adjustments.

You want smooth inputs
Both the wheel and pedals offer smooth operation with plenty of feedback, making you feel better connected to in-game vehicles.

Don't buy it if...

You want a standard dial
Although the TX helpfully includes a dial switch, it only flicks; it doesn’t stay in position, which might not be ideal for all use cases.

You want a strong throttle
The throttle pedal on the TX is very light, so those who want something less sensitive might want to go with another pedal set.

Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition review: also consider

The Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition faces some stiff competition, namely from these alternatives.

Thrustmaster T248
As the best racing wheel overall in our opinion, there’s not a lot the T248 gets wrong. It’s easy to use and has good pedals and force feedback. We did find that the wheel was slow to recenter, and the paddles weren’t the best, but it’s a great wheel in many other respects.

Read our full Thrustmaster T248 review

Logitech G923
The Logitech G923 is the best Xbox racing wheel in our view. It greatly improves its force feedback system over previous iterations and offers tremendous build quality and steering performance.

Read our full Logitech G923 review

How I tested the Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition

Tested for a few days
Played various driving games
Decades of experience

I used the Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Leather Edition for a few days, during which time I tried to make as many adjustments as possible to the pedals and force feedback settings in order to experience the full extent of its capabilities.

I played Assetto Corsa in order to test its fitness for serious sim racers. I also played American Truck Simulator to see how well the wheel handles slower and smaller pedal and steering inputs.

I have been gaming for decades, with arcade and sim racers being among my favorite genres. I have used various racing wheels in the past, and have previously reviewed the Thrustmaster T300RS, a similar wheel to the TX.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed February 2025

The Mobapad N1 HD feels great and works well with multiple platforms – I just wish it had analog triggers

5:00 pm | March 29, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: PC | Comments: Off

Mobapad N1 HD: one-minute review

Close-up of Mobapad N1 HD leaning on plinth with pink background — (Image credit: Future)

The Mobapad N1 HD is a Nintendo Switch controller aimed towards more serious gamers, thanks to its versatile functionality and premium features.

It doesn’t look particularly spectacular, and it even lacks RGB lighting, a common feature on many third-party controllers. It does, however, look a little more distinct in its pink and purple colorway.

On close inspection, you can tell the N1 HD is built to a high standard, rivaling some of the best Nintendo Switch controllers. The materials feel premium and the construction is solid, yet it’s also very light in the hand and comfortable to hold – although those with larger hands might find it a bit too small.

The buttons and sticks also feel great, offering a pleasing amount of dampening and smoothness for the most part. The N1 HD also comes with a USB cable for charging and wired play, although it’s quite short and isn’t braided, restricting its practicality.

The mobile app for the N1 HD includes various customization options, some of which are pretty detailed, such as custom curve profiles for the analog sticks. Certain adjustments can also be made using the settings and other buttons on the controller itself.

To game with, the N1 HD lives up to its promises. The Hall effect sticks are as smooth as you could want, and the buttons are satisfying and super responsive, especially the D-pad – no matter which of the two included hats you have attached. It’s a shame, however, that the triggers lack analog control when used with a PC or mobile.

Although I found it easy to connect to the Switch and PC, switching between them on the fly isn’t really viable, since repairing is required, although fortunately, this is an easy process. Connecting to Android is relatively simple too, although beware that you will need to connect to "Mobapad N1" rather than "Mobapad N1 HD" in the list of Bluetooth devices your phone finds.

The N1 HD is expensive, but so too are the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and the 8BitDo Ultimate, two of the best Switch controllers out there. Like those pads, it’s a hugely capable controller and although it lacks analog triggers and seamless device switching, the N1 HD is worth your consideration all the same.

Mobapad N1 HD review: Price and availability

$74 (about £60 / AU$119)
Available now worldwide
Similarly priced to key rivals

The Mobapad N1 HD costs $74 (about £60 / AU$119) and is available now in three colorways: black, white, and pink with purple accents. Mobapad only lists USD prices on its website, but it does ship worldwide. It comes with two D-pad hats, a USB cable for charging and wired play, and a dongle for wireless PC connectivity.

If we judge it by its original price (we have seen it on sale at a considerable discount), it’s close to the official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, although this controller lacks official support for other platforms, as well as extra buttons on the front and rear.

The N1 HD also costs about the same as the 8BitDo Ultimate, our pick as the best Nintendo Switch controller right now. This too has Hall effect sticks and multi-platform support, but unlike the N1 HD, the Ultimate comes with its own charging dock. However, it doesn’t have NFC support, so it can’t be used with Amiibo accessories.

Mobapad N1 HD review: specs

Close-up of analog stick and face buttons on Mobapad N1 HD with pink background — (Image credit: Future)

Mobapad N1 HD review: design and features

Solid yet lightweight build
Might be too small for some
Detailed mobile app

The N1 HD boasts a similar design to the best Xbox controllers: it even has the same distinctive D-pad design, although this is removable and can be swapped with a more traditional four-pronged unit included in the box. Due to these similarities, It looks rather unoriginal in its black and white colorways, but the pink and purple variant does help to set it apart somewhat.

However, the upside of this familiar form is the ergonomic benefit: it sits well in the hand, and the lightness makes it even more comfortable. It’s a little smaller than an Xbox Wireless Controller, though, which may be a problem for those with larger hands. And if you're a fan of the best PS5 controllers, then it might not be for you either. Despite its unsubstantial weight, it feels well constructed, with durable, premium-feeling plastics. The textured grips are a welcome touch too.

The USB-C port is easy to use thanks to its placement, although it isn’t recessed, which may be a cause for concern, but I didn’t find it prone to disconnecting while gaming. The included cable is a standard charging cable, without the braiding or length those included with many other controllers have, which does limit its practical usage.

The N1 HD has liquid silicone buttons, which Mobapad claims are more comfortable and more durable, while also improving consistency. Under the thumb, they certainly feel pleasant, but the dampening isn’t the best I’ve experienced, and the button caps aren’t the tightest, with some wobble to them. The shoulder buttons, however, feel better in both these aspects, but the triggers are a little too short for my liking.

The analog sticks are a highlight, with treaded edges to help improve grip, which they certainly do. I did find them to be a tad small, though, but those with smaller thumbs shouldn’t have a problem.

There are also two extra back buttons for customizable programming. While these are also quite small, they did suit my grip style, as my middle fingers naturally landed flush onto them.

Aside from the usual Switch buttons, you’ll also find a setting button, which can be used in conjunction with other inputs to perform various functions, from altering vibration intensity and toggling turbo modes to programming macros. These are complex for input-based functions; some controllers don’t even offer this level of customization in their software tools.

Speaking of which, the Mobapad mobile app offers even more tweaking potential, including the ability to remap buttons and set trigger modes on a per-button basis, with hold and loop options to choose from.

You can also change the dead zones and curve profiles of the analog sticks, with the latter adjusted via two points on a graph, freely draggable to create your own style, which is very involved. It’s a shame, however, that you can’t even view the battery level of the N1 HD in this app, which seems like a basic piece of information to omit.

Other features of the N1 HD include the ability to switch between Xinput, Dinput (for older games), Switch Pro input modes, and NFC support for Amiibo hardware. Currently, it’s not compatible with Mobapad’s PC software, but support is expected after March.

Back of Mobapad N1 HD leaning on plinth on table with pink wall and plant in background — (Image credit: Future)

Mobapad N1 HD review: performance

Great buttons and sticks
No analog triggers
Device switching clunky

The N1 HD performs well. The face buttons are satisfying to use, with a good deal of accuracy and responsiveness. The D-pad has these qualities in even more abundance, with an even shorter actuation, making it great for rapid taps. It’s also easy to roll for quick consecutive inputs with either the circular or four-pronged hat installed. It is, however, very clicky, feeling more like a mouse button than a controller button, which may deter some gamers, but I found it satisfying to use.

Even more damped are the shoulder buttons, which have a softer feel but still provide a responsive input. However, since the N1 HD is a Switch controller first and foremost, the triggers lack analog capability, even when used with a PC. This is a shame when playing certain games, such as those involving driving or racing, since they lack the precise control these titles benefit from.

The analog sticks utilize Hall effect technology, which purportedly offers greater precision as well as preventing stick drift. I certainly found them precise and incredibly smooth to move in all directions, providing just the right amount of resistance to impart some useful feedback without being onerous. The N1 HD also supports motion controls, and again I found these accurate, tracking superbly.

In my experience, the rear M buttons were also easy to use, although they were less consistent in their responsiveness; their small size and short travel meant that they were hard to hit in the optimal place every time.

Connecting the N1 HD to your platform of choice is also very easy. During my test, it connected instantly to my Switch, as well as to my desktop when using the included USB dongle, making it just as amenable to the platform as some of the best PC controllers. However, hot-switching between wasn’t an option, as the N1 HD required re-pairing to each device, which is a shame for those who switch between the two regularly.

At first, I was unsuccessful in connecting the N1 HD to my Google Pixel 7a, although this was remedied when I realised that I needed to connect to "Mobapad N1" rather than "Mobapad N1 HD" in the list of found Bluetooth devices. Once paired, using the N1 HD with my phone was as easy and responsive as with other platforms.

I wasn’t able to test the battery life of the N1 HD to exhaustion, and considering the lack of battery information – none in the mobile app and only an LED indication on low battery – I couldn’t gauge how much I had left. I can say, though, that it lasted for several days of use without showing a low battery warning.

Close-up of shoulder buttons and USB-C port on Mobapad N1 HD, leaning on plinth with pink wall and plant in background — (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Mobapad N1 HD?

Buy it if...

You want an Xbox-style controller
The Xbox design is a popular one for good reason: it offers just about the best ergonomics around, and the N1 HD is all the better for following its lead.

You want multi-platform support
Although the N1 HD is primarily a Switch controller, it also works with PC and mobile devices, both wired and wirelessly.

Don't buy it if...

