GameSir’s Swift Drive controller puts a real racing wheel inside a normal gamepad

GameSir is working on one of the strangest and most interesting controllers in years. Its upcoming Swift Drive controller, also shown as the Trak Racer TR640, places a real miniature direct drive racing wheel in the middle of a standard gamepad. It sounds like a gimmick at first, but early hands on impressions suggest it could become a serious option for racing fans who do not have space or money for a full wheel setup.

The controller was first shown at CES under the Swift Drive codename, while the Trak Racer collaboration version is called the TR640. It is still a prototype, and the product is not expected to launch until late 2026 or early 2027. Even so, the idea is already clear: give players real force feedback from racing games without needing a bulky racing wheel, pedals, desk mount, or dedicated sim rig.

The tiny direct drive motor is the part that makes this more than a normal controller

Direct drive technology is usually found in expensive racing wheel bases. It connects the steering wheel directly to a motor, giving stronger and more accurate force feedback than normal controller rumble. GameSir has managed to shrink that idea into a gamepad sized device.

The controller still has normal gamepad features. It includes face buttons, one full size analog stick, a smaller right stick, and rear paddle buttons similar to GameSir’s other controllers. That means it should still work for games outside racing, although racing is clearly the main reason it exists.

The wheel sits where your thumbs naturally rest, so it does not require the same learning curve as a full wheel and pedal setup. In a game like Assetto Corsa, the controller reportedly feels easy to pick up, while still giving far better road feedback than a normal analog stick.

The most important difference is feel. Traditional rumble can only shake the controller, but direct drive force feedback can communicate what the car is doing. You can feel rumble strips, grass, road texture, and impacts in a more direct way. The prototype was strong enough that crashing into a barrier could make you want to take your thumbs off the wheel.

The wheel input is not 1 to 1 like a full racing wheel, and that is probably the right choice. A handheld controller cannot reasonably ask players to turn through 900 degrees of steering. Instead, the prototype appears to balance accuracy and comfort for thumb based steering.

The price may be the biggest debate. At around $199, it is expensive for a controller. But compared with a direct drive wheel setup, it is far cheaper. A proper racing wheel base, rim, pedals, and mounting space can cost much more and require a dedicated setup. GameSir’s idea is aimed at players who want better racing control while still sitting on a couch.

That makes the Swift Drive different from premium gamepads like the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K or Steam Controller. Those devices add better buttons, sticks, input options, or software features. GameSir is trying to create a new category: a controller that sits between a normal gamepad and a proper racing wheel.

There is still work to do before launch. The version tested was PC only, but GameSir hopes to release Xbox and PC, plus PS5 and PC variants. Final comfort, battery life, durability, software support, and game compatibility will decide how successful it becomes.

For now, the Swift Drive looks like a rare case where a strange controller idea may actually make sense. Racing games have always felt limited on analog sticks, while full wheel setups remain expensive and inconvenient for many players. A wireless controller with real direct drive feedback could fill that gap, especially for Forza Horizon, Assetto Corsa, and other racing games where feel matters.