Speedblack Gaming Platform

Results

Usage

The two games that I used to test this gaming platform out were Test Drive Unlimited and Project Gotham Racing 4, and firing up a game of the former, I was ready to ride. First things first though, I had to raise the platform up a little as my knee was banging the underside of the top platform when I released the accelerator. No problem, undo the screw a bit, raise it up and re-tighten. The moment I let go of the platform it slammed down again. The screw holding the top platform up needs to be completely tightened to stop it falling down, which isn’t a problem but it does take a fair bit of effort; despite the screw handle.

Getting back to racing, I zoomed around the island of Hawaii quite comfortably, but my feet and the pedals did slide off the bottom more than once. I changed the angle which did improve things, but I found it very hard to find a comfortable compromise between having the pedals at an angle, and them not sliding off. Despite the rubber feet on the pedal underside, the platform has a very smooth, non grip surface; you’d think this would be one place a bit of friction would make sense, but there’s just smooth metal. Hell, even a simple plastic strip at the bottom to prevent the pedals sliding off completely would have sufficed. I’ve read in other reviews of people putting down a rubber foot well mat, but no one should have to do that just to use a product effectively.

NB. For those wondering while the tilted angle was visually noticeable, it didn’t affect me during gameplay at all.

Project Gotham Racing was much of the same, though I did feel that with the slightly faster, more arcade style racing I was wishing for for a slightly tilted racing platform, like you’d have in your car. However I understand this is hard to compensate for, as the makers of the speedblack can’t take into account the angle of every racing wheel.

Switching chairs was no real issue, and the funnily enough, the supportive red chair I’m sat on, on the previous page, was less easy to use the Speedblack on than the leather sofa behind it. Sitting on that at a lower vantage was far easier; after I’d lowered the table to compensate. However, I did again run into the problem of my knees hitting the bottom of the top platform when releasing pedals; and I’m no giant.

As an afterthought I need to mention that on a carpeted floor, the Speedblack does not sit completely flat, and will wobble slightly if you shift weight from one side to the other. It’s not a common occurrence but I’d definitely recommend a non-carpeted floor for this one, or placing some sort of flat base underneath it. Also, changing footwear had little affect on using the speedblack, though of course flat shoes are recommended.

Quality

The build quality of the Speedblack is quite varied. While I do need to take into account that I’m not the first to review this particular Speedblack, there were some bits that came off as a little disappointing. There was the gangster lean that the footrest sported that I mentioned earlier, along with the fact that screws that scratch the paint are used to support platforms. Where’s the bolt that runs through the centre to give real support? The red paint work isn’t very flattering either, as it’s quite a dull colour; far from the racing red you might expect. That said, the metal parts are solid and do support the hardware well. The black matt paint is also nicely done, and the screws, despite their overuse, are still nicely made. The grey metal used for the platforms was a little boring, and looks more like bare metal than a quality painted surface from any real distance. As I said, bit of a mixed bag.

Cost

No UK pricing has been announced yet, but the official European price is 89 euros, so expect the British price to be around the £75-£90 mark.

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