Question on Driving games/ Driving Cabinet

[mhermann]

I am starting to research a driving cab now while I am finishing the last few details on my upright. The first thing I need to decide is what to use as the heart, a Dreamcast, Xbox, PS2, PC or a combination of any/all of them.

I am planning on a two player cabinet. So what I am looking for are games on the consoles that use the system link, and PC games that link up over the lan. I looked at Xbox first and there seem to be about 25 titles. I still need to look at the other systems.

So I have a couple questions.

First, I noticed that not all Xbox driving games specifically state that they work with a steering wheel. If it doesn't say it will they still work?

Second, if anyone has any input on this type of cab please let me know. Anything to look out for? etc...

[nobbo]

First, I noticed that not all Xbox driving games specifically state that they work with a steering wheel. If it doesn't say it will they still work?

i have an xbox steering wheel, and I have never had a problem with any racing game I have played on it, regardless of whether it says steering wheel support or not. Whether that has something to do with the wheel that I have (a Thrustmaster 360 modena force GT) or not, i don not know

[Minwah]

Any steering wheel should work with all driving games AFAIK (they should just appear as analog controls)...but some games have support for specific wheels, which may mean a few nice configuration features.

Personally I like the Xbox for drivers...they are a lot of really good ones.  PS2 / DC are pretty redundant now in comparison, but the PC still has some good non-console ones.

[deadkenndys1105]

I have been thinking about a project like this for some time now.  I think I'm going to use a x-box because of a family discount (%80 off anything for Microsoft expect x-box 360 )  Myself I don't like the xbox but it would be cheaper and just better for what I wanna do with it.  Its is the only system now with a pop out disk drive now.  I am planning to making it look like a cd player.  I do have a few problems tho.  I dont think I have the space for the thing. My Mame cabinet barley fit in the basement and I would have to bring the whole thing down in parts.

[mhermann]

Ok, tthanks for the info. I guess I will just try and see.

deadkenndys1105, I am working on a design now and I am thinking it will be in parts somewhat. When I get a little further I will share my plans, may or may night give you some ideas for your own.

[mhermann]

So I just bought an Xbox (used). And you can play games with a steering wheel even if not supported. All it does is emulate the controller as Minwah  said. And after thinking about that I should have known that.

I also bought a Mad Katz universal steering wheel and I like it. I just played it on xbox so I still need to hook it up to my PS2. But I have really liking the idea of a driving cab more and more. Will be great to link up 2 xboxes and ps2s for some 2 player racing goodness   The wheel got mixed reviews from what I read, but as with everything else in this hobby it is all about personal preference. I will need to hack it a bit to mount it how I want and the pedals plug into the side which isn't ideal so I will have to fix that as well.

But I can't get ahead of myself as I have a few finishing touches on my upright.

Man this hobby is becoming addictive.

[Gunstar Hero]

I want to like the XBOX the most for drivers, but the PS2 trumps it in 2 vital places...

1) Best driving wheel on the market (Logitech Driving Force PRO).

2) Gran Turismo.

The XBOX did make up a little ground there with the Speedster 3 wheel that was released with FORZA tho...

[nyconx]

I have been planning on doing this for a while.  I completed my arcade cab then was going to do this but a jukebox project just happened so now I am finally going to get to work on this.  I wanted to do two driving cabinets. both of them identical. I will run XBOX's on both. I have one XBOX and the Speedster 3 wheel right now.  I still need to buy another XBOX and wheel.

The place I have been stuck at though is the design, and what material to create it with. I am thinking of making a steel frame and bolt diamond plate on that to make it for a neat look rather then wood.  Also I need to get two identical seats.  I was going to go with car seats from the  junk yard but dont think I can get them identical cheap. I might just buy some racing seats.

Keep us posted on your progress and hopefully you will motivate me to get started on more then collecting parts.

I did just pick up the Midway classics 3 from EB Games for 10 new. Hydro thunder is great!

[mhermann]

Are those other wheels that much better? I am happy with the Mad Katz MC2 as it is universal. I have only played with it for a couple hours and it seems ok. The build is fair, but sense I want to go with both an Xbox and PS2 I am really stuck unless I want removable controls. Maybe I will but one of the other ones and test it and see if it is really worth it. I will just make sure I can return it if needed.

I am only in the 'Convince my wife phase' but I will start a new thread in the project forum once I really get started. I will document this one the right way unlike my upright where I barely did any sense it was all out of the Project Arcade book.

[Gunstar Hero]

The MC2 isn't a terrible wheel, but I dislike the casing and lack of mounting options. Once you use a force feedback wheel you'll never go back tho.

[nyconx]

Unfortunetly the speedster wheel doesnt have force feed back (Xbox does not support this) But it does have simulated force feedback using the rumble to know when to run. I have a mixed reaction to this. One the plus side if you are a great racer and dont vear off of the track this works great. If you suck like me and end up in the grass alot (need to slow down in turns) the wheel jerks back and forth rapidly nearly ripping it out of your hand. I think for a arcade racer I turn the feedback off due to the amount of stuff you will hit. It works great though for more detailed racers like Forza. Another nice thing is even when the feedback is off The wheel does have resistance to it. This is due to it using belts internally to turn gears.

I am not married yet so I better hurry up before I pop the question.