PS3 Arcade Sticks

[Fappy]

As many fans of the franchise know by now, Blazblue: Chrono Phantasma is unfortunately a PS3 exclusive (damn you, Arksys!). Having played fighting games on the 360 for the entirety of this gen, I obviously don't have a PS3 arcade stick. I know there's a method for modding 360 sticks to be compatible with PS3's, but honestly, my current stick simply ain't worth the effort. For those of you who have experience with PS3 sticks, do you have any recommendations? My budget is flexible, but I don't really want to drop $200 on a professional tournament stick if I can help it.

I still don't actually own a PS3, but when I do get one I'll be picking up Blazblue: Continuum Shift Extend to prime myself for CP. Let me know if any of you PS3 BB fans out there want to throw down (I'm mediocre at best).

Bang/Noel/Lamda/Valk player!

Oh yeah, discussion value you say? How about this: arcade sticks, yay or nay? A lot of casual fighting game fans recoil at the idea of using an arcade stick. IIRC it took me quite awhile to get used to them myself. For high-level play, most would say arcade sticks are a necessity (depends on the game imo). What do you folks think?

 

[Username Redacted]

Madcatz's Soul Calibur V arcade stick can be found for ~$100. There are also a couple of models of Hori joysticks that can be found for reasonably cheap (less than $100).

For high level play it's whatever is more comfortable for the player. About the only advantages that an arcade stick affords is that they're universal and more durable.

 

[Fappy]

Madcatz's Soul Calibur V arcade stick can be found for ~$100. There are also a couple of models of Hori joysticks that can be found for reasonably cheap (less than $100).

For high level play it's whatever is more comfortable for the player. About the only advantages that an arcade stick affords is that they're universal and more durable.

Probably won't go for the SCV stick simply because I am not a huge fan of the series. I got my current Tekken stick because it was an offer I couldn't refuse (included the game, stick and strategy guide, all new for only $50), but if I had a choice I'd prefer something more generic. Unfortunately all of the limited edition sticks I would want are astronomically expensive due to rarity.

Also, I actually just found this awesome guide to building your own linked from the Dustloop forums: http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick.html

I probably won't be building my own anytime soon (seems like a huge time commitment), but it sounds like it'd be an awesome personal project to do at some point.

 

[Ritualist]

Madcatz's Soul Calibur V arcade stick can be found for ~$100. There are also a couple of models of Hori joysticks that can be found for reasonably cheap (less than $100).

For high level play it's whatever is more comfortable for the player. About the only advantages that an arcade stick affords is that they're universal and more durable.

I bought the SCV stick when it was still 200 USD and I love it. It's got just the amount of weight I want, and it's responsiveness is just about perfect. Good button spacing, and plenty of switches for fun times.

I just bought a Hori mini stick and it's coming in the mail, but if this topic is still around I'll let you know if it's any good around like Saturday or so. (And when you get your PS3 pick up TTT2 and teach me how to play. I'm absolute garbage at it XD.)

Building your own is a cheap, but a difficult way to go. If you're worried about money though it's the best investment.

Sticks will almost never truly be cheap, unless they're a special that never sold very well. I really can't stress enough how big of a deal the SCV Hori stick is though. At 100 dollars it's extremely high quality parts and make for what is pretty much pennies compared to other sticks.

 

[Fappy]

Madcatz's Soul Calibur V arcade stick can be found for ~$100. There are also a couple of models of Hori joysticks that can be found for reasonably cheap (less than $100).

For high level play it's whatever is more comfortable for the player. About the only advantages that an arcade stick affords is that they're universal and more durable.

I bought the SCV stick when it was still 200 USD and I love it. It's got just the amount of weight I want, and it's responsiveness is just about perfect. Good button spacing, and plenty of switches for fun times.

I just bought a Hori mini stick and it's coming in the mail, but if this topic is still around I'll let you know if it's any good around like Saturday or so. (And when you get your PS3 pick up TTT2 and teach me how to play. I'm absolute garbage at it XD.)

Building your own is a cheap, but a difficult way to go. If you're worried about money though it's the best investment.

Sticks will almost never truly be cheap, unless they're a special that never sold very well. I really can't stress enough how big of a deal the SCV Hori stick is though. At 100 dollars it's extremely high quality parts and make for what is pretty much pennies compared to other sticks.

