MAD CATZ Announces 2022 Peripheral Lineup At CES
In a virtual press conference targeted at CES attendees, MAD CATZ announced Thursday its 2022 peripheral lineup. Scheduled for Q2 release are new or revised keyboard, gaming headset, mouse pad, gaming chair, gamepad, and joystick models.
Quoted at $59.99 MSRP, the S.T.R.I.K.E. 6 Gaming Keyboard comes in a 60% form factor (no number pad), supports up to 10 macro profiles, and will be first to use Mad Catz proprietary linear switches, which are hot swappable and comparable to the well-know Red-type. Mad Catz is currently working on other switch types.
Next up are the P.I.L.O.T. 5 and P.I.L.O.T. 3 Gaming Headsets, at 69.99 and 49.99. The difference between these is the interface, with the higher model number integrating a USB audio controller with 7-channel virtual surround while the lower model has 3.5mm jacks (relying on your system’s audio controller to provide multichannel virtualization). Both feature detachable omnidirectional microphones, 50mm drivers and exterior lighting, though Mad Catz didn’t name the lighting power source for the P.I.L.O.T. 3.
$60 sounds like a lot of money for a mouse pad, but the S.U.R.F. RGB certainly provides a lot of space for that money at 900x300mm. It also features a 16.8 million color RGB surround with seven lighting effects and a stain-resistant washable fabric surface.
The G.Y.R.A. Gaming Chair will retail for $379.99, and differs from the five-year-old Corsair T1 Race Gaming Chair in its integrated adjustable lumbar support and five-leg metal stand (the original Corsair model uses plastic). Its “4D” arms offer the same adjustments as the elder Corsair model, right down to the buttons, and its big advancement…the adjustable lumbar…appears to be nothing more than a center panel that swings forward. Having noted the similarities in the chair itself, the base mechanism is also different in that it has a second handle for additional adjustment.
With its $49.99 MSRP, the C.A.T. 9 Gamepad features dual adjustable vibration motors, programmable buttons, a six-axis motion detector, eight-color RGB, and a Bluetooth interface that works with Android, iPhone, Nintendo Switch, PC. Mad Catz noted that with controls eating up increasing screen space, phone users can get a better gaming experience by moving those controls off-screen.
The T.E. 3 (Tournament Edition 3) Fight Stick uses Sanwa components to replicate the retro arcade experience. It features two turbo modes, a shoulder strap for easier carrying, internal storage for cables and adapter, and a swappable faceplate. Compatible with Xbox, PlayStation 4 & 5 over bridge, and PC, the Tournament Edition 3 has a $249.99 MSRP.
Interested buyers are welcomed to visit the Mad Catz website for additional information, following of course the Q2 release.
