This is the first time these headphones are available for the public to touch, mind you, and they’ll be popping up extremely soon across both the USA and Europe. You’ll be able to work with your gaming tower, laptops of all kinds, iPhone, iPod touch, Windows Phone 8 devices, Androids of all types, and the iPad as well. This device’s connectivity is limited only by your imagination – conversions come on the go – and in the box.

The headset works with not just speakers, but a detachable noise-canceling microphone as well. This microphone can swing right in front of your face from the left earphone or can be left off altogether – whatever you’re in the mood for. You’ve also got a collection of controls for audio right on the phones themselves, including volume, mute (always nice), and several Dolby-specific settings too.

The tip of the microphone will glow red when it’s muted – friendly! You’ll be able to purchase these audio blasters in red – so beautiful! You’ll also be able to purchase them in matte black, gloss white, and gloss black if you’re all about it! You’ll be able to purchase any and all of these models – the only difference being color – on pre-order now and real order soon for $199.99 USD.

The gaming headset uses extra-large 50 mm speakers featuring neodymium magnets for high-quality audio. Many of the components of the headphones are made using aluminum and the headset is designed with ear cans that fold flat for a comfortable around the neck resting position. The headset also has a detachable noise-canceling microphone.

The tip of the microphone glows red when it’s muted making it easy to tell if the mic is on or off at a glance. The headphones also have on ear controls for volume, Dolby settings, and mute. The headset also ships with a 3.5 mm audio cable allowing it to be used with tablets, smartphones, and other devices.

When the microphone is attached, the headset can be used to make phone calls on many smart devices including the iPhone, Windows Phone 8 devices, and others. The headset is offered with a desktop stand and is available in matte black, gloss black, gloss white, and gloss red colors.

[via Mad Catz]

While that’s impressive enough, it gets even better: Project SHIELD won’t just play Android games, but is also capable of streaming games over Wi-Fi from a computer outfitted with a GeForce GPU. During our hands-on time with the device, we got to see it streaming Black Ops II to its 5-inch 720p screen, so there’s certainly plenty to look forward to with this new device. The streaming functionality makes a good segway to another major announcement from the company – NVIDIA GRID.

With NVIDIA GRID, we’re seeing NVIDIA enter the cloud gaming space, outfitting its server racks with enough GeForce GPUs to supposedly match the power of 700 Xbox 360s. A number of key players have failed or otherwise stalled out in the cloud gaming space, so it’ll be interesting to see if NVIDIA can excel. The company also gave us more details about GeForce Experience, which will do its best to optimize your graphics settings so that games run as good as they can on your rig.

Of course, the show wasn’t only about NVIDIA. The company made a lot of major gaming announcements – that much is true – but it had quite a bit of competition for gamers’ attention. Razer had its Project Fiona tablet on hand at the show, only now it’s been renamed the Razer Edge. Making use of Intel’s third-gen Core line of processors (with one configuration even sporting a Core i7) and an NVIDIA GT640M LE GPU, this tablet definitely has some stellar hardware. It will also have a number of accessories available separately, including a detachable controller dock, keyboard dock, 360-esque gamepad, and docking station that has all the ports you need to turn your Edge into a mini gaming desktop.

As you might imagine, we found during our hands-on time that playing games on the Razer Edge is a blast, and seeing triple-A retail titles like Dishonored running on it at excellent frame rates certainly was exciting. It seems safe to say that if the Edge catches on with gamers, then we can look forward to a whole new era in mobile gaming.

Archos was at the show, and though it had a number of different devices on display, one of the more intriguing products was its GamePad. The Archos GamePad is another tablet made specifically for gamers, though it comes with a far less expensive price tag than the Razer Edge. As one of the only Android tablets to provide physical face buttons, this makes the tablet a prime choice for people who like enjoy games but hate touchscreen controls. In our hands-on, we said that though you’ll have to map the physical controls for a fair number of Android games, the process seems pretty easy, and should keep the downtime between downloading and gaming short.

Right before Pepcom kicked off, we heard that Xi3 and Valve would be showing off a new product. Xi3 was there in force at Pepcom, showing off its brand new 7 series modular computer, and while we made a few guesses at what Valve would be using it for, in the end it turned out that we were wrong. It would appear that Valve has invested heavily in Xi3′s modular computer to offer set-top “Steam boxes,” meant for gaming and streaming content, so we’ll be keeping and eye on that.

