Moza R25 Ultra: Is 25Nm of Force Feedback a Sim Racer's Dream, or Just Pure Overkill?
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Moza's R25 Ultra wheel base is a beast, offering a staggering 25Nm of force feedback and brilliant software, but our digital wizard Jeff wonders if most sim racers truly need such immense power, despite its unparalleled fidelity.
Right, so I've been tinkering with this story all morning, and bloody hell, Moza's gone and done it again. You know that feeling when you cast a spell, and it works a bit too well, giving you power you didn't even know you needed? That's what Moza just did with their new R25 Ultra wheel base, pushing the boundaries of sim racing force feedback so hard I reckon it might just warp the fabric of reality for your race rig. But here’s the kicker: do you actually *need* all that power?
**Original source: Eurogamer, review by Will Judd.**
Moza, bless 'em, have been on quite the journey. They started out making some genuinely cracking value-for-money sim gear, giving the big dogs a run for their money with surprisingly good entry-level bundles. Now, they're swinging for the fences, getting into the more 'exotic' end of the spectrum. The R25 Ultra, unveiled at Gamescom, is their latest beast, packing a whopping 25Nm of constant torque. Twenty-five. That's, what, double what Logitech and Thrustmaster's top-tier options cough up? My eyes are watering just thinking about it, and not just from the \$899 / £899 price tag.
But it's not just brute force, mate. This new unit brings a fancy 21-bit magnetic encoder and a 'zero-cogging' flat wire motor to the party. Sounds like tech-wizardry, doesn't it? The promise is smoother force feedback and an overall more refined feel, even when you're not trying to dislocate your shoulder with max power. The big question, then, is whether all these bells and whistles add up to a truly transformative experience, or if Moza's just flexing their digital muscles a bit too hard.
### The Ultra’s Hardware: Less Bulk, More Bang
First impressions? The R25 Ultra has shed the sleek, wide look of its predecessor, the R21, opting for a more traditional, ridged cuboid shape. And honestly, it works. It's noticeably shorter than other 25Nm bases, which is a neat trick given the power it's packing. During testing, it apparently stayed cool to the touch – all those ridges probably help dissipate heat like a pro, kinda like a wizard's robe covered in arcane cooling runes. Smart stuff.
What truly piqued my curiosity were the RGB LEDs running along the sides. Yeah, yeah, RGB on everything, I hear you. But these aren't just for show (though you can set them manually or disable them). They can reflect race telemetry – yellow flags, gear shifts, ABS engaging. Now *that’s* clever! It's the kind of subtle integration that genuinely helps a driver, rather than just looking pretty. Peripheral vision is a powerful thing when you're hurtling down the track at 200mph.
Mounting options are plentiful, which is always a good sign for us rig builders: standard underside bolts, side mounts, front mounts. No desk clamp, naturally – if you're dropping nearly a grand on a wheel base, you've probably got a proper cockpit. The lack of a USB pass-through for third-party wheel rims is a bit of a bummer for those wanting to mix and match, but the Moza ecosystem of pedals and shifters does connect directly. It's a professional-looking bit of kit, low-profile and lighter than you'd expect, given the immense power on tap.
### Pit House: Moza’s Digital Command Center
Now, let's talk software. Moza's Pit House has gone from being 'just functional' to arguably the best sim racing package on the market. It’s continued to improve, and that's genuinely exciting. It’s straightforward for general tweaks – limiting FFB, firmware updates, steering angle – but it’s in the deeper settings that it truly shines. Want to adjust speed-dependent damping or steering inertia? Go for it. But the real game-changer? A graphical equaliser for force feedback. Bloody hell, that's next-level!
This equaliser lets you dial out annoying effects and amplify those subtle sensations that actually matter, like the nuances of tyre traction. Think about that: you can literally sculpt the *feel* of the road. It's like having a sonic screwdriver for your racing experience. For a curious gamer like me, that's pure gold. The reviewer noted that most games worked well out of the box, with only minor tweaks needed, and presets for popular titles made life easy. Compared to the competition, Pit House seems leagues ahead, despite a few minor UI quirks.
### On the Track: Power Overwhelming… Or Just Overkill?
So, with the R25 Ultra hooked up, how does it actually *feel*? The reviewer, armed with their GS V2P GT wheel, took it for a spin in F1 23, Assetto Corsa Evo, iRacing, and Rennsport. The verdict? "Best overall level of force feedback I've personally experienced, with plenty of detail." That's a strong claim, mate.
The extra detail made a noticeable difference, especially when trying to drive without ABS or traction control, where sensing the limit of traction is critical. The reviewer even broke some personal lap records in F1 23 – which is saying something when you're comparing against top-tier competitors like the Logitech Pro and Thrustmaster T818. The feeling of weightlessness in AC Evo, or the shudder of a Ferrari trying to put down power too quickly, sounds absolutely superb.
Here’s where my gentle skepticism kicks in, though. Despite having 25Nm on tap, the reviewer spent most of their time with the base limited to around 80% (20Nm) or even 50% (12.5Nm) for longer sessions or more aggressive games like iRacing. This raises the question: if you're only using half the available grunt, do you *really* need to pay for a wheel base that can provide double that? It's like buying a supercar for your daily commute to the corner shop. Sure, you *could* hit 200mph, but you're probably not going to.
That said, having the *headroom* is important. It means the force feedback never feels strained or clips, always delivering that crisp, detailed information. It's not about constantly wrestling with a monster, but about having a subtle, nuanced partner in crime. The RGB lights also proved handy in peripheral vision for course conditions, which, again, is one of those smart features that enhances the experience without being a gimmick.
### The Moza Ecosystem: A Strong Contender
Moza is in a strong position right now, evolving from its value-focused origins to a serious player in the premium market. The R25 Ultra is a testament to that growth. While there might be a slight lack of *matching* premium wheel rims from Moza itself, and that USB passthrough is missed, the overall ecosystem – with its pedals, shifters, and handbrakes – is quite comprehensive.
For those who can afford it and are ready to dive deep into the Moza world, the R25 Ultra combined with a good GT wheel (like the GS V2P GT) offers an excellent circuit racing experience. The easy integration, small power brick, and compact form factor make it a dream to fit into existing setups.
### The Verdict: More Power Than You Need, But All the Fidelity You Want?
So, is the Moza R25 Ultra necessary for most people? Probably not, mate. The reviewer openly admits that 15Nm upwards feels like more than enough power for most use cases. Options like the Moza R21 Ultra (at \$699) or even the budget-friendly R9 (at \$299) offer fantastic experiences without the wallet-busting price tag or arm-wrenching torque.
But here’s the thing: if you're in that lucky position where budget isn't the primary concern, and you crave the absolute best force feedback experience with a truly capable software suite, then the R25 Ultra is easy to recommend. It delivers an unparalleled level of detail and fidelity, and while you might not constantly tap into its full 25Nm, that headroom ensures you're getting a refined, uncompromised feel. It's like having a wizard's staff that can level mountains, but mostly you just use it to light your pipe. Still, it's nice to know it *can* level mountains, isn't it?
It’s a powerful statement from Moza, proving they're not just about value, but about pushing the envelope for the enthusiast. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to see if I can convince my bank manager that 25Nm is a 'necessary investment' in digital research...
**Original source: Eurogamer, review by Will Judd.**
Tags: Sim Racing, Hardware Review, Force Feedback, Moza, Gaming Tech
Original article: Eurogamer