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.

Social Media
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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

 

While this stick is beautiful, and I will most likely end up buying one, I'm going to have to agree with Jaxel on the button layout. I still don't own a TE, and I'm STILL using a HRAP1 to this day, because I don't like the button layout on the TE or HRAP2/3. I just hate that the inside 6 buttons are so close to the stick. and the outside 6 are either spaced too far apart (TE) or an uncomfortable downward curve (HRAP2/3)

If you don't mind a bit of drilling and soldering, the PlayTech Pro Arcade that I used for a mod project might just be perfect for you.

 

I'd love me some Soul Calibur 5 stick with sanwa parts! ^w^

 

From one of MarkMan's posts in SRK.

 

From one of MarkMan's posts in SRK.

I'm gonna buy this mofo stick and then buy new sanwa buttons that match the graphic lay out a little better.

 

I'm gonna buy this mofo stick and then buy new sanwa buttons that match the graphic lay out a little better.

Buy clear Sanwas and put some art in them.

 

That stick needs different artwork....You would think that people who draw for a living could come up with something better than two swords.

 

Already making my modding purchases for this stick. ;)

EDIT: The artwork seems fine to me, I'd rather have 2 swords than a bunch of characters I'm not hype about all over it. Its not hard to put a new artwork over it (Plexi-Cover)without peeling the original art off...I have 1 complaint, that I personally plan to fix on mine...

That bezel on it is cool, but it lacks "wow" factor, imo. Needs to be silver and shiny, to look more like a blade.

 

I don't really play Soul Calibur with an arcade stick, but I might just buy that one. That is a really nice stick.

 

I wish they didn't release this with a jacked up button layout. It works for Calibur sure, but how many of us ONLY play Calibur?

 

I wish they didn't release this with a jacked up button layout. It works for Calibur sure, but how many of us ONLY play Calibur?

It has 8 buttons and games come with a button config. What's the problem? It's not like it has a MK layout.

 

I wish they didn't release this with a jacked up button layout. It works for Calibur sure, but how many of us ONLY play Calibur?

Here's a secret. That isn't actually a "Soul Calibur exclusive" layout. That's the default Microsoft required layout for joysticks.

Compare with the HRAP-VX:

And the Asian model TE.

Even the upcoming stick from Razer has the same config. The only reason the Street Fighter/Marvel ones get away with a different config is due to their licenses.

 

Actually, it is a SOULCALIBUR V exclusive layout. Look at it closely vs the Japan TE and HRAP VX-SA.

Think about it. It's a SOULCALIBUR V stick. When you plug it in, it SHOULD work out of the box with SCV, no?

If it really bothers you, the TE stick is easy to open and modify.

 

That's actually my preferred layout. Lol.

 

SOLD!! I must have this.

 

I never noticed that the Microsoft layout was different from the typical soulcalibur layout, huh.

 

Truth be told.. i really dislike the picture on the stick. To me the art seems kinda.. lame. They should just have put in characters or something. Ah well there is always modding :)

 

Truth be told.. i really dislike the picture on the stick. To me the art seems kinda.. lame. They should just have put in characters or something. Ah well there is always modding :)

Yeah, unfortunately; as I've experienced with EVERY stick release.. The art isn't going to please everyone. What is important to me is... The Namco guys liked it lol.

I never noticed that the Microsoft layout was different from the typical soulcalibur layout, huh.

Yeah. If you plugged in a Hori SCIV stick and tried to play SCIV... Surprise it didn't work out of the box. You had to remap buttons.

 

Yeah. If you plugged in a Hori SCIV stick and tried to play SCIV... Surprise it didn't work out of the box. You had to remap buttons.

That was SO annoying! I even bought the exclusive SC4 Hori Stick (my first arcade stick), only to find out I had to remap buttons every time I went to a new console. I'm sorry, what was the SC4 license for again?

No more Hori for me

 

I wish they didn't release this with a jacked up button layout. It works for Calibur sure, but how many of us ONLY play Calibur?

I don't think people realize the natural curve of their own hand.

Yeah your wrist orients toward the left naturally, but more importantly, your middle, fourth, and pinky fingers aren't the same length. The current layout on the looks really good (at least without trying it out personally), because it seems like you can comfortably place your fingers on any button without having to stretch or reach out for any (especially with the pinky, which I have to do with my TE-S stick sometimes). What game is that not good for?

If all of your fingers were the same length, then yeah, Jaxel's suggestion would be good, but I would say its unpopular/discontinued for good reason

 

It will be mine!