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Mad Catz's WWE All Stars 'BrawlStick' and 'BrawlPad' revealed
We were baffled by the announcement that Mad Catz would make premium controllers for WWE All Stars. Mad Catz just sent us the first images of the new "BrawlStick" and "BrawlPad" accessories, and we don't know if it's just because we've had months to get used to the idea, but they aren't too shocking! Okay, so these are Standard Edition FightSticks and FightPads with exaggerated cartoon pictures of The Rock and Triple H on them. For some reason, we expected to be a lot more weirded out by that sight. They'll be available on PS3 and Xbox 360 alongside the game, with the sticks priced at $79.99 and the pads at $39.99.%Gallery-114775%
PDP discusses American-style design of Mortal Kombat arcade stick
According to Gerry Block, senior product manager for PDP, the differences between the arcade stick packaged with the $150 Tournament Edition of Mortal Kombat and the popular Street Fighter FightSticks produced by Mad Catz is culturally based. "Mad Catz did some good work with the Tournament Edition (Street Fighter IV) sticks," Block told Kotaku, "but those are Japanese style sticks for a Japanese game. We thought it would be a lot of fun to respond with an American style stick for an American fighting franchise." That's why the MK stick has parts more traditionally associated with American arcade machines: a bat-top stick instead of a ball-top, concave buttons instead of convex, and parts made by Happ instead of Sanwa. That should make it the ideal stick for the American Mortal Kombat -- and only for Mortal Kombat, thanks to the wacky button layout that game uses. Other design elements aren't so much America-focused as just nice. The internal components are encased in easily removable transparent plastic for modding, and the bottom of the stick has a memory foam pad for comfortable use on your lap.
FightSticks, lots of other accessories on sale at Amazon
Today's Amazon Deal of the Day is actually deals -- discounts on a bunch of accessories. If you look through the pages of deals, you'll hit upon some highlights like the Mad Catz Xbox 360 Street Fighter IV Round 2 Tournament Edition FightStick for $105 andthe Hori PS3 Fighting Stick 3 for $30. But our personal highlight is right there on the front page. Hori's wonderful Dragon Quest Slime Speaker Stand for DS, which is a DS stand with a speaker in it, that is shaped like a Slime from Dragon Quest, and is on sale for $30. All of these offers will be active through the end of the day or until stock runs out.
Pick up a FightStick and Street Fighter 4 for $29
Well, this is most definitely the best deal on a Mad Catz FightStick we've ever seen -- we're tempted to predict it's the best deal we ever will see. Walmart.com is selling the standard edition FightStick, along with a copy of Street Fighter IV, for just $29. Even if you already have an arcade stick, don't you need one for a second player? Or to experiment with modding? As for that Street Fighter IV, you probably already have it (or even Super SFIV) if you're shopping for arcade sticks, but who cares? Trade it in or give it away. The FightStick itself usually sells for much more than that -- even at Walmart. [Thanks, Joe]
Mad Catz creating FightSticks and FightPads for WWE All Stars
Mad Catz has created FightPad and FightStick accessories for fighting games like Street Fighter IV and Marvel vs. Capcom 2. It has now announced a partnership with THQ to produce ... WWE-branded FightSticks and FightPads, for the upcoming WWE All Stars game. All Stars is supposed to be more arcade-like and feature "combination sequences" (according to its original announcement), so ... no, this just isn't going to make sense no matter how hard we try. Mad Catz intends to produce the accessories for PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii, which means that if you missed out on the Tatsunoko vs. Capcom FightStick, you'll have another chance to get a Wii arcade stick, albeit one with pictures of wrasslers all over it. Mad Catz has declined to offer images or specific details for the devices, so we're just going to have to dream for now.
