Thrustmaster will finally reveal its first-ever direct drive wheel that will rival the high-end Fanatec GT DD Pro next month. On the other side of the spectrum, we have the Thrustmaster T128, a new entry-level wheel aimed at players getting started in sim racing.
New Thrustmaster T128 force feedback wheel coming for PC, PlayStation & Xbox
Revealed at the 2022 Paris Motor Show, the Thrustmaster T128 is a new entry-level force feedback wheel positioned below the venerable T248. Like the T248, the Thrustmaster T128 features hybrid drive technology, combining a belt and gears feedback for smooth and precise force feedback.
According to Thrustmaster, the T128’s force feedback is 20% more powerful than the previous T150 and TMX wheels. With Thrustmaster’s Hybrid Drive technology, you’ll be able to feel sensations such as bumps and impacts, road surface types, and loss of tyre grip through the wheel.
Whether you’re driving a GT, rally F1, or racing truck, the wheel rotation changes automatically between 270° and 900° depending on the type of vehicle used in the game. Thanks to the 13 action buttons, you also don’t need a game controller to navigate game menus.
The lightweight wheel rim also incorporates magnetic paddle shifters allowing for fast-gear shifting as well as a four LED lights displaying the REVs. These lights flash to indicate when to shift up a gear. This magnetic technology is also applied to the two-pedal set included with the racing wheel.
Platforms
Two versions of the Thrustmaster T128 are available:
- Officially licensed for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, and compatible with PC
- Officially licensed for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, and compatible with PC
The Xbox version also includes a one-month free subscription to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate service, giving access to several racing games compatible with the Thrustmaster T128.
Pricing and release date
The Thrustmaster T128 racing wheel and pedal set is available to order now with an RRP of £169.99 / $199.99 / €199.99. This makes it an affordable option for those entering the world of sim racing for the first time.
You can find Thrustmaster T128 pre-order links below.
Both versions are expected to launch 17 October in Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, and Asia excluding China and from November in the rest of the world.