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New Rock Band 3 bundles from Mad Catz include 5 free DLC songs
Rock Band 3 is still alive and kicking, despite everything happening behind-the-scenes, and in an effort to rekindle the world's love for rhythm games and plastic instruments, Mad Catz Interactive has released 5 new instrument bundles for the Xbox 360. Each bundle includes the game, a DLC code for 5 different Red Hot Chili Peppers songs, and your choice of Fender Mustang Pro-Guitar ($150), normal Stratocaster controller($70), or normal Precision Bass controller ($80, available in three designer colors). Absent from these bundles, as you may have noticed, are the microphone and drum kit controllers known and loved by annoying college roommates the world over; a void the used market will undoubtably step in to fill.
Mad Catz goes massively multiplayer with Cyborg M.M.O.7
Remember that intense Albino Rat Mouse from Mad Catz that we took for a spin and ripped apart way back in August? Meet its cousin, the Cyborg M.M.O.7. As you've likely already gathered, this rather intense gaming peripheral is all about the MMO world, featuring a staggering 78 definable commands thanks to 13 programmable buttons, a two-position MMO shift button and a three-position MMO mode switch. It's also one size fits all, thanks to adjustable palm and thumb rests. World of Warcraft fans will likely find a lot to like in the ability to assign spells to the mouse's buttons by dragging and dropping. The Cyborg M.M.O.7 is coming next month -- no word on pricing just yet.%Gallery-138861%
Soulcalibur 5 fight stick coming courtesy of Mad Catz
You'll be able to 8-way-run in style next year, as Mad Catz is introducing a Soulcalibur 5-themed version of its Tournament Edition FightStick, shipping for Xbox 360 and PS3 to coincide with the launch of Namco's latest. Fittingly, it's called the "Soul Edition," though it thankfully doesn't claim to take the soul of its user in exchange. Like the Soul Edge, however, SC5's fight stick is composed of mythical, unknown parts (Mad Catz isn't telling just yet). The "Soul Edition" fight stick will launch in January 2012 alongside Soulcalibur 5, though we've yet to receive an official price.%Gallery-137701%
MadCatz's Tritton Detonator now shipping, detonating
We've all been there: It's 3 am, the guys you share your tiny studio apartment with are zonked out after a hard day's hack-sackin' down on the quad, but you'll be awake for another 6 hours, at least. Now, thanks to the Tritton Detonator from MadCatz and Microsoft, your bitter, sleep-deprived roommates will only hear the sound of your frantic stick waggling and trigger flicking, as opposed to the gunfire and chainsaws they normally have to deal with. The Detonator is the first in a series of official 360 headphones, and its $80 entry fee delivers a USB cord, stereo sound, a detachable boom mic, voice monitoring capabilities and an in-line volume control for the whole kit-n-caboodle. Its big brother, the wireless, Dolby 7.1 rocking WarHead, is still reportedly on track for a holiday release, although we expect that model to cost a bit closer to the self-imposed $300 limit MadCatz mentioned when the headphones were announced.
MadCatz now shipping Tritton Detonator headset, official Xbox 360 stereo sound for $80
PS3 owners have been sportin' their own official gaming headset for a few weeks, and now -- after months of teasing -- Mad Catz is finally granting Xbox 360 owners a similar privilege. The company's announced that its Tritton / Microsoft co-branded Detonator Stereo USB gaming headset is available and shipping, priced at $80. Positioned as the first of a trio of its upcoming headsets -- including its wireless brethren, the stereo Devastator and Dolby 7.1 Warhead -- the Detonator keeps it to the FPS-pwning essentials. The cans are loaded with massive 50mm drivers and along its cord you'll find an inline remote for adjusting game / chat volume, voice monitoring and mic muting. Impressively, aside from its detachable boom mic, the inline controller is also removeable, allowing you plug straight into your PMP when you're done trash talkin' on Xbox Live. We're still anxiously waiting for the Warhead (scheduled to ship this holiday season), but if wired stereo is your thing, hit the PR past the break for more info.
Mad Catz fully responsible for relaunch of Rock Band 3
When Mad Catz re-releases Rock Band 3 this holiday, it'll be acting as sole financier on the Xbox 360-only publishing deal. "They're actually doing the retail distribution as well as marketing support, etc. They're acting as de facto publisher for the title," Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos explained to me in an interview session late last week at the Tokyo Game Show. That makes Rock Band 3 one of the first retail Xbox 360 game to be published by Mad Catz, a long-time peripheral manufacturer who is now getting into publishing on Microsoft's console. The company's second title, appropriately named War Wings: Hell Catz, is due to arrive on PCs some time in 2012. It has yet to be announced for the Xbox 360. Additionally, Mad Catz has a rugby title due out later this year. Rigopulos also noted that the relaunch is aimed at a variety of people, from new audiences who haven't ever played a Rock Band title, to "people who are still playing Rock Band 2 or Guitar Hero players who haven't even entered the genre yet." Rock Band 3 will relaunch with Mad Catz branding and peripherals for the Xbox 360 some time this holiday season.
