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Force RS
Score: 100%
Developer: Act Labs
Device Type: Miscellaneous


Function:

Act Labs has improved on a good thing with the Force RS. When I got my hands on the original RS (and tested it on the PlayStation), it received my highest praise, rating, and recommendation. That was then.

Now, I have the pleasure of reviewing the Force RS. Act Labs has not only kept the quality and precision consistant, they've added 'I-Force' feedback, and made the installation a snap. Simply put, this wheel rules.


Performance:

The Force RS is a racing (or driving) fan's dream controller. The pedals are solidly designed, and are on a 13" by 11" pedal cluster, which sports a (fairly) realistic accelerator and a (more) realistic brake pedal, all mounted on a high impact plastic molded base with a heavy, metal plate bottomed off with large footprint rubber pads, and topped off with rubber matting in the heel areas and the left side (foot rest). This delivers excellent control and realistic feel, while allowing you to not worry about the pedals slipping around. The pedal cluster could not be more well designed to stay put without a kit to permanently install it into the floor. The artificial leather wrapped steering wheel allows for many hours of fun with less fatigue than would be inflicted by many steering wheels found in production vehicles.

The Force RS has a unique cartridge slot designed to accept Act Labs' RS Engines. What's that, you ask? The RS Engine System Cartridge allows the Force RS (and the original Act Labs RS) to be used with multiple systems. The Force RS comes packed with the PC Engine, but there are others available for the Force RS and RS wheels. Currently these include RS Engines for the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Nintendo 64. However, with this open architecture, the possibility exists that additional RS Engines could be developed in the future to support the next generation consoles.

Installation: Act Labs' Force RS is a breeze to install. There is a BIG notice in the box telling exactly how to go about using their software (instead of Windows installation processes) to install the drivers. Once you've cancelled the Windows pop up requestor, and run the software, you are greeted with a user friendly interface which quickly and easily sets up the controller for you. All that's left is the (simple) calibration of the wheel and adding it to your list of gaming controllers (under Settings/Control Panel/Game Controllers). If you have EVER installed a controller before, this will be simple.


Features:
  • Original RS Engine Multi-Platform Expandability
  • Pedal Cluster - Beyond excellence
  • Artificial Leather Wheel
  • Easy Installation with Included Install CD
  • Built in F1-style shift gear shifters
  • Serial or USB Connection
  • Programmable Force Feedback
  • Supports DirectX Force Feedback

Drawbacks & Problems::

Gee. I guess I need to write something here. Um, yeah. Right. Something bad about the Force RS. Um... it doesn't come with a four point seat harness or rollbars. Yeah. That's about it. The rest is excellent.

The only thing that should be noted here is not on the product itself, but deals with the expansion RS Engines. The RS Engines for Force RS allow the racing system to be used with different consoles, but currently, the Force Feedback is only supported when used with the PC.


-Geck0, GameVortex Communications
AKA Robert Perkins
Minimum System Requirements:

IBM PC compatible, with 486 or higher processor, Serial port connection, free serial port, DirectX 5.0 or higher, Windows 95/98, 5 MB Free Hard Drive Space, 2X or Higher CD Rom
  Test System:

AMD K6 II 400mhz, Windows 98, DirectX 6.1, 64MB Ram, Voodoo 3 2000 video card, 56k V90 modem

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