Gizmodo: steering wheel

Suck At Mario Kart? Build a Training Wheel in a Few Easy Steps

Sean Fallon — Wed, 21 May 2008 19:50:00 EDT

At first glance I thought that this homemade wheel mount was absolutely ridiculous—and with good reason. However, the fact that I recently played Mario Kart with my novice girlfriend leads me to believe that there could be a place for a mount like this. Using only a couple of 36-inch bungie cords and a plastic crate, you can build what is essentially a training wheel for the game that helps beginners settle down with the Wiimote and master the basic steering movements. Just don't let any of your gamer friends catch you using it. A video of the steering wheel mount "in action" is available after the break.

[Wii Fanboy]

Porsche 911 PlayStation 3/PC Steering Wheel

Jason Chen — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:00:41 EDT

It's not every day that an actual automaker creates a steering wheel for console gaming, so this Porsche 911 setup is especially awesome. It's a "fully licensed, to-spec reproduction," which means the wheel, the 6+1 gear sticks, and the wireless pedals are all as authentic as you're going to get in your living room. It's all wireless, has force feedback, an extra sequential gear stick, a 100-hour battery life, table clamps and works with your PS3 and PC, plus comes with a Porsche USB stick to show off to the (nerdy) ladies. Available later this year for $350. [Fanatec via Jalopnik]

Ghetto Wii Wheel From Billet Mechanical Takes You Back to the '80s

Jason Chen — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:10:49 EDT

If you thought the plastic-looking Nintendo Wii Mario Kart wheel was a little too classy, Billet Mechanical has the wheel for you. First, it's not even a wheel. It's a Knight Rider-like half steering wheel that has grips on the two ends for gripping. It's not like you're doing hand over hand on regular wheels anyway, but shaping it like a wheel is probably the least you can do for the authentic wheel experience.

Also, this thing is $44.95. We're guessing that some of your money goes into the aluminum and velcro build, which probably feels quite a bit nicer than plastic. The rest? Into the fantastic product design. But hey, if you're ever pretending you're Michael Knight, this and a talking watch with the voice of William Daniels will get you all the way home. [BilletMechanical]

LapDeck: No Table, No Problem (If You're Filthy Rich)

blongo3 — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 19:45:21 EDT

Seeing as Forza 2 just came out, we bet a lot of you have been pulling your wireless 360 steering wheels out of retirement. In comes LapDesk, a nice little device that lets you secure a steering wheel to your legs.

Using only a piece of wood, a strap and a glass shelf. That way you coffee table-less gamers can still join in on the steering wheel goodness.

Now readers how much would you pay for such an amazing piece of equipment like this? $50, $100, $150? Those offers just insult the LapDeck, it's creators are asking for £175 ($350 US) and then there's a six week waiting list.

Here's a suggestion, take $50, walk over to IKEA and buy a coffee table right now. That way you can use your wheel immediately, save $300 and you get an actual table.– Ben Longo

Product Page [LapDeck via Coolest Gadets]

DIY Wii Steering Wheel: Redefines Crappy

blongo3 — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 16:56:14 EST

Wow, How cheap do you really have to be to go and make a duct tape Wii steering wheel? I mean yes the Ubisoft one is overpriced by itself ($19.99), but if it's between using this thing or shelling out twenty bucks for a piece of plastic, I'll pay the $20. Personally though, I'll just keep using the Wii controller all by itself. That way I save $20 and keep what's left of my dignity.– Ben Longo

Homemade Wii accessories: steering wheel [WiiFanboy]

Nintendo Wii Game to Get Steering Wheel Peripheral?

Charlie White — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 14:11:17 EDT

Our pasty-faced and pencil-necked in-laws at Kotaku uncovered a possible strap-on steering wheel peripheral for the upcoming Nintendo Wii that might just add a new dimension to car chasing on the game console. According to Wii watchers at Go Nintendo:

"Ubisoft's Japan-developed GT Pro Series—which may or may not be a Wii launch title, depending on where you get your information from—will come with an attachment of some sort that will make it a 'must-have'. We're guessing a clip-on steering wheel. Developed by the people behind the GT Advance series, the game will include over 80 licensed vehicles."

Who cares about the PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360? We've got Wii! Or, we will, someday, and probably on time, too. – Charlie White

Wii Strap-On Steering Wheel? [Kotaku]