Hmmmm, if you think it's that good I may have to reconsider. I can get over art I don't care for as it really just comes down to function in the end. I think the hardest part about building your own stick would be deciding on the art XD

 

[Ritualist]

Hmmmm, if you think it's that good I may have to reconsider. I can get over art I don't care for as it really just comes down to function in the end. I think the hardest part about building your own stick would be deciding on the art XD

Only real issue is it's just a box. There's no special finishing touches for shape or anything, which probably also accounts for it's price.

 

[Fappy]

As many fans of the franchise know by now, Blazblue: Chrono Phantasma is unfortunately a PS3 exclusive (damn you, Arksys!). Having played fighting games on the 360 for the entirety of this gen, I obviously don't have a PS3 arcade stick. I know there's a method for modding 360 sticks to be compatible with PS3's, but honestly, my current stick simply ain't worth the effort. For those of you who have experience with PS3 sticks, do you have any recommendations? My budget is flexible, but I don't really want to drop $200 on a professional tournament stick if I can help it.

I still don't actually own a PS3, but when I do get one I'll be picking up Blazblue: Continuum Shift Extend to prime myself for CP. Let me know if any of you PS3 BB fans out there want to throw down (I'm mediocre at best).

Bang/Noel/Lamda/Valk player!

Oh yeah, discussion value you say? How about this: arcade sticks, yay or nay? A lot of casual fighting game fans recoil at the idea of using an arcade stick. IIRC it took me quite awhile to get used to them myself. For high-level play, most would say arcade sticks are a necessity (depends on the game imo). What do you folks think?

As someone who loves Skull Girls, Dead or Alive, Guilty Gear, and Mortal Kombat, would I enjoy Blazblue? I am thinking of picking this up, but am unsure...

Also, aren't most Fight Stick USB available as well? Can't you just plug it in? Both of my prior Fightsticks were USB that I could use on Wii U/PS3/360/PC

If you like Guilty Gear you'll like Blazblue. Same developer, same quality OST, similar mechanics, etc. Definitely my favorite fighting game franchise out there.

As for USB sticks, I honestly don't know. The one stick I have ever owned was wireless.

 

[Rutabaga_swe]

Madcatz's Soul Calibur V arcade stick can be found for ~$100. There are also a couple of models of Hori joysticks that can be found for reasonably cheap (less than $100).

For high level play it's whatever is more comfortable for the player. About the only advantages that an arcade stick affords is that they're universal and more durable.

Probably won't go for the SCV stick simply because I am not a huge fan of the series. I got my current Tekken stick because it was an offer I couldn't refuse (included the game, stick and strategy guide, all new for only $50), but if I had a choice I'd prefer something more generic. Unfortunately all of the limited edition sticks I would want are astronomically expensive due to rarity.

Also, I actually just found this awesome guide to building your own linked from the Dustloop forums: http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick.html

I probably won't be building my own anytime soon (seems like a huge time commitment), but it sounds like it'd be an awesome personal project to do at some point.

Is that the wireless one that you got with some version of Tekken 6? If that's what you are playing on you can basically buy any old piece of crap stick out there, because that was one of the worst ones i've ever used.

The cheapest way to get a decent stick is to buy a cheap one and then mod it with custom buttons/stick. A bit of work, but will surely keep the price down, and you'll get the components you want as opposed to what Madcatz or Hori decides to put in. Be a bit wary of the Hori stick in the same line as the Hori FS3, as the housing is a bit too small for sanwa sticks from what i know. One guide i saw dremeled the bottom metal plate out to get the stick to move without scraping against it. If you don't want to mod yourself i think most Hori sticks are alright straight out of the box. Not fantastic, but alright.

 

[Flutterguy]

Just something to point out. I personally find a basic stick with 8 buttons, then get sticker paper, make a collage of my interest in photoshop, print it out of the stickers, cut them to size, use spray glue to meld them with the controller.

You will get props for having a sick custom fight stick. Save money. Get women.

 

[Naeras]

I'm using a Qanba BigBen, a stick I mainly bought because it functions on both PS3, Xbox 360 and PC, and I'm very happy with it. It's solid and responsive, all Sanwa-parts, and both the buttons and the stick feels very good. The position of the start button and the lack of a switch to turn off the start button are my only actual complaints.

I also know a couple of other people who have this stick, so I've heard some other opinions on it, mostly good ones. One guy complained that the stick got somewhat loose after a year and a half of use, but he was kind of.. violent in his motions, so that was more because of him than anything else.

Spoiler: Here's a picture of the thing straight after I unboxed it. So pwetty.

