Topic: Mad Catz Ships Out SharkBoard

[WindyMan]

Need a keyboard for your GameCube?  Probably not, but here you go anyway.

Source: Press Release

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MAD CATZ announces FIRST SHIPMENTS OF the GAMESHARK(tm) SHARKBOARD

Fully Functional USB Keyboard Compatible with PlayStation®2, GameCube(tm) and PC

San Diego, California, January 22, 2004 -- Mad Catz Interactive, Inc., the world's leading third party video game enhancement and accessories manufacturer, announced today the launch of the SharkBoard from GameShark.  The much-anticipated release of the SharkBoard offers gamers a full-size, fully-functional USB keyboard designed to quickly and easily enter the latest codes, game titles and code descriptions for all the newest and hottest PlayStation®2 games as well as keyboard support for all PlayStation®2 and GameCube(tm) online games.  Shipments of the GameShark SharkBoard start this week and will sell for a suggested retail price of $29.99 U.S.

A complete online gaming solution, the GameShark SharkBoard keyboard simply plugs into the PlayStation 2, GameCube or PC and brings gaming to a whole new level.  For GameShark users, the GameShark SharkBoard dramatically speeds up the process of code entry allowing for a quick and seamless process.  Players can update their current GameShark software with all the latest codes from the dedicated website www.gameshark.com.  

The GameShark SharkBoard supports all of the hottest online games making online gaming more user friendly.  Gamers can communicate instantly without the hassle of navigating through a standard controller.  

"This marks another key step in Mad Catz' strategy to broaden the GameShark brand offering," stated Darren Richardson, President and Chief Operating Officer of Mad Catz, Inc.  "This market is driven by technology and GameShark continues to be on the forefront of consumer-friendly products.  The SharkBoard is another example of our commitment to the consumer as it's the only keyboard available to support game consoles and the PC in one unit."

GameShark SharkBoard summary of features:

- The only full-size USB keyboard available compatible with PlayStation2, GameCube and PC
- Designed for use with GameShark Version 4.1 and higher
- Enter codes quickly and seamlessly
- Instant messaging capabilities
- Highest quality materials and design
- Computer-style keyboard with function keys and number pad
- True plug and play technology

[Geno911]

Whatever happend to that giant wavebird/keyboard nintendo was going to make??? I think i remember seeing it a year or two ago in some E3 article.

[SearanoX]

That wasn't made by Nintendo, but by ACSII if I remember correctly.  It's only really useful for Phantasy Star Online, though.

[Shin Gallon]

If it's made witrh the same "quality" as Mad Catz controllers and system selectors I've used, the keys will break within a week whether you use it a lot or not.
Yes, I've seen Mad Catz system selectors break...that's sad.

[Morgon]

Awesome. Good timing for when GC Linux is released!

[Abbepp]

Ya know, it's kinda of funny, my Mad Catz system selector also broke years ago.  Pretty amazing.

[Cheat Freak]

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Originally posted by: Morgon
Awesome. Good timing for when GC Linux is released!

Datel has had a keyboard out almost six months

[KDR_11k]

There are more keyboards for the GC than games that use them... D'Oh!

[Morgon]

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Originally posted by: Cheat Freak

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Originally posted by: Morgon
Awesome. Good timing for when GC Linux is released!

Datel has had a keyboard out almost six months

Oh.... that must have slipped by lots of people, I don't remember seeing that on PGC or anywhere, for that matter.
It was still an opportune time to bring up GCLinux again and you blew it :-P

[Jonnyboy117]

We did report on the Datel keyboard when it was announced.

Linux aside, it's still good timing for Mad Catz, because PSO III is out soon.

[Minsc]

This is good news for me, I haven't been able to find the Datel keyboard anywhere here on PEI so I've been keyboardless on Ep. I&II for over a year now.  I don't see how no stores here wil carry this Mad Catz keyboard since it is a PS2 compatible device.  If it was a GC only keyboard then I'd be worried.

[Minsc]

Has this keyboard been released?  This announcement is the only mention of the sharkboard I can find anywhere.