Category: Video Games

Dragon’s Dogma fans have been anxiously awaiting a demo for the sequel, and while today’s Capcom Highlights stream didn’t announced a full-blown demo, it did reveal that the character creator and storage will be available today.

If you take advantage of the pre-release character creator, you’ll be able to transfer your character to the full game when it releases on March 22. Dragon’s Dogma II features a pretty in-depth character creator (which we broke down as part of our IGN First coverage right here), so it’s a good opportunity to get a heads-start on your own Arisen ahead of the official release.

Developing…

There’s no better way to heighten the drama in your favorite racing games than adding one of the best racing wheels to your peripheral collection. The best racing wheels for Xbox Series X/S will put your reaction speed to the test and push you to take on challenging roads and turns with more accuracy than your average controller. Considering Forza Motorsport and Dirt 5 are already on Xbox Game Pass, it’s a great time to take the leap and upgrade your set-up.

• Check out the best racing wheels for PS5

TL;DR Best Racing Wheels for Xbox Series X|S At a Glance:

• Thrustmaster TMX Racing Wheel
• Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 Spider
• Logitech G923
• Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel
• Thrustmaster T128

Before we jump into our choices, It’s worth mentioning that if any specific features catch your eye, they may only be compatible with certain games or game series, so before committing to the purchase, we recommend making sure the wheel aligns with your racing sim preferences.

The Best Racing Wheels for Xbox Series X|S

1. Thrustmaster TMX Racing Wheel

Best Xbox Series X|S racing wheel

Pros

• Formidable force feedback
• All-in-one package

Cons

• Pedals aren’t the best quality

The Thrustmaster TMX Racing Wheel is a great all-around entry-level wheel that comes in a convenient Xbox-friendly package. You can set up your kit and get to business quickly thanks to its system-recognised buttons and easy-to-use mount. Plus, the TMX also comes with a two-pedal set for no additional cost, giving you all the tools you need to start competing in your favorite racing games.

When it comes to getting a feel for the road, the TMX Racing Wheel uses a force feedback system that delivers a host of intense vibrations as you burn rubber across the biomes in Forza Horizon 5. Crossing intricate terrain will alter the reactive rumble, allowing you to react precisely as race environments shift.

2. Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 Spider

Best racing wheel for casual drivers on Xbox Series X|S

Pros

• Stylish Ferrari-red design
• Budget price point

Cons

• Not as realistic as other wheels on the market

If you’re a motorhead with a penchant for Charles Leclerc or Carlos Sainz, the Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 Spider might be the perfect match for you. With some glorious red rubber paneling and the iconic Ferrari logo at the center of the wheel, the Ferrari 458 Spider is nothing if not stylish. Designed with Xbox in mind, the 458 Spider has system-aligning buttons embedded in the wheel face. So, you won’t need to relearn any of the controls before you hit the road.

Unlike the force feedback system in other wheels, the 458 Spider uses a bungee cord system to fight against when driving. This form of linear resistance offers tension to turns, as the wheel will automatically correct itself if you lose your grip. It may not offer the most realistic experience on this list, but it does have plenty of compelling features that work perfectly for casual players or first-time racing wheel users who don’t want to break the bank.

3. Logitech G923

The best mid-range racing wheel for Xbox Series X|S

Pros

• Leather grips are comfortable over long periods of use.
• Trueforce delivers great haptic feedback

Cons

• Smaller wheel size isn’t true to life

Competitive Xbox racing sim players who want to upgrade their kit will find everything they’re looking for in the Logitech G923. With pleasantly textured leather grips and a 10.24-inch wheel, the G923 delivers a deluxe but grounded feeling within a more approachable price range.

The G923 also features Logitech’s Trueforce feedback tech. Which reads specific information in the game, like road surface texture, weather and tyres, and furnishes appropriate haptic feedback through the wheel. The G923 conjures an immersive drive as a result and delivers tangible grit when making decisions in intense driving scenarios. One caveat to consider, however, is that Trueforce isn’t available for all games. If you have a specific game you like to play, we recommend checking the specs on the official store page so you won’t be let down.

4. Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel

Best premium racing wheel for Xbox Series X|S

Pros

• True-to-life wheel size feels superb
• Trueforce haptic feedback offers immersive racing

Cons

• High price point

For those wanting a more deluxe wheel, the Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel has all the bells and whistles you want in a lavish, comfortable frame. The size of the wheel itself is true to life, with robust grips and a metal plate at its center. When paired with the wheel’s responsive controls and force feedback, staying to the course on straights or tilting into turns is a lifelike experience – adding palpable tension whether you’re coasting ahead of competitors or fighting to get back to the front of the pack.

Like the Logitech G923, the G Pro Racing Wheel amps realism with Trueforce technology to test your mettle across various weather and track conditions. If this feature is your main selling point, make sure to check that your best-loved games are compatible to avoid disappointment down the line.

5. Thrustmaster T128

Best beginner racing wheel for Xbox Series X|S

Pros

• Reactive controls
• Quality force feedback

Cons

• No grip on the wheel

When it comes to entry-level racing wheels that will last, you can’t do much better than the Thrustmaster T128, which pairs ample force feedback with reactive controls. Using the wheel is convenient, with an Xbox controller mirrored almost exactly in the wheel’s face. Shifting gears with the responsive magnetic paddle shifts is a haptic experience, with the LED rev indicator on the wheel face providing a useful visual reminder of how hard you’re gunning through a circuit.

