Project Ironside 2.0 Board Game Table Review
I’ve wanted to own a board game table for a long time, but I’ve never come close to even considering purchasing one until Project Ironside entered the chat. At less than $850 CAD for a table with a playmate, it’s quite a bit different than base tables you’ll buy from other companies. Obviously, when you add all the extras – accessories, arm rests, topper, etc. – the price drastically increases, but even with all the accessories, toppers, etc. you are still looking at under $2500 CAD. That’s pretty impressive for what I’d describe as a very sturdy, beautifully constructed product.
The Build
A few weeks ago we looked at BoxKing Gaming’s (the company behind this table) BoxThrone, a fantastic metal shelf solution that gave each game its own shelf. Constructing that was so easy, and I fully expected the table to go together just as easily. While that wasn’t the case – some of the screws you need to put in are a bit fiddly to turn – it still only took two of us under 45 minutes to transform our room with a brand new table.
Like the BoxThrone, the table is very well constructed, so once you did get the screws into the holes, they spun in by hand incredibly easily. This is due to very clean and straight holes for the screws, something that doesn’t always go as planned in factory-prepared metal. And also like with the BoxThrone, BoxKing uses little nubs so that everything lines up perfectly. Part of me was worried that at some point in this construction, something wouldn’t match up quite right – that moment never came.
The bottom of each table leg has a spot for a short foot that can be spun up and down to for leveling purposes, and to give your table an extra inch or two of height if you think that is important. On the old tables, BoxKing used a metal dowel followed by a foam board, followed by the playmat. This system worked well enough – I’ve seen only a few complaints online – but like with screwing in the bolts, getting these dowels and spacers setup was a bit fiddly. With the Ironside 2.0 table, BoxKing has opted for thing sheet metal pieces that lay side by side across the table. Sound dampening strips are placed beneath these metal sheets are fantastic.
We had a slight problem getting all the sheets to fit across the length of the table, and actually had to massage out a spot where the sheet metal stuck up just a bit creating a bit of a lip in the table, even with the mat laid on top. 2 weeks later and that lip is all but gone, so if that happens to you, just work it out – you’ll appreciate the tighter fit of the sheet metal in the long run, I’m sure.
Is It Worth It?
Again, when BoxKing sent us this table for review – and you will see a banner and links to the site at the bottom of upcoming board game articles – they also set us up with almost all of the tables’ various accessories. WE will talk about those later, so let’s focus this review just on the table itself. Is this table worth about $850 CAD?
First and foremost, I’m going to say that no one needs a board game table. It’s definitely a want type of item, and in the board game space, I’d argue it is also a luxury item to own. That being said, I treat board games tables like I treat deluxe bits for games. If you have the money to afford those fancy wooden pieces and metal coins, and you love the game, go get those upgrade kits! In the same way, if you really enjoy playing board games with family and friends, and you want to get a table, Project Ironside 2.0 is a VERY economical way to make that happen.
Now, I need to shout out Shelf Side who did a fantastic video review of the Project Ironside 2.0. As a channel who has reviewed a ton of board game tables, I respect their opinions. And at the end of the day, even when compared to wooden tables, he preferred Project Ironside.
His argument? This was a very sturdy table, and unlike wooden tables it didn’t creak, didn’t require constant maintenance, and was much, MUCH cheaper. A standard board game table could run you anywhere from $1500 – $5000 just for the table, no accessories. This table is a fraction of that cost, and by all accounts, potentially better construction?
There are some knocks on the table for sure. Rolling dice up against the side of the table is obnoxiously loud, and there isn’t much you can do about that. There are also moments when you look at your table and say, “Ah yes, this is why it only costs this much.” One such instance was the included mat which didn’t quite fit end to end, corner to corner. While this “issue” is there, I’ve basically forgotten about it until this very moment when I sat down to write.
So yes, the Ironside 2.0 board game table is something I can easily recommend. It’s a fantastic product that is very sturdy, and feels great. Even without the (extra cost) pads for your arms, laying your arms on the cold steel was something I was initially worried about, but became a non-issue over time. BoxKing has melded together cost, efficiency, quality and usability to create a table that I’m quite impressed with. While a wooden table might look better visually, I’d argue that it’s a fairly similar experience when you sit to play. Long story short, you get a solid product at a fantastic price, and if you are looking for a board game table to fit your space, this is probably the product for you.
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Article By Adam Roffel
