I can’t say that accessories manufacturer Mad Catz has the best track record – their third-party controllers are, as often as not, chintzy and only minimally functional. However, they could be the cheap bass and drums you can actually afford if you want to have a Rock Band get-together with other poor people. Or, if your friends are imaginary, those weak third-party instruments will last forever. Now that’s a bargain.

Mad Catz signs Rock Band licensing deal [GIB]