You have large hands
Despite its high levels of comfort, the overall form of the N1 HD is quite small, as are the sticks, triggers, and rear M buttons.

You want analog triggers
Despite being compatible with platforms other than the Switch, the N1 HD doesn’t have analog triggers, which won’t be ideal for certain games.

Also consider...

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
As one of the console’s official controllers, the Switch Pro Controller is unsurprisingly one of the best, offering more features and functionality than the stock Joy Con controllers. We found it comfortable to hold and were taken by its excellent D-pad. And although its original price is relatively high, it can often be found at a discount. Read our Nintendo Switch Pro Controller review.

8BitDo Ultimate
The 8BitDo Ultimate is our number pick as the best Switch controller, thanks to its great price, performance, feature set, and comfort levels. It also comes with its own charging dock, which is very convenient. However, unlike the N1 HD, there’s no NFC for Amiibo support, but this is about the only drawback. Read our 8BitDo Ultimate review.

How I tested the Mobapad N1 HD

Tested for several days
Used on Switch and PC
Plentiful gaming experience

I tested the N1 HD for several days, during which time I used it on Switch and PC, both wired and wirelessly. I tried to use it on two Android phones but failed to connect with either.

I played The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which provides a thorough test for any controller, given the demands it places on all manner of inputs, from the face buttons to the analog sticks and motion controls. On PC, I played Art of Rally to test the triggers and sticks, and Tekken 8, which is great for testing button responsiveness. On my Android phone I played Alien: Isolation and Asphalt Legends Unite.

I have been gaming for over 25 years, and during that time I have experienced a large number of controllers across a myriad of platforms. I play on consoles, including the Switch, as well as PC, both of which I use controllers with.

Read more about how we test
First reviewed January-February 2025

I wanted to love the new RIG M2 Streamstar, but this pricey gaming microphone fails to deliver

1:32 pm | March 26, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Comments: Off

RIG M2 Streamstar: One-minute review

The RIG M2 Streamstar is a baffling product. Despite being billed as a premium microphone for streamers and more general gaming, it’s about as simple as they come with plug-and-play functionality and no included software.

You just need to slot the included cable into a free USB port, select it as your preferred recording device in the likes of OBS or Audacity, and you’re ready to go in a matter of seconds.

This, on top of its impressively compact size, could make it a decent pick if you’re looking for a portable microphone that you can easily use with a gaming laptop to keep up with your streams when on the move.

Sadly, its actual feature set is highly limited with just a basic gain dial, mute functionality, and sidetone to play around with. On top of a standard 3.5mm headphone jack it does offer the option of Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity for that side tone monitoring, with Qualcomm aptX HD codec compatibility for 24-bit hi-res audio.

This is quite innovative, and the world's first in a wired microphone according to Nacon, but ultimately doesn’t seem like the most useful thing to have. It works very well and is extremely responsive overall with no noticeable delay, but I can’t imagine that most streamers wouldn’t already have a decent pair of wired gaming earbuds, or similar, on hand for microphone monitoring.

With a unique angular appearance, the design of the microphone is quite striking and refreshingly subtle for a gaming product and this helps set it apart. Unfortunately, though, the materials used feel disappointingly cheap for the price.

It’s plasticky in the hands, with flimsy dials that even wobble slightly while being turned. This is hard to stomach when you’re dealing with a $129.99 product and when countless other options all the way from the cheaper Blue Yeti and HyperX DuoCast to more expensive SteelSeries Alias are considerably more premium and better built.

As for the performance, it’s decent but nothing to write home about. The microphone offers a 24-bit resolution with sample rates of up to 192kHz, so is proper studio quality, but can sound rather muffled and is hard to position properly without a boom arm.

The lack of software also means nothing in the way of any substantial noise cancellation, so avoid this model unless you already have a quiet recording space or software solution in place.

The top of the RIG M2 Streamstar. — (Image credit: Future)

RIG M2 Streamstar: Price and availability

Priced at $129.99
Available via Amazon
Value is questionable

The RIG M2 Streamstar costs $129.99 and is available via Amazon in the US. This price puts it towards the more premium end of the market, but, beyond its 24-bit audio and 192kHz sample rate, it really doesn’t have much to show for it. The HyperX DuoCast is just one example of a cheaper competitor that benefits from a robust set of included software, great audio performance, and a more premium design.

As for more expensive options, the JBL Quantum Stream Studio and SteelSeries Alias offer significantly more features. Thnd play compatibility, plus more strong optioe JBL Quantum Stream Studio has a variety of pickup patterns to choose from, making it a better fit for many setups, and, again, some great software. As for the SteelSeries Alias, you get a comparatively luxurious design, equally good plug and play software.

The sample rate of the RIG M2 Streamstar is considerably higher than the competition though (with most models capping out at 48 or 96kHz), so might make that high cost a little easier to stomach if that’s important to you. There’s also the unique Bluetooth side tone functionality which, depending on your peripherals and setup, could prove useful and perhaps worth the price of admission.

RIG M2 Streamstar: Specs

RIG M2 Streamstar: Design and features

Unique look, but feels cheap
Very basic set of features
No included software

The RIG M2 Streamstar has quite an attractive design. The capsule has an angular shape, with a distinct blend of smooth rectangles and trapezoids. It looks almost futuristic and is very compact to boot, coming in at roughly 6.5in / 165mm tall when using its included stand.

The front of the microphone is dominated by a large metallic grille, which sits just above two dials. The top dial controls your headphone settings when a compatible pair is connected via the 3.5mm jack or Bluetooth. Twisting the dial increases or decreases the overall headphone volume, while pressing it once mutes the headset. Holding the button enables Bluetooth paring mode, indicated by a flashing ring light around the base of the button.

The other dial controls the microphone gain, though it’s a little tricky to adjust. It’s hard to tell your current level unless you’re using the side tone. Normally, I would simply boot up a microphone’s software to change my current settings to the precise level that I wanted - but as there isn’t any of that here you just need to do it by ear.

The lack of software also means that simple actions like enabling the side tone or changing the sample rate are convoluted and require you to fiddle around in your system settings. The included Quick Start Guide is filled with screenshots of an older version of the Windows sound settings tab, which makes it unhelpful for those on Windows 11. Simplicity is a good thing and I generally love plug-and-play functionality, but there comes a point where not having quick access to important settings is just annoying.

Pressing the gain dial quickly mutes the microphone, which is standard at this price but nevertheless a handy feature to have. Both dials are constructed from plastic and feel very cheap, even wobbling slightly when they’re being adjusted. The action of rotating the dial also leads to a lot of audible feedback, which is going to be a problem if you’re used to using a model where you can quickly adjust your settings on stream.

The included stand is basic and underwhelming, effectively a two-part lump of plastic with a rubberized underside that doesn't feel particularly sturdy and is held together by cheap screws. The microphone is compatible with most boom arms via a standard 5/8 thread though, which is good and gives you more options to work with.

One little detail I do appreciate is the fact that the microphone has a small plastic panel on its rear that is held in place by magnets and can be removed easily. This is intended to be a place where you can display your own branding, which is a cute and novel idea.

The dials and adjustments on the RIG M2 Streamstar. — (Image credit: Future)

RIG M2 Streamstar: Performance

Easy to get set up
Sounds good when properly positioned
Prone to background noise

The setup process is very easy, but I quickly found that the RIG M2 Streamstar tends to sound quite muffled unless you’re careful about positioning. I'm used to testing lots of different cardioid mics, but my usual spot just didn’t seem to work this time around. Instead, the microphone needed to be right below mouth in order to pick up speech reliably so it’s definitely worth investing in a boom arm if you don’t already have one.

Everything that I did manage to record once I found that position sounded good, at least. The high-fidelity recordings I produced in Audacity were very detailed and captured my voice well - at least when there wasn’t any background noise. On that note, the RIG M2 Streamstar picks up background noise easily, with everything from the click of my mouse to passing cars coming across in life-like detail.

This wouldn’t be an issue in a studio environment, but if you’re a streamer or content creator you’re going to need a separate software solution for noise cancellation in the likes of OBS. This isn’t the end of the world, but almost every gaming model from major brands at this price comes with its own noise-cancellation features out of the box.

The side tone features perform well when the microphone is connected to either a wired or wireless audio device. There’s no noticeable latency at all over Bluetooth, which is very impressive. I tested the microphone with a few different pairs of wireless headphones (both gaming and more general consumer models) and every model paired easily. As connected headphones can be used as audio output devices, this could double as a way to enable Bluetooth 5.4 audio on your PC if it doesn’t support it.

The base of the RIG M2 Streamstar. — (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the RIG M2 Streamstar?

Buy it if...

You want strong specs
The RIG M2 Streamstar has very strong specs on paper, boasting a leading 192kHz sample rate. It also has Bluetooth 5.2 support, with support for the low latency aptX HD codec.

You need a compact mic
The RIG M2 Streamstar is impressively small and could easily be used with a laptop when you’re on the go.

Don't buy it if...

You want a more premium design
There’s no avoiding the fact that this microphone just feels cheap for the price. If you shop around you can easily find models with more premium materials.

You rely on included software
The lack of software is also frustrating and could be problematic if you don’t already have your own solution set up.View Deal

Also consider...

After some other options? These two models give the RIG M2 Streamstar a run for its money.

HyperX DuoCast
The HyperX DuoCast is cheaper than the RIG M2 Streamstar but still sounds good out of the box. It offers one more polar pattern and a pleasing design with RGB lighting that would look great as part of any streamer’s setup.

For more information, check out our full HyperX DuoCast review

JBL Quantum Stream Studio
If you’re willing to pay a little bit more, you can get this high-end option from JBL. It’s got the same high 192 kHz sample rate, plus more pickup patterns and a robust suite of software to experiment with.

For more information, check out our full JBL Quantum Stream Studio review.