Switching gears completely to move from hardware to peripherals, there were two companies in particular that were showing off new gaming mice. One was Genius, which let us get a little hands-on time in with its relatively new Gila mouse. The Gila comes with a number of accessibility options, letting users program any of the twelve buttons and featuring highly adjustable dpi settings.

Mad Catz is not one to be outdone, however, giving us a look at its new R.A.T.M and M.O.U.S.9 mice. If you’re a serious PC gamer, these mice seem to be aimed directly at you. Both mice are quite similar, with the M.O.U.S.9 being just a bit bigger than its brother. Both have very unique designs as far as gaming mice go, with buttons everywhere on the pair. They each can supposedly boast one year of battery life as well, so that’s something to get stoked about if you’re always on your gaming PC.

In the end, this was actually a pretty big year for gaming at CES. All of the stuff we saw during the show will of course being popping up more and more as the year goes on, and we’re hoping that we’ll get the chance to spend much more time with Project SHIELD, the Razer Edge, and the Archos GamePad soon. Keep it here to SlashGear for more information on all of these cool devices, and in the meantime, be sure to check out our CES portal for our full show coverage.

The R.A.T.M is surprising small, and while it may not fit comfortably in the hands of the larger folks, you’ll be certain that the mouse will fit perfectly in your traveling bag. The R.A.T.M is the first mouse to combine Bluetooth 4.0 with a gaming laser sensor, and a battery life that should last you for over a year.

The R.A.T.M is compatible with both Windows PCs and Macs, as well as a slew of smart TVs and tablets. The mouse also comes with a “Nano Dongle USB receiver” that clicks in snugly on the bottom of the mouse for increased portability. Lastly, there’s 12 action buttons (10 of which are programmable), and a 6400 DPI twin-eye laser sensor.

The bigger M.O.U.S.9 looks very similar to its smaller brother, but as aforementioned, it’s slightly larger than the R.A.T.M. It features the same Bluetooth 4.0 technology as well as the gaming-grade laser sensor. Just like the R.A.T.M, the mouse has a one-year battery life and is compatible with a range of products, including PCs, Macs, smart TVs, and tablets.

According to the landing page, the devices are “designed to work seamlessly and wirelessly with a wide array of devices and platforms,” and will connect to existing devices via Bluetooth. The peripherals will work with laptops, tablets, and smartphones, and will utilize Bluetooth Smart technology.

The company says it’ll include an app to add functionality to the peripherals, and they also expect the tech to help game developers bridge differences between platforms by offering standardized controllers. Although Mad Catz is waiting until CES to unveil these GameSmart gamepads, keyboards, mice, and headsets, the company says the hardware won’t launch until shortly after its unveiled.

Unfortunately, Mad Catz aren’t providing any photos of the new devices — not even a quick tease other than an outline of a generic-looking game controller, which looks an awful lot like an Xbox 360 controller. So it looks like we’ll be waiting until next week before we’ll see what these new mobile devices will look like.

The headphones are called the Tritton Pro True 5.1 Surround Sound Headset featuring Dolby Digital technology. These headphones are an upgrade to the Tritton AX Pro. The new headphones are compatible with both the Xbox 360 and the PS3 game systems. The headphones claim to be the only true 5.1 headset on the market for the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3.

The headphones have four individual speakers in each ear cup to provide true surround sound. The headphones also have an inline volume control allowing you to adjust the volume for front, center, rear, and subs individually. The headphones also allow you to control the volume of audio from your competitors so you can tune out their voice without tuning out the sounds they make creeping up behind you.

The headphones use a 12-foot long cable and feature an optical audio input. The frequency response is 25 Hz to 20 kHz. The front and rear channel speakers are 30 mm units, the center channel speakers are 23 mm, and the subwoofer is 40 mm. The total headset has eight speakers total. The headphones are available to purchase right now for $199.99 in the US.

The headset is optimized specifically for the Sony game consoles and features independent game and voice volume controls when used on the PS3. The over the ear headphones are designed to be comfortable for long gaming sessions. The headset uses a pair of precision-tuned and amplified 40 mm speakers.

