Mad Catz secures Sonic license for new peripherals

Mad Catz Interactive has secured a license from Sega of America to produce branded videogame accessories based on Sonic the Hedgehog. 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.”

Further details on the deal, like what kinds of accessories we can expect feature Sonic, are forthcoming.

Mad Catz Rocks Your World

Here’s a little disclosure for you - I used to work for Mad Catz, though thankfully not in their hardware / peripheral division. I’m glad of that, because Mad Catz controllers are synonymous with crap; these are the controllers you let guest use when they come over that you don’t like, or friends who you may want to punish for some unpardonable sin.
Whether that reputation is fair or not, the company has been trying to shake its bad image with gamers for years – to no avail. This is more important than ever given that the company is breaking ground with new licensed Rock Band and Rock Band 2 controllers today.

The company has begun shipping its range of premium licensed accessories designed for use with Rock Band and Rock Band 2 videogames for the Xbox 360. These new peripherals include the “first and only official” bass guitar available for Rock Band and Rock Band 2, the Fender Precision Bass Guitar; the Rock Band 2 Wireless Drum Kit the Portable Drum Kit; and the Rock Band Premium M.I.C. (Microphone with Integrated Controller).

Pricing, availability and more can be found at www.madcatz.com, though your best bet might be to stop by the GameShark Store to see if they are offering any specials with these peripherals - like free shipping (I honestly didn’t check, because I don’t care).

Mad Catz Inks Capcom Deal

Mad Catz Interactive has inked a licensing deal with Capcom to create and sell branded controllers and accessories based on the Street Fighter IV, Bionic Commando and Resident Evil 5. This agreement gives Mad Catz gives rights to create these branded products in North America and Europe and the company promises a range of products for all current video game platforms and the PC.

What those products will consist of we don’t know but some guesses: controllers, faceplates, snap-on body kits and more for your favorite consoles.

Mad Catz Secures Rayman Raving Rabbids License

Mad Catz Interactive has secured a license from Ubisoft to produce branded accessories based on the Rayman Raving Rabbids series of games. The multi-year agreement gives Mad Catz North American rights to create and sell accessories for the Xbox 360, PC, PS2, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance and Wii.
Further details about these products will be revealed at a later date. This new deal is the second game related license picked up by San Diego based Mad Catz; the company recently secured the rights to create peripherals for MTV’s Rock Band and Rock Band 2.

Find out more about the company’s products at at Mad Catz.