How I tested the RIG M2 Streamstar

Tested for a week
Compared to other gaming microphones
Used in a variety of scenarios and use cases

I tested the RIG M2 Streamstar for a week, putting it through its paces in a number of scenarios using my home PC with an RTX 3060, I5-11400F, and 32GB of RAM. This time included a number of work meetings and gaming sessions with friends, in addition to testing its compatibility with popular streaming software OBS. I also evaluated its audio quality with a number of recording tests, most notably recording several samples in Audacity in a variety of different conditions.

Throughout my time with the microphone I compared my experience with my hands-on testing of countless other models ranging all the way from reliable budget options such as the Blue Snowball to more premium alternatives like the Blue Yeti and Steelseries Alias and SteelSeries Alias Pro.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed March 2025.

I got absolutely destroyed by The First Berserker: Khazan’s bosses for hours on end and loved every second of it

6:00 pm | March 24, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: Dark Souls | Comments: Off

Billed as a ‘hardcore action RPG’ (role-playing game), The First Berserker: Khazan from developer Neople lives up to its description by offering a back-breaking, taxing, and demanding soulslike game that doesn’t ever let up, for better and for worse.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
Release date: March 27, 2025

With some impressive combat and progression tweaks to the genre’s formula mixed in, it also has some solid ideas of its own. Dozens of hours of content, optional side missions, and secrets to find are backed up by some excellent voice work - even if the narrative doesn’t quite match the performance quality.

However, for long-running Soulslike fans, The First Berserker: Khazan’s combat feels on par with Lies of P’s quality. We are now at a point in the genre where developers are able to make combat that is on par with FromSoftware’s work on the iconic Dark Souls series, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring, et al. What is even more impressive is that this is Neople’s first soulslike - and you can’t tell at all.

A screenshot from The First Berserker: Khazan — (Image credit: Neople)

A familiar formula

The setup of The First Berserker: Khazan is a familiar one for the genre. General Khazan wakes up after narrowly escaping death upon being branded a traitor and mercilessly tortured. Frail and weak, he stumbles upon an entity known as the Blade Phantom), providing him with grand, otherworldly powers, and allowing him to get back to his full strength.

On that journey, he will regain powers and abilities allowing him to use one of three weapon types while meeting a cast of characters that join him in a hub called The Crevice. They can upgrade his gear, improve his stats, and offer equipment to purchase, from weapons to armor pieces and your usual batch of consumables you can find in a soulslike game.

Khazan then journeys from level to level to seek revenge and become The First Berserker. While the game is set within the Dungeon & Fighter (DNF) universe, I have no experience with the other projects in it, but I found the story to be initially intriguing, offering impressive world design and great visuals and environments that grabbed me from the get-go.

It also helps that the voice performances from Ben Starr as Khazan and Anthony Hell as the Blade Phantom, the two main characters you are with for most of the game, are fantastic. The rest of the supporting cast, bosses, and human characters you fight are also just as good. Everyone here does the best they can with the writing which often underdelivers.

As the story goes on, the game piles on lore and terminology that makes it a bit hard to follow for newcomers. The world you are exploring and the rules of it just sort of become an amorphous blob of stuff interjected between each level and boss fight. I’m sure it's really cool for fans of the DNF universe to see their world brought to life in a way it never has been before, but The First Berserker: Khazan doesn’t do a great job of keeping new players invested in it past the first few hours.

A brutal battering

While I wasn’t thrilled by the story, the combat in The First Berserker: Khazan is just exquisite. No soulslike has challenged me this consistently since I got into the genre with Bloodborne. There are so many adjectives I could use to describe the combat’s difficulty but it is simply one of the hardest soulslikes I have ever played. However, I loved every second of getting slaughtered.

The First Berserker: Khazan is heavily reliant on blocking, parrying, and dodging at the right times to avoid attacks, with even one hit doing significant damage. Precise dodge timing is required and parry windows are even shorter. Missing these will also lower your stamina with each block as you take damage, leaving you vulnerable and unable to move for a few seconds as your stamina fully recovers. It is grueling and there aren’t ways to get around these requirements either, unless you opt for the easier difficulty mode which lessens the effects of a lot of these punishing mechanics. You can’t simply out-level a boss or area.

The game also doesn’t opt for the build flexibility and customization that many soulslikes do these days, instead letting you develop and deepen combat with the three main weapon types (dual blades, greatsword, and spear) as you play. As you kill enemies and bosses, you earn skill points that unlock abilities that you can activate that vary up a weapon's moveset, as well as other moves and passive bonuses that are imbued into the weapon once activated.

I opted for a Greatsword in my playthrough and that allowed me to unlock abilities such as Breakthrough which let me charge into an enemy push them back away from a group and then slam down. Other abilities like Inner Fury summoned an explosion underneath where I was standing, dealing area of effect damage to everyone around me acting as a stun, building up an enemy’s stun meter to land a Brutal Attack while they were immobilized. It also helped with crowd control.

Best bit

The best moment in The First Berserker: Khazan came after finally beating Maluca after almost six hours. The fight is one of the best spectacles in the game, and it is a huge challenge to overcome, requiring you to master almost every aspect of combat from managing your stamina, knowing when to stun him, and honing your parries to deflect quick sword combos.

Within the skill tree, there are also additional combat moves that you can seamlessly slot in between attacks, such as being able to use a charged heavy attack with some added reach after performing the first hit in a light combo or being able to guard as you charge your heavy attack. There is even a ranged Spear attack that you can use.

This is the first time I can remember a skill tree and traditional combat abilities working this well in soulslike and I loved the fluid, dynamic nature of fighting in The First Berserker: Khazan as I unlocked more skills with a weapon. There’s an exceptional flow I got into as i combined attacks and seamlessly interweaved moves that became addicting. It’s all supported by excellent sound design and music, with the clink of a parry and the swoosh of a perfect dodge being especially satisfying.

Of course, combat is nothing in a soulslike without enemies, and The First Berserker: Khazan has a wealth of them. Skeletons, humans, demons, dragons, and more litter the game’s 16 levels and many bonus missions. They all have a great, varied selection of attacks and I never had issues with struggling to understand which moves were being telegraphed. The only downside is there are a few too many brown and grey villages and areas where you fight these enemies, that lack the flair seen early on and towards the end of the game.

Bosses, however, are exceptional and always a spectacle. The way their attacks and the visual effects combine together to create grand, herculean challenges is an aspect of the game that never gets old. Each one also challenged me in entirely different ways, requiring different approaches almost every time and forcing me to adapt to new combat styles.

Endure and try to survive

However, the sheer amount of attacks to learn, the parry timing, and the damage these bosses do, combined with the demanding combat is a lot to endure. I spent several hours on every single boss, sometimes spending more than five hours trying to finish them off. For example, Aratra, a giant spider has a number of stabs and swipes it can perform with its legs, a few jumping grab attacks, as well as a charge that requires you to block half-a-dozen successive hits. It also can inflict poison with its attacks, forcing you to manage a poison meter at the same time.

Another boss Rangkus, offers a unique blend of both ranged crossbow atatcks and melee attacks, forcing you to adjust to his constantly shifting moveset that switches between the two styles. You not only have to block, parry, dodge, and close the gap on him, but you also need to manage your position in the arena to stay close to him, preventing him from doing his more punishing area of effect attacksor charged crossbow shots that are almost impossible to dodge.

The First Berserker: Khazan has some of the hardest bosses I’ve ever experienced in the genre because they all ask so much of the player. While it felt like being in the trenches in the moment, the exhilarating jubilation I felt after beating each one is a feeling I haven’t felt in the genre in a very long time. Combat is really quite exceptional and to have something of this quality come from a studio’s first soulslike game is impressive.

Ideas of its own

While The First Berserker: Khazan definitely borrows a lot from the games that came before it, there are a few interesting twists to the formula, most of which work. For example, you can actually provide larger damage and stamina recovery boosts to Khazan beyond the traditional five stat upgrades you get from the currency enemies drop. By finding Vengeance Points, you can boost these stats universally across the game’s levels which encourages you to explore thoroughly as there is a meaningful reward for doing so.

You can also perform similar upgrades by using items gained from the red enemy summons or spirits to boost your own summon, enhancing their damage and strength during boss fights, giving you a reason to actually fight them and invest in your summon if you want. Although the AI isn’t that great on your summon, they can be used as a punching bag for a boss to let you land some free hits.

There are also a lot of fun twists and optional bonus missions, such as fighting a boss again in a new form or exploring an area from a main level in a new way. There are also a few collectibles to find in these and the main missions that can provide a variety of extra bonuses, armor pieces, or gear. I really enjoyed doing these and chasing these items. Being encouraged to explore in this way for tangible rewards made the linear-level design more intriguing as I scoured every crevice for secrets.

The one area that the game offers a twist on the soulslike formula here - that doesn’t really work - is the amount of gear (weapon and armor) customisation options. You can craft gear, upgrade gear, rework attributes and stat bonuses on gear and entire gear sets, sell that gear for money and buy other gear, and even dismantle gear.

It’s a lot of ways to use your unwanted items, but I never felt the need to engage with any of them meaningfully. I was still just using everything I obtained while exploring and making use of gear sets and the bonuses granted by them. I never felt a need to actually think about crafting a gear set or dismantling gear to save up for a specific item from the blacksmith. It largely just feels tacked on because I got so much gear as I was playing.

Should you play The First Beserker: Khazan?

Play it if...

You're a veteran of the genre and looking for a challenging Soulslike
The First Berserker: Khazan is one of the most demanding soulslikes in the genre. There is little room to make mistakes in a fight and you will need to perfect your ability usage, dodges, and parries to survive against tougher enemies and beat bosses.

You're a fan of the Dungeon & Fighter (DNF) universe and keen to see it realized in a whole new way
This is the first big-budget triple-A action RPG in the universe and it offers a brand new way for fans to see the world they love come to life. It also has robust mechanics and gameplay to support that world-building and lore.

Don't play it if...

