The 90s and early to mid-2000s were very unique times for third-party controllers. Unless you were at home and the owner of the video game console, the third-party controller would often be reserved for a relative or friend. What’s more, gimmicky controllers were rampant and once that novelty had worn off, those controllers would soon be collecting dust.
Third-party controllers are a very different entity today, none perhaps more so than the Forza Horizon 5 eSwap XR Pro Controller from Thrustmaster. Compatible for PC, Xbox One and Series X|S, when I first set eyes on this controller, I was instantly thrown back to the 90s.To be perfectly honest, my first impression was quite dismissive, especially when I saw the steering wheel-like analogue controller.
Thankfully, within minutes of using this controller on Forza Horizon 5, I was won over and it quickly became apparent that this was more than just a novelty controller of yesteryear. The best way that I can describe this accessory in a nutshell is that it’s basically a pro controller and steering wheel in one, offering the best of both worlds.
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Firstly, let’s talk about the eye-catching visual style of this controller. As the name of the controller states, this is inspired by the latest racer from Playground Games, Forza Horizon 5. Its mixture of white, pink and black presents itself as a wonderful piece of eye candy and almost instantly sets itself apart from other pro controllers, and that’s even without the Racing Wheel Module.
Speaking of which, the main feature of this controller is the aforementioned Racing Wheel Module with a re-centring system and 95° rotation angle. It had only taken me a few moments to get used to this alternative analogue (if you will), and while it's hard to explain exactly, I felt that I had more control over my in-game car drifting with even more ease than I was used to.
My thumb would often rest under its rubberised aesthetic. It felt oddly satisfying as it would instantly reset itself as I prepared myself for the next fast-approaching corner. Don’t get me wrong, analogue sticks are great, but going back to more traditional means, it felt strange briefly going back to my favourite racing game on Xbox without the Racing Wheel Module.
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Another key feature of the eSwap XR is the two swappable S5 NXG module sticks and D-Pad. In total, you have three to swap and switch as you, please. It’s up to you where you want to place the racing wheel, D-Pad or sticks. What’s more, the in-built magnets satisfyingly click into place nicely and securely. You can even swap the side grips of the controller. FYI, Thrustmaster will sell alternatives for the eSwap XR.
If you choose, you don’t even have to use the Racing Wheel Module, as this controller is perfect for just about any genre. So if you wanted to use this pro controller for games such as Call of Duty, Fortnite or Halo, you can do that too. One unexpected feature that I really like about this controller is the mechanical buttons and D-Pad, not only are they said to be 64% more responsive and faster than a standard alternative, but they are more efficient, and that click feels very therapeutic.
With this being a pro controller, there are other bells and whistles that one might expect should you decide to purchase. The eSwap XR allows you to customise and download profiles suited for various genres. You can also adjust the sensitivity of the mini-sticks, triggers and the Racing Wheel Module to your heart's content. You can customise the eSwap XR via the free ThrustmapperX app via Windows and is even accessible via the Xbox menu, which is handy.
It also features the customary back buttons on the rear of the controller, rather than paddles. While this is a personal preference, I prefer the buttons at the rear rather than paddles, as I find that the latter is easier to press by mistake which can be a matter of kill or be killed in competitive multiplayer games. You can also lock the LT and RT triggers on the fly. Oh, I nearly forgot to mention, you can even swap over the two trigger buttons if you please. Moreover, when the racing wheel module is in use in place of the D-Pad location, the D-Pad inputs will automatically be assigned to the four rear buttons.
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As advanced as the eSwap XR Pro Controller is, it also comes with some basic quality-of-life features that make gaming that little bit hassle-free. Namely, the buttons located at the bottom of the controller easily adjust the volume, mic, and switch profiles as well as feature a 3.5mm audio port.
For an added reference, with this being such a versatile controller, I gave it a good test run on various games other than Forza Horizon 5. Those titles included Crazy Taxi, F1 2022, Burnout Hot Pursuit Remastered, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, Gears 5, Resident Evil 2 remake and even Skyrim.
If I were to have a few nitpicks with the controller it would be the lack of an official hard case included in the initial purchase. The reason that I say this, is that both Microsoft’s Xbox Elite and Sony’s DualSense Edge controllers come with such an accessory. Thrustmaster does sell an official carry case, but it will knock you back an additional £20. Speaking of additional accessories, if you already own the black (none Forza Horizon 5-themed) eSwap XR controller, you can buy the Racing Wheel Module separately from the Thrustmaster website.
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It’s also worth mentioning that this controller isn't wireless, which isn't totally a bad thing in my opinion. When it comes to competitive online play especially, wired controllers can offer practically zero latency and lag inputs, other than a wireless controller. As such, the eSwap XR comes with a two-metre, braided USB micro cable. That being said, it would have been nice to have the choice of wired and wireless.
Finally, does the Thrustmaster Forza 5 eSwap XR Pro Controller offer good value for money? Depending on where you shop, the controller can cost you around £170 to £180 at launch. Which of course is a lot of money, but not one that’s uncommon for a pro. However, this particular controller is very unique given its hybrid design that caters to the likes of racers and shooters.
I’ve never been one to suggest value to others as it’s a matter of personal preference. That being said, with this not being your everyday pro controller, if you’re already thinking about making this purchase, you won’t be disappointed with the Thrustmaster Forza 5 eSwap XR Pro Controller and once you do, you’ll not want to play your favourite racers on PC on Xbox the way it once way. That’s unless, of course, you use a steering wheel.
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The Thrustmaster Forza 5 eSwap XR Pro Controller will be available from 30 March 2023 and can be purchased from Thrustmaster.com as well as various retailers. A review sample was provided by Thrustmaster.
Featured Image Credit: Thrustmaster/Playground GamesTopics: Forza, Xbox, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PC