Mad Catz Announced the TE3! Analysis before more info comes out.

Source: https://www.4gamer.net/games/097/G009735/20220107046/ 

Google Translate

"The new arcade stick "T.E. 3 Fightstick" is a product bearing the name of "Tournament Edition" used in the old Mad Catz arcade stick. Compatible with PC, PlayStation 5/4, and Xbox series. The buttons are made by Sanwa Denshi, which has a reputation for high durability. A shoulder strap can be attached, making it easy to carry."

Source: https://www.madcatz.com/en/News/Detail/25

"Finally, Mad Catz is proud to introduce the T.E. 3: the latest model in our celebrated Tournament Edition fight stick series. Portability and convenience are enhanced on the T.E. 3 with shoulder strap attachments and convenient in-unit storage. The classic Sanwa Denshi buttons deliver an authentic arcade experience with the legendary quality and durability of Sanwa components. T.E. 3 supports multi-platform connectivity including Xbox, PlayStation 4 & 5 over bridge, and PC. More macros, two turbo modes, PlayStation touchpad, and share buttons make the T.E. 3 better integrated with consoles for an upgraded arcade experience. For gamers who want to take their fight to the next level, the T.E. 3 delivers a knockout."

Analysis

Round 2 comes around for the new Mad Catz company, this time they've announced the next entry for the Tournament Edition line up being the TE3. We aren't given a lot info about this stick for now besides the information provided above and the one photo. So what info can we get out of this? Well actually quite a bit however it'll be all speculated and can't be confirmed until more info is released. 

First question to ask, "Is this another rebranded stick like the Mad Catz E.G.O?", and the answer to that is maybe? Doing a bit a searching on Alibaba, AliExpress, and some on TaoBao, I couldn't find a stick design similar to this one. So while I couldn't find any that doesn't 100% mean that it doesn't come from a generic design that any brand can license. There is a chance someone better at searching can find something, but for now it does seem to be an original design. Which is a good and bad thing. It's good that the current Mad Catz team is at least trying to make their own design rather than licensing one that is already pre made. Now the bad, the design isn't great. 

My main issues with the design is the top and bottom area. The bottom area doesn't need that piece sticking out, there's really no reason to have that. The control panel area is pretty ugly and the angles don't make it much better. This case is looking to be pretty chonky all things consider. The next criticism is a double edge sword, but it is pretty sad to see that there's no area for a different bezel or side panels. Those two parts being changeable is what the TE family is known for and unfortunately it does seem to be taken out with this stick. Now this can be a good thing since bezel and side panels will eventually stop being made and when that happens the prices for them on the used market will skyrocket. TE2/TE2+ is the best example for that.

Is there anything else that is good? Yes there is, while I did complain that the control panel area is pretty ugly, it does at least comes with a lot of options. The layout is Vewlix, but it is an extended Vewlix layout. Which is nice, I know some people main issue with the Vewlix layout is that everything is cramped so having the joystick a little bit away is actually nice. With a wide case there is a chance to have different layouts made for this stick. This will most likely be able to support custom artwork. The TE3 logo does look nice, but having "Arcade Stick" rather than "Fightstick" does show that Mad Catz is a different company now a days. There is also an area to put a strap so you can carry the stick on your side for example. The TE2 also did this. 

Sadly it was confirmed on Mad Catz website that the PCB is one of those """universal""" ones. Where you would have to plug in a controller in order for it to work on the PS4/PS5 and Xbox series. This is pretty disappointing, but not surprising. As for price I think this will be roughly around $200. Personally I wouldn't purchase it at that price, but if it's ever on sale for $150 or less then I might consider it.

Artwork Potential 

Since I do a little of graphic design (and if you're looking for some work done check out my service) I do have to look at the artwork potential this stick can offer. While the case has all the funky angles, the area for the artwork to be applied does look to just be a regular rectangle. Which is good! It's nice that the control panel doesn't interfere with the artwork. Also the case having a general black design it'll be easy to have any theme. The joystick placing does make the main image fit more comfortably in between the joystick and buttons. Other than that, making artwork for this stick should be fairly easy.

Parts Compatibility 

This section will be a lot of assuming, but it is already confirmed that it'll have Sanwa buttons. So with that we can kind of confirm that Seimitsu, Hori, Crown, Qanba and a pleathora of other Japanese styled arcade buttons can fit inside this case. With all the room it does seem that screw in buttons can be used without much issues. As for joysticks, it isn't said that it comes stock with a Sanwa JLF, but it is safe to assume that'll use some type of Japanese style joystick. We don't know how big the case is going to be so we can't comment on Korean joystick support. American styled parts will most likely not be able to fit inside this case. PCB upgradability might be simple or complex. This really depends on how the control panel is attached to the main PCB.

Conclusion

While it is one step forward for Mad Catz to make an original design (at least when writing this), it is two step backs with the design itself and the need for a control bypass to be needed for PS4/PS5 and Xbox support. Still depending on price (and if other features get announced) this can a successful return of Mad Catz to the arcade stick community. However overpricing and more questionable decisions can lead to the community looking at different options.  

If any more news comes out, then I do plan on updating or making a new post about it. Till next time.

- globe