The speakers use neodymium magnets, and the headset features a removable microphone boom. The head rail for the headphones is adjustable and padded. The head rail can expand with an additional 1.25 inches of travel on either side to accommodate different head sizes.

The ear cups rotate and can fold flat for storage and to provide comfortable around the neck resting position. The cable for the PS3 is 14 feet long while the cable for the Vita is 3 feet long. Frequency response is 25 Hz to 20 kHz. When connected to the PS3 the headphones use RCA connectors and requires a USB port to power the amplifier. The headphones sell for $59.99 in the US.

In Damage Inc: Pacific Squadron WWII, World War II is back, but in this game we see it in a different form. Instead of taking the role of a soldier fighting the battle on the ground, you are a fighter pilot. The sky is your battlefield this time around, and you’ll be spending a lot of time there. Is it good to see a new flight combat game on the scene? Absolutely. Is the time you’ll spend with Damage Inc worthwhile, or is the game a disappointment? That question is a little more difficult to answer.

Developer: Trickstar Games
Publisher: Mad Catz
Version Tested: Xbox 360

Damage Inc picks up immediately before the history-changing events at Pearl Harbor. Life has not been good to you, as your farmer father’s efforts at making a living came up short year after year. Your family eventually moves to the city, your father taking work where he can get it, but all is not well: the Nazi forces in Germany and the Japanese are beginning to rise up, and it isn’t long before war breaks out. You and your brother join the armed forces – you head to the Air Force, and your brother joins up with the Marines. Thus begins the story of Damage Inc, which promises to take you through the “greatest aerial battles of WWII.”

Things start off with a bang, too. After the initial (and necessary) tutorial mission, the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor in force, officially flinging the United States into World War II. It’s a hectic battle, and you’ll be tackling various objectives as you try to fight off the Japanese. You’ll be shooting down other fighters, protecting ground troops, escorting other, defenseless planes through the air space, and shooting down more fighters. It sets the tone for the rest of game pretty well, as not only is it a chaotic battle, but it also has you doing a number of different tasks. Damage Inc isn’t just about shooting other planes out of the sky after all, and the battle at Pearl Harbor does a good job at showing you what you’re in for.

After that, you’ll fight your way through a total of 23 different missions in 11 different locations. Damage Inc follows the American fight against Japan from 1941 until 1945, ending with the famous battle at Iwo Jima. As you progress through the game, you’ll unlock brand new planes to use. Planes come in a number of different varieties – you’ll have fighters, dive bombers, torpedo planes, and even the odd reconnaissance plane or fighter jet at your disposal. There are 32 planes in all, and with each one, you can upgrade to different variations buy spending upgrade points you earn for completing missions. The game is pretty generous with upgrade points, and you can earn extra points by completing bonus objectives that can get quite difficult sometimes. Developer Trickstar wants you to upgrade those planes, so it made you sure you always have enough points to do so.

Gameplay is generally pretty solid, as there are quite a few genuinely thrilling moments to be found in this game. Battles can get intense quickly, and as the war continues on, your enemies will be getting better thanks to new planes, just like you. The difficulty builds at a nice steady pace, but you have help from a feature called “Warspeed” to give you an edge. Warspeed allows you speed up your plane or slow it significantly down, which comes in handy when you need to make a quick escape or can’t quite line up a target in your sights.

All the while, you’re treated to something of a history lesson – Mad Catz and Trickstar have been touting the fact that they paid attention to historical accuracy in this game, and I’m pleased to say that it shows. The planes are historically accurate, and after finishing up all the missions in a particular area of the world, we’re given narration from the main character that takes us through the major victories and losses of the war. If you just so happen to be a gamer who is also a history buff, you’ll probably appreciate the work that went into this recounting of the events of World War II.

The visuals are decent, but the environments can get a little on the bland side sometimes. The planes are obviously the most detailed, and overall they look pretty good. Other things, like ships and buildings, aren’t as detailed as the planes, which can make for some pretty ugly visuals when you get up close (which, if you’re like me and crash all the time, happens a lot). Most of the time, however, you’re going to be too busy watching your plane and enemy fighters to notice that your surroundings aren’t as detailed as they could be, so at least the graphics are solid where it matters the most.

