The TMX Force Feedback is an Xbox/PC racing wheel that's absolutely perfect for someone looking to dip their toes into immersive racing. It has a fully featured wheel with powerful force feedback that won't break the bank, and it even comes with a pedal set.
I've grown up a kart racer with Mario Kart and Crash Team Racing. I've dabbled with some of the more "arcadey" racing games like Need for Speed: Underground as well as the best racing game of all time, Beetle Bug Racing for the N64. I'm not a "car guy" by any stretch, but I am an "immersion guy," and I'm definitely a VR guy. I've heard a lot about how great games like Dirt Rally 2 can be in VR, so I was excited to try out the TMX Force Feedback from Thrustmaster. Thurstmaster is by far the big name in racing wheels and they recommended the TMX Force Feedback specifically as a great place to start.
Grab It And Hold On For Dear Life
I'm a big fan of the arcade and I love those over-the-top racing games like Cruis'n USA and Fast and Furious - I was hoping to get a similar experience from the TMX. I knew I was in for a time when I first plugged the wheel in and it started spinning back and forth in a full 900 degree rotation to calibrate. The TMX may have an entry level price, but the motors that provide the force feedback have some serious power. I loaded up Dirt Rally 2 in VR, plugged in my ButtKicker, and got down to business.
The TMX is an absolute blast to use. Not only is it super fun to control, the feedback you get from driving on different surface and crashing put a big goofy smile on my face. Every surface is translated into some kind of feedback on the wheel. Whether you're driving on pavement, grass, dirt, or anything else, its translated into the wheel. Sometimes it rumbles and shakes on even surfaces, sometimes it bucks back with force and fights you for control, and sometimes it eases up on the resistance to emulate sliding on a slick surface. It makes racing games harder, no question, but it also makes them immeasurably more fun.
A Small Commitment For A Lot Of Enjoyment
Before I tried the TMX, I'd never gotten a racing wheel because I never thought of myself as a racing game guy despite always enjoying them. It just seems like a complicated setup that I never felt I could commit to. I was sure unboxing this TMX was going to give me some serious stress.
I couldn't have been more wrong. In fact, the entire package is pretty simple to set up and break down - the pedals connect to the wheel and the wheel connects to the wall and to your Xbox/PC, and that's all there is too it. The hardest part of using the TMX is creating a race-like environment to sit in, and that's where I ran into a bit of a problem.
I've got a racing-style gaming chair with a buttkicker amp attached to it at my desk. I imagined mounting the wheel to my desk, putting on my VR headset, and tilting my chair up would be enough to make me feel like I was in a real racing cockpit.
The wheel comes with a very simple clamp that can attach to any flat surface with enough clearance - unfortunately, the bolt it comes with to attach the wheel to your table or desk is only about 4 inches. My Ikea desk is a bit on the thicker side and the wheel simply cannot mount to it. I think it should be possible to find a longer bolt at a hardware store, but it's disappointing that the bolt it comes with isn't long enough. Without mounting, the wheel it tends to slide around on your desk when you play. It also isn't flat on the bottom, making it even more awkward to try to set down. It really needs to be mounted, so you'll need something thin enough to mount to.
Otherwise, the setup is super compact and easy to manage. I'll likely keep it packed in the box it came in when I'm not using it, as I found it pretty easy to pack back up. If you can dedicate a space for it where you don't need to unmount it when you're done, even better.
An Upgradeable Foundation
The other reason the TMX Force Feedback makes such an awesome starter set is because it's part of the total Thrustmaster ecosystem and can be upgraded with additional components. The pedals it comes with are serviceable, but they only have gas and break (I definitely prefer to race manual) and they're extremely light and have the tendency to tip over when you apply gas. I found I needed to stand on the base with my left foot to keep it from tipping while I played.
That's totally acceptable for the price, though. I'm impressed it comes with pedals at all and you can definitely use the nice clicky paddles on the wheel for brake and acceleration if you prefer. Thrustmaster has upgraded pedal options that work with the TMX so when you're ready, you can upgrade without having to replace your wheel. I'll definitely be switching to T3PA pedals soon because I'm having a blast playing Dirt Rally 2 and GRID.
You can also add on a hand break and shifter if/when you decide it's time to go full racing sim. Everything can be mounted to a cockpit if you get to that point. Most won't, but it's nice to know the TMX is a quality wheel that can grow with me no matter how deep I get into this hobby.
A Small Price To Take Your Gaming To The Next Level
The TMX Force Feedback is a fully featured racing wheel at an introductory price. I love the feedback you get from the wheel and I can't imagine driving a car with a controller ever again. Any kid that likes racing games should start with the TMX - if you're looking for a cool gift this season for a little one, I think this is a great option.
A TMX Force Feedback was provided to TheGamer for this review. You can learn more about the TMX Force Feedback and it's add-ons on Thrustmaster's website. Amazon has a fantastic sale on the TMX Force Feedback for the holidays.