There appears to be a growing market for Nintendo Wii accessories. While companies like Nyko and Zappies are marketing wireless nunchucks, Mad Catz Interactive is trumpeting its Wii Fit Kit. What exactly is it? Find out after the jump!

 

If you want to get the recent number of NBA games that have come out this year, then you'll probably want to do it in the best style possible. Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. is giving you a chance to look the part while playing your favorite NBA team as they plan to release NBA-themed controllers and other related accessories.

Darren Richardson, president and chief executive officer of Mad Catz, explains the brief history of the San Diego based company's renewed acquisition of the license since last April:

Mad Catz initially launched its line of NBA video game controllers and accessories during the 2004-2005 NBA season and these products have proven to be an important part of our strategy to offer gamers the opportunity to personalize their video game accessories with the world's leading sports, video game and entertainment images and brands.

The extension of this agreement with the NBA ensures that this valuable sports franchise will remain with Mad Catz for the next several years. We look forward to continuing to provide gamers and NBA fans with high-quality controllers and accessories for all current and prior generation consoles that bring the NBA arena excitement into the living room.

Mad Catz is planning to produce game controllers and faceplates for all 30 NBA teams, all of which will be available through NBAstore.com, NBA arena stores, and online game retailers. These peripherals and accessories will be made available for the Microsoft Xbox, Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, and Nintendo Wii, DS.

 Take-Two Interactive has begun its plans to divest its non-core properties starting with the transfer of Joytech subsidiary assets to popular game accessory maker Mad Catz. The deal, will transfer ownership of hard assets as well as jurisdiction of employees under the firm.

Take-Two CEO Ben Feder says that the move is part of the company's 100 day plan to develop strategic alternatives to the assets that they will be dropping.

"We are particularly pleased that we accomplished this goal in a manner that will allow substantially all of our Joytech employees in the U.S. and U.K. to join Mad Catz, which is a highly respected provider of video game peripherals," he adds.

The deal is a routine operation move and should not affect corporate finances in a major way, according to the publisher.

First it was basketball, then football, and now baseball. Accessory manufacturer Mad Catz has just announced via press wire that they have renewed their license agreement with Major League Baseball (MLB) Properties.

This renewed license means that the company will be developing controllers, faceplates, and Console Skinz based on MLB's 30 teams, with each featuring these team's colors and logos. The new lineup is expected to be available for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox, Xbox 360, PSP, Nintendo DS Lite, and Nintendo Wii consoles. As MLB Properties' Senior VP of Licensing, Howard Smith, stated regarding this news:

Mad Catz has a strong track record for producing high-quality video game accessories and based on the demonstrated success of their prior line of MLB branded products we are proud to extend our license agreement. With the 2007 season already underway, fans can rally behind their favorite Major League team with stylish accessories that show their enthusiasm for the national pastime.

Mad Catz recently expanded its original 2004 license agreement with the National Football League Properties (NFL). The company is now authorized to expand the distribution of their licensed products to Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom.

Originally, Mad Catz activities were limited to the U.S. They were responsible for distributing customized NFL team controllers and other accessories for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox, Xbox 360, PSP, DS Lite, and Wii.

According to Darren Richardson, President and CEO of Mad Catz,

The expansion of our NFL license is consistent with our overall strategy to offer both new and existing higher margin licensed products and accessories to gamers worldwide... With [NFL's] enormous and growing fan base, it's no wonder that our previously released NFL controllers and other accessories were solid sellers as football fans are also avid video game fans.

Gamers familiar with Mad Catz's line of console accessories will be happy to know that in a recent announcement, the manufacturer has renewed its license with the National Basketball Association (NBA).

What this means on the gaming side is that Mad Catz will once again be developing game controllers, faceplates, and console skins featuring logos and colors based on the NBA's 30 teams. This new NBA line-up is targetted for the PlayStation 2 (PS2), PlayStation 3 (PS3), Xbox, Xbox 360, PSP, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo Wii consoles. It will be noted that the company had previously offered NBA-themed controllers back during the NBA 2004-2005 season.

As Mad Catz CEO Darren Richardson commented on the matter,

Basketball has proven to be an extremely popular genre for gamers and we are thrilled to announce the continuation of our license agreement with the NBA. Our new NBA line will offer fans more ways than ever to demonstrate their support for their favorite teams and we look forward to launching controllers and other quality accessories that enhance the gaming experience of our customers.

Keep posted in case we pick up more details on this renewed product line, which is expected to be available at NBA.com, NBA arena stores, and online retailers.

A few days ago, we ran a story about third party accessory maker Mad Catz creating Arcade GameSticks for the Xbox 360. Judging from the images that came along with the press release, it's safe to say that the hardware burns (not literally we hope). Well what we have here are alleged pictures of third-party Wiimotes from the same company. b1wfdz33 (the owner of the pics) claims that he's a Wal-Mart employee and that he snapped these pics from the store's latest shipment of Wii accessories using his camera phone.

Why did we go through the hassle of making the Xbox 360 arcade stick reference above? Well it's because the pics, blurry and all, are looking hot as well. It could be an indication that they're legit, or it could be taken that b1wfdz33 is one Nintendo-loving, photoshopping dude that got inspired enough by the 360 peripherals.

Or you could go to the nearest Wal-Mart to find out for yourself...