While it is true that a name brand Xbox steering wheel controller is the best bet, there are alternative brands available. Some may save you a few bucks and some may not. Quite a few electronic manufacturers have these available in all game formats, but the Xbox is the most popular by far.

Mad Catz is the front-runner in gaming accessories. Their technology is right up there with that of Microsoft. That makes the interface seamless and completely invisible. By selecting a Mad Catz Xbox steering wheel controller, you are getting as close to the same quality as possible as an Xbox brand controller.

The wheels have rubberized grips for increased handling and performance. Most are adjustable as are the brand name Xbox steering wheel controllers. Usually, a pedal unit is included and an optional gear shifter console is made available for manual transmission driving game lovers. This gives the user a realistic experience at a sometimes better price. Not always, but sometimes.

Other manufacturers of gaming devices and electronics also have started making Xbox steering wheel controllers available. Companies like Logitech have entered the gaming device market. Logitech is well known for their mouses and wireless devices like keyboards as well as web cameras and many other devices that make our computer lives more personable and manageable.

Many of these alternative brand Xbox steering wheel controllers even have the button controls on the wheel. So if you really do not want to switch the controller out to play a different game, like a shooter or superhero game for instance, you have that ability. Just use the buttons as you would a regular hand controller and you are playing in a heartbeat.

The only difference between these and an Xbox steering wheel controller is the wire connections. Microsoft has three wires tipped red, yellow and white. Just connect like color to like color and you’re done. Mad Catz, Logitech or other manufacturers of the controllers may use different color connection tips – usually red, blue and green. This is not a big problem; it just takes a couple of tries to get the right configuration.

One factor that figures in here prominently is the cost. Like anything else, you can get a full system set or just a controller. The full sets will include all wires and connections with instructions (normal), a foot pedal unit for brakes and acceleration and maybe even batteries in some cases. Other kits may include an optional wheel and a gear shifter module to drive the virtual car as a manual shift type.

Whatever the Xbox steering wheel controller you decide to get, be assured that you will be receiving a realistic racing/driving experience. The responsiveness of the alternative Xbox steering wheel controllers has gotten much better in late years. You will not know the difference between a brand name Microsoft Xbox steering wheel controller and one of these alternatives.

The real difference is cost and the alternative Xbox steering wheel controllers can be as much as 30% less than the Microsoft ones. With no real difference in responsiveness and connectivity, this is ideal for cost conscious gamers everywhere.

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