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Mad Catz profits pounce into the black
Peripheral manufacturer Mad Catz got back to black with a $700,000 profit in fiscal year 2007. It was a far better outcome for their fiscal year, which ended at the end of March, compared to their $3.3 million loss in FY2006. Sure, $700k isn't insanely fantastic, but it's still better than being millions in the hole. Looks like FY2008 should be a good year for Mad Catz. On top of starting the year off making a profit, they also just locked the Halo 3 merchandise contract with Microsoft. That's guaranteed to put a couple more doubloons in their vault come the holiday season. Mad Catz says they are well positioned despite the "console transition is still ongoing."
Mad Catz to create official Halo 3 merch
Video game peripheral creators Mad Catz has fought for and won Microsoft's heart and has been awarded the honor of creating exclusive Halo 3 merchandise for the next few years. They also stated that there should be Halo 3 faceplates out before the game launches this Fall. Sorry Pelican and Nyko, you guys just couldn't handle the massive coolness that is Halo 3. Please, let's just move along and put this behind everyone, okay? [Via TeamXbox]
Mad Catz PS3 Wireless Thumbpad adds useless QWERTY keys to your SIXAXIS
Third-party gaming controllers are always a mixed bag, ranging from terrific, like the popular Logitech Cordless Action PS2 controllers, to decidedly weird, like the SplitFish EdgeFX, to head-scratchingly awful, like this Pelican / Nerf abomination. Mad Catz has never been afraid to spew out products all over the bottom half of this spectrum, and the recently-released PS3 Wireless Thumbpad is no exception. Looking for all the world like it was designed by someone who has never attempted to actually hold a SIXAXIS, the QWERTY thumbpad clips on to your controller ... at the top. While we're not sure how you're supposed to use this thing, we are almost 100% confident that no one at Mad Catz looked at a picture of the Xbox 360 QWERTY thumb keyboard before sketching this one out.[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Release dates surface for Mad Catz equipment
The crew at Engadget have got a scoop on when exactly these Wii-based peripherals will release. The "Wand Remote Controller" and "Funchuk Controller" from Mad Catz are, according to Amazon UK, releasing on September 28th and June 29th, for a price of £24.99 ($49 US) and £19.99 ($39 US), respectively. Amazon UK is promising the "Funchuk Controller" for a cheaper price at £8.99 ($18 US), allowing thrifty shoppers to save a couple of bucks.Of course, for these price, maybe it's just best for consumers to purchase the official Nintendo products locally, or import them, right? Do you plan on getting yourself these third-party Mad Catz products later this year?
Release dates emerge for Mad Catz Wiimote and "Funchuk"
Sadly, no new pictures of the two Mad Catz controllers, that as far as we know will be the first such 3rd party controllers for the Wii, but at least we finally have an idea when these things might start hitting store shelves. As promised by Amazon UK, the "Wand Remote Controller" will retail for £24.99 ($49 US) and be released on September 28th, with Amazon selling it for a "bargain" price of £19.99 ($39 US). Mac Catz will be hitting with the "Funchuk Controller" on June 29th for a more palatable £9.99 ($20 US), and Amazon UK is promising a discounted price of £8.99 ($18 US). A pretty long wait, to be sure, and given the generally shoddy construction of nearly all 3rd party controllers in the history of man, we're not really on edge here, but we're sure Mad Catz will still find its way into plenty a home with this pair.[Thanks, Afzilla]Read - Wand Remote ControllerRead - Funchuk Controller
Mad Catz busts out new batch of PS3 controllers
Mad Catz's PlayStation 3 accessories have been pretty sparse since the console's release -- consisting only of some cables, controller skins, a vertical stand, and a "horizontal system stacker" -- but the company's now stepping things up a bit, rolling out a new line of PS3 controllers competing for your thumbs' attention. Available in both wired and wireless versions, the controllers eschew Sony's trademark SIXAXIS technology in favor Mad Catz's entirely different "SixSense" motion sensing mojo, and come in your choice of red, blue, black, or silver. They're also, of course, priced lower than Sony's SIXAXIS, coming in at $30 for the wired controller and $40 for the wireless model.