Also, MadCatz-sticks generally work just fine. I prefer the Qanba to my MadCatz, but that's mostly personal preference.

..yes, I have two arcade sticks.
In case one breaks.
..I need my fighting games. :<

 

[Flutterguy]

As for USB sticks, I honestly don't know. The one stick I have ever owned was wireless.

Use wired controllers if you game competitively. Not sure of exact numbers but it cuts down input lag, not to mention saves money.

 

[Fappy]

As for USB sticks, I honestly don't know. The one stick I have ever owned was wireless.

Use wired controllers if you game competitively. Not sure of exact numbers but it cuts down input lag, not to mention saves money.

Didn't have much of a choice first time around, but I am generally a cord kind of guy and would definitely prefer USB over wireless.

Madcatz's Soul Calibur V arcade stick can be found for ~$100. There are also a couple of models of Hori joysticks that can be found for reasonably cheap (less than $100).

For high level play it's whatever is more comfortable for the player. About the only advantages that an arcade stick affords is that they're universal and more durable.

Probably won't go for the SCV stick simply because I am not a huge fan of the series. I got my current Tekken stick because it was an offer I couldn't refuse (included the game, stick and strategy guide, all new for only $50), but if I had a choice I'd prefer something more generic. Unfortunately all of the limited edition sticks I would want are astronomically expensive due to rarity.

Also, I actually just found this awesome guide to building your own linked from the Dustloop forums: http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick.html

I probably won't be building my own anytime soon (seems like a huge time commitment), but it sounds like it'd be an awesome personal project to do at some point.

Is that the wireless one that you got with some version of Tekken 6? If that's what you are playing on you can basically buy any old piece of crap stick out there, because that was one of the worst ones i've ever used.

The cheapest way to get a decent stick is to buy a cheap one and then mod it with custom buttons/stick. A bit of work, but will surely keep the price down, and you'll get the components you want as opposed to what Madcatz or Hori decides to put in. Be a bit wary of the Hori stick in the same line as the Hori FS3, as the housing is a bit too small for sanwa sticks from what i know. One guide i saw dremeled the bottom metal plate out to get the stick to move without scraping against it. If you don't want to mod yourself i think most Hori sticks are alright straight out of the box. Not fantastic, but alright.

That's the one. Now you know why I am not bothering modding it for PS3

It's not great, but I make it work. Definitely looking for something of higher quality now, however.

OT: These are all great suggestions btw!

 

[GoaThief]

/snip

I recently bought this switchable PS3/360/PC [http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00361GDJM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1383848385&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165] fight stick for £34.

It works flawlessly however the buttons are not of the highest quality and are a bit spongey for my tastes but these are easily modable by dropping in quality 28mm Korean Crown buttons as a direct replacement which will set you back something like two dollars a piece if you shop around. You can get 30mm buttons in easily too as it just needs a bit of filing around a handily notched rim, so that covers the hori heads and the like.

The stick is much better though and I'm really happy to keep that for quite some time. It's a traditional Japanese square gate so you may want to drop in a octagonal gate, which again is pretty easy to do. Also, there's step by step guides with photos for all that and more on Shoyruken.

Bargain stick if you ask me, standard is fine for those starting out yet extremely flexible for modders who only want the top quality shiz. And it working on both PS3/360, and by extension PC (which is what I use it on most) is just crazy good value which was only previously reserved for top end sticks. The price is worth that functionality alone, I heard of a few people buying it just for that and putting the motherboard into their previously favourite built sticks.

Oh yes, quick heads up regarding instructions which are shit - you don't have to use the PS3 mode when connecting to a PC. I don't due to the 360 controller being more compatible with Steam Big Picture and everything works exactly as expected.

 

[Rutabaga_swe]

/snip

I recently bought this switchable PS3/360/PC [http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00361GDJM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1383848385&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165] fight stick for £34.

It works flawlessly however the buttons are not of the highest quality and are a bit spongey for my tastes but these are easily modable by dropping in quality 28mm Korean Crown buttons as a direct replacement which will set you back something like two dollars a piece if you shop around. You can get 30mm buttons in easily too as it just needs a bit of filing around a handily notched rim, so that covers the hori heads and the like.

The stick is much better though and I'm really happy to keep that for quite some time. It's a traditional Japanese square gate so you may want to drop in a octagonal gate, which again is pretty easy to do. Also, there's step by step guides with photos for all that and more on Shoyruken.

