Gaming Accessories - Organizer

The Thrustmaster AVA F/A-18 Super Hornet is a fantastic flight stick that took my setup to new heights

5:00 pm | March 2, 2025

Thrustmaster F/A-18 Super Hornet: One-minute review

If you’ve read our Thrustmaster Viper TQS Mission Pack review, you’ll know that flight sim tech is getting closer than ever to turning your setup into something plucked right from a fighter jet.

The Thrustmaster F/A-18 Super Hornet follows on that same line of thinking, dovetailing beautifully with its sister product while offering a fantastic flight stick in its own right, packed with input options and plenty of settings to tweak the game feel to your liking.

It’s ludicrously expensive, though. The review unit we’re testing is formed of multiple modular sections, with the company’s AVA base, a flight stick, and a base plate. These all combine in a nifty bundle for $579 / £450 (cheaper than buying them piecemeal) but it’s definitely an investment for a flight enthusiast.

It’s still hard not to be impressed. It’s a hefty stick, one that would feel right at home doing loop-de-loops in the sky, and it’s absolutely packed with inputs with switches, buttons, and triggers all over it.

If you’re looking to take your flight sim experience to new heights, it’s hard to look past, but don’t forget that the HOTAS X is a much more affordable, entry-level model that comes with a throttle – something the F/A-18 Super Hornet doesn’t have in the box.

Thrustmaster F/A-18 Super Hornet: Price and availability

List price: $579 / £450
Available worldwide
Offered in parts but this bundle is much cheaper

If you do want to pick up each part of the setup we’re testing here for the Thrustmaster F/A-18 Super Hornet, you can expect to spend a fair amount more, with just the baseplate alone coming in at $25 / £25.

That makes the bundle the way to go, and thankfully it’s easy to put together. It took me around five minutes to get everything hooked up, and the weight is a dead giveaway that it’s built to last, weighing in at 7.6lbs / 3.5kg once it’s put together.

The bundle includes the offset adapter, too, letting you tweak the angle at which the stick rests, either for realism or just for comfort.

Thrustmaster F/A-18 Super Hornet: Specs

Thrustmaster F/A-18 Super Hornet: Design and features

The base plate could do with better feet
Feels great to use
Satisfying inputs

As with the Viper TQS Mission Pack, it’s hard not to be in awe of the Thrustmaster F/A-18 Super Hornet once you unbox it.

It’s easy to put together, with a few screws attaching the AVA base to the base plate, and the stick basically screws on without any strenuous effort. It’s really easy to get started, too, since you just need to plug in your USB-C cable (included in the box) and you’re away.

Compared to the T Flight HOTAS I’ve been using for years, there’s a real weight to any movement on the Thrustmaster F/A-18 Super Hornet, and it makes flying feel more authentic as a result.

Button-wise, there’s a trio of hat switches. Two are at the top, while one rests under your thumb, and if the game you’re playing supports all of them you’ll have more buttons than you know what to do with. Two are four-way, while another is eight-way, and combined with physical buttons you have a whopping 19 on a stick that really doesn’t waste any space at all.

Everything feels great to press, and there’s enough effort needed to hit things like the rear buttons so that you won’t find yourself accidentally hitting them too often.

Special props should be given to the trigger, too, which registers full pulls and half pulls if your game supports that, and always feels great to pull whether you’re playing something more grounded or more fantastical.

Thrustmaster F/A-18 Super Hornet: Performance

Plug and play
Customizable innards
T.A.R.G.E.T. software is basically just for drivers

As with the Viper, Thrustmaster recommends using its T.A.R.G.E.T. software, but you can really just use it for the drivers and little else. I found everything was detected nicely in Windows’ own control panel for input devices, and that was a better spot for quick testing of deadzones and the like.

Flight sim fans may lean on it for preloading layouts built to approximate real flight controls, but as I’ve mentioned before, I fancy myself more of a Han Solo than an airline pilot, and the Thrustmaster F/A-18 Super Hornet helps fulfill those dogfighting dreams wonderfully - once you map controls.

If you’re using this and the Viper, games should switch to make the latter the secondary input, but it’s worth noting I ran into some bother as certain games mapped functions to the Thrustmaster F/A-18 Super Hornet that it doesn’t have access to, leading to a bizarre endless spin in the likes of Elite Dangerous and Star Wars: Squadrons. Remapping buttons did the trick, but if you’re worried you’ve got a dodgy unit, rest assured it’s a minor issue.

That aside, both games feel great when using the Thrustmaster F/A-18 Super Hornet. (Intentional) barrel rolls and locking onto TIE Fighters became second nature, even without using the Viper, and I found myself tinkering with the inner chassis just to get things dialed in.

The AVA base can be opened up with ease, letting discerning pilots adjust resistance, travel, and more. It’s easily done and adds a level beyond simple button remapping that experts will no doubt have an awful lot of fun with.

In fact, the only real complaint is that in the heat of the moment, as I pulled back on the stick, I found the feet on the baseplate didn’t give quite as much resistance as I had hoped. That could be down to me and having a relatively smooth-feeling desk, but it’s something to consider.

Should I buy the Thrustmaster F/A-18 Super Hornet?

Buy it if...

You’re a flying enthusiast
The price of admission is high, but this weighty stick has everything you could need for just about any flying title.

You’re a tinkerer
Digital aviation experts will no doubt delight in customizing the inner workings of the Thrustmaster F/A-18 Super Hornet.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a budget
Sadly, it’s not the cheapest stick around, making it likely to be out of the reach for more casual flying fans.

Also consider...

Still not sold on the Thrustmaster F/A-18 Super Hornet? Here’s how it compares to two similar products.

Turtle Beach VelocityOne
As we mentioned in our Viper review, Turtle Beach’s VelocityOne is a slick stick (say that ten times, quickly), with an OLED display and a comfortable stick with plenty of inputs. It’s not as weighty, though, which makes it feel less premium.

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

Logitech T Flight Hotas One
Our trusty fallback, the T Flight HOTAS remains a very comfortable stick with a throttle included, all for less than half the price of the F/A-18 Super Hornet. It works on Xbox One and Series X|S consoles as well.

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

How I tested the Thrustmaster F/A-18 Super Hornet

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

I’ve been testing the Thrustmaster F/A-18 Super Hornet for a couple of months, but the aforementioned remapping issues meant things took a little longer to settle than I’d care to admit.

Once that was sorted, though, it was off to the races (or airport?). I tested it with Microsoft Flight Simulator for some trans-Atlantic trips, but as I mentioned above, I mostly used it for dogfighting in Star Wars Squadrons or hauling space cargo in Elite Dangerous.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed February 2025

I’ve spent days testing the Thrustmaster T598 force feedback wheel and it’s the best entry point into direct drive wheels

5:00 pm | February 28, 2025

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

Thrustmaster T598: One-minute review

In a previous era, the line in the sand for racing wheels was drawn between those with force feedback, and those without. Today it’s about direct drive vs. belt-driven force feedback, and with the arrival of this innovative new T598 comes an affordable way to enjoy direct drive’s benefits.

Specifically, it delivers an ultra-smooth, cogging-free steering experience, powered by an axial DD motor which doesn’t judder or feel grainy when it sends resistance through your hands like belt-driven wheels can.

In fact, Thrustmaster says the new axial design allows for even smoother, more detailed feedback than existing – and much pricier – direct drive bases, and having spent months using this as my daily driver, I’m inclined to agree.

There are concessions to hit a competitive price point, most notably an all-plastic wheel with very basic inputs and no rotary dials, but importantly, the wheel itself is swappable for other Thrustmaster or third-party units. That makes this an excellent starting platform to build upon in the long term, especially when you consider the high quality pedals bundled with it.

Thrustmaster T598: Price and availability

List price: $499.99 / £449.99 (around AU$899.99)
Similar pricing to Fanatec’s CSL 5Nm Ready2Race bundle (around $399.95 / £400)
Also up against Moza’s R5 bundle: $599 / £460

What a time to be alive – multiple direct drive bundles available for under $500 / £500. Fanatec and Moza have the most popular products in this range, and the T598’s priced to take them on directly. It’s also considerably cheaper than Thrustmaster’s own belt-driven T-GT II wheel, and excellent as the latter may be, it makes sense to spend less on newer tech that provides better driving sensation.

While the Fanatec CSL 5Nm bundle may look cheaper on paper, the online pricing doesn’t include VAT for UK customers, and you may need to buy extras like the desk mount, depending on your setup. Availability is an ongoing issue with Fanatec stock, too.

Thrustmaster T598: Specs

Thrustmaster T598: Design and features

Basic but functional wheel rim
Odd wheelbase shape
The pedals look pro

Let’s start with that axial direct drive. What does it mean? It’s all about the design and positioning of the internal components that generate the torque resistance inside the wheelbase. While traditional motor design can generate an undesirable ‘cogging’ sensation where operating the wheel feels grainy or juddery, the T598’s axial flux motor has been designed to eliminate it and deliver smoother steering and feedback.

And that’s why, one suspects, the wheelbase itself is such an odd shape. While Fanatec and Moza offer box-shaped motors, the T598’s hexagonal base sits much taller. It’s been styled with some jet engine-like lines, but the fact remains that this thing looks quite conspicuous. Fortunately I was able to install it onto my Playseat Sensation Pro’s wheelbase shelf without too many dramas, and the tall base doesn’t impact visibility.

The wheel rim itself attaches via a quick release mechanism, although in name only - it takes considerably longer to install or take off the wheel from the base than Logitech’s G Pro wheel, or Fanatec’s QR2 system. Like the wheelbase, the rim’s predominantly plastic, with textured rubberized hand grips and a carbon fiber effect in the central panel that, frankly, isn’t fooling anyone.

A decent array of input buttons have been placed around the wheel in ergonomically sensible fashion. On the bottom-left and bottom-right corners you’ve got two four-way d-pads, with three console controller-style buttons in the middle. The four face buttons and two of the shoulder buttons are translated to two three-button clusters within easy reach of your thumbs. Then to the rear, of course, you’ve got two nice big aluminium magnetic shifters, with a satisfyingly mechanical thunk to their action.

The pedal offering here is particularly strong for a bundle, and features two load cell pedal units on an all-metal base. This is a modular design, so you can add a pedal and shift the unit placements to your taste, and swap out springs of varying stiffness to get you the brake and accelerator feel that you’re looking for.

Personally, even the stiffest spring set at the highest tension position doesn’t quite get me that high resistance, GT car-like stamp that I’m looking for, but I wouldn’t expect to be able to dial in such an exact preference from a bundle at this price. The main thing is that I’m able to swap parts in or out later to fine-tune that.

