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Mad Catz Tournament Edition 2 FightStick for Xbox One is customizable, out this fall
Mad Catz has a brand-spankin-new arcade stick to go along with Microsoft's brand-spankin-new Xbox One: the Tournament Edition 2 FightStick. At first glance, it may look like nothing more than a slightly flashier version of the existing models, but beyond the fact that it comes equipped with the same Sanwa Denshi parts, the TE2 is a whole new beast. The case opens on a hinge, to start with. Pressing the Mad Catz logo on the front of the unit releases a latch that grants access to the internals of the stick, which has been designed so that nearly every piece of the thing can be replaced or customized with the user's choice of buttons, micro-switches, LED mods or what-have-you. There's even compartments for extra buttons and an on-board screwdriver for removing the mounting bracket that holds the buttons and stick. We weren't allowed to photograph the inside of the stick as its design isn't finalized, but we're told the final version will also contain storage for spare joysticks and the TE2's detachable cable, which will be sold in varying lengths. What we did see, however, was the stock LED lighting effects under the buttons and on the side panels. The stick is also designed in such a way that the artwork can be replaced without having to remove the joystick or buttons. Mad Catz was unable to comment on whether replacement side panels will be sold, or if replacement plexiglass inserts will be available for people that prefer different button layouts. The Tournament Edition 2 FightStick will be available alongside the Xbox One at launch, though its price point has yet to be announced.%Gallery-191426%%Gallery-191509%
PlayStation 4 incompatible with PS3 Mad Catz Tournament Edition FightSticks
Mad Catz's extensive line of PlayStation 3 Tournament Edition FightSticks will not function with Sony's new PlayStation 4, Joystiq confirmed today with Mad Catz senior product development manager Richard Neville. "Playstation 4 will require a whole new set of peripherals," Neville said. Currently, Mad Catz has announced that it is launching a new and improved Tournament Edition 2 FightStick for the Xbox One when that console is released sometime this year, but the peripheral manufacturer was unable to comment on the availability of future PlayStation 4 sticks.
Mad Catz F.R.E.Q. 4D headphones ears-on
In keeping with its propensity toward acronymed products, Mad Catz today showed off its F.R.E.Q. 4D headphones. The peripherals are notable for a couple of reasons: first is that the company dumped the line's mic arm for an internal version -- without, the company promises, sacrificing sound quality. Even more notable are the included ViviTouch actuators, which bring rumbling feedback directly to your ears, so you can feel those explosions where it really counts. We tried the headphones on, and while they were pretty comfortable, we can't say that we were particularly impressed with the promised rumbling delivered via a bass test. Perhaps it was the sound being used -- or that the headphones are still in beta -- but ultimately we didn't feel all that much. We're sure Mad Catz will have that figured out for the final version -- if not, however, they may just serve as cool-looking head massagers.%Gallery-191133%
Mad Catz Arcade Fightstick for Xbox One eyes-on (video)
The M.O.J.O. may be Mad Catz's star of this year's E3, but the peripheral-maker's pretty darn excited to show of its latest massive gamepad, if for no other reason than the fact that the controller made a rare appearance at Microsoft's press conference, the other day -- in fact, during our time in the company's booth, a Redmond rep popped by and gave it a thumbs up (and casually mentioned that Mad Catz happens to be the only company other than his own that happens to have the Xbox One it its booth). The controller, as you can no doubt tell in the above image, is a bit of a beast -- you may well need both hands to onto it. Along the top, you find six buttons in two rows and a joystick, as well a mystery panel on the top -- something Mad Catz apparently isn't ready to talk about. The controller has a detachable cord on the back and will open up use a button on the front, making it easier to change artwork on the thing. Between the buttons and the sides, there's a lot glowing space on the FightStick. Check out a video of that and more, after the break.%Gallery-191125%
Mad Catz M.O.J.O. Android console, C.T.R.L. Wireless GamePad hands-on (video)
