The Thrustmaster eSwap XR is a PC and Xbox controller not like any that we have seen earlier than. After catching a glimpse of it, we have been so curious that we could not resist getting it in for testing.
It has a hot-swappable modular design, similar to the model’s previous eSwap controllers, however this time there is a new module. It is a tiny racing wheel in your thumb, and it is designed to bridge the hole between racing on a controller and utilizing a full-blown sim rig.
This controller can also be made in partnership with Forza Horizon 5, which implies we get a daring paint job that followers of the sequence are positive to like.
The query is, how does it carry out? and is it price your hard-earned money? We have been attempting it out.
Thrustmaster
Thrustmaster eSwap XR Professional Controller
The Thrustmaster eSwap XR is totally distinctive controller. Not solely does it supply the flexibility to swap your controls round to go well with the sport that you simply’re taking part in, nevertheless it additionally provides a novel new method to play racing video games.
- Intelligent modular design
- Practical racing wheel
- Mechanical face buttons
- Elevated longevity because of replaceable sticks
- Simple set-up and mapping
- It’s totally dear
- No wi-fi choice
Design
- Dimensions: 160 x 120 x 60mm
- Weight: 324 grams
- Forza Horizon 5 particular version colourway
The eSwap XR, in its signature Forza Horizon 5 livery, goes to be a love-it or hate-it kinda factor. It is a daring color mixture of largely white, pink and black, and it’s miles from delicate. We’re fairly into it, however we are able to equally think about folks craving a barely extra grown-up aesthetic – particularly at such a premium value level.
On the plus facet, although, the modular design means that you would be able to go for considered one of Thrustmasters’ extra conventional designs, just like the all-black eSwap X Pro, and easily add the racing wheel, which is available separately for round $45.
The controller is of a very good dimension, with longer palm grips than the usual Microsoft controller, which makes it very snug for prolonged play periods. We must always observe that we now have pretty massive palms, although, so with smaller palms, you may need a distinct expertise.
It has a strong building, with no audible creaking from the plastics once you grip it tightly and no rattle once you shake it about. That is particularly spectacular contemplating the quantity of elements which are held into place by magnets, Thrustmaster has accomplished an awesome job making this factor really feel strong within the palms.
The end does not really feel particularly premium, although, the plastics are easy and untextured, placing it a step behind controllers just like the Xbox Elite Series 2 – which will be discovered for much less cash.
Nevertheless, there are some premium touches, the joysticks have metallic posts, for instance – which isn’t one thing that you simply see on cheaper controllers.
It is a wired controller and the cable is detachable. It has a braided cable with a 3-metre size, which makes it lengthy sufficient for sofa gaming within the majority of situations. It locks into place with a proprietary latching system, and it is a regular micro USB connector beneath the latch. USB-C would have made issues really feel a contact extra trendy, nevertheless it’s not one thing that issues in use.
Modularity
- Modules included: 2x joysticks, 1x D-pad, 1x racing wheel
- The grips, triggers and energy cable are additionally modular
- Screwdriver and module storage bag included
The headline characteristic of Thrustmasters’ eSwap controllers is the modular hot-swap system. It is a very intelligent concept, permitting you to modify up your gamepad to go well with the model of recreation that you simply’re taking part in.
We had our reservations stepping into, we assumed it could really feel much less sturdy than a daily controller, and imagined some annoying configuration can be required each time you swap, however that was not the case.
As we have already talked about, the controller feels reassuringly sturdy, with no rattling or motion from the modules as soon as they’re snapped into place. They’re straightforward to take away, too, excluding the D-pad, which has much less to seize onto. Thrustmaster has considered this, although, and features a helpful instrument that will help you take away it.
As soon as you’ve got swapped the format round, there’s nothing else that you might want to do, it simply works – it is a actually spectacular system. The one approach it might be improved can be so as to add modularity to the face buttons (A, B, X, Y) as at present, their place is mounted.
There’s extra to this modularity than simply the joysticks and D-pad, too. You possibly can swap the grips on the facet simply as simply, they’re merely held in by magnets, and you may even swap the triggers out – though that may require a screwdriver.
