Officially Licensed Hori Xbox One Racing Wheel Overdrive Gets Release Date

An Amazon product listing revealed the release date for the Hori Xbox One Racing Wheel Overdrive. The peripheral was scheduled to launch on August 18, 2017, in North America. As an officially licensed Microsoft product, the wheel was designed to offer an accessible racing experience for Xbox One owners looking for an alternative to a standard controller.

Key Features and Adjustability

The Hori Racing Wheel Overdrive was built with several customization options to suit different driving styles and games. A key feature was its switchable turn ratio, allowing players to toggle between 270 degrees and 180 degrees of rotation on the fly. A 270-degree rotation is suitable for many racing titles, providing a responsive feel, while the 180-degree option offers even quicker turning for arcade-style games. This flexibility allows users to adapt the wheel’s performance to the specific demands of a game without pausing to change settings.

Further customization was available through fine-tuning options for dead zones and sensitivity. Adjusting the dead zone helps eliminate play around the wheel’s center point, ensuring that small movements translate directly into in-game action. The included pedal set also featured adjustable sensitivity, giving players control over the throttle and brake inputs. For stability, the unit included a steel mounting system designed to securely clamp the wheel to a table or desk, preventing it from shifting during use.

Compatibility and Market Position

The wheel’s official licensing from Microsoft ensures full compatibility with the Xbox One console. Beyond the primary platform, Hori also included support for the Xbox 360 and PC via X-input. This broad compatibility made the Racing Wheel Overdrive a versatile option for players with game libraries spanning multiple systems. The use of X-input on PC is particularly notable, as it is the standard for many modern games, allowing for simple plug-and-play functionality.

Positioned as an affordable wheel set, the Hori Overdrive was aimed at fans of the popular racing franchises on Xbox One, such as Forza Motorsport and Forza Horizon. For players seeking greater immersion and more precise control than a gamepad can offer, a dedicated wheel is a significant upgrade. The August release date placed the accessory on the market just ahead of the major holiday 2017 game releases, offering a new hardware option for the upcoming racing season.