While the graphics may leave something to be desired, the sound doesn’t. The game actually has a very good soundtrack, but it tends to get lost in all of the commotion of battle. The planes and the guns sound great as well, and do a lot to help immerse you in the game. There are plenty of explosions to be heard too, so get ready for those.

Sadly, the voice acting isn’t anything to write home about. It isn’t that the voice actors are particularly bad, but they’re lacking emotion most of the time. That’s especially true for the player character, who at times sounds eerily similar to Neil Patrick Harris. The battle at Pearl Harbor is a perfect example of this. There are plenty of reasons to be panicked here – the United States was just forced into World War II and you’re probably going to die today, for instance – and yet our character’s exchanges with Control seem to be cool, calm and collected. There is a ton of chaos in this game, don’t get me wrong, but all of that chaos is lacking a sense of urgency, which is also very important when you should be trying to convey desperation. Remember, the United States didn’t want to get into World War II, and we were pushed into it by a devastating sneak attack from the Japanese. Sadly, as the events of Pearl Harbor unfold right before their eyes, our character and Control discuss objectives as if it were any day other than December 7, 1941.

That isn’t the case for every character in the game however, and the emotion does begin to pick up as we speed toward the events at Iwo Jima. Some of the supporting voice actors are quite good (though some have a tendency to be clichéd and annoying), and later on in the game, our boring player character actually has a few inspired moments of his own. They’re few and far between for the most part, but those moments of emotion are in there.

Once you’ve finished the single player campaign, there’s a multiplayer mode for you to tackle. Multiplayer consists of a variety of different game modes, but the usual suspects such as deathmatch and team deathmatch are present, only this time around they’re called “Dogfight” and “Team Dogfight.” All modes support up to eight players, but if by-the-books multiplayer isn’t your thing, there are other modes like Survivor, Team Survivor and Scratch One Flattop.

In Survivor, players start out with a set number of lives, and once your lives are gone, you’re out of the game. Team Survivor is the same idea, only you’re on a team instead of going it alone. Scratch One Flattop is a particularly interesting team-based mode that has you working with your team mates as you attempt to take out the other team’s aircraft carrier. This means that you’ll need torpedo planes and dive bombers to do damage to the carrier while your fighters keep the bombers safe. It forces you to work as a team, and since aircraft carriers are able to take a lot of damage before going down, it can make for some pretty tense battles.

Of course, multiplayer battles are tense anyway, because here actual humans are controlling the other planes. While the AI can be quite tricky at times, after becoming more familiar with the game, it gets easier to lead your shots and take down the computer-controlled opponents quickly. You won’t always have that luxury with human opponents; some will naturally be easy to take down, but you’ll be endlessly chasing others all across the battlefield as they try to shake you off their tail. Multiplayer will offer a challenge to players who have seen all there is to see in the campaign, and it also has the added bonus of being fun. If competitive multiplayer isn’t your thing, you can team up with up to three other friends for some co-op play. This mode is only available over the Internet, meaning that there unfortunately isn’t any couch co-op, which is arguably the best kind of co-op.

Disappointingly, this game suffers from a number of bugs. Occasionally, I would have the cutscenes produce nothing but this awful screeching static noise, which as you can imagine is quite jarring and terrifying when you’re wearing headphones. Sometimes after a cutscene had played, the camera would lock down and I wouldn’t be able to do anything other than restart from the most recent checkpoint. There were times when my plane didn’t make any noise at all, and when that happened, my bullets didn’t do any damage. I also experienced one or two instances where my objective seemed to disappear entirely from the map, meaning I couldn’t destroy it and progress through the rest of the mission. These bugs didn’t occur all the time, but they happened enough to be worthy of noting.

Saitek Pacific AV8R Flight Stick & Control

Any fan of aerial combat games (or flying simulators for that matter) will tell you that good controls are paramount. Included with the Collector’s Edition of Damage Inc is the Saitek AV8R Flight Stick, and the game is actually compatible with all Saitek flight sticks. The flight stick is a nice piece of equipment, but it does feel a little on the light side. On the stick itself, you of course have a trigger – the A button – along with the B, X, and Y buttons on the head of the stick. LB, RB, LT and RT have been turned into switches on the front of the flight stick, with a little nub in the middle that serves as the D-Pad. On the back of the stick is a lever for controlling the speed of the plane, and the Start, Select and Xbox Guide buttons are present as well.