Street Fighter 4 Tournament FightStick priced $99 on Amazon today
In case you missed out in February, the original Mad Catz Street Fighter IV Tournament FightSticks for Xbox 360 and PS3 are Amazon's deal of the day for $99 (regularly $150). The "standard" SF4 sticks are also 30 percent off on both consoles, priced around $50. %Gallery-40901%
Interview: Marvel vs Capcom 3 producer Ryota Niitsuma
During E3, we bent the ear of Marvel vs Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds producer Ryota Niitsuma, who in turn gabbed about the new game and previous Vs titles, as well as the possibility of a new arcade stick partnership with Mad Catz. The full interview follows. Joystiq: We've heard different stories about the origin of Marvel vs Capcom 3 -- both that development started as a result of strong sales of the HD re-release of Marvel vs Capcom 2 and that it was in development long before that. Which is it? Ryota Niitsuma: Both games were being developed independently -- one didn't lead to the other, as it were. While we were getting the ball rolling on MvC3, the downloadable version of Marvel vs Capcom 2 was being repackaged and distributed. And then that was really successful, as you know, and because of that, it had kind of an impact on Marvel vs Capcom 3. We thought then that the game would be really big and people would be excited about it, so then we were more hopeful and expectant of what would happen with Marvel vs Capcom 3. %Gallery-91173%
Save on Tatsunoko vs. Capcom FightSticks at Capcom's online store
Buying a Wii arcade stick for a single game might be hard to justify, but Capcom is making it somewhat easier with its latest online Deal of the Week. This weekend, the Tatsunoko vs. Capcom FightStick is marked down 15%, to $67.95. If you buy it together with the game, the whole thing is $113.95, with the stick making up $64 of that. We should also point out that the FightSticks are $68.56 on Amazon at the moment, so you have another potential avenue for savings. And it wouldn't necessarily just be for one game -- it would be really nice for retro fighting games and even shooters on the Virtual Console, as well.
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift FightStick is blazing, blue
click to enter our Tournament Edition Gallery Do you want a Mad Catz Tournament Edition FightStick, but ... bluer? Mad Catz and Aksys have just announced a BlazBlue: Continuum Shift FightStick, featuring imagery from the upcoming BlazBlue sequel. Like the latest revision of the Super Street Fighter IV stick, this controller features genuine Sanwa parts and internal storage for the 13-foot cable. Only 3,000 sticks will be produced: 1,500 each for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The only place you'll be able to get one is through Aksys's online store. Pre-orders will ship in June for $199.99. With those limited quantities, if you want one, you should probably look into that soon. We're holding out for a BlayzBloo DS arcade stick. %Gallery-92122%
Mad Catz reports growing profits, hints at new Super Street Fighter IV joystick
Accessory company Mad Catz released its earnings report for the third quarter of its fiscal year (ending December 31, 2009), with numbers that suggest its wares are selling like mad. Net sales came to $48.8 million, which is "the second-best quarter of sales in the company's history." Profits increased 51 percent over the same period in the previous fiscal year, a change Mad Catz attributes to its movement out of low-price controllers and into higher-end specialty accessories. Hello $150 FiightStick! In its announcement, Mad Catz also listed the controllers and accessories it plans to ship in the near future. In addition to the new Super Street Fighter IV "Tournament Edition S" FightSticks (pictured above), the release also reveals plans to sell a new Super Street Fighter IV edition of the standard FightStick. It's as of yet unconfirmed if the standard stick will be given a new layout and shell like the superified Tournament Edition stick, or merely new artwork.
Mad Catz makes the Wii a fighter with moddable FightStick
The Wii may not be the console of choice for most fighting game fans, but it is starting to earn a bit more respect with the release of Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom and, just as importantly Mad Catz's new Arcade FightStick to go along with it. The best news, however, is that like Mad Catz's fightsticks for other consoles, this one is moddable for those that prefer some arcade authentic parts, and it even packs a few features not found its Xbox 360 and PS3 counterparts. Most notably, that includes a toggle switch that will let the arcade stick control either the d-pad of the classic controller or the left or right analog stick, meaning you'll also be able to use it with an array of Virtual Console titles. Look for this one to set you back $80.