Engadget's back to school guide 2011: gaming
Welcome to Engadget's Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we're here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today, we're getting our game on -- and you can head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! Let's be honest, balancing coursework with recreation is just as important as maintaining a balanced food diet -- perhaps even more. After you spend countless hours hitting the books, cramming for tests, and writing papers, you're just going to need something to turn your brain to mush. Don't worry, we have just the thing: video games. It doesn't matter how many midterms you have, we're sure we can find something to help you slack off. Of course, it's not going to be easy; you'll have to wait until next semester (at least) to get your hands on the PlayStation Vita, but that doesn't mean that you don't have options now. Jump past the break -- we can probably help you find something to get you through mid-terms with your sanity intact. Don't want to shell out cash to have fun this semester? Enter our back to school sweepstakes! Simply leave a comment below for a chance to win, and drop by our giveaway page for more details.
Mad Catz Street Fighter X Tekken sticks up for pre-order at $160
After we got our hands on Mad Catz' Street Fighter X Tekken controllers earlier this year, and now the company has made them official. So far, the only controllers to be revealed are the FightStick PRO joysticks we saw at E3, though presumably the line will also include FightPads and possibly less professional sticks. Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the FightStick PRO are currently available for pre-order at $160 each. A release date wasn't announced, though Spring 2012 is probably a pretty good bet.
Mad Catz takes Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge to North America
Mad Catz has recently become a publisher for new flight games and established music games. Its next baffling step into the world of game publishing sees the peripheral maker taking on sports games. Mad Catz announced plans to publish Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge on Xbox 360 sometime in September. In this game, Jonah Lomu challenges you to tell him what exactly rugby is. Okay, it actually features 93 different teams and 31 locations, with licensed teams including the New Zealand All Blacks, with whom Lomu played. An online mode will allow you to find all the other Americans who know how to play rugby -- unless they're busy playing the Rugby World Cup 2011 demo.
Mad Catz making official MLG FightSticks and controllers
If you're not good enough at fighting games to make a living in the MLG, but want to look like you are, Mad Catz has announced a line of MLG-branded accessories, starting with a Tournament Edition Arcade FightStick. The stick is functionally identical to the Super Street Fighter IV FightSticks, with buttons and joystick by renowned parts maker Sanwa Denshi, a button lock for the turbo switches and home buttons, and a compartment in the back for cable storage. It just lacks, you know, Street Fighter imagery, because it's for professionals. Mad Catz has other new MLG-themed controllers to show off, which it will do at the MLG Pro Circuit in Raleigh, NC this weekend.
Mad Catz Major League Gaming controllers offer swappable thumbstick layouts, fancy arcade buttons
If we didn't already know those cats were mad about customizable controllers, we just got a reminder: the Mad Catz Major League Gaming Pro-Circuit Controllers. These professional-grade PS3 and Xbox 360 controllers allow competitive gamers to adjust the gamepad's weight and swap out key components -- such as exchanging the controller's analog stick for a D-pad. Want your PS3 controller to have a Xbox 360 layout? No problem. If the insane kitty's ambitious Onza competitor isn't your thing, check out the MLG Tournament Edition Fightstick, featuring the same Sanwa Denshi components used in Japanese arcade cabinets. It may not have its sibling's stick-swapping action, but its 13-foot controller cable, classic layout, and left-right stick toggle mode (for emulating the missing analog thumbstick) still aims to please. The Arcade Fightstick can be had now at the GameShark store to the tune of $160, but the Pro-Circuit gamepads aren't due out until closer to the end of the year. Hit the break for a pair of extra pictures and the standard PR.
Rock Band Weekly: Incubus three-pack
Did you ever look at your Rock Band music collection and think "Incubus, I wish you were here"? Of course you didn't, because that is really corny. But for those of you who felt similarly without resorting to awful references, three Incubus tracks will be available as Rock Band 3 DLC next week.
