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When it comes to arcade gaming there are two main types of steering wheel hardware; 360° and Force Feedback (FFB). The FFB wheels are backwards compatible with 360, but the input style is fairly different (details on that below). The 360 wheels are fully forward compatible with FFB games but the lack of force feedback can be hard to acclimate to.
We’re working on an adapter to swap the same steering wheel between both types of hardware in the Falcon machines, that’s coming soon!
360° Wheels
(As seen on Super Sprint, Off Road, Pole Position, A.P.B.)
360° wheels came first in arcade gaming. They had a free-spinning mechanism, allowing for rapid turning without much resistance. Many 360 games are top-down or isometric view where a free-spinning wheel feels natural. While there is cross-compatibility with FFB wheels, since earlier arcade games used actual 360 hardware in their cabinets using a 360 wheel for emulation is a better fit.
FFB WHEEL
(As seen on Daytona, Outrun, Cruis’n and anything post 1990)
In contrast, a FFB steering wheel incorporates motors and sensors to provide realistic tactile feedback. This means it simulates the feel of driving, such as resistance during turns or vibrations when hitting obstacles, enhancing immersion in racing games. On our FALCON arcade cabinet you can also play a handful of split-screen FFB racers. FFB wheels have a limited rotation, thus cannot spin freely even if the force feedback motor is disabled.
FFB wheel in action, the motor inside is driving the movement, it cannot spin freely. You’ll feel every crash and bump in the road with this one. The Force Feedback effect is compatible with nearly 80 arcade games, to view our list click the button below.
Using the FFB wheel on 360 games does actually work, but it feels a little unusual. If the wheel is not centered the car will continuously turn. You need only turn the wheel some to achieve a full 360 rotation in the game.
Using a 360 wheel with a 360 game, the car position matches the wheel position. Stopping the wheel at any angle will stop the car, and spinning the wheel spins the car. You can view our list of compatible 360 wheel games below.
New integration for FFB wheels in the FALCON 2.0 are seen below. The wheels and shifters detach and have dedicated storage inside a custom drawer.
Most players want to experience the newer games with force feedback, opting for the FFB setup instead of the 360 wheels. Our new VECTOR racing cabinet also utilizes this amazing direct drive FFB wheel setup.
Falcon 1.0 FFB, wheels are better integrated into the cabinet on the 2.0
Dual FFB Wheels on our FALCON Arcade Cabinet
VECTOR Racing Cabinet
