(image credit: EAGLE3) HKS Racing Controller | US$44.99 | www.eagl3.com
the usual form of control for racing game on playstation 3 is via the Sixaxis or Dualshock 3 controller, or for those who has deeper pockets, it would be the gaming steering wheel. for those who are not ready to splurge on a steering wheel, fortunately, there is the HKS Racing Controller, which fills in the gap between a stock controller and a full-fledge gaming steering wheel.
the HKS Racing Controller is born out of a collaboration between the California-based peripheral maker, Eagle3 and the legendary Japanese automotive racing modification company, HKS. with a 37 years old history, HKS is synonymous with racing and it couldn’t get any more appropriate then to brand the controller under HKS Racing. the form and shape of the HKS Racing Controller resembles the DualShock 3 controller and spots the familiar R1/R2, L1/L2 trigger buttons but that’s where the similarity ends.
in place of the D-pad on the left is the thumb-size pressurized racing wheel which enables full rotational range for turnings and auto-centering. on the right where the triangle, circle, square and ‘x’ were, are the analog pressure acceleration and brake ‘pedals’ with full-range pressure sensors which enables control over gas and brake pedals. if you have played GT5, this feature will certainly comes in handy. the pressure sensors will allow controlled braking and acceleration which is almost certainly unachievable with the stock controller.
there’s even a light-up numerical indicator at center of the controller which displays the pressure being applied to the accelerator and brake in real-time. another notable difference is the missing right thumbstick, which was replaced by a D-pad. the HKS Racing Controller is available now and at $44.99 a pop, it is certainly an excellent go-between to satisfy virtual racers without burning a hole in their pocket.
via Kotaku
