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Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. announced, at CES 2009 Monday, the launch of the Cyborg X Flight Stick under the company’s Saitek brand on PC.

Marking the tenth anniversary of the Cyborg range of Flight Sticks, the new Cyborg X represents the flagship of the range, offering state-of-the-art design and a host of innovative new features providing PC gamers with groundbreaking levels of comfort and flexibility. The Cyborg X Flight Stick is compatible with most flight simulator and air combat games.

The Cyborg X delivers impressive levels of adjustability, allowing gamers to find their optimum positions for maximum comfort and control. Handle length can be increased or decreased to fit the gamer’s hand, the angle of the handle itself can be pivoted forwards or back, and the head can also be angled forwards or backwards to optimize button positions for extended game play. Another adjustment screw also allows the buttons on the stick head to be brought closer to or further from the fingers. For convenience, one of the Cyborg X’s feet features a compartment which houses the tool used to loosen or tighten the adjustment screws.

As well as multiple adjustment options, the Cyborg X features a heavy duty trigger and eleven programmable buttons with a shift function to double the number of programming options. Controls also include twin levers which can function as throttles for multiple engine aircraft or as a combination of throttle/flaps, as well as a scroll wheel for functions such as flaps or trim. For complete customization, the Cyborg X buttons can easily be remapped using Saitek’s SST (Saitek Smart Technology) software, included in the pack.

A first for the range, the Cyborg X utilizes components which detach or fold away, saving space and enhancing ergonomics when not in use. The Flight Stick handle attaches to the base with a secure screw collar and the left and right feet of the tripod base fold in and out of the body using an ingenious gear mechanism. When extended, the legs click into place to create a secure and stable platform for the stick.

Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz commented “The Cyborg X is the culmination of ten years of Saitek innovation and engineering, and one of many new products planned for 2009. The Cyborg brand is reserved for those products designed for hardcore gamers that demand best-in-class features and durability. The Cyborg X Flight Stick will compliment our portfolio of console and PC compatible flight sticks and reinforces our market leading position.”

The new Cyborg X Flight Stick (model: PS38) is expected to begin shipping worldwide in Q1 of 2009 with a U.S. MSRP of $49.99.

PS3 version shown

Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. announced, at CES 2009 Monday, the expansion of the Aviator line of flight sticks to include two new models – the Saitek Aviator Flight Stick for Xbox 360 and the Saitek Aviator Flight Stick for PS3.

A highly advanced combat joystick designed to enhance any flight simulation experience, the Aviator Flight Stick has been designed with an oversized flat base for increased stability and features three dedicated Fire Buttons, heavy-duty Combat Trigger and POV (point-of-view) Analog Stick as well as an innovative Throttle Lever positioned to suit ambidextrous gamers. A two position Mode Switch allows for on the fly changes to button configuration providing ideal controls for selected software such as the Blazing Angels series. The Flight Sticks have been fully tested to work with the new Ubisoft combat flight simulator Tom Clancy’s: HAWX. Furthermore both Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 models are fully PC compatible.

The Aviator Flight Stick for Xbox 360 includes an integrated Xbox Live Headset Connector for real time communication with other players. In addition, the Aviator Flight Stick for Xbox 360 features an Xbox Guide Button, displaying player and Xbox Live notifications. The Flight Stick is manufactured under license by Microsoft and is fully compliant with Xbox 360 Flight Stick Sub-Type.

The Aviator Flight Stick for PLAYSTATION 3 shares identical specifications to the Xbox 360 model, differing only via the integrated Home Button which gives instant access to the PLAYSTATION 3 Cross Media Bar.

Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz commented, “The new Aviator Flight Sticks for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 manages to combine Saitek’s PC Flight Stick heritage with Mad Catz’ next generation console expertise. The Flight Sticks expand our portfolio of specialty controllers enabling us to reach new consumer demographics. We believe the Aviator will prove itself to be the ideal controller for gamers requiring an authentic and highly accurate experience when playing flight simulation titles.”

Tom Yu, Brand Manager for Tom Clancy’s: HAWX at Ubisoft added further insight, commenting “The Aviator Flight Sticks provide gamers with levels of accuracy and control that gamepad users can only dream of.”

The Saitek Aviator Flight Stick for Xbox 360 (model: PS41) is expected to ship across North America this month with an MSRP of $49.99.

The Saitek Aviator Flight Stick for PLAYSTATION 3 (model: PS40) is expected to ship across North America this month with an MSRP of $49.99.