Sim Racing 2025 Debrief: Hardware Highlights, Game Releases, and Missed Opportunities
2025 was an unusual year for sim racing. Not because of one breakthrough product or one disastrous release, but because of how stable — and in many ways mature — the market has become. For the first time in a long while, there wasn’t a piece of hardware that completely missed the mark. Some products had issues, but none felt fundamentally bad in the way we’ve seen in previous years.
As always, a big thank you goes to everyone watching, subscribing, and supporting the channel. Without that support, none of this would be possible. With that said, here’s a structured look at what stood out in 2025 — the good, the bad, and the unresolved.
Pedals: Value Finally Matters More Than Innovation
The year started with the Conspit CPP Lite, my first exposure to Conspit pedals. In many ways, they felt like what Fanatec’s V3 pedals could have evolved into. Build quality was solid, and the hydraulic brake, while interesting, wasn’t a game changer. What stood out most was how well-made the pedals felt for their price.
Conspit later released the CPP Apex, a more affordable hydraulic option. My pre-production unit had some creaking and noise issues, but even with those caveats, it delivered a strong experience for roughly half the price of the CPP Lite.
Moza’s CRP2 pedals and the M Booster introduced active braking at a more accessible price point. While impressive on paper, active pedals still aren’t for everyone. In my case, despite appreciating the technology, I eventually returned to traditional Simucube pedals simply because they felt more natural.
The real surprise came from the budget end of the market. The Simpson Pro pedals, at roughly £200, delivered outstanding value. They weren’t perfect — minor squeaks and finishing issues were present — but for the price, they were easy to recommend to anyone wanting quality without spending heavily.
Wheels: Strong Offerings, But Ecosystems Matter
Among the many wheels tested, the Conspit 300 GT stood out early in the year. Even with a price increase, its construction quality remained excellent for the segment.
Fanatec’s Porsche Vision GT CSL Elite was solidly built but leaned too far into gimmick territory for my taste, particularly given its size. Moza’s FSR2 was another strong entry, though its reliance on proprietary screen software limited its flexibility — a recurring issue for wheels at this price point.
At the high end, the GSI AXL V2 became my personal standout. Its ergonomics, build quality, display, and LED implementation made it the wheel I continue to use. It’s heavy and demands a capable wheelbase, but the overall package just works.
Wheelbases: Consistency Over Shock Value
2025 was the busiest year I’ve ever had for wheelbase testing. Conspit’s lineup — from the Apex to the higher-torque models — impressed with consistent force feedback quality across the range. Power scaled up, but the underlying feel remained the same, which is rare.
Simagic, tested on older firmware, didn’t fully live up to its reputation in every sim, though newer firmware may change that. Logitech’s RS wheelbase was one of the most consistently good performers across all platforms, especially on Gran Turismo, iRacing, and Assetto Corsa Competizione.
On the budget side, the PXN VD6 bundle was a surprise. While PXN has struggled in past generations, this bundle offered strong force feedback and solid overall value at around $400, making it one of the easiest entry-level recommendations of the year.
Beyond Wheels: Immersion Without Complexity
VR was revisited with the Bigscreen Beyond 2. While lightweight and immersive, VR still isn’t for everyone — myself included. Comfort and immersion were strong, but I continue to prefer a large screen setup.
The standout product of the year, regardless of category, was the Cubic Systems QSBT1 belt tensioner. It delivered a level of immersion that justified its permanent place in my rig. It’s quiet, compact, easy to configure, and genuinely transformative without adding unnecessary complexity.
Software: A Year of Recovery and Uneven Launches
Le Mans Ultimate recovered significantly from its shaky GT3 launch in 2024 and became my most-driven sim of the year. Assetto Corsa Evo struggled early but began to show direction with version 0.4, though key features like mod support remain unclear.
Assetto Corsa Rally was one of the biggest surprises, offering an enjoyable and fresh rally experience that shows real potential.
November, however, brought two notable disappointments: Wrenchport and Project Motor Racing. Both had clear visions, but execution fell short. Neither felt lazy or exploitative — instead, they felt incomplete, missing something fundamental at launch. Both warrant revisiting in 2026.
Channel Reflection and Looking Ahead
2025 was the most demanding year for the channel in terms of output. Review videos require significant time, and moving forward, selectivity will be necessary. Budget and mid-range hardware proved more engaging than expected, and meta discussions about the state of sim racing were among the most enjoyable content to produce.
Looking ahead to 2026, expect more commentary, more racing, and — finally — more endurance events.
What stood out to you in 2025? And what do you hope 2026 brings to sim racing?
