One of the products that has caught our attention in recent times is GameSir’s wild looking controller with a full racing wheel in the center. Not only is it unlike anything else on the market, but it’s also one of the most innovative ideas I’ve seen in years.
It’s still a long way off, with current projections for a release in the first quarter of 2027, but I stumbled upon one at this year’s conference. Sim Racing Expo in Charlotteso naturally I grabbed it with both hands.
The unit I spent some time with is still very much a prototype, but I honestly can’t stop thinking about it. It’s truly one of the coolest pieces of technology I’ve touched in recent memory.
The controller itself debuted earlier this year at CES and is known by its codename, Fast driving. However, at this event it will be marketed through a collaboration with simulation racing hardware company Trak Racer, and Its version will be known as TR640.
So what is it about? Incredibly, the Swift Drive/TR640 includes a genuine direct drive motor in the format of a regular driver. It’s a little heavier than the average Xbox controller, but it’s not as uncomfortable and certainly not more cumbersome.
Direct drive is a technology that is generally limited to much larger, heavier and more expensive virtual racing setups. Inside the controller is something technologically the same, but much smaller. But even with the reduced dimensions, this thing kicks like a mule.
However, the experience of using the controller doesn’t feel unnatural. Obviously its primary focus is racing titles, but you still get regular face buttons, a full-sized analog stick, and a miniature right stick.
The general form is not at all strange; It even has the same type of rear paddle buttons that you would find on a GameSir G7 Controller. It is perfectly usable for all types of games.
But what about your party piece? Honestly, calling it amazing doesn’t seem like it does it enough justice. The experience feels completely natural. The wheel sits exactly where your thumbs would naturally rest, especially if you’ve ever used a sony controller.
I played a bit of Assetto Corsa using it and it’s a totally easy experience to learn. While learning how to use a steering wheel and pedal setup takes time, practice, and some adjustments to your settings and driving position, you don’t have any of that with this controller.
This is not a half-solution; It features the world’s smallest direct drive motor. And don’t let the size fool you into thinking it’s not powerful.
Controller vibration motors have never been so good for racing games. There is a clear difference here. Because it uses the same direct drive technology used in racing wheels, what you feel through your fingers is the game’s true force feedback.
Even with the force feedback turned down, you can really feel the track beneath your virtual car; you can feel the texture of the rumble strips, of the grass if you go off the asphalt, and if you hit a barrier, it’s best to remove your thumbs completely!
The wheel input isn’t exactly 1:1, but it shouldn’t be either. You don’t want 900 degree input on something you hold in your hands and use your thumbs to steer. I’m not sure what the exact configuration of this prototype is, but it works. It balances precision and comfort practically perfectly.
The initial curiosity was great, but I really didn’t believe something like this was possible. Or fear that it will turn out something half-assed.
So I’m surprised and excited that none of that rings true. This is the real deal. If you want to play Forza Horizon 6 or something more “serious” like Assetto Corsa, this controller is accessible enough for beginners but advanced enough for someone looking for a dose of realism.
Many will look at the projected retail price of $199 and think it’s simply too much for a controller. But that’s the wrong way to look at it. I have $200 Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K controller, and it doesn’t have a direct drive motor in the middle.
Compare the price of GameSir Swift Drive even with a basic steering wheel and pedal setup and you will get a better comparison. Even one of the most affordable direct drive bases will set you back over $200; Then you have to add a tire and some pedals and, above all, have space to mount them all together.
In this full-size driver, you have true direct driving response and a more realistic driving experience, and you can do it all with your feet on the couch. Which you can do because it’s also wireless.
Although there is still a long way to go. The representative I spoke to said they hope to have it ready in the fourth quarter of 2026, while the Trak Racer version is currently available for pre-order with a tentative date of January 2027.
In that time there will be more work to perfect it and, from what I’m told, the hope is to have it available on all platforms. The prototype I tested is a PC-only controller, but the plan is to have an Xbox/PC variant in addition to a PS5/PC variant.
Although I am totally in favor of this. I love that someone had a crazy idea and actually made it work. I also love the execution. The design is ergonomic and comfortable to use, and the internal hardware is advanced enough to tackle any of today’s top racing games.
I also hope it sparks a whole new category of drivers for racing fans. In terms of the experience, the pleasure of driving, this goes far beyond the use of an analogue joystick, and at the same time it is more accessible and economical than a steering wheel. Add this to the top of the list of most anticipated products.
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