Mad Catz Cyborg Rat Albino first hands-on
Mad Catz' aggressively named "Rat" mouse line already looks like an exploding space ship of awesome in the form of a humble human interface device, but why not give it a hint more futuristic edge? Enter the Cyborg Rat Albino, Mad Catz' alabaster successor to the Rat 7, hitting the scene looking sleeker, cleaner, and somehow ever-so-slightly more futuristic than its matte black brethren. Although the Albino is still technically a Rat 7 itself, this murine clicker squeaked into the Engadget game room to show us it had a little more to flaunt than just a new paint job. %Gallery-130274%
Mad Catz re-releasing Rock Band 3 with its peripherals
When our review called Rock Band 3 "the only rhythm game you'll ever need," we didn't know it'd be taken quite so literally. Mad Catz announced today that it would be releasing a follow-up to the Harmonix masterpiece ... in the form of Rock Band 3. Yes, the peripheral powerhouse has taken over publishing duties and will put the game back on shelves this holiday season. The re-release may seem like an unconventional deal (and it is) but it's easy to see the logic. For starters, the game's original publisher, MTV Games, doesn't exist any more. Plus, Mad Catz is getting more involved with the publishing world and is already the official manufacturer of Rock Band instruments. Mad Catz says it will bundle the game with its various instruments including the Fender Mustang guitar/controller hybrid, though not the drum kit as far as we can tell. We're also looking into platforms -- thus far, we know only that Mad Catz has a publisher license agreement for Xbox 360. We've reached out for comment and will let you know what we hear back. Update: For the moment, 360 is the only platform Mad Catz will confirm the rerelease for. Specific bundle details are still to come.
Mad Catz announces a set of Gears of War 3 headsets
Did you miss the Mad Catz Throat Communicator? It's coming back, though this time your throat will be saying what's on its mind through a Gears of War 3-branded mic instead of one bearing the Modern Warfare 2 logo. In addition to laryngeal accoutrements, Mad Catz will also offer Gears-branded accessories for your ears this holiday season, in the form of a "Performance Stereo Headset" and a "Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound Headset." All three are available for pre-order from Mad Catz's online store, and all three have skulls on them.
Mad Catz gears up for Gears of War with branded audio gear... gear.
When Gears of War 3 lands in September you'll be able to pick yourself up a special edition Xbox 360. If you've already got an Xbox though, you don't have to skip out on the branded accessories game completely. Mad Catz has you covered with a trio licensed goodies, including a throat communicator, a stereo gaming headset and a 7.1 surround sound headset all decked out in the iconic blood-red and black of the franchise. The special edition of the surround sound set (above) is actually just a slightly updated version of the company's Tritton AX720 headgear with a new decoder box and an extra two channels of sound. Those who want to shout at their opponents without donning bulky ear-wear will likely gravitate towards the throat communicator. All three will launch alongside GOW3 on September 20 for $30, $100, and $180 respectively. You can pre-order now at the more coverage link but, before you go, there's a pair of pics and some PR after the break.
Saitek flight gear replicates Cessna 172 Skyhawk, lets you simulate lazy Sunday flyovers
Sure, some flight-sim junkies want to imagine themselves dogfighting with an F-16, afterburners screaming as they climb into the sky. But for virtual pilots less interested in white-knuckle air warfare, Mad Catz has unveiled a product line based on that ubiquitous trainer, the Cessna 172 Skyhawk. The company's Saitek brand now offers a Yoke ($200), Trim Wheel ($50), and Rudder Pedals ($210), all officially licensed from the airplane manufacturer. Buy them all together and you'll receive a free Flight Switch Panel, thereby completing your cockpit ensemble. Remember, though: you're in this for the pure, majestic joy of simulated flight. It's not a competition, so don't let this guy and his $300,000 flight simulator get under your skin. Cool?
Mad Catz moves beyond peripherals and into Xbox 360 game publishing
We already knew that peripheral maker Mad Catz was getting its proverbial feet wet in the game development business with War Wings: Hell Catz. What we didn't know is that the hardware manufacturer is also interested in Xbox 360 console-specific publishing. Earlier today, the company announced its intentions to step into the ring with the likes of EA and Activision by formalizing an "Xbox 360 Publisher License Agreement," allowing Mad Catz the ability to publish retail titles on Microsoft's console. "The execution of the Xbox 360 Publisher License Agreement marks an important milestone as we pursue our longer term goal of expanding our participation in developing, publishing and distributing games," Mad Catz President and CEO Darren Richardson remarked in the announcement. It's still unclear whether the company's first game -- the aforementioned War Wings -- will make a debut on Xbox 360 as well as the PC, or whether Mad Catz will pursue other titles first.
Mad Catz brings Mac support to R.A.T. gaming mice
Mac users certainly have quite a few more gaming options these days than they once did, and they can now also add Mad Catz's series of Cyborg R.A.T. gaming mice to that list. The company finally released some Mac drivers for the complete range of mice today, which will let you take advantage of all the advanced features Windows users are already accustomed to. Those still putting off that Snow Leopard update will have to take care of that first, however, as the drivers won't accept anything less.
Street Fighter X Tekken 'FightStick Pro' spotted
Mad Catz is working on a new series of FightSticks, starting with a Street Fighter X Tekken model. Though we don't have details about the internals of the new "FightStick Pro," or the price or release date or really anything, we did see one, play Street Fighter X Tekken with it, and then take the above picture. A Capcom rep informed us that this was a prototype, so despite it looking super fresh, the final version might look different. A quick inspection of the underside revealed a Comic-Con logo, suggesting that we'll learn more about this accessory at the July 21-24 event.
