Verdict
Thrustmaster’s eSwap XR Pro controller represents an fascinating choice for followers of racing video games. It provides a snug body that’s additionally solidly constructed, alongside the enjoyable of a wheel attachment that makes it a novel alternative and helps to supply an gratifying gaming expertise. However, its excessive worth might depart followers desirous to swap over to a wheel, or go for the competitors.
Pros
Solid construct high qualityWheel attachment provides precisionExcellent tactility
Cons
CostlyWired connection is a bit cumbersome
Wheel attachment:The eSwap XR Pro comes with a devoted wheel attachment for racing video games.
Wired connection:It additionally comes with a wired connection, courtesy of a 3m Micro USB cable.
Swappable thumbsticks:The eSwap XR Pro additionally options hot-swappable attachments.
Introduction
The Thrustmaster eSwap XR Pro represents an intriguing proposition for an Xbox controller, bringing with it the comfort of a pro-type controller with a characteristic that no different controller I’ve used has – a devoted wheel attachment.
This ought to make it a really perfect alternative for these well-versed in racing titles similar to Forza Horizon 5, or Wreckfest as an example and provides a special tackle the more and more well-trodded world of professional controllers.
At £169.99/$179.99/€199.99, it sits proper in the midst of the competitors, being priced competitively towards the likes of the Xbox Elite Series 2, in addition to the bottom config of my private controller, the Scuf Instinct Pro.
Design
Modern, Forza-inspired designClever methodology of swapping sticks and equipmentMicro USB in 2023 appears slightly old style
From the very second you have a look at it, it turns into clear that this particular variant of the eSwap XR Pro is designed with the newest iteration of the Forza Horizon sequence in thoughts. It encompasses a white and black chassis, with speckles of pink that mimic the sport’s brand and typeface. What’s extra, there’s a Forza brand entrance and centre simply above the Xbox button, whereas the Horizon 5 and Thrustmaster logos flank the steering wheel attachment and proper analogue stick, respectively.
There’s little doubt it’s an particularly on-brand-looking controller, though the look has the potential to be polarising in comparison with the extra subdued aesthetics of the competitors. I’m a fan of it, and as a long-term participant of the Forza sequence for the reason that very first Motorsport title on the unique Xbox, I’m the audience of the eSwap XR Pro.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
Compared to extra typical Xbox controllers, the eSwap XR Pro carries a taller body which might take some getting used to, however it’s snug to carry and reasonably stable. The lack of any type of rubberised coating nonetheless negates that consolation issue a bit, although, and it might have been good to really feel some padding on the controller’s reverse, such as you get with each the Elite Series 2 controller and the Scuf Instinct Pro.
Much like with different professional controllers, the eSwap XR Pro provides swappable thumbsticks and D-Pad selections, though its execution is totally different. As against providing modules that you’ll want to take the controller aside for change, Thrustmaster has opted to go for a hot-swappable system the place you may merely swap out and drop in new modules at will. It’s all held along with sturdy magnets, so except you pull particularly arduous, they aren’t going wherever.
With these modules, the choice of a D-Pad may be modified over to the wheel module that options one other Forza brand and provides fine-tuned steering controls in titles such because the aforementioned Horizon 5. This is in contrast to some other controller I’ve used and supplies the eSwap XR Pro with fairly the benefit over the competitors in these titles.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
Beyond that additional, the eSwap XR Pro options lockable triggers, a number of remappable rear buttons, in addition to some particularly tactile foremost ABXY buttons. These contain mechanical switches that really feel much like the left and proper buttons on a mouse, providing a quick journey and slick actuation.
This can be a wired controller and comes with a protracted 3-metre braided cable for plugging into your PC or Xbox with its bundled USB-A connector. On the opposite finish is the micro USB port that plugs into the eSwap XR Pro – I believed we’d rid the world of micro USB in 2023, however it seems Thrustmaster missed the memo.
As for packaging, Thrustmaster doesn’t make any claims in regards to the packaging used within the eSwap XR Pro, however it is available in a well-made cardboard field, alongside foam to carry the controller inside, and a skinny cardboard wrapper for the cable. There don’t appear to be any plastics in sight.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
Performance
Wheel attachment provides extra management in racing titlesCan really feel like a little bit of a novelty, nonethelessWired connection provides zero latency
In leaping into a few of my favorite racing titles to make use of the eSwap XR Pro, I needed to ask the query of whether or not the eSwap XR Pro supplied any tangible advantages in comparison with extra typical controllers. After all, its wheel attachment is designed for extra exact wheel motion in racing video games to doubtlessly supply the good thing about faster lap occasions.
