Date: October 6th, 2005
Article by: Joe Anderson (Hardware Reviewer)
Edited by: Nathan Glentworth (Owner / Head Editor)
Product Submitted by: MGE
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PRODUCT WALKTHROUGH AND PICTORIAL
The Ninja 2 is your basic mid-tower, steel computer case, dressed up with some cosmetic treatments to give it some visual appeal. Let's take a detailed look at this chassis and see how XG's budget gaming case measures up.
The front facade is generally where the most visual interest is concentrated. I'll have to admit that when I first saw its name, I feared that the Ninja 2 was going to be another one of those garish, over-the-top, anime-themed cases that pop up occasionally. I was pleasantly surprised to find a fairly simple, but interesting look that doesn't go overboard with the ninja theme.
In fact, the only ninja item on the front is the chrome throwing-star device. I like the unique treatment XG has given the power and reset switches. The gill-like vents just below the switches are functional, though the screens behind them are very restrictive.
The door is very simple and features an opening for the top drive bay. This enables the user to use an optical drive without opening the door. The latch is very simple also, with a plastic tab interacting with a slot in the bezel. This configuration actually works quite well, and appears rugged enough to stand up for the life of the case. There is a conventional arrangement of four 5.25-inch and two 3.5-inch bays and there is room behind the door for a fan controller or other device utilizing knobs that intrude into this area.
An aqua-tinted, acrylic accent piece is placed just below the door and is illuminated by three blue LEDs.
Moving around to the left side, we find a larger version of the throwing-star device stamped into the side panel. The finish is quite shiny, but not what I would call high-gloss. The bezel and painted parts don't exactly match in terms of either color or gloss.
Both side panels are secured with chrome thumbscrews at the rear.
