Overview
The InterAct V3/V3fx Racing Wheel has numerous packaging variations, including variations produced for specific consoles and the PC as well as variants that work across multiple consoles. The Nintendo 64-related releases include at least two hardware variations (with or without rumble, plus an additional variant with a completely different button and wheel layout) and four major packaging variants: a variant marketed for both Nintendo 64 and PlayStation (with the use of a Nintendo 64 to PlayStation controller adapter) and a 1997 copyright, a "V3" version with InterAct's rectangular logo and a 1997 copyright, another "V3" version with InterAct's square logo and a 1999 copyright, as well as a "V3fx" version licensed by Nintendo. The V3fx variant includes rumble motors for force feedback and is powered by two AA batteries inserted into the bottom of the wheel. There also exist several minor packaging variations based on the 1997 V3 Nintendo 64-only variant (described below). All variants appear to share the same part number, so the database has been populated with the major box variants.
The box for the combo Nintendo 64 and PlayStation version is approximately 2/3 red and 1/3 black. This variant doesn't include rumble motors. The box for the 1997 V3 version with the rectangular logo is approximately 2/3 black and 1/3 red. This variant has numerous minor variations that appear to have been released throughout the years, including a version with an "Endorsed by Dale Earnhardt, Jr." sticker, a version with a "Win A Vacation Package To The... Indy 200" sticker, as well as a version with a sticker reading "Now With Built-In Vibration Feedback", implying InterAct reused older packaging for the V3fx variant to save on production costs. The box for the 1999 V3 version with the square logo is visually slightly "cleaner" than the previous version, but shares the same color scheme. Finally, the Licensed by Nintendo version adopts a similar visual style to other Nintendo products during the Nintendo 64 era. The package is approximately 4/5 black and 1/5 red, with Nintendo logos in the top left and bottom right corners. All variants aside from the combo version have the sticker "Limited Edition Stealth Black" and share the same UPC and part number.
V3 versions with the square logo also appear to have two minor color variations. One variant has red face buttons and yellow C buttons, similar to how they're portrayed on the box. The other variant features black buttons, in spite of the packaging indicating otherwise. All V3fx versions appear to have black buttons. Again, the change in button color is likely due to InterAct attempting to save on manufacturing costs as PlayStation variants also switched from red to black buttons.
InterAct also produced the Concept 4 Racing Wheel, which included paddle shifters, and curiously yet another V3 Racing Wheel, featuring a notably altered wheel and button layout.
If you purchased a version without the box, you can track your hardware with the following pages:
- If your wheel has a V3 logo and both Nintendo 64 and PlayStation legends on the buttons, use this page
- If your wheel has a V3 logo and red buttons, use this page
- If your wheel has a V3 logo and black buttons, use this page
- If you wheel has a V3fx logo and black buttons, use either this page or this page
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Trivia
V3fx models appear to have been sold in three different boxes, including this Licensed by Nintendo variant, the V3 square logo variant also released in 1999, and the V3 rectangular logos with the sticker on the box that indicates a V3fx model is inside the packaging.
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