Well it’s good news for PC fans who are looking forward to the Burnout Paradise “The Ultimate Box” pack, because Criterion has announced that they will be allowing the box to be tested on a trial basis to all users including PC users in February of 2009. On top of that, trial users are getting the chance to check out the entire game, not just a limited sector. That’s right, we can now check out every aspect of the city and try out a good chunk of game features. Criterion basically is doing this to ensure PC users don’t run into any unnessary technical glitches before selling the product to them (once again CG thinks about us).

There is a limit to whatever and how much you can do, because they don’t want you to play the entire game and realize there is nothing to look forward to in the full version. The game will be made available for download at Criterion’s website as well as EA’s home page, but CG will also be handing out millions of discs to fans to install on their PCs. Also the game doesn’t need the disc to work, because CG encourages you to pass the disc on to friends once you’re done. The disc also has an upgrade store feature which allows you to buy the full version once you’re ready to. The game features its regular features, both single and multiplayer. For more details, check out Criterion’s Podcast here.

The Demo will feature the combination of Burnout itself, the Cagney Update, Bikes Update and the upcoming Party Pack.

Have a fetish for Ferrari F430s? Thrustmaster may just have the solution for you. They have gotten the official license from Ferrari to produce an exact replica of the Ferrari F430 steering wheel, even featuring the “Manettino” 5 position dial. The dial allows you to actually store 5 separate vehicle setups in games that are compatible with the feature. The wheel also is available in an automatic or manual set up.

The 28cm diameter wheel features a rubber-textured coating with a metal axle and ball-bearing system for maximum and precise turning accuracy. Also the combination of mixed-belts and pulleys allows for ultra quiet shifting (won’t wake the parents while racing at night). Touchsense® Force feedback is also powerful, yet very quiet. There is the up/down padel shift which is totally digitized for precise shift timing. Each padel is made of 100% aluminium for sturdiness and light weight. The foot pedals are made of unbreakable steel and are weighted so you get the real feel of driving in a Ferrari. There are 10 easy access control buttons and an 8 direction D-Pad.

The wheel is priced at US $159.99 and you can check out more info at Thrustmaster’s site here. Check out the pics below, it looks good doesn’t it?

Fanatec has announced the availability of their new limited line of Porsche 911 Turbo S Racing Wheels for Xbox 360. There are 3 variations to choose from including the 911 Turbo S Edition: 3000, Clubsport Edition: 2000, and Pure Edition: 5000. The italized numbers represent the total quantity manufactured in each line. The wheels are priced as follows: 911 Turbo S Edition: USD $250, Clubsport Edition: USD $400, and Pure Edition: USD $150. The line of wheels feature 900° turning circles, ability to work on the Xbox 360 as well as the Playstation 3 and PC, wireless connection to the Xbox 360, 6+1 shifter and 3 force feedback generators and a smooth drive belt which deliver the best in realism. To check out more about the wheels, visit their website at www.fanatec.com/PWTS.

If you are like me and have no space for a table or just don’t have a table to rest your racing wheel and gearshift on,  then the new RennSport Wheel Stand has a permanent solution for that. The stand which is compatible with some of the more popular devices such as the Logitech (G25 and Driving Force wheel series) and Microsoft (Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel), is a really neat device because of its simple shape and easy adjustability. The frame is made of solid steel/aluminum with rubber foot soles for added support, so even the hardest of vibrations won’t shake this structure. As said before, there is no need for a table because it stands on its own, with support for your wheel, gearshift and foot pedals. It’s very portable and can be mounted/dismounted in seconds. However this unit comes at a rather stiff price of US $129.95. If you can afford it though, it’s worth a shot. The stand is set to ship on October 30th, 2008.

View the Press Release here.

Here is our review of the PS3 title, Ferrari Challenge: Trofeo Pirelli.

Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli is a Racing Sim about one thing only: Ferraris! There are 32 available cars ranging from the F430 Challenge Car to the Classic 1957 Le Mans. There are 14 authentic tracks available including Ferrari’s actual test circuit Fiorano and others such as Monza. If you don’t want to jump into the action Tiff Needell, British race car driver and TV personality will get you up to speed in the tutorial.

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The FrexGP Force Feedback Simwheel is one of the most advanced and serious pieces of equipment out there on the sim market. If you are a die-hard sim racing fan and only settle for the best, this is your wheel. The shell and base materials are made from some high quality and well crafted pieces of steel and rubber. It also features optical trackers to keep the wheel alignment properly tuned for years, a very strong force feed back system for a very real experience (danger label alone expresses the strength of the force feedback), 1080 degree total lock and much more. It was meant strictly for serious racers. Take a look at this video and see the wheel in action.