5 TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT ARCADE STICK

With the growing popularity of vs fighting and fighting games on PCs and game consoles, many players want to buy an arcade stick for various reasons: comfort, playing feel, need for something new. Since the rise of fighting games in global esports (and especially Since the launch of Street Fighter 5, many models of arcade pad have been available on the market. There are some for all tastes, at more or fewer prices. High, for experienced players or for beginners who want to learn about this accessory.

If you are looking for the best fight stick on the market, take a look at the following tips, and pay attention to many criteria that should be considered before purchasing.

Understand your Budget and your Handyman Skills

With the slew of fighting stick models available online, it's easy for the complete beginner to get a little lost. A high-end stick joystick a little cheaper, there is something for all prices. The key is to estimate as closely as possible the price That you are willing to put in a pad without going into debt over 10 years. If you weren't born with a golden spoon but your Sunday DIY skills are undeniable, there is always the option to upgrade your stick with higher quality items purchased separately By calculating your move well, it is quite possible to save a little money compared to a high-end arcade joystick at 260 €. But beware, who says DIY means the possibility of completely screwing up this cheap arcade stick optimization.

Opt for a Plug & Play and Moddable Model

When it is not the games that pose compatibility problems (cuckoo SFV), it is the accessories. Save yourself this trouble and focus your research on a recent arcade pad model compatible with PC and consoles: PS3, PS4, Xbox One… Most of the big hits in fighting games are released on all of the above platforms. You plug in, you play, you enjoy it (or you rage it depends on the case). Point bar. Your gaming experience will be enhanced and you will avoid unnecessary frustration.

If you plan to buy an arcade stick in the next few days, opt for a model whose components can be easily removed and upgraded (buttons, joystick, dial). This is a very important criterion if you are buying a medium or low end and inexpensive pad. Their masterpieces wear out quite quickly depending on your playing sessions and in 90% of cases, you will have to go through the replacement' box. The difficulty of disassembling the stick and your Do It Yourself skills will determine the outcome Of the round. This process should of course be as simple as possible so as not to deteriorate your gaming experience.

Test as many Controllers as Possible before Deciding

It is a matter of common sense but not always easy to apply. If your friends have different models of the pad in their possession, do a few gaming sessions with it to familiarize yourself with the model and detect the small details that would reduce the pleasure of placing your dragons on the spur of the moment: playing comfort, button placement, latency possible… Test as much as possible and on all price ranges to avoid investing hundreds of euros in equipment that will tire you in 3 months.

Hori and Madcatz, the Reference Manufacturers

With the experience and the many user opinions collected on specialized pages and forums, Madcatz and Hori seem to gain the favor of fighting game players (with a slight lead for the latter). Why such popularity within the VS Fighting community? Mainly thanks to the Quality of the pads and their components that can be easily changed if something goes wrong. These two specialized manufacturers design models that offer us game sensations very similar to the good old traditional arcade machines. And that's good, that's what we're looking for with a portable arcade stick.

Choose Sanwa or Seimitsu Buttons

As mentioned earlier in this article, replacing the pushbuttons will be an almost obligatory step if you are investing in a top budget arcade stick. As you go through your frenzied gaming sessions (and the amount of rage you let out), the buttons may break or become less responsive over time. In addition, the quality of standard push buttons sometimes leaves much to be desired. If the components of the Hori brand are doing pretty well, the Madcatz buttons are very disappointing and deteriorated quickly while spoiling the pleasure of the game.

Sanwa and Seimitsu pushbuttons are very popular among die-hard players and the whole vs fighting community. The parts made by these manufacturers are of undeniable quality and are highly recommended for intensive ultra jams over long playing times. But let's take the challenge even further: the buttons on your arcade stick need to be changed and you won't. Do not know which brand to choose to replace them? Despite a striking resemblance, the main difference is in the hardness of the buttons. You prefer them flexible to link More easily your sequences? Go for Sanwa. For a more felt pressure, choose the Seimitsu. Tastes and colors.

To Conclude…

Making a decision about buying an arcade stick is not easy. Many models exist, each with their characteristics, qualities, and faults. Whether you are a noob or a Stunfest veteran, the differences are big enough to cast doubt on the player's mind.

But here's the most important thing to remember: if you have two left hands and budget isn't an issue, go for a high-end arcade pad. It will hold up over time and will need very little modification. If you are poor but for you Sunday is DIY, then opt for a mid-range model that is easily customizable and which will offer you a real feeling of play during your sessions on Street Fighter with friends (or future ex-friends)