Similarly, you can use the wheelbase itself with multiple different wheel rims, including those already part of Thrustmaster’s range via an adapter, or natively using the new Hypercar wheel. Adapters can sometimes disrupt the immediacy of feedback, or the smoothness, so I’ll have to reserve judgment on how well it works with this particular wheelbase until I test it with some different wheels.

One final note on the design - tweaking the settings is currently handled via physical controls and a small LED screen on the wheelbase itself, rather than via Thrustmaster’s proprietary software. This is far from ideal, but I was able to dial in a few different profiles in this way without too much hair-pulling.

Thrustmaster T598: Performance

Butter-smooth actuation
Enough torque for most racers
Compatible games library is growing gradually

If the T598’s design is all about making small compromises to keep the price competitive, its performance and driving experience are where this new contender really shines.

The axial drive system really discerns itself from competitors. You do feel a difference in smoothness, both in comparison to belt-driven force feedback wheels like Logitech’s G923, and direct drive wheels like Moza and Fanatec’s similarly priced CSL 5Nm and R5 bundles, respectively. It’s not night and day, but considering the competitive pricing, it’s impressive to feel the benefits of a breakthrough tech in this package.

Since it hit the market there’s been some discussion among sim racers as to whether the stated 6Nm of torque is enough. Can it really actuate those severe traction loss events, and convey the feeling of dramatic weight shifts while steering under braking? Yes. Yes it can.

Indeed, using some of the profiles Thrustmaster sent me to use with Assetto Corsa Competizione, I found my hands actually aching after 10-15 laps from the sheer exertion of countering that torque. There’s plenty of resistance here.

Indeed, when you delve into the spec sheet you’ll see that the T598 has a 100% torque overshoot capability. So in theory it can actuate signals of up to 10Nm, and that axial arrangement means it’s easier to keep latency nice and low when that happens - torque undershoot or overshoot is usually the result of motor inertia lagging to meet the new torque demand, and that’s exactly what this new internal motor arrangement’s designed to minimize. In short: when torque overshoot does occur, it doesn’t produce cogging.

But let’s get our noses out of the theory books and back into the driving experience. While it’s definitely inconvenient to have to adjust universal wheel settings via a display on the wheelbase rather than using software, there are some cool features in here that add to the experience, like the gearshift jolt effect. When you turn this all the way up, you feel a surge of power which jolts you backwards on upshifts to simulate the momentary disruption in acceleration when shifting, then feeling the power being laid back down.

Like a lot of sim racers, I prefer to dial down the resistance a bit for easier, more consistent lapping, particularly over longer endurance races. It’s here, in the settings sweet spot (about 50-75% effects strength) where I particularly appreciate how smoothly the feedback’s delivered, and how rock-solid the connection between wheel rim and wheelbase is, even if it’s not connected via a fancy motorsport-style quick release mechanism as you’d find on a Fanatec wheel.

Given that such a bounty of great direct drive sensations is bundled with a sturdy pedal base that looks and feels much more expensive than it is, we’ve got a real winner in this bundle.

Should I buy the Thrustmaster T598?

Buy it if...

You’ve been on the fence about direct drive wheels
Now’s the time. This bundle perfectly demonstrates that they’re now affordable in bundles that don’t force major compromises on you.

You’re a smooth operator
It’s incredible how silky the feedback feels, and how the axial motor eliminates that cogging sensation.

You want a solid base to upgrade over time
Everything from the wheel rim to individual pedals can be swapped out or upgraded, so it’s a great foundation purchase.

Don't buy it if...

You’re not a tinkerer
It generally takes some settings tweaking in each game to get the right feel, and that’s done via physical controls on the wheelbase only.

You want a luxurious wheelrim
The rim itself is the weak spot of this package, and doesn’t look or feel very premium.

You like to adjust dials mid-lap
There are no dials or POV hat switches on the wheel rim’s input layout, which means changing TC, brake balance or ABS is a bit more fiddly than usual.

Also consider...

If the Thrustmaster T598 doesn’t grind your gears, consider these rival packages.

Thrustmaster T-GT II
Old school belt-driven force feedback tech, but it still feels weighty and articulate. Less tweaking required than the T598.

For more information read our full Thrustmaster T-GT II review

Logitech G923
It’s ubiquitous for a reason. Well-built, a smart button layout, and Trueforce feedback adds something extra to supported games when it comes to detailed articulation.

For more information read out full Logitech G923 review

How I tested the Thrustmaster T598

Two months of regular use during testing
Used with PC and PS5
Racing sims and arcade titles tested

As an Assetto Corsa Competizione obsessive, I put the majority of my hours spent with the T598 into hotlapping in an M4 and ranked endurance racing. Kunos’s new Assetto Corsa EVO also saw some serious hours, along with The Crew Motorfest on the arcade side of the spectrum, and F1 24. I tested the T598 as a PC racing wheel, and a PS5 racing wheel thoroughly on both platforms overall.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed February 2025

I’ve spent 20 hours rocking with the NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition and it’s a decent if nonessential way to play the rhythm game

5:00 pm | February 23, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: Guitar Hero, PC, UK, US | Comments: Off

NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition: One-minute review

The NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition is a brand-new variant of CRKD’s Neo S controller. Functionally, the controller is the exact same as the regular one, but this specific variant comes bundled with a 5-fret attachment designed for Fortnite Festival and other rhythm games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band.

The fret attachment slots into the bottom of the controller via the headphone jack, and from there it’s good to go. The obvious comparison is that of the Guitar Hero: On Tour series of games, which featured a similar attachment for the Nintendo DS. However, the issues that plagued that release over a decade and a half ago still persist here.

The fret buttons are small with very little spacing in comparison to a regular guitar controller, and holding the controller in the guitar form can become quite uncomfortable – especially with bigger hands. I’ve tested the NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret for three months or so now and found it difficult to play for over a couple of hours.

The biggest issue is that there’s no good way to strum in guitar-led rhythm games. The default option is to tap the RB button, which is useless when you have to strum in quick succession; meanwhile, mapping it to the stick works slightly better, but it’s still no substitute. If you’re looking for a way to play rhythm games casually, then it’s more than serviceable. But anyone looking to seriously delve into the genre is better off looking for a more suitable controller like the PDP Riffmaster.

The controller features an Xbox layout and has Bluetooth connectivity, making it great for the PC. However, it doesn’t connect to Xbox consoles (although this is promised in a future update). It does connect to the Nintendo Switch – but it’s awkward to play due to the buttons being swapped around from the usual Nintendo layout.

Neo S Fortnite Festival Edition — (Image credit: Future)

NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition: Price and availability

List price: $59.99 / £59.99 / AU$119.95
Available in the US via the CRKD website
Available in the UK via Argos and Amazon

The NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition launched back in November 2024 and costs $59.99 / £59.99 / AU$119.95 – making it $10 / £10 / AU$20 more expensive than the regular NEO S controller. However, it’s currently the only way to get the five-fret attachment for the controller. It’s compatible with Nintendo Switch, PC, smart TVs, and mobile devices at the moment, with Xbox support promised to arrive later down the line.

NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition: Specs

NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition: Design and features

Guitar attachment designed for rhythm gaming
Bespoke Fortnite Festival design inspired by the game
Programmable back buttons and fret buttons

One of the Neo S controller’s main gimmicks is the litany of custom designs available, such as one inspired by the Nintendo Famicom color scheme, 90’s-style translucent variants, and collabs with the likes of Rocket League and Hellboy.

The Fortnite Festival edition is a purple variant with a wavy design that features different shades of purple, while the d-pad, shoulder, and back buttons are bright pink. Meanwhile, the back of the controller is a solid purple shell. It’s a lovely-looking controller until you notice the gaudy Fortnite Festival logo slap-bang in the middle. A more subtle Fortnite design or emblem would’ve been preferable.

This design isn’t extended to the guitar attachment, which is also just a solid purple – although the lighter pink does appear at the fringe of each button. When the attachment isn’t on the controller, it does feel a bit flimsy, like the plastic could snap very easily.

This doesn’t help when getting it onto the controller can feel quite fiddly. You need to pop it on at an angle before pushing the top into the ridges, but lining the bottom up can be a bit cumbersome. This attachment comes with a Velcro strap, which you pop in between the controller and guitar, making it easier to hold like a standard guitar neck.

The Guitar attachment features five buttons to emulate the classic Guitar Hero formula; these buttons are automatically mapped to the buttons used for each lane in Fortnite Festival.

The controller comes with three modes: one for Easy, Medium, and Hard modes in-game, another for Expert, and another for Pro mode (which is the one designed for guitar controllers). You can swap through all three of these modes by holding down all five frets, with the LED on the attachment changing color to represent another mode. You can also rebind these buttons to be used in regular games, although the position of them may not make this the most optimal.

Unfortunately, I found the NEO S Fortnite Festival Edition quite uncomfortable to hold after long sessions – more so than the discomfort of a regular guitar controller. However, it’s far more comfortable in wireless mode, as the USB-C port at the top of the controller gets in the way otherwise.

NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition: Performance

Solid battery life
Easy to set up
Custom button mapping requires using a mobile app

The NEO S works straight out of the box with a USB-C cable connection to PC, or by holding the CRKD button and left on the d-pad to enable Bluetooth connection for PC or mobile. For the Nintendo Switch, it’s as simple as holding the CRKD button while on the controller connect screen. The NEO S Fortnite Festival Edition’s battery life lasted around eight hours from my testing. I didn’t notice much difference in battery drain when using the guitar attachment.

The controller is fully remappable; however, if you’re looking to remap the buttons, you’ll need to do so in the CRKD app. This extends to the Guitar attachment too, which can be mapped to any button on the controller and works even outside of Fortnite Festival. However, there’s no way to actually select and enter a song in Fortnite Festival without using the regular controller.

The default mapping for the strum bar is the bumper buttons, which is fine for casual play, but the issues become apparent once you’re faced with fast-moving songs like Metallica’s Battery. While a strum bar would allow you to alternate directions for faster moments, tapping one button makes this tiresome, or near-impossible in some cases. You can remap the control stick to work as a strum bar, which feels like the ideal solution, however, I couldn’t get this to work in Fortnite, but it does work in fan games like Clone Hero.

CRKD was founded by former RedOctane staff – who created the original Guitar Hero controllers – meaning that these buttons feel in line with the original series (namely the DS Guitar Grip). However, if you want to play this style of music game seriously, I’d recommend investing in a proper guitar controller.

