Mad Catz Street Fighter V FightPad Pro: D-Pad, Headset Support and Other Details
Details on the Mad Catz Street Fighter V FightPad Pro, including its tactile floating d-pad, touch panel, lack of a headset jack, and PS4/PS3 support.
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In December 2015, Mad Catz community and sponsorship manager Mark Julio shared details about the then-upcoming Mad Catz Street Fighter V FightPad Pro. The controller was positioned as a premium option for fighting game enthusiasts, designed specifically for the launch of Street Fighter V.
Julio praised the controller’s design, stating, “The FightPad PRO is by far the best FightPad and gaming D-Pad we’ve ever designed (with FGs in mind).” He highlighted its unique directional pad as a key feature, describing it as a “new tactile floating dpad.” This design was intended to appeal to veteran players familiar with Saitek and Sega Saturn-style pads, suggesting a refined and responsive feel for precise inputs.
Key Features and Design
When compared to competing products like the Hori Fighting Commander 4, Julio pointed to several advantages for the Mad Catz offering. The FightPad Pro included a touch panel, a standard feature on official PlayStation 4 controllers but not always present on third-party pads. It also provided a switch to allow players to use either the directional pad or the left analog stick for character movement, offering greater flexibility.
The controller’s layout featured a six-button arcade-style face, placing all primary attack buttons on the right side for easy access. This configuration is popular in the fighting game community as it mirrors the layout of many arcade cabinets, allowing for more intuitive execution of complex combos and special moves. The overall design was intended to bridge the gap between a standard gamepad and a full-sized arcade stick.
Headset Compatibility and Console Support
One important clarification was the absence of a 3.5mm headset jack. Julio confirmed this was an intentional omission, stating that including one was “not possible for this product unfortunately.” He explained that the specifications and licensing standards for peripherals differed between platforms, preventing its simple implementation. As a solution, he recommended players use a headset that connects directly to the console via USB or other means.
The FightPad Pro was designed for use with both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3, ensuring backward compatibility for players with a library of fighting games on the older console. This dual compatibility made it a versatile option for fans of the genre across two console generations.
Release Information
The Mad Catz Street Fighter V FightPad Pro was scheduled to launch on February 16, 2016. This release date was strategically aligned with the launch of the Street Fighter V video game on the PlayStation 4 and PC. The controller was made available for preorder at major retailers ahead of its release, targeting players who wanted a specialized controller ready for day-one competition.
Frequently asked questions
Can you plug a headset into the Mad Catz Street Fighter V FightPad Pro?
No, the Mad Catz Street Fighter V FightPad Pro does not have a 3.5mm headset jack. A company representative confirmed this was due to licensing standards and technical specifications. Players were advised to use a headset that connects directly to the PlayStation console itself, such as a USB headset.
What kind of D-pad does the Street Fighter V FightPad Pro have?
The controller features a 'tactile floating d-pad.' This design was praised by Mad Catz as the best they had ever created for fighting games. It was developed to provide a responsive and precise feel, drawing inspiration from classic controllers like those made by Saitek and for the Sega Saturn.
What consoles does the Mad Catz Street Fighter V FightPad Pro work with?
The Mad Catz Street Fighter V FightPad Pro was designed to be compatible with both the PlayStation 4 and the PlayStation 3. This dual compatibility allowed players to use the same controller for fighting games across both Sony console generations, offering a versatile option for their entire game library.
When was the Mad Catz Street Fighter V FightPad Pro released?
The Mad Catz Street Fighter V FightPad Pro was released on February 16, 2016. Its launch was timed to coincide with the release of the game *Street Fighter V* on the PlayStation 4, providing players with a specialized controller on the same day the game became available.