Official Tatsunoko vs. Capcom FightStick is officially real
Though we've had very specific hints about such an item for a while, MadCatz never released details about an officially licensed Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars arcade stick until today. Now, the peripheral maker has announced that the stick is real and will be out sometime this month, to coincide with the game whose name and art it bears. It's so real that, as Kotaku reports, you can pre-order one from MadCatz's site! The stick connects to the Wiimote for a wireless-ish experience, a de facto upgrade over the wired connections used by the PS3 and Xbox 360 Street Fighter IV FightSticks. It'll retail for $79.99.
Rumor: Tatsunoko vs. Capcom FightStick, game bundle on the way
[Comic-Con mockup; see retail box on Flickr] Tatsunoko vs. Capcom proves that the Wii is a perfectly capable platform for fighting games -- except that it doesn't have a high-quality arcade stick. If these box images found on MadCatz staffer Mark "MarkMan" Julio's Flickr stream are any indication, the company behind the Street Fighter IV FightSticks is going to take care of that. Julio posted two images of a retail box for a Tatsunoko vs. Capcom FightStick using the same shape and layout as the company's Standard Edition Street Fighter IV FightStick for PS3 and Xbox 360. It would seem that response to the Comic-Con mockup (seen above) was positive enough for the accessory manufacturer to go ahead with a retail release! The stick may be included in a special bundle for the game, as well. One Shoryuken forum user claims to have found both a normal and arcade stick bundle SKU in the GameStop database. We've contacted Capcom and MadCatz to find out just how we'll be controlling a giant lighter in a fight against Mega Man. [Via NeoGAF]
Net sales down for Mad Catz, Q2 earnings show rise in PS3, Xbox 360 biz
Plastic peripheral powerhouse Mad Catz has unleashed its fiscal 2010 Q2 earnings results (that's the three months ending September 30, 2009 for us normal folk) and, while the company is still making plenty of cash ($21.6 million this quarter, to be exact) it saw losses of 16 percent when compared to the same period last year, where Mad Catz' net sales earned it $25.8 million. Its biggest market, North America, also saw a dip in sales this year to the tune of 18 percent; US sales have fallen nearly 20 percent this quarter, while Canadian sales rose 55 percent. When comparing its gross sales by platform, Mad Catz only managed to lose a small fraction of its PC platform business, while simultaneously building its PS3 and Xbox 360 revenue streams by ten and four percent, respectively, and growing its specialty controller business nearly 20 percent. The company did take a considerable hit in its Wii business -- sales dropped eight percent -- as well as in other platform markets, however. Citing what its key products were during its fiscal Q2 2010, Mad Catz obviously had a lot of love for Capcom, as several of the fight sticks it offered for 2D fighters were top earners. Aside from that, it pointed to its new line of Rock Band accessories and some Wii items such as its Remote and z-Chuk as other successful ventures. While this quarter may not have been the best for the company, all signs point to it being a successful fiscal Q3 2010 for Mad Catz. With its collaboration with the biggest game in the universe and its venture with Capcom to offer new fighting game stuff -- the company also confirmed that Marvel vs Capcom 2 stick is legit -- we have a feeling our next post on its earnings will probably have an image of Scrooge McDuck in it.
