Advertiser Disclosure: At Slickdeals, we work hard to find the best deals. Some products in our articles are from partners who may provide us with compensation, but this doesn’t change our opinions. Our editors strive to ensure that the information in this article is accurate as of the date published, but please keep in mind that offers can change. We encourage you to verify all terms and conditions of any product before you apply.
Reading Time: 3 minutesLong-standing peripheral maker Mad Catz pulled out all the stops at the CES 2022 expo in Las Vegas, with a slew of new gear for gamers looking to build out or upgrade their setup.
With a new keyboard, headphones and mouse mat, there was a lot for PC gamers to get excited about. Console and mobile players also had plenty to drool over, with a new controller that boasts broad compatibility, and a beefy new fight/arcade stick packed with high quality components and an updated design for modern platforms.
I’ve been a fan of Mad Catz gear ever since I laid hands on the frankly ridiculously customizable R.A.T. 7 gaming mouse several years ago. With that said, here’s a look at the Mad Catz stuff I was most excited to see out of CES 2022.
Read the Full Announcement from Mad Catz
T.E. 3 Fight Stick
Credit: Mad Catz
Confession time: I’m absolutely terrible at fighting games. But I still love a good fight stick (otherwise known as an arcade stick) because of my love for shoot ‘em ups, or ‘shmups’, like R-Type, Radiant Silvergun, or Galactic Attack. You just can’t beat the feel of a real arcade stick when dodging endless waves of bullets, and the new T.E. 3 looks right up my alley.
It has Sanwa Denshi buttons on deck (that’s a must!) but, more importantly, it’s multi-platform compatible, working natively with Xbox/PC, and bridging with a PS4/5 controller to connect with your PlayStation of choice. The inclusion of a PlayStation touchpad and share buttons ensure full compatibility with new consoles, while turbo functions and macros give gamers the tools to customize the T.E. 3 to their liking. And as a bonus, the faceplate is easily swappable so you can add your own artwork or rep your favorite character.
S.T.R.I.K.E. 6 Mechanical Keyboard
Credit: Mad Catz
I’ve really taken a liking to 60% form factor keyboards lately. Not just because of the convenience inherent with their compact size, but also because they just look sweet. I work on a laptop, so my gaming PC is just for gaming. I don’t need all those excess keys!
The S.T.R.I.K.E. 6 features hot-swappable linear mechanical switches (only interchangeable with Mad Catz switches), and bright RGB lighting with 26 RGB effects, including the ability to synchronize your lights with sound effects.
C.A.T. 9 Controller
Credit: Mad Catz
The C.A.T. 9 controller stands out for its widespread compatibility; it can be wirelessly linked to a PC, Nintendo Switch, and both Android and iOS devices. This is so convenient, especially if you like to game on the go. You can bring a single controller with you for all your portable gaming devices.
Besides the snazzy transparent look, it also boasts on-device programmable macro buttons (meaning you don’t need an app to customize your controls), turbo modes, dual vibration, 6-axis motion sensors, and home and share buttons for compatibility with a broader selection of games. If nothing else, this could make for a nice alternative to the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.
Honorable Mention: S.U.R.F. RGB Mouse Pad
Credit: Mad Catz
Yeah, I know – it’s just a mouse pad. And there are certainly others just like it already on the market (hence the ‘honorable mention’). But I just wanted to voice my advocacy for the giant mouse mat movement.
Seriously, once you experience a Godzilla-sized mouse mat, you won’t ever want to go back to those puny square mats ever again. Naturally, this one is jazzed up with an RGB lit border, and a fabric surface specifically designed for high precision when used with a nice gaming mouse.
Mad Catz is yet to confirm pricing or exact release dates for its upcoming products, but these are the things that will have me side-eyeing my wallet when they appear in stores. But if you need new gear now and can’t wait, you can always browse the company’s currently-available gear via its Amazon store.
Mike Jackson
Mike Jackson has been writing for high-profile publications for 16 years, primarily in the video game industry, but also covering tech. Mike is an obsessed video game hoarder with hundreds of games spanning a 30-year collection. An entire room in his house is dedicated to Super Mario, and he thinks the Nintendo Switch is “the best invention in human history.” Counseling may be necessary.