Logitech unveils Speed Force Wireless racing wheel for Wii

Up until now, Wii-owning racers have been stuck with the Wii Wheel, Brando's Wii Multi-Axis Racing System or something they cooked up in arts and crafts. Now, however, Logitech is providing a much better option for serious track stars. The Speed Force Wireless racing wheel is the first force-feedback wheel for Nintendo's latest console, and while it was designed to work with Need For Speed Undercover, it'll do just fine with future force-feedback racing titles as well. Disgustingly, you still have to plug a USB receiver into your Wii before this thing will work, but we guess that's the breaks, huh? Look for this one to pop up in November (US and Europe) for $99.99. Full release after the break.

*LOGITECH INTRODUCES FIRST FORCE FEEDBACK WHEEL FOR WII

**Logitech Speed Force Wireless Racing Wheel Works With EA's Highly Anticipated Racing Game Need for Speed*™* Undercover *

*FREMONT, Calif. - Aug. 21, 2008* - To give you a more realistic driving experience on your Wii™, Logitech (SWX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) today announced the Logitech® Speed Force Wireless™ racing wheel – the first force feedback wheel for the popular gaming platform. Licensed by Nintendo®, Logitech's newest force feedback wheel works with Electronic Arts' Need for Speed™ Undercover and paves the way for more force feedback racing titles on the Wii.

"We're excited to team up with Nintendo and Electronic Arts to bring driving realism to the Wii and Need for Speed Undercover," said Ruben Mookerjee, Logitech's director of product marketing for gaming. "Logitech has been at the forefront of force feedback technology for more than a decade, and we're confident that our driving platform will be an indispensable part of the racing experience on Wii as more titles that support it become available."

"As the world's most popular racing franchise, Need for Speed is committed to delivering players superior racing experiences," said Larry LaPierre, Vice President at Black Box, developer of Need for Speed. "This November, Wii gamers can fully experience the thrill of the chase in Need for Speed Undercover with Logitech's force feedback realism."

Easy to set up and store, the Logitech Speed Force Wireless features a one-piece design that is convenient to use whether you're sitting on your couch, arm chair or living room floor. The built-in gas and brake controls are located on the wheel itself and the expandable lap rest is easily adjusted – allowing for comfortable game play without the need to use a table or a desk. Plus, familiar Wii controls make navigating game menus a snap.

To help you minimize clutter, the Logitech Speed Force Wireless eliminates the console cable. With Logitech's 2.4 GHz wireless technology, you can enjoy lag-free racing from up to 30 feet away from the console. To start racing, just connect the USB receiver to the Wii, plug in the wheel's power cord, put in Need for Speed: Undercover, adjust the lap rest to a comfortable position and wait for the race to begin. There's no mounting or assembly involved. And when you're ready to put it away, the USB receiver can be stowed in a convenient compartment on the bottom of the wheel.

*Logitech Force Feedback Technology*
Having introduced its first force feedback products in 1998, the company has designed 19 models of force feedback wheels. And more than 100 racing titles have supported Logitech force feedback technology on a variety of game platforms.

When you're playing a racing game, standard controllers don't let you feel all the excitement that makes racing with force feedback technology the closest you can get to the real thing. Force feedback, unlike vibration feedback or rumble technology, creates directionally precise, tactile feedback that accurately simulates forces experienced in the game. Through the use of advanced software and electronics, force feedback moves a steering wheel as if the device were subject to real external forces.

*About Need for Speed Undercover*

Need for Speed Undercover takes players back to the franchise's roots and re-introduces break-neck cop chases and spectacular highway battles. Players discover a world of high-stakes and high-speed action in some of the world's hottest cars. The all-new Heroic Driving Engine propels the action forward as players experience the dramatic story through spectacular Hollywood-style live-action in-game movies.

*Pricing and Availability*
The Logitech Speed Force Wireless racing wheel is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe beginning in November for a suggested retail price of $99.99 (U.S.).

[lu1de @ Aug 21st 2008 4:04AM]

ugly

[lu1de @ Aug 21st 2008 4:10AM]

damn, I take it back. I don't wanna be so negative anymore

[dervheid @ Aug 21st 2008 4:58AM]

No Ta.
I'll keep my £50 in my pocket to spend on something worthwhile (like maybe another wiimote & nunchuck that can be used on lots of other games), and stick to using the Wii Remote/Nunchuck combo for Mario Kart Wii.

