Mad Catz gets NA rights to Sonic accessories

TimmiT · Sep 21, 2009

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider, announced today that it has secured a license from Sega® of America, Inc., a leading developer and publisher of videogames, to produce branded videogame accessories based on the Sonic the Hedgehog intellectual property. The agreement gives Mad Catz North American rights to a range of accessories for all current videogame platforms.

“Sonic is one of the videogame industry's most popular and enduring characters and we are thrilled to initiate this relationship with Sega to create Sonic-branded videogame accessories,” said Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz. “We look forward to offering unique and exciting accessories to fans of this truly iconic videogame and popular culture character.”
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source: http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=97571

I wonder what will come from this. Sonic controllers seem likely.

EDIT: made the thread title less missleading.

PsychoSk8r · Sep 21, 2009

WANT.
Then again, it depends on the quality of recent Mad Catz accessories, I've not seen any recently.

Korou Tenshi · Sep 21, 2009

Ugh, no. Every time I've owned a piece of Mad Catz hardware it's been faulty or broken incredibly quickly. I can see this partnership only strengthening the current view of Sonic as "poor quality"

MykonosFan · Sep 21, 2009

Wii Wheel decorated like a Ring? /speculation

Hmm....interesting to think what all could from from this, but...can't really think of anything cool at this second.

Lyrica · Sep 21, 2009

Actually, from experience, their Rock Band Accessories are quite good, at least the ones for the 360, they have next to none for the PS3 (Rock Band) :/

TimmiT · Sep 21, 2009

I have a Street Fighter 4 fight pad by them. It's pretty good IMO.

Phos · Sep 21, 2009

TimmiT said:

I have a Street Fighter 4 fight pad by them. It's pretty good IMO.
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It's ok, but it's no Saturn Pad.

I wish they would make a controller that uses the same analog stick used in the Dreamcast controller:

The joystick also uses a magnet, along with four small sensors. The sensors are arranged like a compass, with one at each of the cardinal points (north, south, east, west). The base of the joystick is shaped like a ball, with tiny spokes radiating out. The ball sits in a socket above the sensors. Spikes on the socket fit between the spokes on the ball. This allows for an extraordinary amount of movement without letting the joystick twist out of alignment with the sensors. As the joystick is moved, the magnet in the base moves closer to one or two of the sensors, and farther from the others. The system monitors the changes in induction caused by the magnet's movement to calculate the position of the joystick.
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Oh yes, long travel and there's something about the analog that they don't mention: You can feel the cardinal directions via the springs. Unlike the Gamecube controller, which used an eight way gate, and the 360 and PS3 controller, which use fuck all, you can feel where the cardinal directions are wherever the stick is pointed.

Edit: of course, I doubt that's going to happen.

Tweaker · Sep 21, 2009

Interesting. I don't really have any particular opinion about this turn of events, so I suppose I'll just keep my eyes peeled out for what comes up in the near future. Hopefully there's some cool stuff to be had as a result of the deal.

Aquaslash · Sep 21, 2009

But...mad Catz accessories tend to be really crappy. I bought one of their GC controllers once. The A button actually wore out after a while.

Hybrid Project Alpha · Sep 21, 2009

I only have 1 Mad Catz peripheral, and it's worked perfectly for almost 10 years so whatever

Ashram · Sep 21, 2009

This is why the only Mad Catz merch I have is a Gameshark.

xcliber · Sep 21, 2009

Sonic the Werehog controller grip anyone?
How bout some Sonic games that require a proprietary controller manufactured by Madcatz?

Other than plastering pictures of Sonic and co. on various gaming peripherals, I don't really see what Madcatz could do with Sonic.

Aesculapius Piranha · Sep 21, 2009

Mad Catz: What you buy if you are too broke to afford a working peripheral.

Dehry · Sep 21, 2009

How about a retro Genesis controller made for Wii virtual console and/or Sonic 2010? It might have been cheaper for Mad Catz to make them.

Diablohead · Sep 21, 2009

Treadmill for Sonic 4.

Sik · Sep 21, 2009

You know, I wonder if this has anything to do with the Saturn-like controller being offered on PlaySEGA.

Probably I'm talking shit though.

Diablohead · Sep 21, 2009

Hah would be great if that playsega pad was the same quality as the madkatz SF pads, but it won't be.

A whole month away before we get a playsega pad anyway, will take pics when mine arrives.

Solid SOAP · Sep 21, 2009

If I had some extra bux on me I'd definitely buy a Sonic-themed controller for my 360, if it was well made at least.

This is completely out there and probably not true, but is it at all possible that SEGA are in a deal with MadCatz to make a Genesis-styled controller to play Project Needlemouse with? That'd be pretty cool.

Diablohead · Sep 21, 2009

Solid SOAP said:

If I had some extra bux on me I'd definitely buy a Sonic-themed controller for my 360, if it was well made at least.

This is completely out there and probably not true, but is it at all possible that SEGA are in a deal with MadCatz to make a Genesis-styled controller to play Project Needlemouse with? That'd be pretty cool.
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I thought of the same thing, 6 button (or even 3) classic MD pad with dpad, rather limited for other 360 games but hey, classic!

Lyrica · Sep 22, 2009

my Mad Catz accessories:

Rock Band Cymbals
Wireless Fender Bass
Rock Band Mic-Controller Combo

Microcon - Xbox

PS2 Wireless Microcon
Gameshark

Mad Catz gets NA rights to Sonic accessories

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