Mad Catz® Announces Expanded Range of Official Rock Band™ Instrument Controllers, Accessories and Storage Solutions

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Mad Catz® Announces Expanded Range of Official Rock Band™ Instrument Controllers, Accessories and Storage Solutions

Additional Products to Launch Alongside Previously Announced Rock Band^™ 3 Instruments and Accessories on Xbox 360^®, PlayStation^®3 and Nintendo^® Wii^™

San Diego, September 02. 2010

Mad Catz^® Interactive, Inc. (“Mad Catz” or “the Company”) (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider, today announced it is expanding its range of new and updated official Rock Band 3 instruments and accessories, all of which are expected to ship in time for the launch of the highly anticipated Rock Band 3 video game, arriving Oct. 26 in the United States and Oct. 29 in the rest of the world.

As official Rock Band 3 instruments and accessories, the range is compatible with the majority of Rock Band software, with support for Rock Band, Rock Band 2 and Rock Band 3 discs, The Beatles: Rock Band, AC/DC Live: Rock Band™ Track Pack Green Day: Rock Band™, as well as other Rock Band track packs. In addition, many of the accessories are also compatible with other music game titles. For full in-game compatibility, please read product descriptions below.

Instrument Controllers expected to be available are as follows:

Rock Band Wireless Wooden Fender™ Stratocaster™ Guitar Controller

Xbox 360

Fully compatible with all games in the Rock Band franchise, as well as other music games, the Wireless Wooden Fender Stratocaster Guitar Controller is a genuine full-sized wooden replica game controller of the famous Fender Stratocaster guitar. The body, neck, and headstock are made from genuine Stratocaster wooden blanks, while the tuning keys and bridge are built using genuine metal parts and fittings. Available in a hand-painted Three-Tone Sunburst or Metallic Candy Apple Red design, the highly buffed gloss finish on each model is applied over an eight-day period in the same manner as a genuine Stratocaster electric guitar and assembled at a Fender manufacturing facility. Sporting a high-resolution ‘rosewood’ finish decal, which conceals two sets of premium fret buttons, the Wireless Wooden Fender Stratocaster Guitar Controller provides a stunningly realistic experience, no matter what Rock Band game you play.

MSRP: $249.99

Rock Band 3 Wireless Fender Telecaster™ Player’s Edition Guitar Controller

Xbox 360 / PlayStation 3

Fully compatible with all games in the Rock Band franchise, as well as other music games, the Wireless Fender Telecaster Player’s Edition Guitar Controller features a range of unique features designed to appeal to the true Rock Band enthusiast, helping to maximize the scoring potential when playing any of the Rock Band games. Modelled after the legendary Fender design, the Wireless Fender Telecaster Player’s Edition Guitar Controller features fast action ‘Shredderz™’ fret buttons, which through their low profile design help to deliver precise control, instantly reacting to the players’ commands while returning quickly to their original positions. Activating overdrive has never been simpler and gamers can now press the ‘back’ tuning button, tilt the guitar, stomp down on the Electro-Harmonix™ Overdrive Pedal (sold separately) or use the touch-sensitive pick-up which, located next to the strum bar is simple to operate even under the most stressful of performances. The Bigsby^® whammy tailpiece delivers tensioned ‘whammy’ operation, allowing gamers to bend notes in style, and the strum bar has been carefully designed with a tight throw enhanced by the single cherry-switch design which provides an audible click each time the strum bar is plucked. Available in all-new metallic blue and metallic gun-metal designs.

MSRP: $99.99

Rock Band 3 Wireless Fender Precision Bass Guitar Controller

Xbox 360 / PlayStation 3 / Wii

Fully compatible with all games in the Rock Band franchise, as well as other music games, the Wireless Fender Precision Bass Guitar Controller offers gamers a highly authentic guitar controller, specifically designed for bass enthusiasts. Ideal for playing the bass portion on all Rock Band tracks, the Wireless Precision Bass Guitar Controller is also compatible with all lead guitar tracks and features a unique ‘split strum bar’ which gamers use to pluck and strum twice as fast by replicating both up and down fret bar movements. Modeled after the legendary Fender design, the Wireless Precision Bass Guitar Controller is now available in all-new metallic pink and metallic black designs.

MSRP: $99.99

Rock Band 3 Wireless Fender Stratocaster Guitar Controller

Xbox 360 / PlayStation 3 / Wii

Fully compatible with all games in the Rock Band franchise, as well as other music games, the Wireless Fender Stratocaster Guitar Controller is modeled after the legendary guitar design and is instantly recognizable to legions of music fans. An ideal introduction into the world of Rock Band guitar game play, the Wireless Fender Stratocaster Guitar Controller allows gamers to play either guitar or bass portions of the game. Authentic styling and 5 solo fret buttons complement the quiet strum bar, fast fret buttons and ‘overdrive activating’ tilt sensitivity allow gamers to thrash out the most extreme tracks with maximum precision. Available in all-new ‘Blue’ and ‘Cherry’ designs.

