Mad Catz Announces DS Accessories

Video Game Accessory manufacturer Mad Catz announced a lineup of accessories for Nintendo’s upcoming handheld device, the DS, in a press release issued this past Friday. The press release detailed a roster of seven accessories and to accessory bundle packs.

First on the list is a carrying case. In the press release, Mad Catz describes its functionality as “stylistically designed to keep your DS protected from minor bumps, drops or scratches.” Nintendo has

The next two accessories are designed to actually protect important features of the DS, namely the screen and game disks. The screen protectors are almost essential to avoid accidentally scratching the DS’ touch-pad with the stylus or finger. They easily stick to, and peel off of the screen, and allow normal function of the touch-pad. The Game cases protect the connectors from dust and other debris.

Next in line come the standard power adaptors: The AC and Car adaptors allow the DS to recharge its battery, at home or in the car, respectively.

Probably the least successful of all the accessories will be the headphones. Still, for gamers who don’t already own a pair, it’s convenient to purchase them at your local video game retail outlet.

The final, and perhaps most disturbing accessory is the replacement stylus. As can be seen in new Japanese commercials for the DS, the stylus is not tethered to the system in any way, making it potentially very easy to lose. Mad Catz can expect to see a large number of sales for these units.

Of the two accessory bundle packs, one is just an expanded version of the other. The DS Kit includes a soft carrying case, six game cases, a car adaptor and a pair of headphones. The DS II Mobile Kit includes all the same items (except for a hard carrying case as opposed to a soft one), plus a earphone Y cable, and an the AC adaptor.

Mad Catz is the third largest video game accessory manufacturer in the world. They are notorious for providing bargain-quality products at bargain-quality price. Their memory card units for the Nintendo 64 are famous for constantly failing and erasing all data stored on them. Occasionally the company