You're looking for an accessible and approachable soulslike with a lot of flexibility
The First Berserker: Khazan offers no meaningful accessibility options or gameplay adjustments besides an easier difficulty. However, once you choose that difficulty, you can’t bump it back up to normal. Additionally, you have to learn how to parry, dodge, and master almost every core combat mechanic, you can’t find easy workarounds or broken builds here.

You're looking for a narrative-driven soulslike with an easy-to-follow, quality storyline
Despite some great voice work, the writing and storyline here aren’t anything you haven’t seen before in the genre or other action games. It’s a by-the-numbers revenge tale and the writing often lets down the amazing performances. It’s also hard to follow for newcomers to the DNF universe.

Accessibility features

The First Berserker: Khazan includes aim assist for ranged weapons and an easy difficulty for those who are finding the combat too challenging. However, once you choose easy difficulty, you can’t change the difficulty back to normal, and the game doesn’t have any fine-tuning options for combat such as adjusting the parry window. The combat also doesn’t have much wiggle room to make things easier with upgrades and you can’t customize button mappings outside of the two default templates.

There are also no options for people who are colorblind, visually impaired, deaf, or have motor and reaction time problems besides some very minor adjustments such as hold to sprint, turning screen shake off, and basic subtitle options.

How I reviewed The First Berserker: Khazan

I played The First Berserker: Khazan for 30 hours completing the majority of the game’s main missions and finishing most of the side content. I played the game mostly in performance mode on PS5 with a DualSense Edge PS5 controller on a Gigabyte M28U gaming monitor and using SteelSeries Arena 3 computer speakers.

The First Berserker: Khazan tested me in much the same way Bloodborne did when I tried the genre in 2015. Since that year I have played almost every game in the genre including Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Elden Ring, Demon’s Souls, Lies of P, The Surge, Lords of the Fallen, Ashen, Darksiders 3, and more.

First reviewed March 2025.

The Acer Nitro NGR300 is hard to recommend today thanks to its reliance on AA batteries and complete lack of console compatibility

3:00 pm | March 23, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: AA, Final Fantasy, PC | Comments: Off

Acer Nitro NGR300: One-minute review

This is going to be a quick one because there just isn’t much to say about the Acer Nitro NGR300. As a PC and mobile controller, it probably would’ve made a decent purchase had it been released close to a decade ago. Around that time, there was much less in the way of wireless controller options, and they didn’t nearly have the feature sets we take for granted today.

At face value, it isn’t a horrible controller. I quite like its aesthetic, and it performs perfectly well while gaming - feeling responsive whether you’re wired via USB-C or wireless via Bluetooth. A word of warning, though; Bluetooth is the only wireless option here, so you may need to source a Bluetooth adapter separately in the case your setup doesn't have it built in.

In 2025, however, there isn’t much of a reason to purchase the Acer Nitro NGR300. And perhaps the brand knows this, too, as it only seems to be available in the UK (at least at the time of writing). When it comes to the best PC controllers, there are so many options that cost the same or are cheaper than the Nitro - while simultaneously offering contemporary features like Hall effect sticks, 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, and more.

Acer Nitro NGR300: Price and availability

List price: £49.99
Limited to UK-only availability
There are cheaper options available with more features

Much like the Acer Predator controller, the Acer Nitro NGR300 only appears to be available in the UK. However, it’s £20 cheaper than the Predator, coming in at £49.99. If you’re purchasing from abroad, you’re looking at roughly $64.99 / AU$100. The trade-off here is that the Nitro lacks the 2.4GHz connectivity and Nintendo Switch compatibility of its counterpart.

That being said, it’s still very difficult to recommend the Nitro when competing models like the GameSir T4 Kaleid ($41.99 / £41.99) and the 8BitDo Ultimate C Bluetooth controller ($29.99 / £24.99) come in much cheaper. With these, you’re also getting more features. In the Kaleid’s case, you’ve got drift-resistant Hall effect sticks and tactile microswitch buttons. For the Ultimate C, while lacking Hall effect, it makes up for it with 2.4GHz connectivity and Nintendo Switch compatibility as well as PC and mobile.

Acer Nitro NGR300: Specs

Acer Nitro NGR300: Design and features

Simple, yet cool look
Cheap-feeling build quality
Turbo button function works as you’d expect

I do quite like the look of the Acer Nitro NGR300. While certainly an understated design, the subtly textured pattern bearing the ‘Nitro’ emblem is a really nice touch. Acer clearly knows how to do a lot with a little when it comes to overall looks, and it’s easily my favorite thing about this gamepad.

That’s about where the positives end when it comes to design and features, sadly. Overall build quality feels cheap and overly plasticky; a letdown even with that relatively budget-friendly price tag.

Sticks and face buttons both feel solid, in fairness, but I’m not at all a fan of the incredibly mushy D-pad that leads to some imprecise inputs. The bumpers and triggers are also relatively wide, with the latter also feeling quite listless when pressed.

The standout feature here is certainly the dedicated Turbo button. If you’ve used the feature on other controllers - which lets you assign a button to hold for continuous inputs - then it’s the same here. It’s certainly handy for old-school beat ‘em ups and action RPGs (role-playing games), but by no means is it the unique selling point it may have been all those years ago.

Acer Nitro NGR300: Performance

Performs adequately in both wired and wireless modes
It’s a Bluetooth controller, but it’s not compatible with Switch
Relies on AA batteries for wireless play

Once more, there’s not much to write home about in terms of performance with the Acer Nitro NGR300. As a standard controller experience, it is comparable to similarly basic pads like the Xbox Wireless Controller, albeit lacking the strong comfort factor of that model.

In my testing, which included PC and mobile games like Final Fantasy 14 Online, RoboCop: Rogue City, and Zenless Zone Zero, I found the Nitro to be perfectly suitable for a variety of genres. It was also impressively responsive when used wirelessly over Bluetooth connection on mobile. I’d still argue that the best mobile controllers are better suited to gaming on the go, but the Nitro is serviceable in this regard.

The big sticking point for me - besides the lack of 2.4GHz connectivity - is that the Nitro relies on AA batteries for power. While not entirely unheard of in the present day (it’s also the default option for the Xbox Wireless Controller), I much prefer having a built-in battery that can charge up via USB-C.

Acer claims you’ll get up to 25 hours of battery life (as it did with the Predator), but this will naturally vary depending on the brand. With the included Energizer batteries, I managed to get around 15-20 hours of play.

Should I buy the Acer Nitro NGR300?

Buy it if...

You have an abundance of AA batteries lying around
On average, the Nitro’s battery life is actually quite decent, lasting longer than some models including the 8BitDo Ultimate C. If you regularly use AA batteries for various devices and have a lot of them, then the Acer Nitro is a decent pickup.

Don't buy it if...

You’d prefer a controller with more modern features
The Acer Nitro lacks several features we take for granted today, such as Hall effect sticks, remappable buttons, Switch / console compatibility, a built-in charging solution, or 2.4GHz connectivity.

Also consider...

Not sold on the Acer Nitro NGR300? There are at least a couple of better and more affordable alternatives out there, such as…

Horipad Turbo
A solid alternative to the Acer Nitro that offers most of its features for less. You’re getting a Turbo button here and, while not wireless, has Nintendo Switch compatibility and comes in a range of fun designs.

Read our full Horipad Turbo review

GameSir Nova Lite
Simply one of the best budget controllers on the market today. The Nova Lite offers a range of connection types as well as Hall effect thumbsticks, a beautiful design and Switch compatibility alongside mobile and PC.

Read our full GameSir Nova Lite review

How I tested the Acer Nitro NGR300

Tested for 15-20 hours (the time it took for the AA batteries to run out of juice)
Tested across PC and mobile games
Compared to the GameSir Nova Lite and Horipad Turbo

I tested the Acer Nitro NGR300 controller over a period of about 15-20 hours in total, after which the included Energizer AA batteries ran out. I primarily played on PC, which is its primary platform, having been unable to connect the controller to my Nintendo Switch. That said, Acer does not list the Switch as a supported platform, but as a Bluetooth device, I figured it was worth a try.

I compared my time with the Acer Nitro to that of its companion controller, the Acer Predator, as well as the GameSir Nova Lite and Horipad Turbo - all three of which I ended up preferring over this model. That’s due to a range of factors, including better features, compatibility, and connectivity options being available in the competition.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed March 2025

Whether on your desk or in a racing rig, the Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel will satisfy your craving for realistic racing

5:00 pm | March 22, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: PC | Comments: Off

Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel: One-minute review

The Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel is an officially licensed, direct drive, 11Nm force feedback-enabled racing wheel that comes in variants compatible with Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC. For this review, I've been testing the PlayStation model.

Designed for serious sim racing, it combines extreme analog fidelity with rock-solid build quality and easy-to-reach button placement compared to the previous model, the Logitech G923. In use, the experience is enhanced through mechanical feedback not just from your virtual wheels, but from your engine too, thanks to Logitech's Trueforce technology, absolutely transforming games like Gran Turismo 7 and EA Sports WRC.

The wheel is not compatible with every racing game, and while it does feature a G923 compatibility mode for slightly older games, it can still be a pain getting it to work properly with PC games like rFactor 2. What isn't a pain, however, is setting it up for console play, with supreme plug-and-play simplicity on PS5, boosted further by an excellent attachable desk clamp for those lacking a full sim rig.

With gorgeous build quality, noticeably quiet running, and thumb-risking force feedback strength, this is a recommended solution for a console sim racer, just as long as you've got pockets deep enough to at least get the Pro pedals with it.

Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel for PlayStation — (Image credit: Future)

Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel: Price and availability

List price: $999.99 / £999.99 / AU$1,799.95
A PC-only version is available for $749.99 / £799 (around AU$1,630)
Logitech offers regional discounts when bundled with related products

The Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel has been available since September 21, 2022, costing a shade under $1,000 / £1,000, and that's just for the wheel alone. You'll need to pair it with the Pro Racing Pedals for about $350 / £350, plus you might need a sequential shifter and/or handbrake too (plus a frame to mount it all to) if you're really serious about sim racing. However, while all direct drive wheels are expensive, Logitech's force feedback here is noticeably stronger and has greater fidelity than, for instance, MOZA's PC-only, entry-level DD offering, which offers 5Nm for the base model.

Logitech's baby is also cheaper than Fanatec's flagship DD wheelbase, the Podium Wheel. You could also argue nobody really needs 25Nm of torque like Fanatec offers; 5Nm is plenty for a good racing feel, and the Logitech Pro Racing Wheel offers more than double that, at 11Nm, as well as advanced features like a quick-release system for changing wheel rims and a small built-in screen for adjusting wheel settings on the fly. So while it doesn't have the physical grunt of the best on the market, it's more than enough for what you'll need and the build quality and realistic feedback are worthy of the price, even if it would be more of a no-brainer if it were some £200 / $200 cheaper.

Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel: Specs

Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel: Design and features

New 'thumb sweep' button orientation
Two dials plus left digital thumbstick
Modular design for desk clamp

The wheel rim itself is not dissimilar to the outgoing G923 it replaces, however the button placement has been optimized. X and Triangle are a little bit of a stretch with your thumb tips when the wheel is held in the racing style 9 o'clock / 3 o'clock position, but L2 and R2 are easily reachable.

The share and menu buttons don't require your hands to leave the wheel to reach them, though they are tucked down further. They also flank the two dials, which are placed 90 degrees to each other, so one is best used with your left hand's fingers, while the other is best used with your right thumb. Both dials click in as additional 'push' buttons you can map in-game.

A particular standout feature is the removable logo plate at the bottom of the wheelbase, which can be replaced with the included desk clamp. Not all high-end sim racing wheels come with a desk clamp, but with the addition of two protruding flat-edged sections of plastic, the wheelbase grips any desk remarkably well.

So well, in fact, you can easily dial up the force feedback without any risk of it coming away and flapping about, destroying your desk and/or computer. It's very solid and an absolute joy to use with pedals under the desk, backed up against the wall so they don't skid as you fight against the loadcell brake pedal to get your car stopped for a hairpin.

In terms of comfort, the stitching on the rim does feel rough against your thumbs, especially when you've spent hours rallying with the force feedback strength turned up. Expect red palms and calluses if you're planning to fight the car through stages for hours. That aside, the wheel is a good size, feels like a premium product, and those magnetic shifters look, feel, and sound great.

You may be interested in getting a different rim (the wheel part you hold) at some point in the future because the included rim is a little plain compared to Fanatec's McLaren GT3 wheel, or Thrustmaster's Ferrari SF1000, for example, the latter of which features a large, full-color display in its center.

This Logitech wheel doesn't even have any lights on the rim itself, let alone a screen for data. It's just a high-quality steering wheel with great control layout and feel. Logitech does have more rims coming to take advantage of that quick-release system, but nothing obviously electronics-heavy has been shown yet.

Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel: Performance

Surprisingly quiet operation
Super smooth force feedback
Incredibly low latency

If you've used strong force feedback wheels in the past, you might be used to quite a lot of noise from the motor and the fans. However, neither phenomenon is exhibited here. There is a fan inside to keep the feedback motor cool, and naturally, that will be needed the longer you use it and the higher the strength is set. But it wasn't noticeable at any point of my playtest, and you're not blasted with weird-smelling air like you are with some other wheelbases, which is very welcome.

As for the force feedback itself, you don't get the 'cogging' feeling of a belt-driven system where the teeth connect unevenly with the belt; instead, you simply feel strong forces pulling against your hands. It's brilliantly done. Trundle down a straight and you'll feel the slight grain of the asphalt, drive down a muddy lane and you'll feel every bump. And hitting a high curb gives you a real kickback through your hands.

But perhaps the best use of the feedback tech is how it feels to rev your rally car on the startline of EA Sports WRC. You'll swear there's an engine under your palms. It's beautifully done.

But what also stands out is just how responsive it all is. Waggle the steering wheel and your on-screen hands match your movements incredibly quickly, looking like 1:1 movement in some situations, with just the merest hint of latency if you see-saw the wheel quickly while using a PC monitor.

It's among the best I've ever seen and feels ultra-responsive as a result. Logitech's Trueforce technology makes supported games feel remarkable just to feel the car in motion, even when you're not turning.

There really isn't much more the wheel could do to make you feel like you're in contact with a real road. It's superb. And if you find these environmental effects too bitty, there are smoothing options and most games even let you reduce or disable track effects. However you want your racing to feel, it can likely be done with this wheel.

Should I buy the Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel?

Buy it if...

You play serious racing games but prefer to do it on console
If you just want the absolute best-feeling console racing experience and balk at PC gaming's tendency towards tinkering, this is absolutely for you. It just works brilliantly.

You don't have a racing seat/frame so need to mount your wheel to a desk
The included desk clamp and base design is so good, that it arguably feels as good as a bucket seat frame rig if you're in a comfortable office chair.

Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget
This is seriously expensive stuff and don't forget you need to buy the pedals too. Cheaper wheels do offer force feedback effects that push against your hands as you bump into cars etc. so you don't need to spend as much as the price of a real-life second-hand car.

You want to buy just one wheel for all your consoles
This wheel only comes in PlayStation/PC, Xbox/PC, or PC-only flavors. You can't just use a different rim for Xbox like you can with some other brands' PlayStation wheelbases, like Fanatec.

Also consider...

Not sure whether you should drop so much on a flagship wheel? Here’s how it compares to two cheaper, but still great alternatives.

Thrustmaster T598
This Thrustmaster wheel is compatible with PS5/PS4 and PC and is the current best entry point into direct drive sim racing on console. 5Nm is often said to be the sweet spot for force feedback strength, so while it isn't as strong as others on the market, the smooth, 'cogless' feel of this wheel provides a similar experience but at about half the price. It is comparatively plasticky, but if you want premium materials, you'll need to pay a premium price.

For more information, read our full Thrustmaster T598 review

Logitech G923
This is a great alternative for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 gamers because it's so much cheaper - and even comes with decent pedals - yet still features Logitech's TrueForce technology. It isn't Direct Drive, however, and the comparatively paltry 2.3Nm of force isn't going to jump out of your hands through brute strength, but even so you will enjoy a precise and dynamic sim racing experience without breaking the bank.

For more information, read our full Logitech G923 review

How I tested the Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel for PlayStation

100% completed My First Gran Turismo and played several other racing sims on PS5
Moved over to PC to test rFactor 2, Dirt Rally 2.0, Project CARS 3 and more
Played with an at-desk clamp and monitor setup, and also a full racing seat frame with Viewsonic ultra-wide gaming monitor

I tested the Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel for a week across several racing sims on PS5 and PC, including EA Sports WRC, F1 23 and F1 24, Dirt Rally 2.0, Gran Turismo 7, My First Gran Turismo, and rFactor 2, among others. Completing My First Gran Turismo from scratch to 100% was an absolute blast since you can feel everything the car is doing.

I mounted the wheel to a racing seat and played using a ViewSonic VP3881A 38-inch IPS WQHD+ ultrawide monitor for wonderfully immersive PC racing. I also mounted it to a desk and played on a 32-inch 4K Samsung R550UQP monitor using a launch model PS5, as well as with a Dell Nvidia RTX 2070-enabled gaming laptop.

I also tried playing less serious games like Disney Speedstorm (which didn't recognize the wheel at all on PS5) and the amazing New Star GP, which you can drive to some extent, but can't do the pit stops since the left stick isn't analog. But the most fun of all was undoubtedly EA Sports WRC on PS5, which feels like it was made specifically for this wheel.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed March 2025

Competitive shooter Fragpunk wowed me with its game-changing Shard Cards, but I can’t stand the aggressive monetization

8:22 pm | March 21, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: Team Fortress | Comments: Off

In the crowded competitive shooter market, Fragpunk is a breath of fresh air. This is a more casual first-person shooter (FPS) than the likes of Counter-Strike 2 or Valorant, geared towards generating quick bursts of adrenaline-fueled fun rather than forcing you to contend with any particularly complex strategy.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PC
Available on: PC (Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PS5 TBC)
Release date: March 6, 2025

This is a blessing and a curse, as it leads to snappy matches that are a blast in its flagship casual mode but often leaves things feeling frustratingly random in a proper competitive format. This wouldn't necessarily be a deal-breaker for those players who prefer to keep things relaxed, but there are other issues that drag the experience down.

Card counter strike

Getting a headshot in Fragpunk.

(Image credit: Bad Guitar Studio)

If you’ve ever played a match of Counter-Strike, then you’ll know roughly what to expect here as Fragpunk follows the same kind of format. Two teams of five players face off in multiple rounds, with the attacking side seeking to place a converter (read: bomb) at a designated site on the map. For the defenders, the goal is to prevent it from going off at all costs - usually by killing the entire enemy team before it’s placed or defusing it at the last moment.

Sides swap at half time, with the first team to win four rounds crowned the victor. So far nothing special, but developer Bad Guitar Studio mixes things up through its marquee addition: Shard Cards. These are powerful buffs that can fundamentally change how each game plays out.

In the standard Shard Clash mode, both teams are offered a selection of three random cards between rounds. To activate a card, the team needs to spend a certain number of Shard Points which are awarded to each player depending on their performance in the match. As the most powerful cards often require five or so points to activate, multiple players will need to pick them in order to reap the benefits - a clever way to reward more closely coordinated teams.

The effects of each shard card vary massively, opening the door to loads of exciting gameplay possibilities. Some of my personal favorites include one that hilariously teleports damaged foes back to their spawn point and another that covers the entire map in snow and ice - causing both teams to slide around chaotically.