Damage Inc comes with two different control modes – arcade and simulation. Those new to flying games will want to start with the arcade settings, while those who have been “flying” for years will probably be fine just jumping into simulation mode. Mad Catz recommends that the AV8R is used in simulation mode, and in simulation mode, it does indeed work best. Arcade mode works better with a controller, whereas simulation mode was made to played with a flight stick. Obviously, simulation mode’s controls are much more complex than arcade’s, but the result is that you have more precise control over your aircraft.

Die-hard flying game fans will want to pick up the AV8R, because overall it isn’t a bad flight stick. It’s comfortable and easy to use, and it means that you don’t have to play the game with a traditional controller. Even though Mad Catz and Trickstar are really pushing the AV8R with Damage Inc, it isn’t required to play the game at all, and both arcade mode and simulation mode work just fine with a regular controller. The game is just as enjoyable no matter which control method you use, though some passionate players are likely to get a little more fun out of the game by using the flight stick.

Wrap-Up

Despite Damage Inc’s flaws, which can be quite severe at times, I can’t help but like it. It isn’t the best flying game we’ve ever seen, nor is it the most polished – not even close. But it does have a certain charm to it that you don’t often find in other games. This game offers a number of thrills and exciting moments, and even though it’s lacking in other areas, having a game that’s fun to play is ultimately the most important part of the equation.

The game is fun too, when it’s working properly. It can also be incredibly frustrating at times, because there are some objectives that require your timing and shooting to be spot-on. There will likely be a few times that you’ll find yourself attempting an objective over and over again, but that difficulty doesn’t come from the fact that the AI is overpowered and you’re underpowered, as is the case in so many games these days. Rather, this game requires skill, and maybe a little bit of luck when it comes to getting those shots perfect. That is definitely appreciated, as it really gives you a feeling of accomplishment once you finally succeed.

I can’t recommend this game to everybody though. World War II and history enthusiasts, have at it. The same goes for flying and combat fans. For those players, the game will be fun and interesting enough that they probably won’t have a problem forgiving the game’s less-polished aspects. For everyone else, however, this is one of those instances where it’s a good idea to rent it before you buy it, just to make sure you can live with its flaws.

All in all, Damage Inc: Pacific Squadron WWII is a solid game with a few glaring issues holding it back from greatness. It’s still a fun game though, so if you’re hankering for some aerial combat action, you’ll probably be satisfied with Damage Inc.

The controller uses old-school arcade quality components that are sourced from a Japanese arcade game maker Sanwa. The controller uses a Japanese-style ball handled joystick set up with buttons in an arcade cabinet configuration. The controllers are offered for the PS3 and Xbox 360. The Fightstick has eight buttons that have multispeed and turbo functionality.

The controller also has a lock/unlock switch that prevents accidental button presses to prevent the accidental hitting of the home button. The controller has a 13-foot long USB cable and a switch that allows the controller joystick to be used as a right or left analog stick or d-pad. The controllers are available now for $159.99.

This headset has wireless connectivity to the Xbox 360 and supports secure live voice communications. The wireless tech is 5.8Ghz for clarity and the range is 33-feet. The headphones use 50mm Neodymium drivers and it has two hot-swappable battery packs for continuous use. The headphones will allow the gamer to flip a switch to be able to hear their voice in the headphones or not. Other features include heavily padding for comfort, an integrated EQ, and support for analog and digital audio.

The Devastator is a wireless stereo headset that looks like the Warhead only minus the surround sound tech. These headphones are run from a pair of AA batteries. The Detonator headset is a standard stereo headset with a wire that can also work with MP3 players and phones. It uses 50mm drivers and thick padding for comfort in long play sessions.

The company has not yet released specific details or images.

Mad Catz expects the headsets to be available for the 2011 holiday shopping season.