Bargain stick if you ask me, standard is fine for those starting out yet extremely flexible for modders who only want the top quality shiz. And it working on both PS3/360, and by extension PC (which is what I use it on most) is just crazy good value which was only previously reserved for top end sticks. The price is worth that functionality alone, I heard of a few people buying it just for that and putting the motherboard into their previously favourite built sticks.

Oh yes, quick heads up regarding instructions which are shit - you don't have to use the PS3 mode when connecting to a PC. I don't due to the 360 controller being more compatible with Steam Big Picture and everything works exactly as expected.

That stick is terrible as is. It's good for modding but pretty shit otherwise. I'd never recommend buying it unless modding is your intention. Terrible travel and stiffness on the stick, and the worst crap buttons ever, hori stock buttons are way better and that says quite a lot. Modding is the reason i bought it, though in the end i never did mod it. It just collected dust for a month or two, then i gave it away, lol

Also why would you ever out a oct-gate on a stick for fighting? :|

 

[Maximum Bert]

I usually use pad for 4 button 2D Nethersoft and 3D fighters but for 6 button 2D fighters I tend to use a Hitbox although I am still not completely used to it. I have tried fightpads (hated them) and own the Madcatz TE SCV arcade stick and its perfectly fine but for me I am most comfortable using a standard PS3/360 pad and Hitbox.

 

[GoaThief]

Also why would you ever out a oct-gate on a stick for fighting? :|

In the US octagonal gates are standard on sticks produced there (or were, not looked into it for some time). I have no preference either way for fighting to be honest, diagonals on square gates can be a pain when making a switch back though.

Agree the buttons are easily the worst part (they are functional at least) but the stick is OK for a while, no real big criticisms as of yet. As a starter stick I think it's pretty sweet for what you're paying and it lays a good foundation for the future. People who aren't sure if a stick is for them don't want to spend £100+ on something they may not even like so I think it's a pretty good choice overall. Not forgetting the finer points of an expensive stick might well be totally lost on a beginner.

There is the old theory too that if you can get good on tools which aren't the greatest, when you earn the quality ones your output will improve even further making your final product better than it would have otherwise been.

 

[Rutabaga_swe]

Yeah, i'm just saying that basically a Hori FS3 is better, for around 30 bucks. Sure, it only works on PS3 but it has both better buttons and better stick, by quite a large margin. The big down side being that it kinda sucks for modding, obviously. All i'm saying is that avoid that Datel stick unless you are going to mod it, because you can find better sticks for the same price.

I have to agree that you don't need a 400 dollar custom build job for your first stick though. A Cheaper Hori or something is fine. There are, however, a lot of really shitty sticks out there that will just hold you back. On a side note, this guy obviously already plays with a stick, so there is no question about whether he'll like it or not, just a matter of how much he wants to spend on a controller.

Again, for a cheap but still decent entry-level stick i'd go with a Hori FS3. Also i tried the Hori FS Mini at a friends house, and it was surprisingly good for its small size. Nothing i'd want to game on permanently, but actually quite decent.

 

[CaptainMidlands]

I use a Hitbox (http://www.hitboxarcade.com/), takes some getting used to but i would never go back. Spent months trying to get used to my Madcatz SF4 stick but just couldn't do it. 1 week on the Hitbox and i was back on form

Other than that, i actually find a few fighters easier to play with a controller (UMvC3 i'm looking at you) and I've had some success using my Japanese Saturn Controller and a converter (though its not perfect)

Seriously though don't feel pressured in to a stick, it doesn't improve you as a player and its not a requirement. Many of the worlds top players still use a Pad and do just fine, you should be using a stick because it helps you and not because you have too

 

[krazykidd]

I use a Hitbox (http://www.hitboxarcade.com/), takes some getting used to but i would never go back. Spent months trying to get used to my Madcatz SF4 stick but just couldn't do it. 1 week on the Hitbox and i was back on form

Other than that, i actually find a few fighters easier to play with a controller (UMvC3 i'm looking at you) and I've had some success using my Japanese Saturn Controller and a converter (though its not perfect)

Seriously though don't feel pressured in to a stick, it doesn't improve you as a player and its not a requirement. Many of the worlds top players still use a Pad and do just fine, you should be using a stick because it helps you and not because you have too

You find it easier to play on a controller than a stick for UMVC3? You are truely a god among men, i bought a stick soley to be able to play that game decently.

OT: buy a converter. It's cheaper , only problem may be some input lag. Not a lot (we are talking of a fraction of a second) but it's there .

I personally use the SCV stick and love it.