MSRP: $59.99

Rock Band 3 Wireless PRO-Drum and PRO-Cymbals Kit

Xbox 360 / PlayStation 3 / Wii

Fully compatible with Rock Band™ 2, all subsequent games in the Rock Band franchise and other music games, the Wireless PRO-Drum and PRO-Cymbals Kit allows gamers of all abilities to rock-out in style when playing drum portions of any game in the Rock Band franchise. From playing on easy in standard Rock Band game play, through to hard on the all-new Rock Band Pro mode available in Rock Band 3, the Wireless PRO-Drum and PRO-Cymbals Kit features four responsive drum pads, three realistically styled and newly engineered cymbals (Hi-Hat, Crash and Ride), and a metal-reinforced foot pedal. Now with an all-new input allowing for dual foot pedal setup, the Wireless PRO-Drum Kit comes complete with one set of wooden drum sticks.

MSRP: $129.99

Rock Band 3 Microphone – Xbox 360 & PlayStation 3 / Wii

Fully compatible with all games in the Rock Band franchise, as well as other music games, the Rock Band 3 Microphone features a wide frequency response delivering crystal-clear vocals, essential for aspiring lead singers everywhere. Durable ‘concert-style’ design provides gamers with a realistic and highly sensitive microphone, ideal when singing solo or when harmonizing with others.

MSRP: $29.99

Accessories expected to be available are as follows:

Rock Band 3 Drum Pedal – Universal

Compatible with all Rock Band drum kits, the Rock Band Drum Pedal features a steel reinforced diamond plate cover which provides a highly durable and reliable solution when playing the drum portion of Rock Band tracks. Ideal dual kick, hi-hat setup or as a replacement pedal, the Rock Band Drum Pedal is an easy and exciting add-on to the Rock Band 3 PRO-Cymbal and PRO-Drum Kit.

MSRP: $24.99

Rock Band Electro-Harmonix™ Overdrive Pedal – Universal

Designed for use with any Rock Band guitar featuring a compatible ¼ inch input jack, the Electro-Harmonix Overdrive Pedal quickly connects to the gamers’ guitar of choice via a 10’ cable, allowing for relaible‚ tilt free activation of in game overdrive. Gamers simply push the pedal’s soft Activation Switch to enter overdrive during game play, helping to prevent loss of focus or missed notes. Realistically styled, the Overdrive Pedal is fashioned from tough durable metal and provides an authentic way to rock out like the pros!

MSRP: $29.99

Protection and storage products expected to be available are as follows:

Rock Band 3 Keyboard Stand – Universal

Designed for use with the new Rock Band 3 Wireless Keyboard Controller, the stand provides the ideal method of playing the keyboard controller while standing or sitting down. The fully adjustable height, custom contour top piece and all metal construction provide a stable platform for play.

MSRP: $29.99

Rock Band 3 Microphone Stand – Universal

Designed for use with all Rock Band microphones, the Microphone Stand provides height adjustable aluminium construction providing durability and enhanced realisim during play. Ideal for lead singers or those using other Rock Band instruments but still wishing to harmonize, the Microphone Stand features a quick-release mic clip and wide-stance tripod base.

MSRP: $24.99

Rock Band 3 Triple Guitar Tree – Universal

Designed for use with all Rock Band guitar controllers, along with guitar controllers from other music games, the Triple Guitar Tree provides safe and stylish storage for up to three guitar controllers. Soft foam hangers and backrests help prevent damage or scratches and the height-adjustable wide-stance tripod base provides safty and durabillity at all times.

MSRP: $29.99

All the above Rock Band instruments, accessories and storage solutions will be released in addition to the new previously announced Mad Catz Rock Band 3 specific instruments and accessories due to ship holiday season 2010.

Featuring an incredible 83-song setlist and access to far more music than any other music video game, as well as innovative new gameplay modes and instruments, Rock Band 3 will change the way fans think about and play music games. Rock Band 3 platform has something new for everyone and also supports traditional Rock Band gameplay with players’ existing instruments. Developed by Harmonix, the world’s premier music videogame company, published by MTV Games, and distributed by distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), Rock Band 3 will be released Oct. 26 in North America and Oct. 29 in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories for the Xbox 360^® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation^®3 computer entertainment system, Wii™ home videogame console from Nintendo, and Nintendo DS. Rock Band 3 will be compatible with all Rock Band and The Beatles: Rock Band peripherals, as well as most third-party instrument and microphone controllers. Mad Catz is the official peripheral manufacturer and distributor for Rock Band 3 game controllers.

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