Press Release:

MAD CATZ AND MICROSOFT CORPORATION ENTER INTO EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT TO PRODUCE LICENSED, CO-BRANDED WIRELESS HEADPHONES FOR XBOX 360®

San Diego – February 2, 2011 – Mad Catz® Interactive, Inc. (“Mad Catz”) (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Microsoft® Corporation (“Microsoft”) to produce a range of licensed, co-branded audio headphones under Mad Catz’s Tritton brand and Microsoft’s Xbox 360 brand. Under the agreement, Mad Catz has the worldwide rights to manufacture, market and sell licensed, co-branded wired stereo headphones and exclusive rights to produce licensed, co-branded wireless stereo and Dolby 5.1 headphones for the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system.

Through this agreement, Mad Catz and Microsoft will work closely together to jointly design and brand wired and wireless headphones, resulting in a range of headphones that will bear the Tritton and Xbox logos on both the packaging and the headphones. This will also mark the first time that wireless, licensed and co-branded headphones will be available for Xbox 360.

Commenting on the agreement, Darren Richardson, Mad Catz’s President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are delighted to be working so closely with Microsoft to design and brand a range of high performance headphones. The headphone category is the fastest growing category in the video game space – and this agreement assists Mad Catz’s Tritton brand in furthering its leadership to provide high-quality, innovative headphones that allow gamers and audio enthusiasts alike to enjoy a superior gaming and listening experience.”

Zulfi Alam Microsoft Senior Director, Xbox 360 Accessories, added, “We are pleased to be working in close collaboration with Mad Catz to design and brand products that we believe will deliver a high quality audio experience to Xbox 360 fans. Whether playing games or enjoying music, movies or sports available on the Xbox 360, we are confident that gamers everywhere will react enthusiastically to this new range of wired and wireless headphones.”

Mad Catz expects that the range of licensed, co-branded headphones will be available for the 2011 holiday shopping season.

[via HotHardware]

Mad Catz has put a Sonic figure on an inductive charger for a pair of Wii remotes and judging by the look on Sonic’s face, you better not try and put more than two remotes on there. The plastic Sonic figure is 6-inches tall and the thing is shipping already in limited numbers.

The cool charger is part of the 20th anniversary of Sonic. The charger should be able to be found online and in stores and the little gadget will sell for about $50 each. The rechargeable battery packs inside the remotes are good for 15 hours of gaming per charge and you only have to sit them on the charge stand to juice them back up.

Via Coolest Gadgets

While this means that DLC is still planned for the games, it also confirms that if Harmonix chooses, they can issue new releases with the franchise titles. So, there’s the option for a Dance Central 2 coming from Harmonix, and not any other developer that Vaicom chooses. Furthermore, distribution agreements with Microsoft for Dance Central, along with Mad Catz and EA for Rock Band have not been affected.

As Joystiq sees it, Harmonix just doesn’t need Viacom’s backing anymore. With the music game market a substantial part of gaming, and Harmonix’s name tied to it, they no longer need Viacom’s presence or licensing muscle to make games, or get content. Harmonix has put in the work to build relationships on their own, especially over the last four years, and therefore they simply have what it takes to break way from Viacom, and they succeeded.

[via Joystiq]

Mad Catz is a company that makes all manner of gaming gear like controllers and keyboards. The company has some new amBX gear going soon including a gaming keyboard of all things and some lights. The lights shine on the wall and match the game environment for more immersion.

The gaming keyboard is Saitek branded and looks rather like the Saitek keyboards that have been on the market for a while. Presumably, the backlighting of the keyboard would change to mimic the gaming environment. That sounds weird, but would actually be cool and more likely to be used by gamers that actual lights.

How does it break down? Something like this: $200 for di-cast alloy rudder pedals, $149 back-lit information screen, and a $150 throttle, pitch and mixture system. All of that sounds all well and good, right? You’ve got everything. Oh, wait, you need a yoke. And a game to play it on. Then again, if you’re thinking about picking all of these up, then you probably (hopefully) already have a game to play it on.

But, it might be kind of tough to do that without a yoke. We’re not sure why Mad Catz would have left that out, but we’re going to hope that they’ve got one coming down the pipe, and they just didn’t get around to announcing it quite yet. Yes, we can dream. The big question now, though, is if $500 is completely and totally worth it to make your flying dreams a reality.

[via Kotaku]

In fact, you can tweak the F.L.Y. 9′s handle length, handle rake angle and head angle, and the base can be adapted for desk use or – with the feet removed – lap use depending on where you do your gaming.  Mad Catz reckon it’s one of the most personalizable flight stick controllers on the market, in fact.

