Ask any racing fan what their dream set up would include and, for most, a wheel will be in the number one spot. However, it’s a bit of kit that comes with a few catches; like needing a lot of space. Thrustmaster may have a new option for those looking for all the thrills of a wheel without a new wing on your house – ‘ESwap XR Pro Controller Forza Horizon 5 Edition’.
Thrustmaster have collaborated with the makers of Forza Horizon 5 to offer a special edition of their well-received eSwapX Pro controller. The result is not only an eye-catching special edition, but also a new module for the platform. eSwapX Racing Module Forza Horizon 5 turns the controller into a racing wheel.
Pro Foundation
The original eSwapX Pro is one hell of a controller to build upon. ESwap XR Pro Controller Forza Horizon 5 Edition comes with the impressive wheel accessory and a host of other gizmos to slot in once your lust for the track is sated. The pack has two sticks and a D-pad in the box along with the eSwapX Racing Module Forza Horizon 5 module.
Read More: Thrustmaster eSwap X Pro Controller (Xbox/PC) review – Modular Life
For £179.99/€199.99, you get the Racing Module as well as the full-fat eSwapX Pro. Itself a high-end performance controller with the ability to pop out and move the sticks or D-pad in seconds. The setup offers a range of elements to best suit your needs or your game of choice. From changing the look with new side grips, to different designed D-pads or more buttons.
Or if you already have the eSwapX Pro, you can grab the eSwapX Racing Module Forza Horizon 5 module by itself for £26.99/€29.99.
The controller is wired like the standard unit and comes with a fairly lengthy heavy duty braided charging cable as well.
Full Premium
There are also four buttons on the back that you can re-map. Though they would have been better as a set of paddles over buttons we feel, as they are just a bit fiddly to press at times. And you need fairly long fingers to get to them. ESwap XR Pro Controller Forza Horizon 5 Edition comes with physical trigger stops – a plus, for sure.
Along the bottom of the controller is a set of audio controls for when you have a headset connected. And the audio control bar works really well. The mute button is especially handy to have.
You can also take your customisation to the next level by plugging the controller into a PC. The Windows-bound ThrustmapperX app is a one-stop shop for any and all tweaks you could ever want to make to the controller.
Eye Catching
This being a special edition you also get a few extras on top of the standard fit and finish. ESwap XR Pro Controller Forza Horizon 5 Edition comes in an eye-catching hot pink and white colour scheme with some marbled grip covers. Though we do wish the grips had a bit of texture to them or maybe even like a rubber finish.
You also get a swanky carry bag for the controller and all the other bits of kit the standard eSwapX comes with too.
Modular Racing
ESwap XR Pro Controller Forza Horizon 5 Edition is easy to set up, thanks to the pop-and-drop system. You can place the racing module in any of the three ports in the controller – we found we liked the right-most port. Thrustmaster say themselves here or the top left are the best spots for it.
Also worth noting no matter where you put the module, you will lose a bit of the functionality of the controller; whether that’s the d-pad or being able to look around on the right stick. Though this is where the back buttons come into play to regain some of the controls lost by mapping them there.
So when you have the module in and fitted you’re ready to go and the first thing you spot is how good it feels, thanks in part to its serrated rubber grip and also to the resistance in the unit, as it always wants to spring back into place, which gives you a nice depth to control.
The module gives you 95 degrees of rotation to play with, which is a little bit limited in some ways given the range a full fat wheel will gives you, but to be honest you never feel like you really need more.
Acid Test
We tested the controller with the module across a number of racers from the arcade thrills of Forza Horizon 5 , and its more sim focused brother, Forza Motorsport 7. As well as Need For Speed Unbound, DiRT Rally 2, Grid Legends and even The Art of Rally.
Read More: Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels – Ultimate Die-Cast Playground
Although it took a bit of time to dial in to each title, it quickly became great fun adding a new layer to the racing action, as well as giving what felt like an extra level of depth to your controller.
But, again, it will take a bit of time to be as precise with it as you would be with a standard controller or a wheel. So expect to hit a few trees, snow drifts and barriers when you start out.
But when it clicks, and it will, you’ll start to see the real benefits. It’s also worth noting the module isn’t as good for twitch inputs as using the thumbstick. For example, dodging things at speed.
But the racing module excels at allowing you to dig that bit deeper when drifting. The wheel gives the sort of control you need to push the backside of your car to the very limit and to hold it there as you kiss the apex.
Road Worthy
The eSwapX Racing Module Forza Horizon 5 Edition is a hell of a bit of kit. Especially if you’re a Forza fan as the livery looks the business. The Racing Module itself is a solid option for those wanting more control in their racing games. The progressive control allowed will certainly have a positive impact on your time behind the virtual wheel.
If you’re a racing fan, and are looking for a controller that’s a little bit different from the rest of the pack, eSwap XR Racing Module Forza Horizon 5 Edition brings something new to the party.