Re-discovering Sheer JOY

[digitalpress]

I was chatting with a classic gaming friend this morning, who told me that his neighbor was "throwing away" a steering wheel controller, would I be interested in it. No charge, but no guarantees that it works either.

Naturally I said yes. A half hour later, he stopped by with it. This wasn't JUST a steering wheel controller. This is that wonderful Dreamcast wheel by Interact. The heavy one that clamps onto a table edge, has metal wings for brake and gas control OR an attachable brake/gas pedal controller. Also supports rumble. I've played on one of these before but never owned one.

It was pretty filthy and I didn't have much hope for it working but I cleaned it off and set it up. Hooked it up to my Dreamcast and away we went.

San Francisco Rush 2049. I am in HEAVEN. The wheel works perfectly, the rumble feature just right, the game... SO much better this way.

Anyway, this was just a nice surprise and I'm going to be playing DC driving games for the rest of the night. Just wanted to share, brag... GUSH, if you will.

Game ON > Me!

[Cmtz]

I love that wheel! That's a good deal DP.

Speaking of the DC? A computer program is comming out so people who do not know how to program can make their own DC games.

[Kid Ice]

Cool deal. I love 2049 with the steering wheel (mine's the Mad Catz version). Just make sure you set the contols to steering wheel in options.

ICE

[stonecutter]

I have that wheel and another one for DC. That is the nicer wheel for sure. I have 2 wheels, its great to have a buddy over with 2 wheels and race. Its not as much fun for 1 guy to have a wheel when the other guy doesn't.

[digitalpress]

In my steering wheel bliss today I discovered:

-Speed Devils Online is GREAT with the wheel.
-Star Wars Ep I Racer is GOOD with the wheel.
-Vanishing Point is SO-SO with the wheel.
-Test Drive V-Rally is a DISASTER with the wheel.
-Suzuki Alstare doesn't even RECOGNIZE the wheel (which sucks because I really like that game).

It's been years since I've played so many racing games as I have today. Dreamcast has such an excellent library of racing titles, too.

Well... I'm heading back to it now!

[Kid Ice]

In my steering wheel bliss today I discovered:

-Speed Devils Online is GREAT with the wheel.
-Star Wars Ep I Racer is GOOD with the wheel.
-Vanishing Point is SO-SO with the wheel.
-Test Drive V-Rally is a DISASTER with the wheel.
-Suzuki Alstare doesn't even RECOGNIZE the wheel (which sucks because I really like that game).

It's been years since I've played so many racing games as I have today. Dreamcast has such an excellent library of racing titles, too.

Well... I'm heading back to it now!

Try Daytona. Daytona and 2049 are the only games I play with the wheel.

MSR surprisingly sucks with the wheel, although it might be me as I find the analog control in that game incredibly tight.

Crazy Taxi is terrible with the wheel.

Funny you should mention Suzuki Alstare, I spent the better part of this afternoon getting acquainted with that game.

the kid

[Achika]

Crazy Taxi is terrible with the wheel.

BLASPHEMER! That was the only way I could play! I sucked with the controller and that wheel gave the o-so-arcady feel. Maybe you just weren't doing it properly? :P

[Videogamerdaryll]

I'd like to see what the wheel looks like..anyone have a pic or link to the DC Interact wheel that Joe has..?
I'm very interested in steeing wheels for various systems.

[digitalpress]

Crazy Taxi is terrible with the wheel.

BLASPHEMER! That was the only way I could play! I sucked with the controller and that wheel gave the o-so-arcady feel. Maybe you just weren't doing it properly? :P

I have to agree with Achika, Crazy Taxi plays GREAT with the wheel.

I'll try Daytona USA with it today!

@Daryll: here's a picture of this one. It actually looks kinda flimsy in the picture, but it's very solid.

[kainemaxwell]

Great find, you are a gaming god among us.

[Kid Ice]

Crazy Taxi is terrible with the wheel.

BLASPHEMER! That was the only way I could play! I sucked with the controller and that wheel gave the o-so-arcady feel. Maybe you just weren't doing it properly? :P

Maybe it's my wheel. I find it very hard to do the "Crazy Dash" and "Crazy Slide" (or whatever they're called) because of the button layout. It's really hard to time it using my feet!

ICE

[digitalpress]

You don't have to use your feet. I've had much more success using the metal flap behind the wheel for the brake and the footpedal for the gas, but you could use both flaps too, right?

By the way, Kid Ice - you were right on the money with Daytona USA. I like the game as it is but always thought it was missing something. It was. It was missing a steering wheel controller

[Videogamerdaryll]

Crazy Taxi is terrible with the wheel.

BLASPHEMER! That was the only way I could play! I sucked with the controller and that wheel gave the o-so-arcady feel. Maybe you just weren't doing it properly? :P

I have to agree with Achika, Crazy Taxi plays GREAT with the wheel.

I'll try Daytona USA with it today!

@Daryll: here's a picture of this one. It actually looks kinda flimsy in the picture, but it's very solid.

Thanks Joe....Ah Yes,.Concept 4 Wheel...Sweeet

[Kid Ice]

By the way, Kid Ice - you were right on the money with Daytona USA. I like the game as it is but always thought it was missing something. It was. It was missing a steering wheel controller

Yeah, too bad the online servers aren't up anymore.

Which brings up an interesting problem. Weren't there some cars in that game that were only unlockable online? Time to back up my VMU's....

ICE

[Masco73]

Joe, You have to try test drive 6. It is really fun with the wheel. Buying your own classic cars to race.
I guess I will have to keep looking because I don't have half the racing games you guys have mentioned.

[digitalpress]

A few more to report, based on today's gaming:

- Sega Rally 2 is SO-SO with the wheel.
- Test Drive 6 is STINKY with the wheel (sorry, I think it's more that it's just not a very good game - the cars controll like ass).
- Sega GT... WOW. Suddenly I appreciate this game. Put it up there with Daytona USA and Rush 2049 as the best driving games "with steering controller".

So far.

[Masco73]

I'm really suprised to hear you say that about test drive 6. I like the game with the controller and even better with the wheel. I have the mad catz wheel, so maybe that's it.

It might be that you have not spent enough time with the game. You won't get a good handling car until you buy upgrades(engine,tires,etc...). If you start with what they give you it is pretty loose and is hard to control. Maybe give it one more try. The music is pretty good also.

[briskbc]

How is Super Runabout San Fran Ed. with the wheel? I love that game.

[digitalpress]

I'm really suprised to hear you say that about test drive 6. I like the game with the controller and even better with the wheel. I have the mad catz wheel, so maybe that's it.

It might be that you have not spent enough time with the game. You won't get a good handling car until you buy upgrades(engine,tires,etc...). If you start with what they give you it is pretty loose and is hard to control. Maybe give it one more try. The music is pretty good also.

I'll admit I didn't play far into it, but I did play pretty deeply in when I originally bought the game a few years ago. I'm just not a fan of the recent Test Drive series (except V-Rally), though I really do love the music and the presentation. I should probably give it more time but that's hard to do when there's Daytona, San Fran Rush, and Sega GT playing so great right from the get-go.

I didn't play too much of Super Runabout but it seems to play just fine with the wheel. I can't give an opinion of it just yet.