We shoved our way through the floor-opening scrum and made a bee-line to Mad Catz's booth at E3 this morning, after catching word of the peripheral maker's new M.O.J.O. Android gaming console, a box the company promises will be the most powerful in its class when it arrives this holiday season. The rep we spoke with wouldn't talk specific specs on the thing -- in fact, the company assures of that those are still in the works, and while it doesn't actually know itself, it promises to blow the competition (*cough* OUYA) out of the water. While everything's still in beta at the moment, things seem to be working all right. We played a quick round of Riptide, and things went swimmingly (well, save for the fact that we're not all that great at Riptide). Also a bragging point is the relative openness of it all, eschewing the walled-garden approach to give users direct access to the Google Play and Amazon app stores, so you're good to go with the games you've already purchased, and while Mad Catz may not be working directly with most of the game makers, it's promising compatibility via open standards. As for the box itself, it's not a bad looking object. It's palm-sized and extremely light, with a bit of an angular, beveled appearance and the company's scratch-marked logo along the top in red (as well as a few accidental scuffs on it shiny surface).%Gallery-191118%
Mad Catz confirms M.O.J.O. Android 'micro console'
Mad Catz CEO Darren Richardson may have already let slip about the forthcoming Android M.O.J.O. console, but now it's been made official. The firm stopped short of giving us all the specifications, but we can tell you that it supports Bluetooth 4.0, and will ship with the company's GameSmart C.T.R.L.R. wireless GamePad. Thanks to the images, we also get a clue at some of the connectivity, which includes two regular USB ports, one micro-USB, an HDMI out, headphone connector and microSD slot. The wedge-like device is out there in the wild at E3, so we'll be sure to give it the full hands-on once it's spotted in its natural habitat.%Gallery-191069%
Mad Catz entering Android console market with 'Project M.O.J.O'
The burgeoning Android micro-console market's increasingly crowded Thunderdome has found itself another theoretical contestant: Mad Catz, which today announced its intentions to unveil "Project M.O.J.O" during next week's E3 proceedings. Beyond the fact that Project M.O.J.O has been "designed to interact seamlessly" with Mad Catz's Gamesmart line of peripherals, nothing else is known about the product with regards to its technical specifications, pricing structure or even what its real name is – we're assuming "Project M.O.J.O" won't be going on the box. Surely, the answers to all (or most) of these questions will be revealed sometime next week, at which point we'll see how Project M.O.J.O stacks up against the Ouya, Gamestick and Gamepop.
Mad Catz CEO announces 'Project M.O.J.O.' Android gaming console coming at E3
So, what with E3 just over the horizon, we're expecting a bunch of gaming news. But a new contestant in the Android gaming market? From an established gaming hardware maker? Well, apparently so, according to Mad Catz CEO Darren Richardson who announced "Project M.O.J.O." in a recent earnings call. Calling it an Android "micro console," Richardson claims it's like a supercharged smartphone, without a display, that you plug into a flatscreen TV. Richardson was also keen to stress that it's all about hardware performance, and will be open platform (rather than selling content). There are no details about specification at this stage, but M.O.J.O. is likely to be the fruit of a recent NVIDIA partnership, and will be the centerpiece of Mad Catz's own GameSmart products, which ensures a slew of peripherals and controller options. This partnership also likely means Tegra Zone compatibility, and therefore games from launch. For now we'll have to sit and wait, but it looks like Android gaming is about to step up a gear.
Mad Catz F.R.E.Q. 7 gaming headset hands-on
Mad Catz announced the F.R.E.Q. 7 gaming headset last week, and the company has the $200 cans on hand here at Mobile World Congress. As you may recall, the marquee spec is Dolby Pro Logic IIx processing, which expands 5.1-channel audio to 7.1 channels for a richer aural experience. Another cool feature: these over-ears come bundled with both a standard stereo connector and a cord with USB for connecting directly to your computer (both have mini-USB on one end). The F.R.E.Q. 7 wasn't plugged in so we can't speak to sound quality, but they feel lightweight, and the red color really pops in real life. (There's also a matte black option.) The devices are currently available for pre-order, but you can get a hands-on look now in our gallery. Zach Honig contributed to this report.
Mad Catz sale includes FightSticks, Rock Band gear and more
If you've been in the market for an arcade stick, cheap wired controller or guitar with hundreds and hundreds of buttons on it, now may be the time to slap down some digitally represented dollar bills.Mad Catz has applied 37 to 69-percent discounts on a wide range of its peripheral offerings, dropping its branded SoulCalibur 5 and Street Fighter X Tekken FightSticks down to $100 a pop, its SFXT FightPads down to $20 and various Rock Band 3 instrument bundles to over half off. You can also snag a PS3 version of the limited edition EVO 2012 FightStick for $100, in addition to discounted WWE All Stars sticks/pads and Damage Inc. Pacific Squadron WWII flight stick packs.Sadly, the sale does not include the Sanrio FightStick, which is still both $160 and the cutest ever.