Mad Catz announces 'Round Two' Street Fighter IV fightpads and fightstick
It's not doing anything crazy like lowering the price, but it looks like Mad Catz is at least set to give fighting game fans a few more options when it comes to choosing their peripheral of choice. As usual, the headliner is the company's Tournament Edition fightstick, which dials things back after the explosion of color on the Comic-Con exclusive edition, but otherwise remains identical inside and out. Those that honed their Street Fighter skills on their SNES or Genesis can also now choose from a new range of fightpads, featuring artwork with your choice of M. Bison, Guile, Zangief, C. Viper, Cammy, or Sagat. No firm release date just yet, but the whole lot should be out sometime this fall for both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, with the fightstick setting you back the usual $149.99, and the fightpads running a considerably more affordable $39.99 apiece.[Via Joystiq]
Marvel vs. Capcom 2 FightStick, other new Mad Catz fighting peripherals spotted at GameStop conference
Shoryuken forumite ohgee saw some new, unannounced Mad Catz FightSticks and FightPads at the ongoing GameStop Manager Conference, and snapped some pictures for the community. Perhaps most noteworthy is the confirmation of the rumored Marvel vs. Capcom 2 Tournament Edition FightStick, with yellow and white buttons and artwork from the recent MvC2 downloadable release. GameStop employees in the thread say it'll be out September 25 for $159.99, a $10 increase over the original TE FightStick.Other new items found at the conference include a "Round 2" Street Fighter IV FightStick with new art, and several new FightPads.[Thanks Ninjax!]
Comic-Con 2009: Tatsunoko vs. Capcom arcade stick mockups from Mad Catz
Don't get too excited: the lovely Mad Catz Tatsunoko vs. Capcom Standard Edition FightStick above isn't real. It's a "non-playable mockup" that Mad Catz is showing off at Comic-Con. Capcom-Unity reports that Mad Catz is soliciting feedback about the stick -- presumably not only about the design, but about the level of interest among Wii owners for a high-end arcade stick. Yes, please!We were wondering if Mad Catz would step up to support Tatsunoko vs. Capcom. Currently, our only arcade stick option in the US is the Hori Fighting Stick Wii, and that's getting hard to find. We'd love to be able to, like, go to a store and buy a nice arcade stick.
Special edition Mad Catz Street Fighter IV controllers set for limited engagement at Comic-Con
Heading to Comic-Con this year? If not, you'll be missing out on a limited edition Street Fighter IV-branded FightSticks and FightPads from Mad Catz, with button layouts designed to maximize your hadouken-throwing efficiency and with a design the Joystiq crew labels as inspired by Sagat (the character) -- a perfect complement to your Tournament Edition sticks. According to Capcom's official blog, only 500 of each have been made, divided evenly between PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The pad will cost you $49.99, the sticks $179.99, and the online auction resale value guaranteed to be even more.[Via Joystiq]
Limited edition Mad Catz SFIV controllers available at Comic-Con
Do you want to be the envy of all your fighting game opponents without actually having to be any good at fighting games? Mad Catz has created a set of exclusive Street Fighter IV controllers, to be available only at the San Diego Comic-Con (July 23-26) in limited numbers (500 FightPads each for PlayStation 3 and Xbox, and 250 Tournament Edition FightSticks for each console). Both controllers feature a color scheme and artwork inspired by Sagat -- the art appears to represent his trademark scar. The FightStick features new details like Hadouken arrow diagrams on the joystick dust cover. It'll sell for $179.99 at the show, and for significantly more later on eBay. The FightPads will be available for $49.99.%Gallery-68356%
Play-Asia reveals new Mad Catz FightSticks [update]
[Update: Mad Catz let us know that these sticks are, as the Play-Asia reveal may suggest, being released in Asia, beyond the scope of the company's Street Fighter IV licensing deal.]The FightSticks released by Mad Catz alongside Street Fighter IV were surprising, to say the least, for Mad Catz products: despite some early technical issues, the Tournament Edition FightStick for Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 is by far the highest-quality arcade stick available in North America. The only problem, of course, is that they aren't always available. The sticks were produced in extremely limited numbers and initial shipments sold out quickly. We're very happy, then, to see new Tournament Edition FightSticks for PS3 and Xbox available for pre-order on import retailer Play-Asia. These sticks don't have any Street Fighter IV artwork, but otherwise they look identical -- and adding your own artwork isn't that complicated. According to Play-Asia, the sticks will be available Q4 for $149.90.[Thanks, John Doe!]
