Marvel vs. Capcom 3 gets limited Fight Stick

After a decade-long cease-fire, Marvel and Capcom are set to renew their storied fighting game rivalry in two weeks with the launch of Marvel vs. Capcom 3 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. To commemorate the return to hostilities between the two companies, Mad Catz will release a limited edition Marvel vs. Capcom 3-branded version of its arcade-style joysticks.

The Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds Arcade Fight Stick Tournament Edition will be limited to 5,000 individually numbered joysticks and is expected to begin shipping out to customers by the time the game launches February 15. Like the Tournament Edition joysticks Mad Catz produced for Street Fighter IV, the Marvel vs. Capcom 3 controller will feature a stick and buttons from arcade manufacturer Sanwa Denshi, turbo functionality, and a storage compartment for the controller cord when not in use. Mad Catz has indicated the stick will be available to order through its own online store, though there's no product page for it as of press time.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3 will launch with a roster of 36 playable characters split evenly between the two companies. The comics company will be represented by characters like Spider-Man, Captain America, MODOK, and Deadpool, while gaming favorites like Ryu, Dante, Amaterasu, and Wesker will fly the Capcom flag. In addition to the standard arcade and online versus modes, the game will feature technique challenges for each character and issue players a "license card" that will reflect their particular play styles.

For more on the game, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.