Mad Catz has finally launched the Xbox 360 Arcade GameStick Joystick in America, although the company has no current plans to release the must-have peripheral in Europe, according to a UK spokesperson SPOnG spoke with this morning.

The stick (pictured right) basically means that it is now far easier for you to entice your controller-pad shy parents, girlfriends and non-gaming mates into the retro dream world that is Xbox Live Arcade.

The stick promises to faithfully recreate old-school arcade gameplay on the 360 and, niftily, comes bundled with a few full versions of XBLA classics including Frogger and Time Pilot. Plus, should you not have one already, you’ll get a free Xbox Live Gold trial membership, to ensure that you are fully sucked-in to Microsoft’s online future world.

The Arcade Gamestick also features all the other bits and bobs from a standard 360 controller – [X],[Y],[A],[B], analogue stick and triggers all fitted into the plastic base. SPOnG cannot imagine using the stick to play anything other than arcade classics though.

Darren Richardson, president and CEO of MadCatz, says, "Retro-arcade games are a hot market segment, especially on Xbox 360 Live Arcade…This officially licensed Xbox 360 Arcade GameStick is the answer for anyone that values the control and finesse that only a real joystick can provide."

The joystick will set you back around $59.95 (plus shipping in the UK). SPOnG has spoken with Mad Catz and with Microsoft this morning and we will update you with further news on any planned UK release as soon as we hear more.