SOULCALIBUR V Arcade FightStick SOUL Edition

THE SOUL STILL BURNS!

Mad Catz(R) Enters into Agreement with Namco Bandai Games Inc(R) to Create SOULCALIBUR(TM) V Arcade FightStick Soul Edition​

SOULCALIBUR(TM) V Arcade FightStick Soul Edition IsExpected to Launch Worldwide January 2012

SAN DIEGO, Oct 25, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. ("Mad Catz") (AMEX/TSX: MCZ) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Namco Bandai Games Inc, to produce the SOULCALIBUR(TM) V Arcade FightStick Soul Edition, a Tournament Edition fighting game controller for use with the upcoming SOULCALIBUR V videogame. The agreement gives Mad Catz worldwide rights to ship products for the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoftand for the PlayStation(R)3 computer entertainment system from Sony(R).

"The FightStick product category continues to perform well for us globally and the addition of the popular SOULCALIBUR franchise leverages both our brand and market leadership." said Darren Richardson, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. "Leveraging licenses on a global basis is part of our long term growth strategy to build our worldwide business."

About Mad Catz
Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ) is a global provider of innovative interactive entertainment products marketed primarily under its Mad Catz(R) (casual gaming), Cyborg(TM) (pro gaming), Tritton(R) (gaming audio), Saitek(R) (simulation), and Eclipse(TM) (home and office) brands. Mad Catz also develops flight simulation software through its internal ThunderHawk Studios(TM); operates flight simulation centers under its Saitek brand; operates a videogame content website under its GameShark(R) brand; publishes games under its Mad Catz brand; and distributes games and videogame products for third parties. Mad Catz distributes its products through most leading retailers offering interactive entertainment products and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia. For additional information please go to www.madcatz.com.

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Here are images of the SOULCALIBUR V Arcade FightStick SOUL Edition:

Here are some key points about the SOULCALIBUR V Arcade FightStick SOUL Edition:

• Tago-san, the producer for SOULCALIBUR V told us at E3 2011 that he wanted a stick similar to the SSFIV Chun-Li Tournament Edition FightStick. We agreed to make something similar; but to make changes/improvements that cater to the fighting game fan and of course the SOULCALIBUR fan
• That being said, the SOUL Edition has a translucent body all around with the artwork of the Soul Edge and Soul Calibur swords tying into the case design
• The FightStick has a new button layout and has a button mapping that is unique to SOULCALIBUR. The new button layout and stick placement is following the NAMCO NOIR arcade panel layout; this layout is most reminiscent of the classic SEGA Astro City layout
• The bezel on the SOUL Edition FightStick is what we call the "EDGE" bezel; which helps give it more of a SOULCALIBUR look & feel
• The SOUL Edition uses 6 stainless steel screws; we've listened to your feedback and have noted that rusty screws are not appealing

Here are additional images showing off the Noir layout and also the new stainless steel screws and 'Edge' bezel:

There are some other tidbits here and there; but we'll wait to reveal that as time goes on. This FightStick is slated for availability in North America, Europe and Japan.

Please let me know if there are any questions. :D

 

I have a 360 TE but I'm considering to pick up one of this. Maybe the Ps3 version so I can scrap my HRAP2+converter combo for playing on PS3...

Better to get the 360 version and a ChImp PCB or Toodle's Kitty for dual modding.

 

Can someone who either owns an Arcade stick and Hitbox or who has experienced both tell me which I should get. What are the differences besides using buttons for movement instead of joy?

The Hitbox company has made mine and said I can order it at anytime.

Let me offer a counterargument. I find stepping on either direction significantly easier on a Hitbox because the motion between up and down are pretty much the same, compared to the push/pull on a stick.

The only thing I can't do on a Hitbox as consistently on a stick is Ivy's iCS yet, but I know with enough practice I could get it down within a week's dedicated practice time.

I agree though -- try both first if you have the luxury of doing so and see what floats your boat.

 

Hate to be that guy, but about how much is this going to cost? I'm not a stick player, but I'd be interested in buying this and learning how to use it if I can afford it.

 

TEs are usually $149-$159 range. Pricey. But the parts used are high grade quality (Sanwa).

Arcade sticks are an investment. And a TE is one of the best to drop money into.

