The accelerometer-based steering in Mario Kart Wii was incredibly limited due to both the accuracy of the sensor array, and the lack of a fixed steering axis. The Gamepad's gyroscope greatly improves the former, and fixing it to my Logitech G25 hub has resulted in steering accuracy rivalling that of the analogue stick. The self-centring force is also much appreciated, and i used the wheel configuration software to soft-limit the rotation to 270 degrees.
The wheel was first attached using a spare shoelace, as i wasn't sure if it would work all that well, and didn't want to waste time prototyping the control scheme. As a temporary anchor it worked well enough, and future iterations would utilise the gamepad's native screw-clamp attachment points on the back.
Instead of using the potentiometers of my pedal box, i decided to fit these rugged mushroom switches. Their actuation force is slightly softer than that of the pedals, they're built to take a beating, and there's no room for error. All three pedals are used, with the clutch being used as "jump" to initiate drifts (somewhat mimicking the real drifting technique known as "clutch-popping").
The shifter is used as a "sling-shot" for items. To launch items forwards you pull the stick back, holding it to keep the shell/banana behind you, then letting go to send it forwards. To drop a banana or fire a shell backwards you hold the stick forwards, then release to fire. It's a far more visceral, intuitive system than the default gamepad controls.
It's a lot of fun, and gets crazy in 200cc mode; because you have to hold the clutch to drift, braking mid-corner requires you to reverse heel-toe!
Like this? See more of my prototype designs!
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