I've never been a fan of racing games, but recently I've had the urge to start playing them. Maybe it's something in the water, or maybe it's the fact that I walk past Microsoft's 360 Wireless Racing Wheel every few minutes while at work, but I suddenly want to play them.

So I have a few questions:

First and foremost, is this a bad idea? That is, for me to invest money into a genre I've never had interest in until now?

With that out of the way, I have two questions: Is the Microsoft Wheel as awesome as it looks? And if so, what are some good compatible games you would recommend? (also, will Midnight Club: Los Angeles be compatible)

I think that if I DO decide to start playing racing games, I'd want to pick up the wheel--I HAVE always liked sit-down racers in arcades...I guess I've just never been so hot on "hold down A button (or R Trigger or whatever) and move analogue stick back and forth" controls, so if the wheel is cool I think I might really get into racers.

I know this is a weird thread, but whatever, I'm a weird guy

Also, I put this in the Xbox forums because it's my main console for gaming (my PS3 for movies and my Wii for collecting dust) so I'd really only be interested in racers for my 360...and because that wheel looks so damn cool


Oh, also, are the paddle shifters as satisfying for shifting as a conventional lever? (that is, as satisfying as the kind in regular cars with a ball on a stick...thing...)

id try the demos first. as much as im a fan of racing, they can get repetitive. the ones i'd recommend trying out are burnout revenge, forza 2, pgr3(or pgr4), and burnout paradise.

try B:revenge first. it's a more straight forward arcade racer, but the controls are spot on. paradise is like a sandbox arcade racer and can get overwhelming. forza2 is hardcore. the customization on it is ridiculous. i loved the first and i think even this one overwhelmed me. i mostly messed around with painting my cars. lol. the pgr series is in-between the burnout and forza. not too hardcore and not too arcadey. i personally dont like the series.

sorry i cant help you with your racing wheel questions. ive never tried one.

Thanks Greaser, that's a good start! I can't believe I hadn't thought of trying the demos!

Does anyone know about the wheel, though? I'm very curious!

no clue about the wheel. ive heard good and bad about it but mostly good as far as controls and such. just the price is what keeps buyers away.. im not sure if the price has reduced though

i play race grid, forza2 pgr4, and i only use the wheel on forza and grid,

seriously tho buy forza if you havn't got it yet, if you like it see if you can borrow a wheel from a friend. but it's only good if your used to it, for race i much prefur the analoge sticks as driftin is easyer with stick, but at the end of the day if you like it is down to personal preferance

Thanks for the suggestions guys

We just got copies of the Platinum Hits version of Forza 2 at the store I work at, and it includes all of the DLC, so I think I'll pick that up tomorrow when my shift is over! I think I'm just gonna go all out and pick up Burnout: Paradise and GRID as well. ooh I love employee discounts!

Oh, and JM, The wheel retails for $99.99, but with my employee discout it comes to just over $75 which isn't bad considering wireless controllers retail for almost $60