Mad Catz's 'Gamesmart' peripheral line connects to phones, tablets, PCs
Last week, Mad Catz revealed its "Gamesmart" initiative, designed to create a standard for peripherals across mobile and PC platforms. Now, we have an idea of what that actually means.Basically, the company is making new versions of its popular mouse, gamepad, and headset accessories that connect via Bluetooth to PCs, tablets, and mobile, with "a simplified setup process, longer battery life, and universal compatibility." The accessories are targeted for "early 2013," and will be shown at this week's CES, where all things that connect to phones live.While we're dubious of yet another competing standard for mobile phone controllers, if this works, it will be a great money saver for consumers, and a potential standardized input method for developers.
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 FightStick available for Wii U, PS3, and Xbox
You can now own an arcade stick for your Wii U, helpfully labeled with the one game you'd need an arcade stick for, Tekken Tag Tournament 2. The Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Fightstick S from Mad Catz is now available for $160. The controller connects to the Wiimote via a 3.3 foot-long controller cable.PS3 and Xbox sticks are also available, called the "FightStick S+" because of extra foam padding on the bottom and swappable Tekken artwork. They retail for the same price.
Mad Catz R.A.T. mice get three new paint schemes just in time for the holidays
Ever since Batman popularized the matte finish with his snazzy Batsuit, product designers have gone Bat-crazy over the finish choice. Today, Mad Catz pushes back on that new normal, re-introducing its R.A.T. line of gaming mice in three new, glossy colors: white, red, and (yes, another) black. That includes the entire R.A.T. line, from the R.A.T.3 to the M.M.O.7 and everything in between. And those new colors are already available from Mad Catz, anxiously awaiting wrapped boxes and new computers equipped with XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Oh the sectoids you'll kill!
Mad Catz announces the S.T.R.I.K.E. 5 keyboard for pro gamers, pre-order now for $200
There are keyboards, and then there are Mad Catz keyboards... and now, the company's constructed a new pro peripheral to rest your wrists on -- the S.T.R.I.K.E. 5. Just like the other mission control center we saw a few months ago, it features a modular design allowing various layouts, high-performance keys with customized backlighting, and 21 programmable macro buttons. The main difference here is the touchscreen component of the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 has been substituted for the "E.Y.E. OLED Command Module," which is used for easy access to keyboard functions, quick-launch triggers, and can display respawn timers for coordinating those second-specific attacks. Cash-strapped pros will be pleased to hear the S.T.R.I.K.E. 5 is cheaper than its predecessor, and you can head to the source link to sacrifice $200 on a pre-order now. Mad Catz won't tell us what alien race is supplying the keyboards, nor an exact shipping date -- all we know is that they're expected "very soon."
Tritton Kunai headset ships to chatty PS3 and PS Vita gamers
There are plenty of gaming headsets, but only so many specifically tuned to the PlayStation audience that aren't made by Sony itself. Mad Catz' Tritton label has just shipped a version of its Kunai wired headset optimized for both the PS3 and the PS Vita that might redress that (admittedly minor) deficit. About the only real customization for Vita owners is the option for a shorter 3-foot cord, but PS3 owners can plug in through USB and adjust voice volume independently from the gunshots and explosions. Regardless of which game console the Kunai links to, there's a modest 25Hz to 20KHz headphone frequency range and few frills aside from a detachable boom microphone. Tritton is mostly counting on the price to lure us in, which just might work -- at $60, berating players in-game with a Kunai will cost as much as one of the games themselves.