Should I buy the NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition?

Buy it if...

You want a way to play Fortnite Festival Pro Mode or other guitar games
At the end of the day this controller is made with this in mind. It works for playing these modes casually and allows players the chance to experience the classic genre without forking out a lot for a guitar controller.

You’re getting a NEO S and like Fortnite Festival
For only $10 / £10 / AU$20 more I don’t see much reason not to pick this version up compared to the regular NEO S if you have even a passing interest in Fortnite Festival. Considering this is the only way to get the guitar attachment currently, I’d say it’s worth the upgrade.

Don't buy it if...

You plan on playing guitar games seriously
While it’s definitely possible for someone to tear it up with the NEO S Fortnite Festival Edition, the setbacks make this hard. If you were playing the likes of Metallica or Slayer on Guitar Hero, I’d invest in a regular guitar controller.

You have big hands or fingers
The NEO S is quite snug as a controller and the guitar attachment follows that form. The buttons on the guitar attachment do the job, but are very small and don’t have much space between them, making it easy to double-fret.

Also consider...

Still not sold on the CKRD NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition? Here’s how it compares to the other Guitar Controller on the market and a more regular pad for reference.

PDP Riffmaster
This is a great alternative because the PDP Riffmaster is the only proper guitar controller on sale right now. PDP was responsible for the last batch of Rock Band 4 guitars, so these are almost exactly alike.

For more information, check out our full PDP Riffmaster review

GameSir Nova
If you’re looking for a good Nintendo Switch and PC controller with stats comparable to the NEO S at a cheaper price point then the GameSir Nova may be up your alley. However, this obviously doesn’t support the Fortnite Festival guitar controller addon, but you are still able to play the mode with a regular controller!

For more information, check out our full GameSir Nova review

How I tested the NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition

Tested for around 15-20 hours
Used it to play Fortnite Festival and Clone Hero on PC
Used it as a regular controller on Nintendo Switch

I’ve been using the NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition on PC and Nintendo Switch since mid-December 2024 (so just under two months). During this time I’ve played a bunch of Fortnite Festival, but my true love affair has been with Clone Hero. I tested the controller in a variety of different musical situations: acoustic tunes that rely on strumming patterns with multiple notes, thrash tunes that require a ton of fast-paced strumming, and songs with wailing guitar solos (yes, I did play Free Bird).

In my experience, it worked best in slower songs and songs with a lot of hammer-ons and pull-offs due to my issue with the strum bar. The highlight of this experience was playing a custom chart of the full Flood album by They Might Be Giants, which featured a lot of piano (among other instruments) charted to Guitar Hero’s clear notes, which didn’t require me to strum.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed February 2025

I tried this seriously stylish budget gaming microphone for a week, but its middling sound left me wanting more

5:00 pm | February 22, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: EQ, PC, UK, US | Comments: Off

JBL Quantum Stream Talk: One-minute review

The real highlight of the JBL Quantum Stream Talk are its design and feature set, which punch above its budget-friendly price point.

It’s super compact and very stylish, with a robust stand that incorporates metal elements to look and feel premium. It’s incredibly easy to adjust and position too, thanks to a small, foam-footed base and a smart swivel mechanism that allows the microphone to be rotated by a full 360 degrees.

The prominent LED ring indicator is a smart inclusion and something that you wouldn’t necessarily expect at this price point, providing a convenient and easy way to check whether the microphone is muted and even adjust some basic settings on the fly.

That said, the recording quality is a let-down out of the box. Its default configuration sounds very jagged and does a poor job of cutting out background noise. Luckily, the compatible JBL Quantum Engine software gives you everything that you need for better recordings. With a few settings tweaked, namely the EQ profile and noise reduction level, it’s perfect for chatting with friends or dialing into meetings - but still not clear enough to rank among the best microphones for streaming.

If you're interested in picking up a streaming microphone on a budget, there are options out there that look and feel substantially worse, but sound noticeably better such as the AKG Ara. If you can wait for a sale, you can regularly find old favorites like the Blue Snowball for not that much more than the price of the JBL Quantum Stream Talk which offers far more bang for your buck.

A close up of the JBL Quantum Stream Talk. — (Image credit: Future)

JBL Quantum Stream Talk: Price and availability

Costs $49.95 / £39.99
Available via Amazon and JBL
Easy to find in the US and UK

The JBL Quantum Stream Talk is readily available from both Amazon and JBL in the US and UK. It costs $49.95 / £39.99, making this the cheapest entry in the JBL Quantum Stream line right now. At this price, it’s a good value option overall for general use, especially if you’re looking for a more affordable choice that doesn't take up a lot of space on your desk.

That said, those seeking a microphone for content creation would be better off waiting for a sale and spending a little more on something like the HyperX DuoCast - which routinely drops down to around the $60 / £40 mark and offers higher quality recordings.

JBL Quantum Stream Talk: Specs

JBL Quantum Stream Talk: Design and features

Stylish and compact
Feels premium
Good set of features

The JBL Quantum Stream Talk is very stylish for a microphone of its price. It’s compact, with a circular plastic base complete with a small foam ring to help keep it in place on your desk.

It has a simple stalk-like design, with a cylindrical metal column and a small plastic capsule connected by a ball joint that allows it to be rotated a full 360 degrees. Also joining the column and capsule is a short wire with an orange and black braided that introduces subtle splash of color.

At the end of the capsule is a translucent ring illuminated by an LED. This is a bright green by default, turning red when the microphone is muted. The option to dim or even turn off this light would be appreciated, but it’s not particularly intrusive either way.

On the base, you will find a gray JBL logo and an adjustment dial. It's a good size and can be used to adjust the monitoring headphone volume when you’re connected to a 3.5mm headphone jack on the rear. It can also be pressed down to quickly mute the microphone, or held for a few seconds to adjust the microphone gain - indicated by the mic’s LED turning purple. It’s all very intuitive and one of the biggest reasons to consider the JBL Quantum Stream Talk.

While the microphone itself is a single unit, there is a removable USB-C cable. This is a good 6ft length and feels high-quality, matching the orange and black aesthetic of the wire found on the mic.

While I very much like the integrated stand setup, you should bear in mind that this microphone cannot be mounted to a boom arm unlike other budget picks, so is not suitable if that’s your preferred setup.

The JBL Quantum Stream Talk muted and rotavated. — (Image credit: Future)

JBL Quantum Stream Talk: Performance

Audio quality isn’t great out of the box
Sounds much better when you tweak the EQ
Noise reduction also helps

When you first plug the JBL Quantum Stream Talk into a computer, a popup automatically appears asking whether you would install the compatible JBL Quantum Engine Software - a convenient feature that saves you from having to dig around on a support website to find it. I would highly recommend installing it, as I found that tweaking the microphone’s settings is almost essential.

Out of the box, I was unimpressed with its performance - recordings sounded choppy with a flat, almost nasal quality to them. Booting up Discord for a quick call, background noise was very noticeable, as was any movement of the surface on which the mic was placed. This is a little strange, as the JBL Quantum Stream Talk uses a super-cardioid pickup pattern that should, in theory, really help it hone in on just your voice.

Still, you can achieve decent sound with the JBL Quantum Engine Software in hand. For me, the sweet spot was enabling the “Bright” EQ profile, which bumps up the level of almost every frequency, and turning up both the noise gate and noise reduction settings to medium. Listening back to recordings made with Audacity, my voice sounded a little sharp but otherwise more than ideal for casual chatting. With a few more tweaks, I am sure I could get it to sound even better.

JBL notes that the microphone is compatible with the PlayStation and Nintendo Switch too. Plugging it into my PS5, it provided significantly better sound than the integrated microphone of the DualSense Wireless Controller but is not up to par with any of the mics on the best PS5 headsets. Still, the option to use this model with your console is appreciated and increases its utility somewhat.

That said, this is also marketed as a streaming microphone and I am hesitant to recommend it for that purpose. If you’re able to spend a little more, you can find models that sound better out of the box.

This is doubly true if you’re shopping over a sale period, where the likes of the iconic Blue Snowball routinely have their prices slashed to just $20 / £20 or so more. Still, if your budget really can’t extend beyond the $49.95 / £39.99 mark and you just need something quick, this should just about suffice until you’re able to upgrade.

Should I buy the JBL Quantum Stream Talk?

Buy it if...

You want a small microphone
The JBL Quantum Stream Talk is a good option if you’re looking for something compact - its small size makes it easy to fit on your desk and it’s very stylish overall.

You want a good set of features
Its LED indicators, useful mute button, and decent set of options in the JBL Quantum Engine software all help the JBL Quantum Stream Talk punch above its modest price tag.

Don't buy it if...

You’re a content creator able to spend more
If you’re keen to get into streaming, then I would recommend spending a little bit more on a model that sounds better out of the box. Alternatively, wait for the sale and pick up a favorite like the Blue Snowball for cheap.

Also consider...

Want to weigh up your options? Here are two gaming microphones to consider alongside the JBL Quantum Stream Talk.

AKG Ara
The AKG Ara is a decent alternative at a similar price. It sounds better out of the box but lacks the gain control, looks worse, and feels cheaper in the hands.

For more information, check out our full AKG Ara review

HyperX DuoCast
The HyperX DuoCast is frequently available on sale for only slightly more than the JBL Quantum Stream Talk. This entry-level streamer mic offers better sound, two distinct polar patterns, and pleasant RGB lighting if you’re able to stretch the budget.

For more information, check out our full HyperX DuoCast review.

A close up of the branding on the JBL Quantum Stream Talk. — (Image credit: Future)

How I tested the JBL Quantum Stream Talk

Used for over a week
Tried with PC and console
Tested with calls and local recording

I used the JBL Quantum Stream Talk as my daily driver for over a week. During that time I tested it with both PC and console with a range of tasks including making calls to friends, recording audio files locally, and attending virtual meetings for work. I made sure to thoroughly test the compatible JBL Quantum Engine software, experimenting with its features to find the best setup.

Throughout my time with the microphone, I compared my experience with my hands-on testing of other models all across the price spectrum ranging from the likes of the Blue Snowball to the Blue Yeti and SteelSeries Alias.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed January 2025.

The Atari 7800+ is a decent retro gaming package with a few too many frustrations to fully recommend

9:00 pm | February 21, 2025

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

Atari 7800+: One-minute review

The Atari 7800+ is the latest attempt at a retro console from the iconic gaming brand. I was hopeful going into this one, as I was quite fond of the previous Atari 2600+ which I awarded four stars in my review. Unfortunately, I feel like the Atari 7800+ is a step down overall, offering little in the way of quality-of-life improvements and a genuinely terrible pack-in controller.

