Mad Catz
| Company type | Public (formerly) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video game accessories, PC peripherals |
| Founded | January 1, 1989 in Toronto, Canada |
| Defunct | March 30, 2017 |
| Fate | Filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy; brand revived by Mad Catz Global Limited in 2018 |
| Successor | Mad Catz Global Limited (brand manager) |
| Headquarters | Kowloon (original), San Diego (later) , Hong Kong (original), United States (later) |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Darren Richardson (former CEO) |
| Products | Gaming mice, headsets, keyboards, controllers, flight simulation peripherals |
| Parent | Mad Catz Global Limited (current brand owner) |
Mad Catz, Inc., commonly known as Mad Catz (styled as MAD CATZ), was initially established as Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. This American company specializes in producing third-party video gaming and PC accessories. Established in 1989, the brand is currently managed by Mad Catz Global Limited, a Hong Kong-based entity holding the copyrights and licensed trademarks. The original Chinese incarnation of Mad Catz declared bankruptcy in 2017. Historically, the company manufactured gaming cheat devices under the GameShark label, audio equipment under the TRITTON brand, and flight simulation peripherals through Saitek. Although incorporated in China and Taiwan, its headquarters were located in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The brand was revived in January 2018 with a renewed global retail strategy, concentrating on high-end peripherals tailored for both casual players and competitive gamers.
Operating offices throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, Mad Catz also ventured into flight simulation software development via its ThunderHawk Studios division. The corporate headquarters relocated from Kowloon to San Diego, California. Its product range supports major gaming platforms such as Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch and DS, alongside mobile and desktop operating systems including Android, iOS, Windows PC, and Mac.
Mad Catz products are distributed through leading retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target, eBay, Newegg, Micro Center, Circuit City, Sears, and PCNation. The current product suite features gaming mice, headsets, keyboards, and other gaming peripherals. The company actively refreshes its offerings and maintains a presence at industry events to advance the brand’s evolution.
CEO Darren Richardson underscores Mad Catz’s identity as a gaming-centric company driven by enthusiasts. He notes that their products are designed to integrate seamlessly into users’ daily routines—not only for gaming but also for professional work and home entertainment.
1989–2000: Founding years
Founded in 1989 in Toronto, Canada, Mad Catz initially focused on creating accessories such as control pads, memory cards, connection cables, steering wheels, flight sticks, headphones, and other human interface devices compatible with PCs and gaming consoles. Additionally, it published video games including Real World Golf 1 and 2, MC Groovz Dance Craze, and Pump It Up.
The company was formally incorporated as Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. under the Canada Business Corporations Act on August 25, 1993. In 2000, Toronto-based GTR Group, Inc. acquired Mad Catz along with Games Trader and ZapYou.com for US$33.3 million.
2000–2009: Growth and strategic acquisitions
In 2000, Mad Catz launched the MC2 Racing Wheel for the Sony PlayStation, earning the Golden Award from Incite Video Gaming Magazine. The Mario Andretti Racing Wheel was recognized as the best peripheral at the 2000 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). During this period, Mad Catz produced twelve officially licensed controllers for Sega’s Dreamcast debut and introduced Internet-enabled accessories like the Panther DC modem and keyboard adapter.
September 2001 marked GTR Group’s rebranding to Mad Catz Interactive, Inc., accompanied by the closure of GamesTrader and ZapYou.com. That year also saw Mad Catz supporting major console launches including Microsoft’s Xbox and Nintendo’s GameCube and Game Boy Advance. Their product offerings included the Control Pad Pro for GameCube; Lynx Control Pad and BeatPad for PlayStation 2; Game Boy FlipLight; and memory cards for Xbox.
In January 2003, Mad Catz expanded its portfolio by acquiring the GameShark brand along with associated intellectual property from InterAct for US$5 million—strengthening its position in video game enhancement software.
The company broadened its international footprint in September 2007 by purchasing UK-based Joytech for US$3.7 million. Further diversification occurred in November 2007 when it acquired European peripheral manufacturer Saitek for US$30 million.
In 2008, Capcom partnered with Mad Catz to produce limited-edition ArcadeSticks and six-button controllers branded as “FightSticks” and “FightPads” to coincide with the release of Street Fighter IV.