 

Let me offer a counterargument. I find stepping on either direction significantly easier on a Hitbox because the motion between up and down are pretty much the same, compared to the push/pull on a stick.

The only thing I can't do on a Hitbox as consistently on a stick is Ivy's iCS yet, but I know with enough practice I could get it down within a week's dedicated practice time.

I agree though -- try both first if you have the luxury of doing so and see what floats your boat.

Nice advice, I will observe that when i'm testing them out.
- Thank you.

 

Better to get the PS3 version and a ChImp PCN or Toodle's Kitty for dual modding.

You mean 360 version. Unless you mean to mod his old TE. :)

 

As I've already told Namco... I can't really get behind this stick. The Namco Noir cabinet button layout is one of the worst button layouts I've ever seen. In the age when we have natural keyboards showing us that its better to type with a downward-left slant, the idea of an arcade stick with a downward-right slant is just... WTF!?

The layout that Namco had on the Soulcalibur 3 stick is the way it should have remained...

 

TEs are usually $149-$159 range. Pricey. But the parts used are high grade quality (Sanwa).

Arcade sticks are an investment. And a TE is one of the best to drop money into.

Sounds good. Expensive, but affordable. I'm sure I could always sell it if I don't like it for whatever reason.

Is there a release date yet?

 

As I've already told Namco... I can't really get behind this stick. The Namco Noir cabinet button layout is one of the worst button layouts I've ever seen. In the age when we have natural keyboards showing us that its better to type with a downward-left slant, the idea of an arcade stick with a downward-right slant is just... WTF!?

The layout that Namco had on the Soulcalibur 3 stick is the way it should have remained...

View attachment 7691

I'm sure the Mad Catz version will be alot better.

 

Not a fan of that HRAP layout. Played a ton on it. Eventually just used the right side buttons since they're closer to the Astro layout.

 

Since the directional inputs for CE are 236 236 across the board, I might consider jumping ship from pad to stick. I guess I'll hold off 'til reviews.

 

price?

 

<3<3<3 Do want.

 

price?

In essence, it looks like a SF4 TE round 2, so I'd hazard a guess in the region of $250.00 - $300.00, on the basis that a TE would run you about £150.00 over here.

 

As I've already told Namco... I can't really get behind this stick. The Namco Noir cabinet button layout is one of the worst button layouts I've ever seen. In the age when we have natural keyboards showing us that its better to type with a downward-left slant, the idea of an arcade stick with a downward-right slant is just... WTF!?

The layout that Namco had on the Soulcalibur 3 stick is the way it should have remained...

View attachment 7691

Jaxel, now I'm no stick expert (looks at everyone)...

But the the SEGA Astro City 2L 12B second player layout that you posted, aka the HRAP1/T5 Anniversary layout... There's a reason why Hori doesn't make it anymore. It's not popular.

The defacto standards in arcades now are either A) Vewlix style or B) Noir/Astro City.

THE IDEA of an arcade stick with a downward right slant is stupid yes. But this is not the case. As everyone knows. The Noir/Astro layout is ergonomic.

But then again, I'm no stick expert. (Looks around).

 

In essence, it looks like a SF4 TE round 2, so I'd hazard a guess in the region of $250.00 - $300.00, on the basis that a TE would run you about £150.00 over here.

Whaaaat? I didn't know it was that expensive over there.

I generally paid US$140-160 for my TE-S's. Older versions (from my understanding) go up to like US$200, since they aren't easy to find.

If I paid $300, I'd get a viewlix to see what the hype of that stick is about

 

But the the SEGA Astro City 2L 12B second player layout that you posted, aka the HRAP1/T5 Anniversary layout... There's a reason why Hori doesn't make it anymore. It's not popular.

The HRAP layout is more slanted compared to the 2P Astro layout. Uncomfortably so IMO.

 

Stick is sick looking... Guess ill be selling my old SF TE for this ;) Only thing is I wish they would make sticks dual system ready... or that come with their own converter or something :( Oh well guess Ill get the ps3 one then just keep my old TE for xbox! LOL

 

If it was dual system ready, then it wouldn't be licensed by Microsoft/Sony.

 

Sooooo gorgeous...Need to get rid of my other 2 TEs and get this >_<