8Bit/Digi

Once upon a time, Mad Catz was an industry leader when it came to creating gaming gear and accessories. However after some rough years, they were forced to declare bankruptcy.

Thankfully that was not the end of the story as they made a return in 2018. Since its return, Mad Katz has been working to restore the brands reputation as an industry leader.

The team at Mad Catz was at CES 2020 and wanting to let the gaming world know that they are back. I got the chance to demo some of their upcoming products during a special session at the Renaissance Hotel.

R.A.T. 8+ ADV

The R.A.T. 8+ ADV 5 is going to be their flagship gaming mouse. It has been crafted to have a 60 million click lifespan and 4-DPI settings along with 20,000 CPI precision. IT’s one of the brands most customizable gaming mouses as it could be adjusted based on the players hand while hosting 5 diffrent gaming profiles (based on ones preference).

R.A.T. Pro X3

R.A.T. Pro X3 is going to be a limited edition version of the R.A.T. line of mouse. This one is going to be geared more towards hardcore PC gamers and eSports players. It will be customizable in regards to both the parts and the positioning of the frames. It will be available in gift boxset with extra parts and tools to help customize it.

S.T.R.I.K.E. 13

S.T.R.I.K.E. 13 will be their latest gaming keyboard. This is a lightweight keyboard that is built with an aluminum chassis. This ergonomic keypad has 96 keycaps that uses Cherry Red mechanical switches (allowing it withstand intensive use). All of this provides a sense of efficiency and comfort for gamers.

Based on my experience with keyboards, its all going to comedown to personal preference. The S.T.R.I.K.E. 13 is perfect for anyone who prefers a lightweight keyboard. For me; I see this best as a backup for conventions (like FanimeCon), small eSport events or LAN parties.

EGO

EGO is their upcoming fight stick (arcade controller). It has an 8 button (with turbo mode switch) layout along with a ball-top stick. A key lock function is also included to prevent accidental button presses. It’s compatible with the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.

During the session, I got to try out the EGO by playing a few rounds of Dead or Alive 6 for the Xbox One. My overall impression is that it functions exactly how an fight stick should. It responded exactly to the action I wanted and it could handle my intense playing style.

Final Thoughts

Mad Catz was once a leader in gaming gear and accessories before its collapse. This new iteration is not a shadow of its former self but a a Phoenix rising from the ashes. Many of the products I demoed is what a gamer would expect from a quality brand.

The release date for most of the products presented will be sometime between March and April. However no official release date has been given but an announcement could be expected sometime next month.

Disclaimer: CES provided me with press credentials for the week.

This special report is part of 8Bit/Digi‘s coverage of the Consumer Electronics Show 2020. If you attended the event, please share your thoughts in the comment section below.