Tritton's $150 720+ gaming headset helps you pwn newbs with 7.1 virtual surround sound
Lately, it seems like few weeks go by without Tritton announcing a new gaming headset. Now that its full range of Xbox-licensed cans has reached shelves, the company seems focused on updating its former corded stars. Following the recently announced Ax Pro+ "true 5.1" headset ($200), Tritton has unveiled the 720+ 7.1 surround sound headset ($150) -- the successor to the venerable AX 720. Aside from sporting the Pro+'s edgier aesthetics, the 720+ has been gifted with beefier 50mm drivers (up from 40 on the 720) for improved fidelity and the same selective microphone monitoring found on the Warhead. As expected, an included Dolby decoder box handles the audio processing and connections, while an inline remote lets you set your levels. Rather than having multiple drivers dedicated for each audio channel crammed in both earcups like the Pro+, the 720+ takes a virtual route with Dolby Headphone -- a method that's generally produced better results to our ears for owning, and clearly hearing the virtual battlefield. The 720+ is set to arrive this September, and it's currently up pre-order direct from Tritton.
Tritton Warhead 7.1 two-way headset for Xbox 360 now shipping
Companies are no strangers to superlatives where new kit is concerned and Mad Catz is definitely no exception. With the release of its newest flagship, the Tritton Warhead 7.1, the outfit's claiming a novelty in the Xbox 360 space, labeling these cans as the "first... to deliver two-way communication" without the need for wires or controller adapters. Made specifically for Microsoft's green X gaming platform, the pair of 50mm drivers pump out Dolby 7.1 virtual surround sound over a 5.8GHz channel for up to 33ft of interference-free smack talk. The headset also offers gamers the ability to monitor their in-ear voice levels (SVM), control the volume of other players, as well as select EQ presets for a variety of media playback. And just so you never have to press pause to keep the friendly banter (read: cusses) flowing, the company's bundled in a dock and pair of of Li-ion batteries for "hot-swappable" recharging. These over-ears are available now for a cool $299 at BestBuy and the company's own site, so if you take your first-person action seriously, prepare to part with a few Benjamins. Official presser after the break.
PSA: Damage Inc. Pacific Squadron WWII demo out now on Xbox Live
Just in case you've been waiting to see what Mad Catz's grab-bag titled Damage Inc. Pacific Squadron WWII (which used to be the much more feasible War Wings) is like, you're in luck. The game now has a playable demo, available on Xbox Live. The demo is exclusive to Gold members, rings in at just about 770 mb, and can be grabbed for free.Unfortunately, the demo doesn't come with a free Pacific AV8R flightstick, which Mad Catz will be including with the Collector's Edition of the game, and presumably will be the best way to experience flying around in the Pacific Theater. As Mad Catz says in the press release, this game is part of its goal of "pursuing targeted software opportunities that pose manageable downside risk by complementing our hardware initiatives." Which is corporate talk for: They're making the game to sell the stick.But if you have another Mad Catz flight stick, it should work, or just a standard controller will probably do what you need as well. If the demo spins your propeller, the game will be out on August 28.
Tritton Warhead 7.1 Wireless Surround Sound Headset for Xbox 360 review
This is for sure: if you're a gamer seeking a primo wireless surround sound headset, now is a very good time to buy. It's been less than two weeks since Astro Gaming's A50 wireless surround headset impressively traversed the Engadget review gauntlet, and now the crazy kitties that are Mad Catz and Tritton are up for a turn. It's taken the duo well over a year and a half to get its full range of Microsoft-licensed Xbox 360 headsets off the ground, with the flagship Warhead 7.1 Wireless Surround Sound Headset set to hit shelves in just a few days. Aside from packing some innovative and exclusive features for Xbox 360 users, it stands as the only totally integrated wireless headset for the system -- for the first time you won't need a pesky controller-to-headset cable or a controller-mounted Bluetooth dongle for voice chat. We've been fortunate enough to get an early look at this $300 Dolby Headphone-enabled headset, so join us past the break and we'll let you know whether it's been worth the wait -- or whether it's too much, too late. %Gallery-161720%
GREE, Mad Catz, and NetDragon Websoft join ESA
The Entertainment Software Association's membership grew by three members this morning, as the ESA announced GREE, Mad Catz, and NetDragon Websoft to have joined its "membership roster." The ESA notes that this brings its membership up to 34 member companies, representing both publishers and developers.The addition of GREE and Mad Catz is no surprise – both companies have taken a more aggressive approach to game industry visibility in the past few years, and joining the ESA seems like a logical step. NetDragon Websoft, according to our brethren at Massively, is a Chinese MMO developer signed on to bring Ultima Online to China, Hong Kong, Macau, and India with Electronic Arts.Now that all three companies are card-carrying ESA members, perhaps a congrats are in order? We'll consider sending a fruit basket.
