Mad Catz for Mad Skillz.
As gaming platforms have evolved over the years, so to have the peripherals
that accompany them. Good games can have their fun factor multiplied simply by
having the right piece of equipment alongside them. Racing games are the perfect
example of this situation. While many are enjoyable on their own, nothing can
compare to playing a great racing game with a great steering wheel.
To date, there have been so many racing titles for the Dreamcast that racing
fans truly deserve a quality racing wheel that will add to the excitement of
a high speed run. The Mad Catz MC2 racing wheel for the Dreamcast is
a simple peripheral that definitely goes a long way.
If you’re looking for control, look no further because the MC2 serves
up a huge helping. The wheel handles well and also includes the patented ‘AccuDrive
Calibration System’ that allows users to tailor the wheel to their own preferences.
The unique AccuDrive system allows for the adjustment of the steering sensitivity
and deadzone. So whether you like your steering tight or loose, you’ll find
that this wheel can do it all.
Some problems that plague race wheels have nothing to do with control, but
how well the unit stays put. Seriously – what would driving a car be like if
you ripped the wheel clean off the base and had the pedals slide around on the
floor? Fortunately, the MC2 puts these worries to rest. The wheel has
three suction cup feet that stick quite firmly to smooth surfaces (even those
wooden TV trays that so many people use) and the foot pedals have their own
non-slip rubber feet that hold very nicely to the floor.
Another unique feature of the MC2 is the retractable leg straps that
fit alongside your legs and allow you to use the wheel on your lap. This feature
actually works much better than I had anticipated and feels very solid and stable.
Even the angle is just right, keeping the wheel from rubbing against your legs
during play.
The MC2 also includes a short stick shift as well as F1 style paddles
for you manual transmission buffs. The stick shift works fine, but the paddle
shifters seem just a shade short of being comfortable. If the paddles extended
out just another inch, they would be much easier to use (or maybe I just have
short fingers).
The face of the MC2 features six buttons, a D-pad, the start button
and the calibration button. One interesting aspect of the wheel is that it can
be used without the pedals (although why anyone would ever buy a race wheel
and not use the pedals is beyond me). Instead, two buttons on the wheel’s face
can be used for braking and acceleration. Again, these buttons are just a tad
too close in for comfort and trying to execute a hard turn while holding down
the accelerator can be a nightmare. Use the pedals – that’s what they’re there
for.
You’ll be happy to know that the MC2 has wheel resistance and supports
force feedback on its very own. The vibrations of the wheel aren’t very strong,
but depending on your preferences that could be a good or a bad thing. It also
seems to take a pretty big hit for the vibrations to kick in. While playing
Tokyo Extreme, it took
a crash at speeds of about 90+ mph to feel any feedback.
Overall, the MC2 is a solid race wheel that will give armchair drivers
complete control of their TV racers. Many features such as the unique calibration
system and the retractable leg straps make the MC2 stand out above the
rest. If you’re looking for a reliable wheel that won’t let you down, the MC2
is a great way to go.