Joystiq hands-on: Mad Catz Arcade GameStick (Xbox 360)
After accidentally bursting on the scene last year following an EB Games website error, the Mad Catz Arcade GameStick is the peripheral that looked to bring a more authentic (and less clunky) experience to much of the Xbox Live Arcade line-up. The game stick delivers that authentic experience, along with a few included games. The only problem gamers may have is remembering what it's like to use a joystick.The controller retails at $59.99, ten dollars more than than we were originally quoted in August, and includes three Xbox Live Arcade games (Frogger, Astro Pop and Time Pilot), downloadable using the included codes. The USB wired controller can also be used with Windows XP.The controller works perfectly with games like Frogger and Pac-Man. If you play these classic games often enough, this controller will solve a lot of complaints surrounding the use of the normal Xbox 360 controller. The joystick also has a button on top of the stick, which functions as the A button. If we could think of a single flight sim game off the top of our heads for the 360, that button would come in handy as a replacement trigger button. The Mad Catz game stick is great for the classics and, with some creative thinking, could also be used with newer games.
Four magnetic arms in MadCatz's cool UMD case
MadCatz's 4x UMD Magazine is certainly one of the sexier UMD cases I've seen so far. It has a brilliant, compact shape that features four magnetic arms: these arms allow you to easily store your discs, and they're strong enough to resist shaking. PSP GadgetZ went hands-on with the device, and even recorded a very telling YouTube video of the device in action. It's a unique design that can must be seen to understand completely.
Wii Warm Up: Bring on the 3rd party Wiimotes
The rumor about Mad Catz Wiimotes isn't exactly the most reliable bit of gossip we've heard all year, but it does raise an interesting topic. Would you buy a third party Wii remote? Certainly the lack of regular Wiimotes on store shelves is a problem, but does that balance against the general quality of most (not all) third party peripherals? Is the price a factor? Wiimote and nunchuk sets are somewhat expensive, but is it worth saving a few bucks to wave something like this around? We're trying not to make any many jokes about the wavy shape here, but they're lurking in the tall grass. So what's the verdict on this rumored remote? We want to hear what you think!
Mad Catz readying its own Wiimote / nunchuck?
If you've managed to secure yourself a Nintendo Wii, and have managed to stay relatively safe while playing, you still might be leading a fruitless search to find yourself a few extra Wiimotes. Oddly enough, some parts of the country are still facing Wiimote shortages, while locales like the Nintendo World store in NYC has just under a gazillion or so. Nevertheless, it looks like Mad Catz just might readying a rescue effort, as a cameraphone-packin' Wal-Mart employee happened to snap a few pics of what appears (fairly clearly) to be a third-party Wiimote / nunchuck combo. Of course, we've no way of verifying Mad Catz's plans, nor any way to tell if these shots foretell the future, but this definitely wouldn't mark the first time a Mad Catz peripheral got leaked way before its supposed release date. Be sure to hit the read link for the full rundown of sneak peeks.[Via Joystiq]
This is how NOT to extend battery life
Hmm... I guess I should've saved my Frankenstein homage for this beast of a device. Mad Catz's Power Pak "doubles" the battery life of the PSP ... by having it protrude oh-so [sarcasm] inconspicuously [/sarcasm]. Mad Catz: let's not forget that the PSP is a portable device too: I want it to manage to fit in pants that aren't prefixed by the word "parachute."At least it comes with one good feature: USB charging. When you're traveling, you may not always have access to your PSP charger ... but most everyone has a USB cable you can steal![Via PSP GadgetZ]
Mad Catz finally appoints new CFO
Mad Catz has named journeyman financial exec Stewart Halpern as its newest CFO, replacing Cyril Talbot III who left the position nearly four months ago. Halpern will officially join the company on January 15.Halpern leaves Rockstar, where he was head of finance, to join the peripheral maker. Previously, he was CFO for Def Jam's holding company Rush Communications. After posting a net loss of $6.7 million back in June, Mad Catz is looking to Halpern to turn things around in the New Year. Good luck with that.