While there’s a lot to love about this beginner-friendly option, it’s important to note that the wheel doesn’t have grips, which can lead to discomfort over long periods, or, worse still, a loss of grip leading to botched maneuvers. Even so, the Thrustmaster T128 would be a fantastic addition to a budding sim racer, or for someone simply looking to scale up from the traditional controller.

Upcoming Racing Wheels For Xbox Series X|S

Turtle Beach has joined the racing wheel market with the VelocityOn Race Wheel & Pedal System, which launched on February 26th, 2024. Coming in at $649.99, this new wheel boasts a 7.2Nm direct drive force feedback motor and dashboard race telemetry window to help players maximize their racing skills. This new wheel has been designed with Xbox Series X/S consoles in mind alongside PC and PS5, though its features may not be compatible with all driving games.

The VelocityOn Race Wheel & Pedal system also features a modular control box for quick access to vehicle settings and mid-race toggles.

FAQ

How do you connect the racing wheel to the Xbox Series X|S?

Each wheel may have a different method of pairing, though it’s easiest to consider this process similar to connecting a secondary controller. Typically, pairing will involve connecting the wheel via a USB cable to the console, turning on the console, and navigating to the Devices & Accessories submenu to set up your new wheel. We recommend following the guide the brand outlines to ensure you don’t run into any issues.

Which racing wheel brand is better – Logitech or Thrustmaster?

Both brands offer a variety of experiences that suit players, and it ultimately comes down to use preferences and needs. For example, while Logitech offers TrueForce technology, it may not be eligible for your favorite game. Alternatively, the Thrustmaster T128 may have great haptic feedback for beginners, but the lack of comfort on the wheel might put you off. When choosing between brands, it’s best to look specifically at the specs and materials rather than the brand as a whole.

Sarah Thwaites is a freelance tech writer at IGN, with bylines at GameInformer, TrustedReviews, NME and more.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s 1.002.000 patch is here, and while it did finally deliver long-awaited features like New Game+, it also unintentionally added access to a development game menu.

Developer Insomniac Games addressed the unintended addition in a post on X/Twitter, explaining that a hotfix for the issue is “on the way.” The message also warns that players who use the menu could face corrupted save data and trophy progress. Those who spend their time swinging around New York City like normal should find no issue, though, so even if you’re curious, you’re probably better off just forgetting about the slip-up for now.

⚠️ We’re aware the latest game update may have inadvertently allowed access to a development game menu. There’s a hotfix on the way.

Please note that using this menu could corrupt your saves and trophy progress.

There is no risk associated with playing the game as intended.

— Insomniac Games (@insomniacgames) March 7, 2024

Unfortunately, it sounds like the menu is relatively easy to access. For the sake of your save files, we won’t delve into the process here, but players on Reddit were quick to figure it out. Some have even said they gained access by accidentally stumbling across it, so watch out for that too.

Screenshots of the menu options include settings for items, enemies, health, and more, potentially giving players access to game-breaking tools they were never meant to have. Again, Insomniac warns that those who take advantage of the bug could find themselves with corrupted data, so that’s the risk if you can’t help but take peek behind the scenes. No hotfix is available yet, but we’ll update this story when one arrives.

Most Spider-Man 2 players are too preoccupied with the update’s other many goodies to spend their time with these unintended new options. Some highlights from the 1.002.000 patch include new suits, a Mission Replay feature, and the option to switch the in-game time of day. It’s a massive content drop for the sequel, which launched in October of last year and has managed to sell 10 million copies thus far.

For more on Spider-Man 2, be sure to read our 8/10 review. At the time, we said, “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 delivers Insomniac’s best tale yet, and despite its open world falling short, is a reliably fun superhero power trip.”

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.

Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.

Today, Blizzard revealed a stylish trailer for Overwatch 2’s next big crossover collaboration event with none other than the fan-favorite 90’s anime series, Cowboy Bebop. The special collaboration will launch as a part of Overwatch 2 Season 9 on March 12.

In typical Overwatch fashion, the Cowboy Bebop collaboration trailer spoofs animation studio Sunrise anime’s iconic opening animated sequence and opening theme song “Tank” by Yoko Kanno. In it, we see Cassidy as the bebop’s laissez-faire bounty hunter, Spike Spiegel; Ashe as its femme fatale, Faye Valentine; Mauga as the gruff ex-cop, Jet Black; Wrecking Ball as the super-smart hound, Ein; and Sombra as the crew’s rambunctious hacker, Ed.

Blizzard first revealed a Cowboy Bebop collab was on the horizon at the butt-end of its Season 9 trailer back in February. The upcoming collab marks the second time the free-to-play hero shooter has done an anime-themed crossover event. In fact, around this time last year, Overwatch 2 launched its One Punch Man collaboration. Outside of its two anime collabs, Overwatch 2’s most recent big crossover was with the K-Pop group Le Sserafim.

While Blizzard has yet to reveal whether or not the Cowboy Bebop collab will see the addition of a new limited-time game mode like its One Punch Man and Le Sserafim event, the collab trailer and YouTube description text tease the Overwatch heroes prepping for some sort of train heist.

Arguably, one of the main things on the backs of diehard Overwatch 2 players’ minds will be how much its yet-to-be-seen exclusive anime skins will cost and if it’ll be locked behind a steep season pass bundle like its contentious $40 Diablo IV collab. The answers to these questions will likely all come to light when Overwatch 2 Season 9 launches next week.

Isaiah Colbert is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow them on Twitter @ShinEyeZehUhh