Now, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the 2600+’s included CX40+ joystick, citing its stiffness as a major point of contention. I like the CX78+ even less; the option of wireless connectivity is nice, but a lack of a pause or reset button (these are only on the console itself) and its bizarre D-pad / analog stick hybrid make for a miserable play experience. And don’t go thinking you can just swap it out for a third-party controller; the lack of USB ports on the console means that this is strictly not an option.

On a more positive note the VIP Boxset I was sent for testing came with a handful of Atari 7800 games, and they all are good fun. That Atari charm is still in full effect here, with its limited graphical and audio capabilities still allowing for a fascinating and unique gaming experience. It’s a shame that each game takes a decent chunk of time to actually load, but once you’re in, there’s undoubtedly plenty of enjoyment to be had here.

Overall then, the Atari 7800+ is only really recommendable to serious Atari enthusiasts. With its use of physical cartridges (that would need to be bought separately), lack of quality modernities and no support for third-party controllers, it’s authentic to a fault. For some, that’ll be great news. But for a more approachable and affordable retro gaming experience, you might want to consider something like the Evercade VS or the handheld brilliance of the Super Pocket instead.

Atari 7800+: Price and availability

$129.99 / £99.99
Includes the console and CX78+ gamepad
Also includes Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest physical cartridge

The Atari 7800+ has been available since November 2024, and will cost you $129.99 / £99.99. You can buy it directly from Atari’s website, or at retailers including Amazon in the US and Argos across the pond in the UK. This is the same price that the Atari 2600+ launched at, and given the 7800+’s compatibility with 2600 game cartridges and controllers, it’s undoubtedly the one to choose today if you’re deciding between the two, though I do think the 2600+ is the more attractive unit from an aesthetics standpoint.

It’s a pretty expensive investment considering the console only ships with one controller and a single (relatively simple) game. But like devices such as the Evercade EXP and Evercade Alpha, you’ll likely want to buy it in the interest of building up a collection of games. On that note, Atari 7800 and 2600 cartridges can be purchased from the brand’s website for $29.99 / £24.99 a pop. These come with authentic cardboard packaging, adding to the overall value somewhat.

Atari 7800+: Specs

Atari 7800+ controller — (Image credit: Future)

Atari 7800+: Design and features

Feels lightweight and hollow out of the box
CX78+ controller is pretty terrible
Thankfully very easy to set up

Let’s get the positives out the way first. The Atari 7800+ is incredibly easy to set up, and you will be gaming with it within moments of taking it out of the box. In said box, you’re getting the console itself, a CX78+ wireless controller (more on this thing in a moment), and a single game cartridge for Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest - a homebrew title from developer Robert DeCrescenzo. As an aside, I think it’s a wonderful thing that Atari is so prominently promoting members of its homebrew community here, but I’ll talk more about this in the performance section below.

The box has most of everything you’ll need to get the Atari 7800+ up and running on your TV or gaming monitor including a HDMI cable, a DB9 wireless dongle for the controller, and a USB-C cable for power. The console will work simply by plugging it into a USB port, but if you want to hook it up to the mains, you’ll need to source your own USB plug. Atari cites this omission as a means to cut down on e-waste, which is fair enough.

The console itself has little in the way of buttons or ports. The front houses two DB9 controller ports, while the rear has a single HDMI and USB-C port, as well as a switch to flip between 16:9 and 4:3 resolution. The top then has a large cartridge slot (which unfortunately doesn’t have a dust cover), and power, pause, select and reset buttons.

As I alluded to at the top, this is a pretty authentic package, albeit with the addition of a HDMI port for modern displays. I do wish Atari could’ve found some room for a standard USB port or two, to offer functionality for the best Xbox controllers or best PC controllers like we see on the Evercade VS and Evercade Alpha.

That’s largely because you’ll be relying on the pack-in CX78+ wireless controller for gameplay. In a word, this thing is awful. While appearing faithful to the original 7800 controller, its boxy shape doesn’t sit well in the hands and its D-pad / analog stick hybrid is beyond uncomfortable to play with. In fairness, its two face buttons are just fine, and it instantly paired to the console by holding down the pairing button for a second.

But there’s really not much else to say about the CX78+. It’s good that there’s one in the box, but it had me begging for third-party controller support.

One last gripe I have is with the cartridge slot. Cartridges never quite feel like they’re securely in place here. Yet simultaneously, you really have to jimmy the cartridges from side to side in order to dislodge them, which creates a rather uncomfortable squeaking sound as they come loose.

Atari 7800+: Performance

Simple, but very charming game library
Emulation is broadly excellent
Games can take some time to boot

Now I get to talk about my favorite part of the Atari 7800+ experience - the games themselves. Like with the Atari 2600+, I found myself surprised at how well many of these games held up as well as how much fun I was having. Look, I’m old, but Atari was still before my time. Cut me some slack.

The pack-in game, Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest, is excellent. This is an Adventure Island-esque side-scrolling platformer with simple yet charming visuals and surprisingly moreish gameplay. You’ll run from left to right, dispatching enemies with a reliable projectile attack. Your health bar also acts like a timer, counting down as you progress, but thankfully it can be topped up with semi-plentiful health items. It’s good simple fun and has a decent level of challenge to it.

Atari 7800+ box — (Image credit: Future)

I was also a huge fan of Ninja Golf, which is exactly what it sounds like. Here, you whack your ball up a course, and you’ll then have to run towards it, eliminating enemy ninjas and wild creatures on the way. It again plays very well if you can get used to the CX78+ controller.

I also got to test out an impressive Rad Racer-like combat racing game in Fatal Run, as well as two relatively simpler experiences in Frenzy and Asteroids Deluxe. Overall, there’s a good amount of variety if you’re planning to shop around for extra cartridges on Atari’s website. I don’t personally own any old 2600 or 7800 cartridges myself, but Atari’s website claims the 7800+ has “near-perfect compatibility with original and third-party Atari games.”

It’s worth noting that each game did take a surprising amount of time to boot, often upwards of 10 seconds for games with more detailed visuals like Ninja Golf and Fatal Run. It’s also quite irksome that the CX78+ controller (likely for the sake of authenticity) doesn’t have a pause button - so you’ll need to rely on the one found on the console instead.

Should I buy the Atari 7800+?

Buy it if...

You want an authentic retro gaming experience
With top emulation and a reliance on physical cartridges, the Atari 7800+ is a fine choice if you’re looking to kickstart a new game collection especially if you’re enthusiastic about some of the earliest games in our medium’s history.

You already own a good number of old Atari cartridges
The Atari 7800+ is broadly compatible with authentic 2600 and 7800 game cartridges. As a result, the 7800+ provides a good excuse to dust away those cobwebs and put your old collection to use once more.

Don't buy it if...

You haven’t the cash to spare
The console itself is already pretty pricey, but you’ll also need to buy more cartridges separately. This can add up to a pretty hefty investment overall.

You were hoping for more controller support
Having the option to use an Xbox Wireless Controller or similar would’ve been a serious boon here. Instead, you’ll be relying on Atari’s own controller, and it isn’t particularly good.View Deal

Also consider...

If the Atari 7800+ isn’t quite doing it for you, you might want to consider one of these other retro console devices.

Atari 2600+
The Atari 2600+ is the 7800+’s predecessor and technically less capable given its lack of 7800 cartridge support, but I’m a big fan of its authentic look from its dip switches to elements of a wood finish. If you prize aesthetics, this console is more attractive than its successor.

Read our full Atari 2600+ review

Evercade VS
It supports the entire Evercade cartridge library, is more affordable and features four USB ports for its own controller as well as third-party gamepad support. This one’s a real winner if you’re keen to have a more arcade-focused collection from developers including Capcom, Taito, Technos and more.

Read our full Evercade VS review

How I tested the Atari 7800+

Tested over the course of a week
Played on a 24-inch AOC Gaming 24G2SP monitor
A wide selection of games tested

I played the Atari 7800+ over the course of about a week, primarily with it hooked up to a smaller display to get the best results out of its simplistic visuals. My monitor of choice here was the AOC Gaming 24G2SP monitor, with games played via HDMI at 1080p resolution. Though I did make sure to test games back and forth between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios.

Games tested included Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest, Fatal Run, Frenzy, Asteroids Deluxe and Ninja Golf. As I couldn’t play these games with a third-party controller, I had to make use of the pack-in CX78+ controller.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed February 2025

The Mobile Controller MG-X Pro is the most disappointing mobile controller that I’ve ever tested

9:00 pm | February 18, 2025

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

One-minute review

The Mobile Controller MG-X Pro is the most disappointing mobile gaming controller that I’ve ever tested. For the lofty price of $119.90 / £99.90 - which is a whopping $19.91 more than the Backbone One 2nd Gen in the US - you’re getting a mobile controller that performs worse, has a lower build quality, lacks a lot of major features, and, in the case of the iPhone variant that I tried, doesn't even fit properly on some recent phones.

There is simply no reason to consider this controller at its retail price - but that’s not to say that it is completely irredeemable.

The thumbsticks are a little loose for my taste but undeniably work well for fast-paced games like Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile. The large, Xbox-style buttons are also responsive and quite appealing if you intend to use them for Xbox Cloud Gaming - though it’s a shame that the D-pad is uncomfortably flat and imprecise. There’s also the fact that this is a Bluetooth gamepad, which, even though this means that it requires separate charging and does not feature charging pass-through, some might still prefer over the wired connection of the Backbone One 2nd Gen.

The Mobile Controller MG-X Pro is quite a unique shape too, being something of a middle ground between the compact Backbone One 2nd Gen and the full-size Razer Kishi Ultra, and comfortable in the hands for extended gaming sessions.

If you can find it on sale with a discount of 50% or above, I could see this being a solid, though certainly not leading, option. Otherwise, I’m hoping that manufacturer Nacon takes the Mobile Controller MG-X Pro back to the drawing board for an updated, overhauled successor.

The Mobile Controller MG-X Pro without a mobile phone inserted. — (Image credit: Future)

Mobile Controller MG-X Pro: Price and availability

iOS version costs $119.90 / £99.90
Android version is $99.90 / £74.90
Available via Nacon and Amazon

The Mobile Controller MG-X Pro sells for $119.90 / £99.90 on the Nacon website and similar rates over at Amazon. It’s available in both the US and UK, with two alternate versions to choose from. I tested the white ‘iPhone’ variant, which is compatible with iOS devices.