Raffle: Xbox Live Arcade GameStick and 14 XBLA games [update 2]
Buy an Xbox Live Arcade GameStick bundle raffle ticket[Update: This raffle is closed! Congratulations to winners #89 and #173!]The Child's Play raffle continues! Remember, you've only got one more day to purchase a ticket for the Neuros Recorder 2/PSP bundle. Tonight, we've got two identical bundles for two charitable folks that include a Mad Catz Xbox 360 Arcade GameStick and a total of fourteen Xbox Live Arcade games. Think of it as the perfect Xbox Live Arcade starter pack that you're twice as likely to win! Included with the Mad Catz Xbox 360 Arcade GameStick [$50]: Frogger Time Pilot Astropop Included in the Xbox Live Arcade Unplugged collection[$40]: Bejeweled 2 Geometry Wars Wik: Fable of Souls Hardwood Backgammon Outpost Kaloki X Texas Hold'em Poker Additional downloadable codes [4500 points]: Small Arms [800 points] Assault Heroes [800 points] Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 [800 points] Lumines Live! [1200 points] Contra [400 points] 500 MS points -- we've only got one of these, so the first winner gets it! The rules: each dollar in donations purchased using this link earns you one comment. Think of each comment as a raffle ticket. In three days (11:59pm EST this Sunday), we'll choose our winners using random.org and verify their donation. More on the rules here.We'd like to thank both Mad Catz for the Xbox 360 Arcade GameSticks and Microsoft for the additional games, and encourage anyone interested in donating fun charity raffle prizes to contact us!
Mad Catz Wii Component Cable now on sale for $20
Ok, Wii fans who are still stuck without component cables, your prayers have been answered. Mad Catz is now offering a nearly 10-foot model -- which will support resolutions up to 480p -- for the low price of a Jackson. So assuming everyone doesn't slam Mad Catz all at once, this should solve the fact that getting proper Nintendo-sanctioned cables has been pretty tough, leaving folks to resort to other measures. Heck, buy two just in case there's a shortage again. [Thanks, Mike]Update: We've just gotten word from Mad Catz that the pic we posted previously was in error. The new version does not, sadly, come with composite video plugs. We've replaced the older pic with the new one.
Mad Catz readies Xbox 360 Live Arcade Stick for holiday release
Manufacturing hiccups, or intentional delays to ensure a holiday release? Whatever the reasons behind Mad Catz taking its sweet time on the Live Arcade Stick -- which we were (fairly) certain was eventually coming -- remains unknown, but at least it's (almost) here. According to our pals at Joystiq, the retro-styled controller slated to help Xbox Live Arcade gamers feel a bit more like 1985 is just a month or so away from hitting store shelves. Aside from sporting all the familiar Xbox 360 buttons and rumble functionality, purchasers will also get Frogger, Time Pilot, and Astropop when they throw down their $49.99, and if you're into multi-purpose gizmos, you'll certainly appreciate its ability to play nice with PCs. So if you had every intention of delving into Nintendo's classic library of games today, but couldn't scrounge up an actual Wii for yourself, Mad Catz will hopefully deliver that dash of yesteryear before too long.
Retro Arcade stick releases next month
IGN has the skinny on the retro Arcade stick that was revealed a few months ago, including a few tidbits that we didn't know about in August. The biggest of which is the addition of a "spinner" control around the smaller analogue stick on the right side of the controller. Older fanboys will recognize the spinner as a "paddle" controller, allowing accurate control in games like Pong and Tempest. Unfortunately, the stick still doesn't look well suited to old school fighters like Street Fighter II, Mortal Kombat, or the announced Fatal Fury. On the other hand, it looks like it would be great for older titles like Pac-Man and Defender. The stick will be bundled with Frogger, Time Pilot, and Astropop for a suggested price of $49.99. Assuming the build quality is up to snuff, it sounds like a good deal for retro Arcade buffs. Anybody want one?