This led me down the backyard path of Forza Horizon 5’s weekly Rivals occasions the place you are taking a time trial with a selected automobile on a selected circuit, and try and beat the occasions of different gamers. I took just a few laps with my Scuf Instinct Pro to get used to the automobile and observe combo, earlier than shifting over to the eSwap XR Pro to see if there was any tangible distinction.
The eSwap XR Pro took some getting used to, with my intuition kicking in to make use of the left thumbstick for steering earlier than I finally realised I had a full 91 levels of steering rotation at my disposal the place the D-Pad would usually be. The wheel attachment does precisely what it says on the tin, offered me with some extra correct steering and allowed me to be slightly braver into sure corners. In extra arcade-based titles similar to Wreckfest, the eSwap XR Pro additionally supplies extra management, particularly when vehicles are off steadiness, and also you want that finer-tuned enter to readjust.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
My solely situation with the wheel attachment is the dearth of suggestions for inputs, in contrast to with devoted wheel peripherals, similar to my trusty Logitech G920. This lessens the immersion a tad, and makes the eSwap XR Pro a little bit of a complicated proposition when a devoted wheel may be had for slightly greater than this controller – the G920 is £200, as an example, and can present extra immersion in racing titles than the eSwap XR Pro can present.
With this in thoughts although, the vibrations on supply are hearty and supply a pleasant quantity of suggestions. It isn’t jarring, in contrast to with the Nacon Pro Compact Controller, too. What’s extra, all of the buttons carry a pleasant tactility to them, and the thumbsticks present exact enter.
Even when not being utilized in racing titles and with the usual D-Pad, the eSwap XR Pro impressed, with exact inputs and stable tactility in shooters similar to Call of Duty World War II. Here, the lockable triggers had been useful for offering snappier, mouse-like inputs.
Compatibility is a breeze with the USB-A wired connection making it appropriate for each Xbox and PC with no hitches. The presence of such a protracted cable additionally makes the eSwap XR Pro appropriate to be used in nearly any setting, additionally which means you received’t be worrying about battery life or potential latency points.
Latest offers
Should you purchase it?
You need to check out a wheel attachment on a controller
The eSwap XR Pro is exclusive in providing a devoted wheel attachment for extra exact inputs in racing titles.
You need a wi-fi controller
If it’s a controller with wi-fi freedom you’re after, the eSwap XR Pro’s micro-USB wired connection isn’t going to be for you, although.
Final Thoughts
I stand by my preliminary prognosis that the Thrustmaster eSwap XR Pro provides a novel and maybe reasonably odd choice for these in search of a pro-grade Xbox controller. The addition of a wheel attachment might look like a novelty, provided that devoted racing wheels may be had for the same worth, and the eSwap XR Pro maybe solutions a query that only a few folks have ever requested.
However, that’s to not say it provides a nasty expertise – that’s as removed from the reality because it will get. The eSwap XR Pro provides a wonderful expertise in my testing, serving to to supply extra exact inputs within the likes of Forza Horizon 5, in addition to the standard accoutrements we’ve come to anticipate from controllers at this worth level similar to lockable triggers, tactile buttons, and swappable set off modules.
Apart from the addition of the wheel attachment although, the similarly-priced competitors on supply within the type of the Xbox Elite Series 2 and Scuf Instinct Pro supply extra of a rounded expertise that’s more likely to swimsuit a wider participant base.
How we check
We use each recreation controller we check for no less than every week. During that point, we’ll verify it for ease of use and put it by its paces by enjoying quite a lot of totally different genres.
We additionally verify the controller’s software program assist and battery life if relevant.
We used as our foremost controller for no less than every week.
Played quite a lot of video games to check all of the options.
Tested on each Xbox and PC.
FAQs
Is the Thrustmaster eSwap X Pro Wireless? The Thrustmaster eSwap X Pro shouldn’t be wi-fi and comes with a Micro USB wired connection.
‹
UK RRP
USA RRP
EU RRP
Manufacturer
Size (Dimensions)
Weight
Release Date
First Reviewed Date
Ports
Connectivity
Switch Type
Cable Length
Thrustmaster eSwap XR Pro
£169.99
$179.99
€199.99
Thrustmaster
160 x 120 x 60 MM
324 G
2023
01/08/2023
Micro-USB
Wired
Mechanical
3 MM
›