The Android, or ‘Xbox’ version, comes in black - with a larger Xbox-style home button. Despite being a licensed product, it’s bizarrely a little cheaper than the iOS one - at $99.90 / £74.90.

I wouldn’t say that this is good value, but at this lower price, the Mobile Controller MG-X Pro is a little bit more competitive in the face of the $99.99 / £99.99 Backbone One 2nd Gen.

Mobile Controller MG-X Pro: Specs

A close-up of the buttons on the Mobile Controller MG-X Pro. — (Image credit: Future)

Mobile Controller MG-X Pro: Design and features

Thick and comfortable in the hands
Plastic feels cheap
Face buttons are reliable

The Mobile Controller MG-X Pro’s design is a midpoint between smaller options like the Backbone One 2nd Gen and Scuf Nomad and larger mobile gamepads such as the Razer Kishi Ultra. It’s quite hefty, weighing 0.77lbs / 350g, with an overall shape that’s a bit reminiscent of the Xbox Wireless Controller, albeit with an extending spring-loaded back to accommodate the addition of a mobile phone.

The grips are thinner than Microsoft’s pad, however, and the overall layout is a little bit squashed in comparison - with the thumbsticks, buttons, and D-pad all very close together. It’s certainly not uncomfortable, even in my larger hands, and I actually quite like the way that little nook underneath the rear triggers provides a perfect little resting place for your middle fingers.

Still, the build quality is a letdown at this price point. There are cheap-looking seams on the sides of the controller, plus a few visible imperfections in the plastic molding. Some corners are quite sharp too, especially where the phone is attached, which occasionally led to me painfully scraping my hands on it while trying to get my device in and out. This is nowhere near the almost Apple-like construction of the slightly cheaper Backbone One 2nd Gen.

A close up of the Mobile Controller MG-X Pro's charging port. — (Image credit: Future)

This is a Bluetooth gamepad, so it has no physical connection to your phone. Instead, you need to turn it on by holding the small home button and waiting for it to connect to your device. Four small LED indicators show you its current status, such as its current battery level and whether it's in pairing mode. On the bottom of the controller is a USB-C port, used to charge up the controller. Bear in mind that, unlike the Backbone One 2nd Gen, there’s no charging pass-through here, so won’t be able to top up your device while it’s in use. There’s also no headphone jack, so many of the best gaming earbuds simply won’t work.

The Mobile Controller MG-X Pro is compatible with the MG-X Series App, which bizarrely only seemed to be available on iOS. This is fully functional, but lacks anything beyond the most basic features - only offering thumbstick calibration, a quick control guide, and the option to update your gamepad. There’s no button remapping here, no way to customize trigger sensitivity, no list of suggested compatible games, or really any reason to ever boot it up. It’s significantly behind the Backbone or Razer Nexus apps, which both function as game launchers and offer basic necessities such as button remapping in addition to a few killer features like, in Razer’s case, a fantastic virtual controller mode.

At least the setup process is mercifully straightforward, simply requiring you to turn on the controller and select it from your phone’s Bluetooth menu to pair.

Mobile Controller MG-X Pro: Performance

Strong battery life
Thumbsticks feel quite loose
D-pad is awful

The performance of the Mobile Controller MG-X Pro is just about acceptable, provided you ignore the price. The thumbsticks are roughly equivalent in size to the Xbox pad but with a thinner column and much more travel.

There’s not a lot of resistance, which makes them quick to use in fast-paced multiplayer games like Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile or PUBG Mobile, but at the same time means that they feel a tad slippery.

The face buttons have a flat design with a lot of surface area and a pleasant, membrane-feeling mechanism. The D-pad is also very flat and spongy, but unlike the buttons, I soon found that this made it very hard to make precise inputs. Pressing right would often also trigger an upwards input and if you play lots of platformers or retro games with D-pad controls, this is going to be a complete dealbreaker.

A note on accessibility

The Nacon MG-X Pro android mobile gaming controller in front of a PS5 — (Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

Nacon sent me the Android variant for testing - and I've had a pretty positive experience with it from an accessibility standpoint. Thanks to its chunky design, it's the only mobile controller I've really been able to use and has let me enjoy Stalker 2 on the sofa via remote play. Each arm is perfectly sized and the buttons are arranged closely enough for my different hands to engage with. It's a shame about the price and build, but for those looking to try a uniquely shaped mobile controller, the MG-X Pro earns some credit.

- Rob Dwiar, Managing Editor, TechRadar Gaming

The iOS version of the Mobile Controller MG-X Pro also doesn't fit well if you’re using a larger iPhone. I tested the controller with my iPhone 15 Plus, where the large camera module makes it difficult to securely insert. It goes in fine enough at first, but is loose and could fall out if you’re not careful. After a quick look online, I discovered that this was quite a common complaint with a handful of customers saying that it didn’t fit an iPhone 14 Pro Max either.

Swapping over to an old iPhone 12, this was not an issue at all, so it’s clear that Nacon needs to revise the design for modern iPhones - or at the very least add a disclaimer to its store page clarifying exactly which devices it’s most compatible with. This makes it a mobile controller that you’re realistically not going to want to use out and about; after all there’s no point risking your phone coming loose and falling out onto a hard surface while you’re trying to game on the train.

The only area where the Mobile Controller MG-X Pro unreservedly delivers is in its battery life. Nacon claims that it will last “up to 20 hours” and I can attest that it gets very close to that figure. I was able to use the controller repeatedly throughout the week without ever having to worry about charging it up, which is excellent.

A mobile phone fitting poorly in the Mobile Controller MG-X Pro. — (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Mobile Controller MG-X Pro?

Buy it if...

You want strong battery life
Easily the best element of the Mobile Controller MG-X Pro is its battery life. You’re getting close to 20 hours in standard use, which is great and cuts down on the need to charge it up between sessions.

Don't buy it if...

You crave the best value
The Mobile Controller MG-X Pro is far too expensive for what you get. It’s impossible to recommend above the many similarly priced and even cheaper alternatives out there today.

You want lots of features
The Mobile Controller MG-X Pro has a tiny feature set and a comically barren mobile app. If you want a controller that you can truly customize, then you need to look elsewhere.View Deal

Also consider

Looking for something a bit better than the Mobile Controller MG-X Pro? Consider these two strong alternatives instead.

Scuf Nomad
The Scuf Nomad is similar to the Mobile Controller MG-X Pro in that it’s also a Bluetooth mobile gamepad, but it has a significantly greater number of features and a much more high-quality design.

Read our full Scuf Nomad review

Backbone One 2nd Gen
The Backbone One 2nd Gen is the mobile controller to beat, and massively better than the Mobile Controller MG-X Pro. It’s wired, but fits more phones, is compatible with both Android and iOS at once, and boasts a great app.

Read our full Backbone One 2nd Gen review

A close-up of the thumbstick on the Mobile Controller MG-X Pro. — (Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Mobile Controller MG-X Pro

Test for a few weeks
Tried with a variety of mobile games
Compared to other controllers

I tested the iOS version of the Mobile Controller MG-X Pro for roughly three weeks. During that time I paired it with my trusty iPhone 15 Plus and, briefly, an old iPhone 12. I played a wide variety of compatible mobile games, including favorites like Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile, Zenless Zone Zero, Hitman Blood Money Reprisal, Call of Duty Mobile, and more.

Throughout my time with the controller, I compared my experience with my hands-on testing of other mobile gamepads including the Razer Kishi, Razer Kishi Ultra, Backbone One, Backbone One 2nd Gen, Scuf Nomad, Turtle Beach Atom, and GameSir X2s Type-C.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed February 2025

I tested the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink for a month, and it’s easily the best value PS5 SSD right now

4:00 pm | February 16, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: Dragon Age, Far Cry, SSD | Comments: Off

Lexar NM790 with Heatsink: One-minute review

The Lexar NM790 with Heatsink is one of the best SSDs for PS5 in its price range. Its 4TB variant in particular is significantly cheaper than the competition, especially when it goes on sale. It also scores well in the internal PS5 benchmark, even beating pricey licensed alternatives like the WD Black SN850P and Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5.

If your number one priority is getting a high-capacity option with solid performance at the lowest possible cost, then the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink is the clear winner. That said, there are some significant drawbacks that arise with that reduced price tag. The most important is that this is a dynamic random access memory (DRAM)-less model that uses host memory buffer (HMB) technology, something that you would expect from budget PC SSDs rather than ones made with consoles in mind.

The PS5 does not support HMB and Sony even recommends against fitting HMB drives. This is because it leads to somewhat uneven performance, which is noticeable when you’re copying particularly large files. It can also cause issues in games, though these are far from a complete dealbreaker as the vast majority of titles that I tested ran flawlessly, even the likes of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.

There was some stuttering in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, however, namely in a handful of cinematic moments where scenery changed quickly. Assassin's Creed Valhalla also had the odd hitch, though nothing that rendered either title unplayable or even really spoiled the experience.

The heatsink grooves of the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink. — (Image credit: Future)

Lexar NM790 with Heatsink: Price and availability

1TB is $94.99 / £74.99
2TB is $159.99 / £129.99
4TB is $269.99 / £233

Unlike the seriously overpriced Lexar Play 2280, the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink comfortably undercuts the competition at its going rates. It's available at Amazon, where the 1TB model will set you back $94.99 / £74.99 - $30 / £25 less than the WD Black SN850X.

The price of the 2TB varies depending on its stock level but is most often found at $159.99 / £129.99 which is a very fair price for what you’re getting. The best value option, however, is the 4TB version which comes in at $269.99 / £233 and has been on sale for as little as $234.95 / £229.49 in the past twelve months.

This drive seems extremely popular, however, so prices do fluctuate week to week. The 4TB model, for example, is currently only available for the absurdly high asking price of $338.92 through a third-party Amazon seller in the US - so avoid purchasing one unless you can find it for around the above figures.

Lexar NM790 with Heatsink: Specs

Lexar Play 2280: Design and features

Looks and feels premium
Sold with and without a heatsink
HMB model, so lacks DRAM

The Lexar NM790 with Heatsink has a plain overall design. It comes with a chunky black heatsink fitted out of the box, with some small grooves to give it some texture on the top. Despite its large size, it fits absolutely perfectly in a PS5 or PS5 Slim. Even though this is a more budget-oriented product, nothing about its look or feel seems particularly cheap either.

It comes well-packaged in a compact cardboard box and small plastic tray, which is easy to open and should provide a good level of protection on the move. On the box, you will find instructions on how to access more production information, in addition to warranty or return details, via the Lexar website.