2010–2017: Rock Band peripherals, achievements, and decline
In 2010, Mad Catz introduced officially licensed accessories for Rock Band 3, which included keyboards, microphones, drum kits, as well as two types of guitar controllers: a five-button version and the Fender Mustang “Pro” 102-button model. That same year, the company acquired TRITTON Technologies, a manufacturer specializing in gaming audio headsets, for $1 million. Additionally, in June 2010, Mad Catz collaborated with Major League Gaming (MLG) to create the MLG Pro Circuit Controller compatible with Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles, while also becoming a sponsor for MLG events.
The following year, Mad Catz’s Cyborg R.A.T. 7 Gaming Mouse earned IGN’s accolade for “Best PC Accessory of 2010.” The firm expanded its scope into software publishing by releasing games such as Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge, Damage Inc. Pacific Squadron WWII, and Rock Band 3. Furthermore, it acquired assets from V Max Simulation Corporation, broadening its offerings in flight simulation hardware and software.
Mad Catz maintained its emphasis on gaming peripherals including the R.A.T. series of mice and TRITTON-branded headsets. In January 2013, the company launched its "GameSmart" line featuring Bluetooth Smart technology aimed at delivering cross-device compatibility, easier setup processes, extended battery life, and universal use. Highlighted products in this range were the R.A.T.M Wireless Mobile Gaming Mouse and the F.R.E.Q.M Mobile Stereo Headset.
June 2013 saw the release of the M.O.J.O. Android Micro Console by Mad Catz, designed to bring mobile gaming experiences to television screens while seamlessly integrating with GameSmart peripherals. That year also marked the debut of the Killer Instinct Arcade FightStick Tournament Edition 2—recognized as the first fighting game controller developed specifically for the then-new Xbox One console.
In April 2015, Mad Catz entered a co-publishing agreement with Harmonix for Rock Band 4. Mad Catz was responsible for global retail distribution, marketing efforts, and hardware bundle sales, whereas Harmonix managed digital distribution and downloadable content. The title was officially released on October 6, 2015.
By August 2015, Mad Catz had formed a partnership with Cloud Imperium Games to produce officially licensed simulation hardware under its Saitek brand for the space simulation title Star Citizen, which was showcased at Gamescom 2015.
Amid mounting difficulties, Mad Catz announced in February 2016 a reduction of its workforce by 37%, citing disappointing Rock Band sales combined with increased promotional expenditures that negatively impacted profit margins. This announcement followed resignations by key executives including CEO Darren Richardson. For that fiscal year, the company reported revenues of $134.1 million but recorded an $11 million loss primarily attributed to underperformance of Rock Band 4.
On September 15, 2016, Logitech completed the acquisition of Mad Catz's Saitek division—which specialized in computer joystick peripherals—for $13 million.
In March 2017, Mad Catz received notification from the New York Stock Exchange regarding impending delisting due to persistently low stock prices; the company opted not to contest this decision.
Bankruptcy
Mad Catz officially ceased operations on March 30, 2017 and subsequently filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy to liquidate its assets. Aaron Smith, co-founder of LucidSound, attributed the company's downfall primarily to misguided investments—particularly in the Mojo microconsole and continued involvement with the Rock Band franchise. Although initial success was achieved with Rock Band 3, excess inventory levels and discontinued product lines significantly undermined financial stability in subsequent years.
Return
On January 4, 2018, Mad Catz Global Limited, a newly formed entity headquartered in Kowloon, Hong Kong, obtained the rights to the Mad Catz brand and announced its revival with fresh product offerings at CES 2018. The company recommenced the production of gaming accessories such as mice, keyboards, headsets, and controllers.
By 2024, Mad Catz ventured into game publishing with the release of Yatagarasu Enter the Eastward. The following year, the brand had regained its foothold in the gaming peripheral market and maintained an active presence at events like CES and EVO Japan. Mad Catz continues to engage in collaborations with various brands while emphasizing community-focused design and partnerships within the Fighting game community (FGC). Recent introductions to their lineup include the "Project N.E.K.O" all-button arcade controller and the "M.2.X Pro Force Feedback Racing Wheel," signaling a renewed commitment to simulation racing peripherals.