Of course, I can't help but also mention a card that allows your team to lay eggs, yes eggs, by crouching for a few seconds and then consume them for a quick health boost. Is this the kind of randomness that you would want to decide a tight competitive match? Absolutely not, but it’s a blast if you’re not taking things seriously.

Who needs balance, anyway?

A screenshot of a character in FragPunk on PC. — (Image credit: Bad Guitar Studio)

If the Shard Cards weren’t enough, Fragpunk also features thirteen hero-like Lancers with their own special abilities. Each character has three and they range all the way from borderline useless (I’m looking at Corona’s underwhelming dash and Jaguar’s puny electric traps here) to completely overpowered. There are even multiple characters that can turn nearly invisible, letting you get behind the enemy team in seconds.

I favored the ancient undead mummy Serket for this purpose, as she can scout out nearby enemies as a hard-to-see beacon before teleporting to it in a flash. In her cloaked state enemies are displayed as these vague tornadoes, presumably to conceal which way they’re facing so it’s a little harder to appear right next to them undetected, though I am still routinely able to wipe out three or four players from the rear without much opposition.

Best bit

Shard Cards in Fragpunk. — (Image credit: Bad Guitar Studio)

The Shard Cards are definitely the best part of Fragpunk. On top of those that I’ve mentioned elsewhere, I love the one that makes enemy heads gigantic for easy headshots and another that gives your team a double jump.

The character Broker then boasts a one-hit rocket launcher, while Hollowpoint has a super powerful sniper rifle that can be summoned with the click of a button. Every Lancer has an eye-catching design, which shines thanks to the cartoony cel-shaded art-style, and given the sheer breadth of themes they embody there’s going to be at least one that mechanically or aesthetically appeals to you.

Unfortunately, the Lancers do bring the game’s dire monetization to the fore. Outside of the small handful that you start with, they cost about $5 / £4 worth of Fragpunk Coins - the most valuable of the three in-game currencies - each. You can buy them with the more common Gold too, but they’re incredibly expensive and would take weeks, if not months, of grinding to obtain. Some of the strongest characters are locked behind this paywall, which leaves a bit of a sour taste.

Worse still, almost every part of the main menu seems like it's trying to sell you something and is clogged with endless tabs talking about events, challenges, bonuses, limited-time store offers, and more. This is on top of a pushy subscription service (which gives you monthly bonuses and access to every Lancer as long as you’re subscribed) and two types of battle pass, though I can’t really complain about the latter as it’s reasonably priced and has a decent number of rewards.

Not here for the long haul

Weapon customization in Fragpunk. — (Image credit: Bad Guitar Studio)

The selection of maps here is solid, but none particularly stand out in terms of layout or theme, and the weapons are broadly fine in design terms. There’s definitely some more balancing work to be done between the nine weapon categories, though, as the two submachine guns and assault rifles seem disproportionately powerful.

There’s practically no reason not to use them, as they excel at seemingly any range. In contrast, the marksman weapons (a middle point between assault rifles and sniper rifles) are pathetically weak and, as a result, almost never seen in matches. Still, this could be easily remedied with a few patches.

Less simple to fix are the arcade modes, which are generally poor. The likes of Free for All and Sniper Deathmatch are completely uninspired and the bizarre Outbreak mode (the game’s take on Halo’s thrilling Infection) is comically badly designed. Every match that I played devolved into the human team camping in the same handful of impenetrable corners, leaving the zombie side unable to do much more than wait for the match timer to tick down to zero. It’s not remotely fun for either group and I’m already noticing queue times increasing, presumably as other players begin to realize this.

This all leads to an online game that can be a delight at time but fails to deliver a well-rounded experience. As it’s a free-to-play game I’d still recommend checking out Fragpunk if you’re a fan of the genre and want a few hours of entertainment, especially if you have a few friends willing to squad up, but I doubt that it’s going to become an FPS staple in the years ahead.

Should I play Fragpunk?

A Shard Card being activated in Fragpunk. — (Image credit: Bad Guitar Studio)

Play it if…

You want a more casual shooter
Fragpunk is often bizarre and, on the whole, is very approachable. This makes it a good casual alternative to the likes of Counter-Strike 2 or Valorant.

You enjoy silly abilities
If you love experimenting with weird and wonderful abilities, then Fragpunk is for you. There are loads of Lancers to try, plus a huge number of impactful Shard Cards.

Don’t play it if…

You’re a competitive fan
If you live for serious competition, then Fragpunk is best avoided. Matches can be dictated by cards entirely outside of your control and many Lancers are very unbalanced.

You want to live the side modes
The selection of Arcade modes in Fragpunk is a letdown. If you’re looking for that kind of experience, you’re better off with the likes of Overwatch 2.View Deal

Accessibility

There are few accessibility features in Fragpunk and no dedicated accessibility menu. The game can be played with either keyboard and mouse or a controller. It also offers a dedicated colorblind mode and the ability to tweak the appearance of important colors in the settings menu.

How I reviewed Fragpunk

I played Fragpunk for over 15 hours on PC, using my desktop computer with an Nvidia RTX 3060, 32GB of RAM, and an Intel Core I5-11400F. I relied on an Asus ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition mouse, plus an Endgame Gear KB65HE keyboard. For display output, I used a Sony Inzone M9 II monitor.

Throughout my time with the game I directly compared my experience to my thousands of hours of playtime in other competitive shooters, namely Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant. I also considered the likes of Overwatch, Overwatch 2, and Team Fortress 2 given the conceptual similarity between Fragpunk's Lancers and the heroes of those games.

First reviewed March 2025

I survived Atomfall’s testing countryside and became an ethically murky mercenary

5:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Comments: Off

In Atomfall, you play as a total unknown, risen from a bunker and confronted by a bleeding scientist begging for help. Whether you assist them or not is up to you, but what’s important to know is that you’re in the Windscale Atom Zone, you shouldn’t be here, and ‘it’s all gone wrong’.

One more thing, actually, is that the only way out is through the ‘Interchange’... whatever that is. Armed with a keycard and literally nothing else, you emerge from the dingy, dilapidated bunker into a gorgeous world flush with as many blooming flowers as there are gun-toting lunatics.

From this point on, the choice of where you go is entirely up to you, the only obstacle in your way being how long you can stay alive. Decisions make up most of Atomfall, an intriguing role-playing game (RPG) that takes cues from Bethesda’s beloved Fallout series. It dances between enthralling and frustrating, but all told, Atomfall is a hilarious jaunt through rural Britain that begs the question – why aren’t more survival games set in the north?

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Release date: March 24, 2025

On my journey out of the bunker, I opted for a conflict-averse route, trailing past a ringing telephone booth and down toward the central plot point on the horizon: a dangerous-looking power plant featuring a plume of swirling purple around it. Down the country lane, I came upon a ginger bearded straggler, Nat, who generously caught me up on the town gossip.

Between bouts of endearing slang, Nat explains that the ‘boffins’ are all gone after an incident at the plant and that all that remains are loons and outlaws. Before taking my leave, Nat offered me one more piece of information: there’s a trader down the way who could help me find some survival goods.

Chasing leads is a major part of Atomfall's semi-apocalyptic gameplay loop. In place of specific missions or levels, your job is to chinwag with as many willing non-player characters (NPCs) as possible to find clues about what is happening and who you could be.

The other half of your time is spent managing your heart rate as you bludgeon strangers and loot as much ammunition, bandages, and cornish pasties as your inventory will allow. It’s a simple set-up that’s surprisingly challenging, with essential items like cloth and gunpowder appearing sparsely across the map, limiting your ammo and healing supplies.

Thankfully, if you did want to make things slightly more beginner-friendly, Atomfall’s comprehensively customizable difficulty options allow you to tweak specific gameplay aspects like item drop rates and NPC aggro into a specific ‘playstyle’.

Knackered and afraid

There is a series of central districts to explore as you wander across Atomfall’s approachably sized map, with pathways connecting each area. Some are clear to find and appear as menacing metal doors, while others are obscured and hidden within cave systems, or behind enemy lines.

You can crawl under broken doors, vault over fences and windows, and squeeze between cracked cement blocks in search of new spots, and I was impressed by how vulnerable I felt while trying to navigate the claustrophobic housing clusters, ruins, and mines. I certainly didn’t explore every nook and cranny in my campaign, but the shortcuts I earned soon became a blessing, aiding with the fatigue of sprinting between one district to get to another.

On its recommended difficulty setting, Atomfall’s map doesn’t add specific waypoints when you pick up leads to follow and instead requires you to discern your next move with the information at hand. Some folks will help you orienteer, but for the most part, it’s you and your sense of direction.

At first, this fed into my decision anxiety, and I wasn’t sure where to turn, though soon enough, I let my intuition take the wheel, dashing through fields, flashing my sickle at anyone who looked at me the wrong way and getting into a few heavy-handed scraps. It’s a refreshing approach to exploration that leads to many thrilling encounters, far from the typical hand-holding we’ve come to expect in contemporary RPGs.

As you chart Atomfall’s major districts you’ll come face-to-face with the factions that ultimately come to define your experience in this morally-murky playground. There’s the brutish British infantry known as Protocol, the heretic-hating Druids, and vicious, Droog-like Outlaws. In the wild, you can also find curious outliers like trapped scientists, rogue traders, stately poshos and infected monsters who all have their own prerogatives, the last one being your brains.

Unfortunately, Atomfall’s narrative isn’t nearly as thorough as Fallout: New Vegas and the questions it lays up don’t all have satisfying answers. But there are still tough — if not a little predictable – decisions to be made in its endgame. Best of all, the lead ensemble of NPCs is a memorable bunch who approach this imagination-stoking situation with challenging perspectives, colored in with witty dialogue.

Best bit: Not elementary, my dear Watson

Progressing in Atomfall isn’t just about firepower. To move forward, you’ll also have to dust off your best deerstalker and investigate the motivations behind the various factions that litter the broken British landscape. Alongside conversing with the straight-faced locals, you can pilfer their belongings and find secret notes that allude to their true feelings, summoning campaign-changing leads that are worth following up on. You can also shoot first and ask questions later, of course – just be sure not to take everything at face value.