The most notable feature of this drive is the fact it is an HMB model. As I explained above, this means that the drive does not have any DRAM - a small bit of separate memory used to store mapping information. This, in essence, tells your system where to find specific data quickly, improving performance and longevity. With HMB, the host device is meant to be responsible for this function.

This is not the case with the PS5 though, which does not support HMB drives. Sony states that such drives “may experience slower-than-expected performance because the PS5 console does not support HMB”. Even so, HMD models are generally significantly cheaper than those with DRAM and will still function when fitted to a PS5 - so make for solid budget picks.

The rear of the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink. — (Image credit: Future)

Lexar NM790 with Heatsink: Performance

Impressive PS5 benchmark score
Performs well copying games
But very occasionally stutters while playing

The Lexar NM790 with Heatsink delivers admirable performance on the whole, but it's far from consistent.

To give one example, copying a 67.25GB installation of Dishonored 2 to drive from the internal storage took just 22 seconds - while a smaller 59.22GB installation of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine was fully playable in 26 seconds, four seconds more. This wouldn't be noticeable in general use but does demonstrate some of the spottier moments associated with HMB drives on PS5.

The largest file I tested, 101.9GB of Far Cry 6, took just 44 seconds to copy to the SSD, while the 80.7GB Remnant 2 took 34 seconds - all good results. Smaller games also copied smoothly and quickly, with a 24.22GB copy of Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens and 12.93GB installation of Lollipop Chainsaw RePop accomplished in 13 seconds and 6 seconds respectively. A relatively tiny file like the 2.72GB Slime Rancher 2 was then copied in only 2 seconds.

Similarly, good figures were observed copying from the drive back to the internal storage, with Far Cry 6 taking 6 minutes 51 seconds and Remnant 2 5 minutes and 24 seconds. Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens took just 1 minute and 42 seconds, which is broadly in line with the times for similarly sized games on the more expensive WD Black SN850P. Just bear in mind that these figures are mainly due to the PS5’s internal write speed more than the SSD itself.

The drive also scored impressively well on the PS5’s internal benchmark, clocking in at 6,526MB/s. That’s significantly higher than the WD Black SN850P, just above the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5, and close to the numbers achieved by the seriously pricey Samsung 990 Pro - excellent on the whole.

That said, things aren’t entirely perfect when you dive into games stored on the drive. The vast majority of titles that I tested were completely fine, but there were two exceptions. Exploring the world of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, I noticed the occasional framerate hitch which was entirely absent when playing on internal storage. Likewise, moments with lots of rapid changes in scenery in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (like the bombastic final boss fight) suffered from a few stutters - almost as though the drive was unable to load in assets quickly enough.

In the grand scheme of things, these are very minor problems and in my book are worth the cost savings represented by the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink - but it does mean that if you want a completely flawless experience across the board, you should look elsewhere.

The Lexar logo on the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink?

Buy it if...

You want a cheap high-capacity drive
If you want a decent 4TB PS5 SSD for the lowest possible price, then the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink is a solid contender. It’s not perfect, but it’s hard to complain much when it costs such a relatively low amount.

You want a model with a quality built-in heatsink
I did not experience any noticeable thermal throttling throughout my testing of the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink, no matter what kind of intensive load I threw at it suggesting that its chunky heatsink is very effective.

Don't buy it if...

You want flawless performance
You won’t run into problems in most games, but some particularly demanding titles can push this HMB drive to its limits. If you want truly flawless performance, spend more for a model with DRAM.

Also consider...

If you want to weigh up the Lexar Play 2280 against some other options, here are two great alternatives.

Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5
This officially licensed drive from Seagate is a great alternative if you’re shopping for a 1TB or 2TB model. It performs much more consistently, with no noticeable negative effects on your games.

For more information, check out our full Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5 review

Samsung 990 Pro
The Samsung 990 Pro is the cream of the crop, a premium SSD with an effective heatsink that boasts blisteringly high speeds. It's a fantastic performer and much more consistent than the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink but doesn’t come cheap.

For more information, check out our full Samsung 990 Pro review

The Lexar NM790 with Heatsink upside down on a desk. — (Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink

Tested for over a month
Tried with a wide range of games
Compared to other SSD models

I tested the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink for over a month, using it as my primary PS5 SSD at home. During that time I played a wide variety of games, including plenty of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Doom Eternal, Sniper Elite: Resistance, and much more.

Throughout the testing period, I was careful to assess the performance of the drive in each game, in addition to a variety of copy tests, and compared my experience with hands-on testing of other models like the WD Black SN850P, Lexar Play 2280, Samsung 990 Pro, and Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed February 2025

Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe review: great for kids, one to miss for everyone else

5:00 pm | January 29, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: Forza Horizon, Mario Kart, Nintendo Switch, PC | Comments: Off

Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe: One-minute review

The best thing I can say about the Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe is that it’ll make a good gift for younger gamers, especially if they’re into racing games on the Nintendo Switch. As a budget-friendly wheel, it performs admirably, even if it does lack features compared to many of the best racing wheels out there. Still, as a kid-friendly racing wheel, it more than gets the job done.

But is it worth considering for those looking for a new racing wheel in general? Well, its relatively low price tag makes it a decent option for first-time buyers. And with it being compatible with PC as well as Nintendo Switch, you certainly won’t be lacking in options for games.

If you’re okay with the bold Mario aesthetic (which I actually think is quite nice), you will have to contend with a relative lack of features. Build quality really takes a hit here for both the wheelbase and pedals - both certainly lacking compared to pricier wheels. There’s no force feedback to speak of, either, which may disappoint those looking for a more immersive racing experience. It does perform decently with the best racing games, but a limited 270-degree turning angle makes it somewhat ill-suited for serious racing sims.

To top it all off, even younger players may get frustrated with the Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe, as it’s simply unsuitable for play with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The wheel just doesn’t offer the pin-sharp responsiveness needed for such a fast-paced kart racer, and I found myself pining for one of the best Nintendo Switch controllers in its place.

Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe: Price and availability

$109.99 / £89.99
Definitely one of the more affordable racing wheel options on the market
A budget-friendly rate comparable to the Hori Apex racing wheel

The Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe’s $109.99 / £89.99 retail price is actually pretty fair for what you’re getting. It’s comparable to Hori’s own Apex wheel ($119.99 / £99.99). But as Nintendo Switch-compatible wheels go, you’re unlikely to find one as cheap as this without seriously losing worthwhile features.

Compared to pricier options like the Logitech G923 and Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition, you are going to be getting a stripped-back experience here. Hori’s Mario Kart wheel is not compatible with PlayStation or Xbox systems, nor does it have desirable features like force feedback or high rotation.

Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe: Specs

Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe: Design and features

Nice Mario-themed look
Overall cheap-feeling build
Optional suction cups aren’t very effective

The Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe’s highlight design aspect is its overall look. Having been officially licensed by Nintendo, it bears the iconic Mario ‘M’ in the center of the wheel. The steering wheel and base both have a really tasteful red-on-black paint job that looks surprisingly smart and professional for a product primarily aimed at younger audiences.

The wheel is quite robust in terms of buttons, too. You’re getting almost a full suite here, with a d-pad, face buttons, ZL and ZR buttons as well as a pair of paddles primarily used for gear shifting.

The center of the wheel also houses the Start, Select, and Home buttons as well as a Capture button for screenshots, which is a very welcome and quite uncommon feature for racing wheels in general. A handy ‘Assign’ button also lets you map custom inputs on the fly.

It’s a shame that overall build quality is quite lacking, then, but this is to be expected given the relatively low price tag. While the wheel itself is adequate, the wheelbase is quite light and hollow-feeling, which ultimately makes weighing it down on a flat surface oddly difficult.

The included pedals are broadly similar to the ones included with the Hori Apex; they’re very simple and similarly cheap-feeling. If not for the flip-out footrest, the pedal base would be prone to shifting under your weight.

You’ve got two options for clamping the wheel to a flat surface. A more traditional clamp and screw are included, and these work fine if you’re going to make the wheel part of a more long-term setup.

The five included suction cups, on the other hand, simply don’t get the job done. These lock into place via slots at the bottom of the base and a twist of each is meant to secure them on a flat surface without the use of a clamp. However, they were still extremely slippery and offered little purchase for the surfaces I tested on.

You’re better off opting for the clamp option, then, as I found the suction cups to be practically useless and often dislodged themselves from their slots, despite my best efforts to lock them into place.

Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe: Performance

Ironically not well-suited for Mario Kart
Performs adequately on PC via XInput
On-board buttons are perfectly responsive

If you’re just looking for a good, cheap wheel that gets the job done on PC, then the Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe definitely delivers on that front. The racing experience is by no means incredible - with a complete lack of force feedback and a relatively limited 270-degree turning radius - but it’s still perfectly serviceable.

I tested the wheel out on racing games that are lighter on sim elements like Tokyo Xtreme Racer and Forza Horizon 5, and I found it to be a great fit for them. It does start to show its limitations with more simulation-heavy fare like Assetto Corsa EVO, however, where I found I had to play with a variety of assists turned on to aid with the wheels stripped back performance.

While competent on PC, then, I can’t really say the same for the wheel’s namesake. It’s just not very well suited to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Nintendo Switch. Fortunately, the wheel is compatible with the game out of the box, with no control fiddling necessary. However, the simple act of turning and drifting just didn’t feel right in the fast-paced kart racer. Stacked up against a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, Hori’s wheel just doesn’t have the quick responsiveness necessary to drive well in 150cc mode.

It is compatible with a wide variety of Switch racing games, though. So, if you own titles like Gear Club Unlimited or Grid Autosport, you might get more mileage out of it as a console wheel with these racers instead.

Should I buy the Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe?

Buy it if...

You want a cheap wheel that performs decently on PC
If you simply don’t have the budget for a pricier, more feature-rich wheel, you may still want to consider Hori’s wheel as a cheaper alternative given it’s well-suited to sim-lite or arcade style racers.

You’re buying for a younger player
Thanks to the Mario aesthetic and a small feature set that’s easy to get to grips with, this racing wheel is actually a great fit for younger racing game enthusiasts as a first-time purchase.

You’re after a dedicated Switch wheel
Hori’s is one of the very few bespoke Nintendo Switch wheels, with the other notable one being a cheaper version from Hori itself. Out of those two, I’d say this is the one to go for if you can afford it.

Don't buy it if...

You were hoping for a better experience with Mario Kart
Unfortunately, playing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with Hori’s racing wheel just isn’t very fun, and I found myself swapping back to a more traditional Switch controller after just a handful of cups completed.