Of course, you pay for the privilege.  When the Cyborg F.L.Y. 9 Wireless Flight Stick arrives in spring 2010 it’ll be priced at $99.99 (or £79.99/€89.99), twice what you’d pay for the company’s Cyborg X stick.

Press Release:

Mad Catz® Announces Cyborg® F.L.Y. 9 Wireless Flight Stick for Xbox 360®

First Licensed Wireless Flight Stick Introduces Authentic Flight Control to Console Audience

Mad CatzTM Interactive, Inc. (“Mad Catz” or “the Company”) (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider today announced the launch of the Cyborg F.L.Y. 9 Wireless Flight Stick, the first licensed wireless flight stick for the Xbox 360 video game console. The F.L.Y. 9 will be released under the Mad Catz’ Cyborg premium gaming brand.

An evolution of the successful line of Cyborg flight sticks for PC, the Cyborg F.L.Y. 9is compatible with flight simulation and flight combat games. In addition to its cutting- edge design and several enhanced features, the Cyborg F.L.Y. 9 is designed to deliver a wide range of adjustability, comfort and air-combat accuracy to the Xbox 360 audience.

Stored and located in the base of the Stick, the integrated adjustment tool allows gamers to customize and tweak several aspects of the Flight Stick anatomy. Gamers can adjust the handle length, handle rake angle and head angle, resulting in a truly personalized gaming experience.

Ideal for flight combat games such as Tom Clancy®: H.A.W.X., or more realistic flight titles such as IL-2 SturmovikTM: Birds of Prey, the Cyborg F.L.Y. 9 features Throttle and Twist Rudder controls for complete maneuverability and a unique base design featuring an integrated lap mount and removable feet allowing gamers the flexibility of playing at a desk or in front of the TV.

Utilizing the same secure wireless technology featured in the official wireless Microsoft® Xbox 360 controller, the Cyborg F.L.Y. 9 connects directly to the Xbox 360 with no need for an external dongle or adaptor.

Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz commented, “The Cyborg F.L.Y. 9 continues the expansion of our new premium gaming line of Cyborg-branded products which we recently re-launched with the Cyborg R.A.T. range of pro-gaming mice. Building on key features, design sensibilities and the ergonomic adjustability made so popular with our Saitek-branded flight simulation products, we are able to deliver a unique and highly-realistic flight stick for console owners. This is a continuation of our strategy of developing products that evoke a passionate consumer response and enhance the game-playing experience.””

The Mad Catz Cyborg F.L.Y. 9 Wireless Flight Stick for the Xbox 360 video game console is expected to be available worldwide in Spring 2010 for an expected MSRP of $99.99 / £79.99 / €89.99.

The Eclipse Lifetouch keyboard is a full-size accessory, that comes in a wireless mode if you’re not a fan of wires. But, that’s not the cool part. That LCD touchscreen we mentioned before, it has three different modes for you to choose from. The first, and one you’re accustomed to seeing on a normal keyboard, would be the number pad. The next mode would be a media mode, which allows you to control the media functions of your computer. And then there’s the MyEclipse mode, which is a method that users can customize to their heart’s content.

You can customize the MyEclipse mode to access your favorite websites, as well as applications available on your computer. There’s 12 pre-defined buttons that have icons on them, which you can relate to a website or application. Like the shopping cart can take you to Amazon, or the little plane can take you to the best place for booking flights. It’s all up to you. And, as you can see from the embedded video, you can switch up the mode of the LCD touchscreen on the fly, and whenever you want. The Eclipse Lifetouch will go for $129 if you don’t want wires, and $99 if you don’t mind them.

[via Engadget]

Mad Catz has announced that it has entered into an agreement to build a line of peripherals for the PC using amBX technology. The goal of amBX is to enable sensory surround entertainment. You may recall one of the first amBX peripherals was a speaker system from Phillips.

The Phillips amBX system was a 5.1 speaker ser that included fans and lights that were in tune with events in games. The fans would blow when you were flying or when an explosion went off near you. The lights would come on to mimic the orange and red of explosions. The system was fun and I hope Mad Catz makes some cool amBX gear.