Atomfall hides a creative post-currency trading system between its complex moral figureheads. Instead of trawling the dales for pounds and pennies, the items you collect accrue a ‘weight’ that can be counterbalanced with another trader’s goods.

Bread isn’t as valuable as a gun, and you’ll need quite a few baker's dozens to earn one. While personally, I think bread is more valuable than a weapon, the process helped to push me into the wilds in search of better bits and bobs — and inevitably into mysterious, illuminating outposts, I would have never found otherwise.

Alas, if bartering doesn’t tickle your fancy, there’s also a crafting system where you can turn the objects you find into functional parts and subsist that way. With plenty of systems at play and a small-but-handy skill tree, I soon felt as if I was tailoring my playthrough as I went, and would find it hard to replicate in another playthrough. Ultimately, Atomfall’s greatest strength is how it makes following your nose so consistently alluring.

An early screenshot of Atomfall. — (Image credit: Rebellion)

Fighting words

Yet despite all the engaging interactions with leaders and citizens, Atomfall’s more limited gameplay suite can shatter some of the immersion. For example, I could go into the pub and chat with the owner about trading. Then, walk behind him, steal his stuff, and sell it back to him, no questions asked.

Certain areas are restricted, signified by a ‘Trespassing’ graphic at the top of the screen. However, the distinction felt at odds with my actions—Why was I more likely to get punished for robbing an empty house than a town hall in front of a military captain?

At one point, I tested the boundaries by killing a soldier in the light of day. With no comrades around, I silently took him out and fled the scene briefly. Upon my return, it appeared nothing had changed, with soldiers spouting the same few lines as if one of them hadn’t been murdered.

The captain didn’t seem bothered, either. Beyond the major and often-material impact of major decisions (as well as a few tannoy announcements), I didn’t get the moment-to-moment sense that anyone was all that aware of my plots and schemes, or who I was planning to betray for the narrative I wanted.

And while Atomfall’s combat is appropriately desperate, it’s also a bit janky and lethargic, lacking a few conventional coats of polish. Particularly, the enemy AI is aberrant, and will often react in an unusual manner that can shut down your dreams of a rewarding stealthy infiltration. Lacklustre platforming also takes the wind out of the game’s sails, with what may feel like simple maneuvers often taking a few tries.

Despite these limitations, Atomfall does well to keep you on your toes with enemy-shaped speedbumps (read: massive robots) and some slick side quests. There were also plenty of instances where I felt frustrated enough to want to put down the controller before I realized the solution could be much simpler if I approached it from a different angle.

At its best, there are shades of a deeper RPG here, but it doesn’t quite have the mechanical backing to fulfill this proposal. Even so, while the systemic scope of Atomfall isn’t massive, the small world it conjures feels rich and full all the way to its atmospheric finale – or at least the atmospheric finale I chose.

Should you play Atomfall?

Play it if...

You love a northern British accent
While many games on the market opt for the BBC British accent, Atomfall leans hard into its Cumbrian setting, providing a variety of accents – beyond British alone – that are a joy to hear.

You want to experience a British post-apocalypse
Technically, Atomfall is a localized event rather than a full-blown apocalypse. Still, seeing a world-shattering event set around the Cumbrian dales is a rare experience that Rebellion does well to imagine.

Don't play it if...

You want fine-tuned gameplay
An intriguing premise does well to paste over the sharper edges of Atomfall’s combat and platforming, which are both fairly mediocre.

Accessibility

You can alter your accessibility settings from the pause menu anytime while playing Atomfall. There are multiple options to tweak your playstyle including combat, survival, and exploration. Each option can be toggled between Assisted, Casual, Challenging, and Intense. Combat impacts the enemy aggression and spawn numbers, Survival affects how frequently loot drops and how generous trading is, and Exploration affects your map and traversal options.

You can toggle how frequently you would like the game to autosave, as well as manually save at any point from the pause menu. From the Gameplay submenu in settings, you can also toggle on Pause Game in Menus to ensure you won’t get into trouble when looking at your inventory or the map.

Where combat is concerned, players can toggle on Melee and Aim Assist, Snap Aiming, and Automatic Fire and Reload. There are also sliders to control Aim, Look, and Hip Fire sensitivity from the Control submenu of the setting. From here you can also switch the controller vibration and adaptive triggers on or off.

For audio, there are multiple sliders to control specific streams of audio such as background SFX and Music. Plus for subtitles, you can change the subtitle color, speaker color, and subtitle box opacity to suit your preferences.

How I reviewed Atomfall

I completed Atomfall’s main story on PlayStation 5 in approximately sixteen hours and experienced two of its multiple endings. I teamed my PS5 console with an AOC 27-inch QHD VA 144Hz gaming monitor, a regular DualSense controller, and external Creative Pebble V2 computer speakers.

First reviewed March 2025

The Thrustmaster Sol-R breaks free from Earth’s atmosphere in style, with a fantastic stick for space fans

9:00 pm | March 19, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: PC, RTX | Comments: Off

One-minute review

Thrustmaster is arguably at the top of its game when it comes to flight sticks, so it’s perhaps not all that surprising that the company is now making a play for space sim gear.

The Sol-R range has a cute name, but don’t let that fool you – this is a serious stick (or pair thereof) for anyone who spends plenty of time in the hour-devouring black mass of titles like Elite Dangerous.

If you’re not playing a whole lot of space games, it might not appeal, and the taller and more integrated nature of the Thrustmaster F/A-18 Super Hornet would still be our pick for the best flight stick. Still, if what you’re playing has a whole host of fiddly toggles, mapping those to the Sol-R’s array of switches, buttons, and dials feels like magic.

Ahead of the launch, it’s worth noting that things aren’t quite dialed in, so for the time being, you can expect to spend plenty of time tweaking buttons and mapping, but if that’s what you’re looking for in your next voyage, this is a great place to start around the $200/£200 mark – at least sort of.

I was sent the Duo pack which includes both Sol-R sticks for the right-hand and left-hand, which will cost you considerably more ($389.99 or £299.99). Still, with each packing plenty of inputs, even a single stick could be ideal for your setup.

Thrustmaster Sol-R — (Image credit: Future)

Price and availability

List price: $219.99 / £179.99, or $399.99 / £299.99 for the Duo
Available worldwide
Pre-orders open March 19, available April 16

While each stick in the Sol-R range will run you $219.99 / £179.99, they’re considerably cheaper than rivals like the Saitek Pro Flight, but a little more than Thrustmaster’s own T.Flight Hotas One.

You can preorder from March 19, and they’ll start shipping on April 16, 2025. While no throttle is included, you can use the Thrust sliders on the front of the base.

That pricing makes it a little more than the T-Flight Hotas One, which remains Thrustmaster’s entry-level model but doesn’t include as many buttons, switches, or LED lighting. In fact, it’s around a similar price to Turtle Beach’s VelocityOne which is relatively similar in terms of feature set.

Specs

Design and features

Plenty of customizable inputs
Flexibility of two sticks
Nice lighting

While I was sent the Sol-R stick’s ‘Duo’ configuration which includes two of the sticks and bases for use at the same time, anyone buying a single one is unlikely to feel short-changed.

Each stick screws on easily but securely to the base, but even before doing that, it’s worth taking in the base itself. Each one has eight buttons, two dials, a thrust slider (with accompanying lighting), and a quarter of switches.

Moving to the stick, there’s a subtle button near the base, and a main trigger at thumb rest height, with an additional one beyond that. Then there are two hat switches, two more buttons, and a thumbstick, all of which combine to make menu navigation much, much simpler.

Speaking of which, you can actually use the F/A-18C Hornet grip or the Viper Grip on the base, giving you plenty of flexibility with your setup.

The blue lighting around the base and top of the stick is a nice touch, too, adding to the futuristic, space travel feel.

There’s a pleasing resistance to the dials and thrust slider, but I do wish the stick didn’t quite wobble so much. The included stabilizers click on with ease and do a great job of minimizing the way the base tends to roll to each side, but it’s still not quite perfect in those intense dogfights.

Those dials aren’t just inputs, either. They’re actually used as modifiers, so you can trigger different effects for any button, trigger, or switch depending on which position they’re in. That makes 44 customizable inputs per stick.

If you’re a left-handed pilot and you’re not looking to invest in both sticks, there’s good news — you can swap the included ergonomic supports over to make the Sol-R ambidextrous. And, if you’re looking for the Z axes, you can find that by twisting the grip.

It’s also worth noting that I have relatively large hands, but the Sol-R fits in them nicely in both hands, with the thumb rest perfectly located.

Performance

Maps as ‘Generic stick’
Rewards tinkerers
T.A.R.G.E.T. download is still very much just for drivers

I wanted to put the Sol-R to the test with one of my favorite games in Elite Dangerous. While I did test with more traditional flight sims, Elite is a game that’s about exploring space in your own way, meaning it’s a great way to test out everything from dogfighting to space cargo hauling.

It’s also the kind of game that the Sol-R was built for, with a whole host of controls to tweak and map — and therein lies the rub.

Because the Sol-R, at least in its pre-launch stage, is identified in compatible games as a ‘Generic Joystick’, you can expect to do a lot of customization to get it just right in your game of choice. Elite recognized both sticks, for example, but I had to manually map each button.

That might be something that’ll be ironed out at launch, but on the plus side, it does give you scope to tweak as you see fit. In my testing, I got to a really great spot where the thrust slider adjusted my speed, while the variety of buttons switched power to various systems on my virtual ship.

The hat switch and scroll wheel allowed me to check in-game messages and I could use the toggle switches for landing gear. Is that the kind of thing I’d have painstakingly done if the setup defaulted to a “good enough” button mapping layout? It’s hard to say.