Software program
- ThrustmapperX Software program for Home windows and Xbox
- Button mapping and vibration changes
- Stick, wheel and set off calibration
Thrustmaster offers configuration software program that’s accessible by way of the Microsoft Retailer on PC, Xbox Sequence X/S and Xbox One. It is referred to as ThrustmapperX, and because the title suggests, it lets you remap nearly the entire buttons on the controller, ought to you might want to.
There’s additionally very in-depth customisation for the sensitivity of the triggers, joysticks, wheel and vibration motors. It even lets you set sensitivity curves to actually dial within the stick really feel.
We have primarily been testing on PC, as that is the place we do most of our gaming, and we’ve not run into any points with the software program to date. Regardless of the depth of the customisation, the interface is pretty intuitive and every part appears to be working because it ought to.
It is price noting that you would be able to bypass the software program solely for those who want. On our Home windows 10 gaming rig, it was plug-and-play, the controller was immediately recognised and labored similar to a wired Xbox pad. For the complete expertise, although, you will wish to get it put in.
Efficiency
- Wired connectivity for Xbox and PC
- Racing wheel management
- Mechanical button switches
We discovered the Thrustmaster eSwap XR may be very straightforward to become familiar with, it is extraordinarily snug within the hand and the buttons are precisely the place you’d count on them to be – except you select to maneuver them, after all.
We’re very keen on the joysticks, they’ve simply the correct amount of pressure and really feel very easy. Corridor sensors would have been good to see, however that is nonetheless a rarity and who is aware of if such a design would match into the modular housings.
The mechanical face buttons have a pleasant tactile click on to them and a really brief throw, this makes actuation extraordinarily fast. We’re used to the clicky switches, because of controllers just like the Razer Wolverine Match Version, however that has the same throw to Microsoft’s pads, whereas that is way more shallow – and it feels fairly totally different.
The D-pad is respectable, nevertheless it’s a little bit extra mushy than the face buttons, and nothing to get too enthusiastic about. What’s extra thrilling, is the headline characteristic, the mini racing wheel.
We have been a little bit afraid that this was going to show to be a gimmick, nevertheless it truly does add one thing to the in-game driving expertise. We might be mendacity if we stated it made us any faster in Forza, however extra exact? Maybe.
It looks like there is a smaller useless zone than when utilizing the joystick, which implies you can also make micro-adjustments with smaller actions of your thumb. Plus, it simply feels one notch nearer to driving with a wheel, which is fairly neat.
The draw back is that we discovered it extra fatiguing to play with the wheel than with the joystick. This may simply be all the way down to half a lifetime of taking part in with joysticks, however within the week or in order that we have been testing it positively makes our thumb extra drained than utilizing the stick.
We discovered that the wheel was most snug within the decrease left-hand slot, the place the D-pad would usually be on an Xbox controller. It really works nicely within the higher slot, too, however there it feels most pure to pinch the wheel together with your forefinger and thumb, which was an excessive amount of for us to get used to.
Certainly one of our favorite points of the modular design is that, for those who can handle with out a D-pad, you possibly can have each the joystick and the wheel linked. That is nice for hybrid video games like GTA V the place you will have a mix of on-foot fight and driving – as you possibly can simply swap to the management that fits the scenario.
Verdict
We have actually loved taking part in with the Thrustmaster eSwap XR Professional Controller. It is good to see a controller that is attempting one thing progressive amidst a sea of choices touting comparable options.
The racing wheel module works higher than we had anticipated, and whereas it is not going to exchange a correct wheel anytime quickly, it does supply a pleasant center floor that does not take up wherever close to as a lot room.
The sticking level is the worth. At an MSRP of $179.99 / €199.99 / £179.99, there isn’t any denying that it is a hefty sum of cash for a gamepad, particularly a wired one. For that value, we would count on close to perfection, and to not see issues like a micro USB connection and a slightly-mushy D-pad.
Nonetheless, if the worth does not maintain you again, the eSwap XR affords a gamepad-based driving expertise like no different. If you do not have room for a full-on racing wheel, that is the subsequent smartest thing.
Trending Merchandise
