Handheld steering wheel game controller

A game controller comprising:

• a hub;
• a first handle rigidly coupled to said hub and grippable by a first hand of a user;
• a second handle rotatably coupled to said first handle and grippable by a second hand of said user, wherein said second handle rotatably pivots about a pivot point within said hub, wherein said game controller is unattached to a stationary surface during use;
• a sensor coupled to said second handle, said sensor generating a left control signal when said second handle is rotated in a counter-clockwise motion relative to said first handle and relative to a null position, and wherein said sensor generates a right control signal when said second handle is rotated in a clockwise motion relative to said first handle and relative to said null position;
• a spring element coupled to said second handle, said spring element urging said second handle to said null position;
• a button zone integral to said first handle, wherein said button zone is accessible by a thumb of the user when the first handle is gripped;
• and
• a control circuit for communicating said left and right control signals to a game system.

A game controller comprising:

• a hub, wherein a holding region of said hub is grippable by a first hand of a user;
• a second handle rotatably coupled to said hub and grippable by a second hand of said user, wherein said second handle rotatably pivots about a pivot point within said hub, wherein said game controller is unattached to a stationary surface during use;
• a sensor coupled to said second handle, said sensor generating a left control signal when said second handle is rotated in a counter-clockwise motion relative to said hub and relative to a null position, and wherein said sensor generates a right control signal when said second handle is rotated in a clockwise motion relative to said hub and relative to said null position;
• a spring element coupled to said second handle, said spring element urging said second handle to said null position;
• a first button zone integral to a front surface of said hub, wherein said first button zone is accessible by a thumb of the user when the holding region of said hub is gripped;
• a second button zone integral to a back surface of said hub, wherein said second button zone is accessible by an index finger of the user when the holding region of said hub is gripped;
• and
• a control circuit for communicating said left and right control signals to a game system.

A method of generating control signals for transmission to a gaming system for the purpose of simulating directional control of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• gripping a first handle with a first hand of a user;
• gripping a second handle with a second hand of a user, wherein said first and second handles are uncoupled to a stationary object surface;
• generating a right control signal upon rotating said second handle in a clockwise motion relative to said first handle;
• and
• generating a left control signal upon rotating said second handle in a counter-clockwise motion relative to said first handle.