For flight sims, it performs admirably, too. The sheer number of buttons is like a blank canvas for the likes of Microsoft Flight Simulator so you can set a button for your altimeter, anti-ice and more, and the fact the Sol-R appears as a generic stick means you can tailor it just like any other.

I also played Star Wars Squadrons, but the game doesn’t really need many inputs so it was actually more enjoyable with a single stick. Pulling off tight turns and loops did serve to highlight that wobbliness of the base, though.

Thrustmaster’s T.A.R.G.E.T. software is still pretty rudimentary, and while you can download presets, that wasn’t available for the Sol-R ahead of launch — but I’m curious to see how players adjust to the tools on offer. T.A.R.G.E.T. really just acts to get your drivers installed otherwise, and to its credit, it’s a simple, centralized hub for everything Thrustmaster.

Unlike the T.Flight HOTAS One, the Sol-R 1 is sadly PC only — so you won’t be able to use it on your PS5 or Xbox console.

Should I buy the Thrustmaster Sol-R?

Buy it if...

You’re big on space sims
For this price, even the single stick will give you a fantastic space sim experience, juggling comfort with a whole host of input options.

You’re patient
With the button remapping, you’ll get out of the Sol-R what you put in, meaning you can make it feel like a stick (or pair of sticks) entirely bespoke to your use case.

Don't buy it if...

You’re looking for a more stable flight stick
The Sol-R comes with stabilizers for the corners, but if you’re dogfighting, you might find your stick moving all over the place even with those fitted.

Also consider

Still not sold on the Thrustmaster Sol-R 1? Here’s how it compares to two similar products.

Turtle Beach VelocityOne
Turtle Beach’s VelocityOne is arguably the closest rival to the Sol-R, mainly because it offers a great stick experience flanked by additional inputs. It has a similar build quality, too, but you don’t get the flexibility of adding a second stick.

For more information, check out our full Turtle Beach VelocityOne review

Thrustmaster T Flight Hotas One
T Flight HOTAS is still close to the gold standard for new flyers, offering a comfortable stick with a detachable throttle — all at a great price. It’s also ideal for console gamers that play on Xbox.

For more information, check out our full T Flight Hotas One review

How I tested the Thrustmaster Sol-R

Tested over a period of weeks
Used on a gaming PC with an RTX 4070 Ti
Tested using Elite Dangerous, Star Wars Squadrons, and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

I spent the majority of my time (around 15 hours testing) with Elite Dangerous, simply because it has such a vast array of things that can be triggered by the Sol-R inputs.

I also had a blast blowing away TIE Fighters in Star Wars Squadrons, and also taking on some transatlantic flights in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 — but it feels best for an open-ended experience like Elite Dangerous where you can engage with an array of systems with the huge number of input options.

I tested on my gaming PC rig where I recently tested the F/A-18 stick and Viper TQS mission pack, as well as the T.Flight HOTAS One.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed March 2025

I’m an experienced kickboxer and I’ve spent 10 hours with Fitness Boxing 3: Your Personal Trainer on Nintendo Switch – here’s my verdict

4:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: Dance Dance Revolution, Fitness Boxing, Guitar Hero | Comments: Off

Fitness Boxing 3: Your Personal Trainer is a movement-based fitness Nintendo Switch game, developed by Imagineer. Holding the Joy-Con controllers in either hand, you dodge, duck, and throw out combos following on-screen prompts, progressing through daily structured workouts of increasing difficulty. Warm-ups, cool-downs, a Free Training mode, and separate mitt drills provide enough variety for those looking to switch things up.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch
Available on: Nintendo Switch
Release date: December 5, 2024

Movement-based console games are an odd bunch, and none more so than fitness games. I remember when you could get Dance Dance Revolution on the original PlayStation, complete with a much worse, fold-away version of the arcade’s iconic dancefloor. Since then, most movement-based games have been party ones like Wii Sports, but offerings like Wii Fit and Ring Fit Adventure have attempted to bring actual workout programming to consoles with mixed success. Who are they aimed at: existing Switch users looking to get fit, or existing fitness fans Nintendo is hoping to sell a Switch to?

Fitness Boxing 3 is solidly aimed at the former, although its harder workouts move at a pace to challenge most. As TechRadar’s Senior Fitness and Wearables Editor, I’ve got a solid background in reviewing fitness kit. I’ve also got a lot of experience punching things, having been a kickboxer for many years in a previous life. It felt as though I was tailor-made to review this thing.

I duly fired the Switch up and worked my way through the tutorial. Anyone who’s played Dance Dance Revolution or one of its many clones, or even Guitar Hero, will understand the principle at work here: you see the prompt work its way up to the on-screen target, and you throw a punch at the exact time required. The better your timing, the higher your score.

Once you complete the initial section, comprised of jabs and straight punches, you work your way through the different combination-based daily classes, adding in hooks, uppercuts, body blows, dodging (by holding the Joy-Cons close to your chest and moving your body) and other moves designed to complicate things, all while increasing speed.

A character and the main screen from Fitness Boxing 3 Your Personal Trainer Nintendo Switch game — (Image credit: Nintendo/Imagineer)

Get with the program

The game will ask you to pop in some details, including your age, weight, target weight, and so on, and set about generating programs for you based on your preferred difficulty level. The Daily Workouts still require you to go through the various combinations in order to unlock types of punches and moves for use in Free Training, which was a little frustrating as I wanted to immediately get stuck in and test everything. However, if you’re moving through a workout program from beginner to advanced as intended, this shouldn’t be too much of an issue for you.

The workout programming is excellent. As someone well-versed in fitness programs, I was glad to see everything started with an optional warm-up and cooldown and reminders to hydrate, and that frustration in lack of customizable programming for me would be a boon for people who need their hand held through their introduction to fitness.

Once you start unlocking workouts and combos, you can string them together in custom programs in the Free Training room, so my itch was eventually scratched with a bit of patience. You can view all your stats and progress in the My Data section, which is very comprehensively laid out in graphs and, in a really nice nod to the sensitivity of health data, it’s passcode-protected.

The huge customizability of everything was also a big plus for me. You can change trainers, from the default instructor Lin to the bulky Bernado or distinctly Eurotrash-looking Guy. They’ve all got birthdays, and hobbies and you can buy them new outfits with your earned points or switch their Kindness levels on and off, depending on whether you prefer a gentle carrot or a drill sergeant stick for workout motivation.

A distinctly parasocial ‘box and bond’ session is available for each trainer, where they’ll talk to you more and tell you about themselves. A little odd to be bonding with a program, but I’m sure it’s a good idea to get people attached to a virtual instructor to keep them motivated.

A character and an exercise screen from Fitness Boxing 3 Your Personal Trainer Nintendo Switch game — (Image credit: Nintendo/Imagineer)

Once more, mitt feeling

Between the customizable instructors and the stage/song selection, from neon cyberpunk to garage gym to serene aquatic environment, it felt a bit like Tekken or a similar fighting game, which is thematically very appropriate. As someone used to real-life boxing training, mitt drills in the Free Training section were my favorite part: rather than the DDR format, you’ll get a combination to remember and then the trainer will hold a mitt up, testing your mind-to-muscle connection and reflexes.

It’s all very slick, and when used properly, it feels as though it works incredibly well. I really enjoyed it, performing and executing the moves to the best of my ability, until I found a fatal flaw, one that completely soured my experience.

As the mitt drill sped up, I was getting the routine wrong, but the game was still registering “Perfect” with each punch, Bernado lauding my performance as I threw hooks instead of uppercuts. After a bit of experimentation, I soon found that pretty much any fast, forward movement of the Joy-Con would register as a successful punch, regardless of what kind of punch I was actually supposed to be throwing!

Best bit

The customizability of the game. Pick your stage, and music, choose sitting or standing modes, and your preferred trainer - you can even turn the “kindness” setting on or off!

I tried throwing the Joy-Cons out to either side of me, flailing wildly, and to my disappointment, I still got successful Perfect combination recognitions. I was reminded of Wii Sports, in which people would lie on their sofas and flick their wrists to control their avatar during on-screen tennis. At some point, most people playing this game will realize that their carefully choreographed movements actually don’t matter, and they could be doing anything to score their Perfects and earn those points. This realization stung like a bee and sapped a lot of enjoyment from my remaining playtime.

Still, there’s a lot to like about Fitness Boxing 3 despite this, namely the intense customizability and the careful construction of its workout programs. Those buying this game for fitness purposes are unlikely to be looking to cheat themselves: boxing is a terrific workout, and Fitness Boxing 3 is a great primer, daily workout motivator, and reminder to move. You’ll just have to keep yourself honest and throw your punches properly.

Should you play Fitness Boxing 3: Your Personal Trainer?

Play it if...

You want to work out at home
Fitness Boxing 3 has comprehensive workout programming to help you structure your weekly workouts.

You’re a beginner boxer
The on-screen prompts and demonstrations will clearly guide you through how to throw lots of basic and advanced combinations.

Don't play it if...

Movement mapping matters
If you want feedback from the Joy-Con, for it to register when throwing a correct or incorrect punch, Fitness Boxing 3 can’t give you that guidance. I’ve yet to find an at-home trainer which can.

Accessibility

A sit-down boxing mode allows those users unable to stand for long periods to play the game and get movement into their day. All lines from instructors come with subtitles, and the instructor’s kindness can be toggled on if you need gentle encouragement.

All in all, the accessibility features are better than I expect from a fitness-orientated gamer.

How I reviewed Fitness Boxing 3: Your Personal Trainer

I played the game for around ten hours on an original Nintendo Switch console using the device’s own screen and my LG TV. I worked my way through intermediate combinations, trying Daily Workouts, Free Training using Mitt Drills, and Basic Training with several different instructors.

I spent accumulated points to buy new songs for different stages (such as I Was Made For Lovin’ You by KISS) and outfits for instructors, and I also stress-tested the controls by deliberately throwing incorrect punches.

First reviewed January-March 2025