Also consider...

If the Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe isn’t quite meeting your expectations or preferences, you may want to consider these alternatives instead.

Thrustmaster T248
An oldie, but a goodie. The T248 is an impressive budget model with solid build quality, good force feedback, a handy on-wheel display, and 900 degrees of rotation making it well-suited to sim racers.

Read our Thrustmaster T248 review

Logitech G920
The best Xbox racing wheel for most people (consider the identical Logitech G923 if you’re on PlayStation), boasts superb build quality, great force feedback, and a range of handy sim features. The pedals can be a little stiff, but it’s nonetheless a great mid-range option for consoles and PC.

Read our Logitech G920 review

How I tested the Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe

Tested for one week
Tested across Nintendo Switch and PC
Played a variety of racing games

I tested the Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe over the course of about a week, getting to grips with the wheel and its included pedals across a wide variety of racing games. I covered racers of all kinds, from arcade-like titles including Tokyo Xtreme Racer and Forza Horizon 5 to more simulation-heavy games like Assetto Corsa EVO and Forza Motorsport. I found it to be a better fit for less realistic racers overall.

I can’t say the same, specifically, for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and it’s a shame the wheel wasn’t a good fit for its targeted game. It’s no fault of the wheel, really, as the popular kart racer is just not designed with racing wheels in mind. But it’s definitely something to keep in mind if you’re buying for a younger gamer.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed January 2025

Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition review: a responsive racing wheel with a few too many rough edges

7:00 pm | January 19, 2025

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

Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition: One-minute review

The Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition is a belt-driven racing wheel designed for PlayStation and PC. Considering it’s a GT Edition, this isn’t the most auspicious looking racing wheel. Its rather plain design isn’t helped by the lack of color. However, the leatherette material adds a touch of class and appears to be hard-wearing.

The pedals also feel durable, and feature plenty of adjustments. However, the base can slide around on smooth flooring, so rugs and carpets are best.

Installing the wheel base on a table is somewhat of a hassle, owing to the stiff fastening screw (at least on the unit I had), requiring some lubrication to make it easier. It’s also quite heavy, which means you’ll have to hold it in place while fixing it to a table. The clamping mechanism is also quite clunky, since it’s prone to moving out of position while installing, and gets in the way of the handle on the fastening screw.

Once installed, you should watch out for the self-calibration procedure that takes place as soon as you power it on, as the wheel spins quickly and forcefully. Thankfully, this is the only form of setup when using the T300 RS GT Edition with a PS5 – as you would expect from an officially licensed PlayStation product.

Things were a little more difficult on PC, though. The software tool doesn’t feel the most modern, and it took a few restarts to run correctly and update the firmware successfully. However, it does offer the settings and tweaks you would expect of one of the best racing wheels, including numerous force feedback options.

The T300RS GT Edition performs well in certain areas, but not so well in others. The steering is precise enough, and the pedals offer enough resistance without being too hard. There’s an optional conical stop you can install behind the brake pedal to lend a different sense of feedback, but I found this limited travel too much – which I found a tad too short to begin with.

The wheel can also feel very notchy, especially at the start of rotations; most noticeable when making the slow, gradual movements you might when playing more sedate driving sims. The paddles aren’t damped well enough either, feeling a little harsh in use.

While the button selection is good for PlayStation users, it’s a shame there are no rotary knobs for typical on-the-fly racing adjustments. And on PC, some buttons failed to work in my experience, although quite where the blame lies on this front isn’t exactly clear.

All of these are disappointments for a wheel of this price. The Thrustmaster T248, for instance, is considerably cheaper, yet we think it’s the best racing wheel overall thanks to its excellent performance-to-price ratio. You can of course spend a lot more on a racing wheel, such as the Thrustmaster T-GT II, but we think this is the best premium racing wheel around, as it rivals direct drive wheels – the zenith of racing wheel technology.

Close-up of buttons on Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition — (Image credit: Future)

Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition: Price and availability

$449.99 / £379.99 (about AU$725)
Available now in one color
Some rivals are cheaper

The T300RS GT Edition costs $449.99 / £379.99 (about AU$725) and is available now in one colorway. It comes with a pedal set but not an external shifter, although one can be connected.

This makes it quite a lot more expensive than the Thrustmaster T248, our pick as the best racing wheel overall. This wheel offers similarly good pedals and we liked the force feedback with certain games, but again we had some issues with the steering feel.

If you want a more luxury belt-driven experience, then the Thrustmaster T-GT II is one of the best in this category, and comes close to rivaling state-of-the-art direct drive wheels. We still found the rotation wasn’t as seamless as it could be, though, and it’s considerably more expensive than the T300RS GT Edition.

Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition: Specs

Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition review: Design and features

Plain looks
Violent self-calibration
Useful software

The T300RS GT Edition cuts a rather bland figure, with a monochromatic colorway and a lackluster wheel design that fails to inspire or excite. Considering this is the variant officially licensed by PlayStation and the Gran Turismo series, I was expecting something a little more special.

The pedals are similarly plain, although the metal heads do lend an element of sophistication. There’s also an optional conical stop, which can be screwed in behind the brake pedal to offer a different level of resistance.

The wheel has a satisfactory feel to it, being neither too thick nor too thin. The leatherette finish feels hard-wearing but offers little in the way of padding. There’s also some perforation to help with grip, and I had no issue handling it securely.

Thrustmaster doesn’t give a weight for the wheel base alone, but it’s reasonably heavy with a bias towards the front, which can make installation a little tricky. The pedal base, on the other hand, is much lighter, which can be a problem for those with low-friction flooring, as I did find it was prone to sliding unless I had a carpet or rug underneath.

Installation wasn’t the most seamless experience. The wheel attaches to the base relatively easily, requiring several turns of the Quick Release ring before tightening a small screw to secure it in place. However, attaching the base to a table is more awkward. The fastening screw in the unit I had didn’t thread smoothly, requiring some lubrication to get it working correctly.

Close-up of pedals for Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition — (Image credit: Future)

You have to hold the wheel up while you attach it, as it will fall forwards otherwise. This means tightening the fastening screw one-handed, or using your chest to prop it up while you turn it with both hands, which is the method I preferred. The handle for turning the screw kept getting in the way of the attachment system used to clamp the base to the table, which is an annoying design flaw. What’s more, this attachment system is prone to rotating out of position whilst fastening – another irksome fault.

The pedals do have a pleasing number of adjustments, made easily using the included Allen key. You can adjust the height, angle, and spacing, although I would’ve liked a wider range for the latter, as I found my legs were always too close together, but this could be a personal gripe not shared by others.

The self-calibration for the wheel begins as soon as the T300RS GT Edition is powered on and plugged in, and it took me by surprise: it’s sudden and quite forceful, so make sure to keep your hands completely clear of the wheel.

In order to adjust various calibration and force feedback settings, the Thrustmaster Control Panel for Windows is required. This failed to install on first try for me, although a couple of restarts seemed to fix the issue. The same was true of a required firmware update, but this was successful in the end.

Once up and running, the Thrustmaster Control Panel offers many of the usual customization options you’d expect of a racing wheel. You can set the maximum rotation angle and make multiple force feedback adjustments, with static settings for the constant and periodic forces, as well as dynamic ones for the spring and damper effects. All these are easy to make thanks to the basic layout of the UI.

I had no problem connecting the T300RS GT Edition to a PS5, making it as easy to use as the best PS5 racing wheels out there. The button layout on the wheel is also similar to a controller, which makes navigation simple. It’s a shame, however, that there are no rotary dials, useful for adjusting common racing settings such as traction control and brake balance.

Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition review: Performance

Balanced pedal feel
Notchy steering
Overly strong force feedback

The T300RS GT Edition offers a mixed performance. The steering feels accurate and precise, although the paddles were too clicky for my liking, lacking the satisfying action better damped switches offer.

The pedals provide enough resistance to let you feel how your inputs translate in-game, yet light enough to make them easy to press without fatigue. The clutch pedal offers just the right amount of travel; while I would’ve preferred a bit more for the brake pedal, it still offers enough control. It’s also reassuringly weighted, although I found the optional conical stop added too much resistance, and further decreased the already-wanting travel.

However, my chief grip with the T300RS GT Edition is the notchy feel of the steering wheel. No matter what you do with the settings in the Control Panel, this is always present. I found it particularly noticeable when making small movements close to the center of the axis, which you are likely to do in slower-paced driving sims, as opposed to outright racing sims.

Close-up of paddle on Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition — (Image credit: Future)

The other settings available in the Control Panel do make a difference to performance. There’s plenty of scope within the force feedback for most gamers to find the right setup. The maximum setting was far too strong for me, with the wheel being too hard to turn and flailing wildly when losing traction in-game. As a result, I preferred having the overall strength setting quite low, at about 15%.

The buttons on the wheel all perform well enough, but don’t match the premium feel of those on the best PC controllers. I did have an issue with the POV hat failing to work with some PC games, but this could’ve been a fault with the game rather than with the input itself.

Should I buy the Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition?

Close-up of L3 and R3 buttons on Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition — (Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

You want good pedals
The pedals of the T300RS GT Edition provide enough feel while being easy to actuate. The multiple adjustments are also useful, although I would’ve welcomed more range for the spacing.

You want multiple platform support
The T300RS GT Edition works with three PlayStation consoles and PC, which means you can use it with plenty of high-end racing sims, from various Gran Turismo titles to Assetto Corsa.

Don't buy it if...

You want the best steering feel
The T300RS GT Edition is rather notchy, especially at the start of its turns, so those who’ll be making slow, gentle movements might want to look elsewhere.

You want the best design
The clamping system is quite awkward and not the best engineered solution. The pedal base also has a tendency to slide on smooth surfaces.

Also consider...

If the T300RS GT Edition doesn't sound right for you, then take a look at these excellent alternatives.

Thrustmaster T248
As the best racing wheel overall in our opinion, the T248 offers a perfect balance between price and performance. It’s considerably cheaper than the T300RS GT Edition, but we think it has great build quality and a useful feature set, all of which help to make it a great all-rounder for those embarking on their racing sim journey.

Read our Thrustmaster T248 review

Thrustmaster T-GT II
If you’re after another belt-driven wheel, then the Thrustmaster T-GT II is one of the best there is in our view. It even gives direct drive wheels a run for their money, which are the gold standard for sim racers. We were impressed with its excellent force feedback and extra buttons, making it a practical wheel. You will have to pay considerably more than the T300RS GT Edition for it, though.

