Logitech Wingman Force

The Logitech Wingman Force is a force feedback joystick released by Logitech in 1999 for IBM PC compatibles. It connects to the computer through either a USB or a 9-pin serial port (not a standard gameport), and requires an external AC adapter to power the two internal force feedback motors. The stick itself is molded for right-hand use, featuring four face buttons and an 8-way hat switch on top, with five additional programmable buttons positioned on the left side of the base within easy reach of the fingertips. The base is wide and heavy at 4.14 pounds, so it resists shifting during aggressive maneuvers.

The Wingman Force employs a distinctive metal cable and pulley system to transfer motor forces to the stick along the X and Y axes, rather than the plastic gears or belt drives common in many competing force feedback devices of the era. This design choice is intended to improve long-term durability. The top buttons are covered in high-quality rubber to prevent finger slippage. A pliable rubber boot surrounds the stick where it meets the base, though the material is thin and has several cut slots; the pleats may not always return to their original shape.

Logitech bundles the joystick with its Wingman Profiler software, which runs in the system tray and maintains a database of pre-configured button mappings for popular games like Quake II, Unreal, Descent: Freespace, and Redline Racer. The Profiler can automatically load the appropriate profile when a supported game is launched, and users can create custom profiles for any title not already in the list. An update function checks Logitech’s website for new profiles and software versions.