[scott @ Aug 21st 2008 5:12AM]

not really worth it for a bill.

[gus @ Aug 21st 2008 6:31AM]

"disgustingly" lol. its funny how quickly wireless controllers became the norm. if only they had they had bluetooth SNES controllers back in the day.

[Invisiblemoose @ Aug 21st 2008 9:33AM]

Nintendo had a wireless controller for the NES...

[)law( @ Aug 21st 2008 6:58AM]

eyes on the road hands on the wiiel

[霽月瀛台 @ Aug 21st 2008 8:54AM]

I want to dump my Wii.
games are so alike.
excitement please!!!!!!!

[andres @ Aug 21st 2008 9:55AM]

Haikus are easy
But sometimes they dont make sense
refridgerator

[霽月瀛台 @ Aug 22nd 2008 12:17AM]

? Haikus?
What?
I can't get what you mean.
I am not trying to give any Haikus(俳句).
First, I am not Japanese.
Second, my screen name is totally chinese.
You need to have some chinese historical knowledge to understand the name.
Anyway, learn chinese language if you want to understand it.
Don't try to use online translator to understand it because chinese language grammar is still hard to machines.
And, for chinese language, we are not always giving out a complete sentence in some situations, e.g. poems.
My name is a title of a self-written poem.

[chefgon_ign @ Aug 21st 2008 9:08AM]

I would much rather get support for the GameCube Logitech wheel. That thing was awesome, and now it's collecting dust.

[Yaktastic @ Aug 21st 2008 10:32AM]

What's wrong with having a wireless reciever plugged into one of the two usb ports in the back of the wii? Last i checked they havent been used for anything yet (well i guess that keyboard)... its not like they were saying it had to be plugged in via a wire to the wii, just a reciever... of course i am sure i will find out it is 5 lbs and tips the thing over, or doesn't fit if the wii is on its side or something.

any idea on the power of the motors? that thing would need a pretty regular recharge if they need the power of even the old DFP for ps2.


--- gosh this makes it sound like i want one... i don't i''m fine with gt4 and my dfp for now. :)

[Jason @ Aug 21st 2008 10:34AM]

Being USB raises two questions:
1) Will it work on the PC?
2) Will other Logitech USB wheels work with these upcoming Wii games?

[Iridium @ Aug 21st 2008 11:17AM]

Well buying something like this totally negates the purpose of the Wii. I guess if it is your only system and you like racing games.

But, if you are going to buy something like NFS and use a wheel you are much better off with the PS3 or 360. You'll get far better graphics and in the case of the PS3 a far better Logitech wheel.

[Christian @ Aug 21st 2008 1:17PM]

but the benefit of the wireless wheel attachment is that if you get seriously pissed of with the 2nd player, you can throw it hard at them and feel happier after getting hit with so much turtle shells, bombs, and that damn blue f--king shell when you finally get first.... True that this wheel is for NFS, but I'm sure you'd feel the same when you're trying to finish a lap and your younger sibling is mocking your slowness.

[LSK @ Aug 21st 2008 3:45PM]

Why not a Bluetooth Wheel ?

[Daniel Metselaar @ Sep 29th 2008 6:39AM]

Logitech will not be the first third party label to launch a wireless steering wheel w/ vibration feedback.. Logic3 has launched their NW819 - Wii Wireless Steering Wheel last week.

The Logic3 FreeBird Wireless Topdrive for Wii, boasting an array of features such as Bluetooth connectivity, an 8 inch rubberised grip steering wheel and vibration feedback all expertly engineered to offer game players a realistic & dramatic Wii racing experience.

Bluetooth Wireless Steering Wheel & Pedals
8 inch Steering Wheel with Rubberised Grip
Analog Brake & Accelerator Pedals
Vibration Feedback
Gear shift paddles
8 Way directional "D" Pad
Uses 4 x AA batteries (Supplied)
4 LED indicators to show player number
10 Meter Operating Range

http://www.logic3.com/details/?prod=492