Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas X Review – Older But Still Awesome!

How Much Does it Cost?

It may have a few years on the clock, but thousands of online consumer reviews and busy flight sim communities will tell you this is a great starting point. It’s an older controller, but that means the price is very favourable these days. Just £75 for such a unique and feature-packed controller is certainly impressive and a welcome addition to any serious gaming setup. Plus, it’ll work on PlayStation too, which is always a bonus. There’s an Xbox/PC version out there too, so choose the one you really need.

Overview

I have never had a HOTAS stick before, and typically just used an Xbox One controller for my flight sim stuff. That works pretty well too, or at least, I thought it did. However, getting the HOTAS changed things from feeling like I’m playing a computer game, to feeling like I’m pilot in Star Wars Squadrons. The immersion you get is second to none.

Not only of the most fun space shooters of recent years but also one of the best gaming experiences I’ve ever had.

Of course, I haven’t played Elite Dangerous since I got rid of my HTC Vive, and that was ages ago. So it’s really been a while since I went back. If you’ve never played Elite: Dangerous, it’s more focused on the simulation aspect and having real two-handed controls like the HOTAS made those precision landings less about guesswork and more like the work of a pro. That sounds like hyperbole I know, but it really is a huge upgrade to the experience. Heck, even the in-game controls look similar to the HOTAS, so it’s a great match.

Should I Buy One?

Star Wars Squadrons was certainly the best thing with this stick. However, Elite Dangerous, Flight Simulator 2020, Mech Warrior, Star Citizen, Everspace and more are out there too. The list of incredible gaming experiences that can be enjoyed with a HOTAS is impressive. Plus, when it comes to the multiplayer stuff, it’s easy to see which gamers brought a controller to a HOTAS fight.