Good engineering is all in the details, and Mad Catz’s continued understanding of that fact shows in their new TE 2 arcade stick for the Xbox One. But while it sports several subtle features aimed at tournament goers and mod enthusiasts, its price and lack of current-gen compatibility limit its potential audience considerably.
In terms of build quality, the TE2’s metal base doesn’t make it too ungainly, but its black, angular body feels notably sturdier and more substantial for its inclusion. Combined with the foam padding along its underside, the TE2 sits unmovably on laps and tabletops alike. While the added weight may not seem like an issue with it resting on a flat surface, I’d imagine that holding it under your arm while walking a tournament hall all day could get tiring, which is where the new shoulder strap comes in handy.
Or err...would have come in handy. The TE 2 has hooks for it, but the strap itself is sold separately, which seems odd when you’re ponying up $200 bucks. Thankfully, the stick is otherwise pretty loaded. Backlit Sanwa-30 translucent buttons are laid out in a familiar Vewlix configuration, marking the first time a Mad Catz stick has come stock with illuminated hardware. Don’t worry if you prefer to stay low-key, as they’re easily toggled off with the flick of a switch, so you don’t have to worry about keeping anyone up with those late night lab sessions. The tourney-proven Sanwa JLF stick shaft sits in a standard square gate, providing the smooth, predictable feel that Mad Catz stick owners have come to expect.
The lock switch for the guide and start buttons works the same as it ever has to prevent accidental pauses and disqualifications during tournament play, but the detachable USB wire is anything but typical. Where old TE’s had a rear compartment for the cable to fold into, the one on the TE 2 is completely detachable, and gets stowed within the stick’s body, which opens easily with the press of a button on the front face. This reveals storage for not only the USB cable, but for an included screwdriver with an interchangeable head, and anything else you can fit in.
Cool as it is, disconnecting the USB cable and popping open your stick to stow it seems like a much bigger to-do than just stuffing it into an external compartment. That said, having such easy access to the stick’s interior makes it great for modders, as the button wirings are easily accessible and conveniently color-coded. Even the generic-looking Killer Instinct art can be changed out with ease, thanks to a removable top bezel and unscrewable clear panel. It’s a modders dream stick.
But while all that is nice, in terms of practicality, the TE 2 is in questionable territory at this juncture. Sure, it’s the only option if you want a stick to play Killer Instinct with on the Xbox One, but if you’re planning on playing anywhere but home, you’ll likely be faced with the prospect of bringing multiple sticks, as this one isn’t compatible with any other consoles. That’s not really a knock on the stick though, just the reality of the fighting game scene as it stands today.