Mad Catz gets in on the hot Gears action
Mad Catz is always good for a branded peripheral or two, but five? Yes sir, Mad Catz adds to the momentum of the Gears of War hype machine with a Console Crate (pictured right), a Console Skinz and faceplate combo pack, and three additional faceplates.True Gearheads will have some hunting to do. To collect all four faceplates, you'll have to journey to Best Buy, Circuit City, and Gamestop, as each retailer has been stocked with an exclusive plate. We suppose you could order each online and save yourself the trekking, but where's the fun in that? Okay, seriously, does anyone buy faceplates?
Xbox Live Arcade Stick priced at $50, includes games
Contrary to what the recently deceased EB Games page indicated, the newly revealed Xbox Live Arcade Stick from Mad Catz will actually retail for $49.99 and will come bundled with extras. Several full Live Arcade games are to be included with the purchase, simultaneously enhancing the stick's value and implying that someone working for the prolific peripheral producer does, in fact, have a functioning brain. We're rather fond of those.The leaked (and still very small) sales sheet was promptly yanked because Mad Catz is still gripped by the process of finalizing which games they'll be tossing in. If we weren't barred entry from metaphorical casinos, we'd place our brightly colored chips on Frogger, Galaga and Pac-Man being the survivors of a rigorous selection process. It's unclear as to what kind of an endorsement would make the Arcade Stick itself survive the retail world, though a sticker reading "Not the standard D-pad!" would probably suffice.
Mad Catz goes retro with Xbox Live Arcade Stick [update 2]
Peripheral manufacturer capitalizing on gaping market hole news now, as an EB Games listing reveals a Mad Catz product that's sure to raise more thumbs than eyebrows: a retro arcade stick for the Xbox 360. The sole available image reveals the face buttons, guide button and right analog stick to have been retained in the design, though the fate of the triggers is somewhat less clear. It's likely safe to assume that they're cowering somewhere behind the mighty joystick. Another safe assumption one can make is that the Arcade Stick will make a far more adequate (and authentic) tool for guiding our pellet-munching Pac-men through mazes and our amphibious allies across deadly divides. Then again, strapping a rabid badger to you lap and randomly shoving your fingers into its mouth is already a few steps up from playing XBLA games with the 360 controller's squeaky directional pad. The current retail listing has the Mad Catz stick releasing on the first day of October for an anti-retro, better-be-wireless $69.99 $49.99. We've contacted Mad Catz for further details (and a larger picture!). [Thanks Master X 24.][Update: We suspected EB Games might yank the page, so we made sure to save a copy. The post now links to a screenshot of the original page.][Update: It's been indicated that the price is actually $49.99 and that several Live Arcade titles will be included the stick. More details here.]
3rd party controllers struggle to distinguish themselves
Introducing the MadCatz Xbox 360 Game Pad Pro. What makes it Pro? Why, the rubber grips off course! I have always shunned 3rd party controllers, opting for the slightly more expensive, but always much better quality, official controllers. Anachronistic features like turbo buttons and gimmicky features like rubber grips immediately send me running.This controller does have one unique feature: Analog joystick invert switch. When playing at friends, I'm constantly fumbling to invert the Y-axis. While at their houses I think this feature might get a lot of use; on my own console, it's already set the way I like it.On the other hand, TeamXbox bestowed an impressive 9.2/10 on the controller gushing, "...we believe the Mad Catz GamePad Pro is a better design that the Microsoft Xbox 360 controller...." Anyone try this thing out? Are we better off spending an extra $5 to $15 and getting Microsoft's beauties.[Via GameSHOUT]