Read our Thrustmaster T-GT II review

How I tested the Thrustmaster T300RS GT Edition

Tested for one week
Used on PC and PS5
Plentiful racing sim experience

I tested the T300RS GT Edition for about a week, during which time I used it on PC and PS5. I installed it myself and made sure to adjust as many hardware and software settings as possible, such as pedal positioning and force feedback. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to test the T300RS GT Edition with an external shifter.

I played Gran Turismo 7 on PS5 and Assetto Corsa on PC – two two-tier racing sims on their respective platforms. I also played American Truck Simulator to test the wheel for slower, more controlled steering and pedal movements.

I have been gaming for over 25 years, with racing sims being one of my favorite genres. I play numerous titles across various sub-categories such as F1, touring car racing, and rallying.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed January 2025

Hori Wireless Racing Wheel Apex review: a racing peripheral with impressive wireless tech, but not much else

8:00 pm | December 29, 2024

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

Hori Wireless Racing Wheel Apex: One-minute review

Look, it’s hard to make one of the best racing wheels at an affordable cost. Compromises have to be made in order to hit a lower price point, and there are no good options when it comes to what to jettison.

In the Hori Wireless Racing Wheel Apex, Hori has managed to retain decent build quality and even an impressive wireless function that far pricier wheels don’t feature, but after a few hours of use it’s clear that this is a Pyrrhic victory - the driving experience makes you miss the features it’s gone without.

Specifically: a longer brake pedal actuation, a sturdier pedal base that stays in place, and - although it’s a stretch at the price - force feedback. With these elements missing, the fundamental fun and increased precision you gain from inputting via a wheel is unfortunately offset by too much fiddling and repositioning with the pedals, and an unsatisfying on/off feel to braking.

Of course, that’s the sim racer in me talking, with an awareness of how far more expensive direct drive setups feel in the best racing games. If you put this wheel in the hands of a younger gamer whose curiosity for racing might not warrant sinking two grand on a Fanatec direct-drive rig quite yet, they’ll likely just appreciate the pros and won’t miss the cons too much.

The same goes for casual players whose appetite for racing is infrequent and who just want to try a different style of controlling their vehicles in game. Ultimately, then? The Hori Wireless Racing Wheel Apex's quality hinges entirely on the use case, and the audience. Just know that there are dramatically better options out there for only a small amount of extra cash.

The side profile of the Hori Wireless Racing Wheel Apex.

(Image credit: Future)

HORI Wireless Racing Wheel Apex: Price and availability

List price: $119.99 / £159.99 / around AU$319
As budget-friendly as you’ll find for a racing wheel
Logitech’s G29 is only £40 more now in UK, and offers force feedback

You can’t fault Hori’s ability to achieve a really attractive entry-level price point – in fact, you’ll struggle to find a cheaper model from a reputable brand. This pricing alone makes the Hori Wireless Racing Wheel Apex worth considering.

It’s up against dominating competition from an old stalwart, the Logitech G29, in the UK which is now going for £199 and offers force feedback, superior build qualit,y and functionality. In the US, where the G29 still costs $299, the Hori Wireless Racing Wheel Apex seems a lot more reasonable.

Hori Wireless Racing Wheel Apex: Specs

Hori Wireless Racing Wheel Apex: Design and features

Smart appearance
Ergonomic layout
Flawed pedal design

You’ll find even less metal here than at the Teen Choice Awards, but this wheel’s finish and aesthetic do a lot to flatter the plastic construction materials. This being a PlayStation wheel officially licensed by Sony, you’ll find all the buttons from a DualSense Wireless Controller mapped around the centre of the wheel in a sensible ergonomic layout. Behind them are two plastic paddle shifters, and above the central PlayStation logo are a couple of toggle switches for PS4 / PS5 / PC compatibility.

It’s an attractive peripheral for the price, and the chromed plastic on the lower half does a lot to elevate the look. The gold centre band is a useful touch that adds some motorsport cred to the design, and all the face buttons feel really nice to press – perhaps owing to Hori’s chops in the fight stick market.

I also appreciated the rubberized grips, which added a lot to the feel during a race and kept my hands exactly where I needed them, even in sweatier sessions.

The button layout of the Hori Wireless Racing Wheel Apex. — (Image credit: Future)

Down at your feet though, the design fares less well. There’s no hiding how plasticky that throttle and brake are, nor how insubstantial they feel to operate.

A lot of this comes down to the design. The base just isn’t big enough to distribute your stamping force across a wide enough surface area to prevent the pedals from shifting or twisting under your feet. Even if you push the unit right up against a wall so it can’t move backwards, you still feel a twist if you brake hard. There’s not much that can be done about this - there are no mounting holes for a racing seat, and the rubber stays aren’t sticky enough to keep it in place on carpets or hard floors.

Time for the ace up the Hori Wireless Racing Wheel Apex’s sleeve, though: wireless operation. Alright, not totally wireless - you still need to connect the wheel to the pedals, via an old-school modem-like input (like the ones Thrustmaster and Fanatec use in bases). But from wheel to console or PC, it’s cable-free.

Up to 10 hours of battery life is promised on the spec sheet, and pairing it to the USB-A dongle is a simple procedure. It’s a genuinely impressive addition, although you can’t help but wonder if the overall experience might have benefitted from that expense being spent on the driving feel instead.

Hori Wireless Racing Wheel Apex: Performance

Functional but basic
Limited steering angle and brake actuation
Centering spring hampers car feel

There are two ways to appraise this wheel. Given that it’s aimed squarely at the beginner end of the market, the first is to simply weigh up the merits of using a wheel input versus a controller – the increased precision offered, the way you can catch those spins quicker and correct them more easily. The advantage of holding a consistent steering angle through a corner is something that’s much trickier when you’re trying to be precise with a tiny analog stick. It won’t make you faster straight away, but in the long run, you’re always going to feel the benefits of a wheel peripheral over a pad.

The second approach – and this is where Hori is sweating – is to evaluate this wheel against similarly priced competitors. And that’s where it struggles to make a compelling argument.

Here are the elements that hamper your performance: firstly, the brake pedal. In addition to the issues with keeping the pedal base in place, the brake pedal itself has a tiny amount of actuation, and that creates the sensation that you’re pressing the brake button, rather than applying progressive pressure to the brakes. In other words, it negates the benefits of braking using a pedal instead of a trigger on a pad.

It’s not all bad, though. To the Hori Wireless Racing Wheel Apex’s credit, there’s a decent amount of resistance to the spring on the brake, slightly more than on the throttle, which feels just about resistant enough. And which, crucially, has just about enough travel.

The pedals of the Hori Wireless Racing Wheel Apex. — (Image credit: Future)

Next performance-limiting issue: the centering spring strength of the wheel. This is not a force feedback peripheral, so there’s no tarmac rumble, no dynamic resistance to turn-in, and no steering wheel snaps when your back end hits traction loss and steps out. That’s fair enough. This is a budget wheel, and implementing both the hardware and the software compatibility for force feedback aren’t cheap.

So in its place is a simple spring which brings the wheel back to its centre point when you’re not exerting steering inputs to the left or right. The amount of tension when you’re moving the wheel from centre to a degree of rotation feels fine, and likewise when you’re moving it back from that rotated position. But as it hits the centre point, the wheel snaps into position so aggressively that it affects a car’s stability in-game.

There’s also the 270-degree rotation range to consider. It’s enough angle to enjoy the feeling of sending a car through a corner in most scenarios, but it’s quite limited by the standards set by its peers and situations will crop up where you’ll wish for more angle. Taking the hairpin at Monaco in F1 24, for example, or trying to park in Euro Truck Simulator 2. Many wheels offer up to 900 degrees, and truthfully I’ve sometimes felt like I could get away with much less until I used this Hori Wireless Racing Wheel Apex.

And that leads to the final point about this wheel. It’s not to be knocked or ruled out of contention, because the build quality and features are decent for the price. But that caveat is crucially important. It’s the only context in which such a wheel makes sense.

And that means you should consider if this wheel is going to satisfy your needs in the long run, or whether you’ll probably end up buying a more expensive upgrade later down the line that adds in the features you’ll miss here.

Should I buy the Hori Wireless Racing Wheel Apex?

The complete Hori Wireless Racing Wheel Apex setup. — (Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

You’re new to racing peripherals
The pricing and feature set are aimed squarely at the entry level of the market, making the Hori Wireless Racing Wheel Apex a low-cost way to see if wheel peripherals are for you.

You’re buying for a younger gamer
The smaller size of the pedals and wheel would suit a junior racer who’s newer to the genre.

You’re not going to upgrade later
Spending slightly more could unlock access to wheels with force feedback, more rotation, better pedals and sturdier construction, so be sure that this is all you’re going to need.

Don't buy it if...

You're an Xbox racer
The Hori Wireless Racing Wheel Apex is PS5, PS4, and PC-compatible, so if you want a Forza rig you’ll need to look elsewhere.

You want force feedback
You get a lot more information from a force feedback wheel which helps you to improve as a racer in the long run.

You’ve got a heavy foot
The small pedal base, plastic construction and limited brake actuation aren’t ideal for heavy brake or throttle inputs.

Also consider...

If the Hori Wireless Racing Wheel Apex doesn’t meet your need (for speed), these similarly priced rivals are worth a look.

Thrustmaster T248
A decent all-rounder with sturdy build quality, gratifying magnetic shifter paddles and a lot of torque generated by a dual-motor force feedback servo.

For more information, check out our full Thrustmaster T248 review

Logitech G920
The elder statesman of racing wheels remains as dependable and feature-complete as ever, even if its position in the Logi G hierarchy is confusing following the G923’s arrival.

For more information, check out our full Logitech G920 review

How I tested the Hori Wireless Racing Wheel Apex

One week of regular use during testing
Tested with PC and PS5
Racing sims and arcade titles tried

Since the Hori Wireless Racing Wheel Apex's pedal base can’t be mounted to a sim racing rig, my Playseat gathered dust for a week while I clamped this wireless rig to my desk and put in the hours with Gran Turismo 7, F1 24, and The Crew Motorfest.

I’ve been testing wheels since the early 2010s when the Logitech G27 sat resplendent on the sim racing throne, and in the intervening year,s I’ve taken hairpins and sent many a purple sector with high-end direct drive models and budget offerings alike.

As a point of comparison, I dug out Thrustmaster’s similarly priced T128 wheel for a feature, build quality and driving feel reference, setting aside my usual Thrustmaster T-GT II belt-driven wheel (and the sim rig it’s attached to) for a while

Read more about how we test

First reviewed December 2024

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