With record numbers of people tuning in to watch tournaments like Evolution and other major events, chances are you know (or are) someone who wants to get into the action but isn’t quite sure where to begin. This series of articles won’t do much for veteran players, but if you have a friend that you’re trying to share the fighting game hobby with and they’re asking questions like “What’s the difference between an arcade stick and a Fightstick?” or otherwise making it clear they’re at square one, this should help them get started.

These articles will cover different aspects of competitive play: What equipment to buy, which games to pick up, how to improve your play, and what to expect when traveling to tournaments. Today’s article covers which controllers to look at, where to buy them, and how much you should budget for it.

Which System’s Controllers do I Need? What is my Price Range?

The answer to the first question depends on where you’re going to be playing. If you’re sticking to local events, you need only learn which system the group will be using and get a controller for that console. If you’re going to a larger event or plan to travel nationwide to attend several tournaments, you would either need one controller for the Xbox 360 and one for the Playstation 3, or get a ‘dual mod’ controller that can be used on both systems.

Controllers will run you anywhere from “I already own one” for the system’s default controller, to $30-$60 USD for entry grade models. Mid-grade options exist in the $60-$80 USD range, and you can pay $100 USD or more for top of the line retail models and custom made sticks. This article will go over the least expensive options first, and work its way up to the most costly choices.

A few other quick notes: Many of the controllers in this article offer turbo-fire, but it is banned at many events. You can bring a turbo-equipped controller, but you must not use the turbo settings. Further, most tournaments ban wireless controllers or require you to follow certain rules for their use; check ahead of time with the event organizer. Finally, for those wondering about the difference between an ‘arcade stick’ and a ‘Fightstick’, the answer is simple: ‘arcade stick’ refers to the broad controller type featuring a joystick and large buttons, while ‘Fightstick’ is a name used by Mad Catz to refer to their line of arcade sticks. You can buy either one and be ready to play, as there are no events that are ‘Fightstick-only’; if a Fightstick is allowed then most other arcade sticks are also permitted.

Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 default controller

Left: Microsoft Xbox 360 Controller. Right: Sony Playstation 3 Controller. Images not to scale.

Overview: This is an unpopular choice, but not an impossible one. You will see a few people at any given tournament using a first-party pad (usually a wired one) and some of them even manage to place pretty highly. If you can overcome the problems that arise from playing a game that expects arcade-style controls with something that is decidedly very different from them, you can win using a regular controller. Players such as DMG Inthul offer proof with this Fei Long performance:

Price: Most Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 systems come with at least one for free. Otherwise approx. $30 to $50 depending on where you buy it and what model of controller it is.

Pro: Generally the least expensive option (you probably already own one), very familiar if you play any other video games at all.

Con: Fighting games are typically built around arcade style controls, which have some mechanical differences from normal controllers. Many players understandably have trouble bridging the gap between these two factors, requiring them to get a specialized fighting game controller instead.

Sega Saturn style Gamepads and Similar

A Mad Catz ‘Fightpad’

Overview: With six face buttons and two shoulder buttons, various ‘updated clones’ of the Sega Saturn controller are suited for fighting game play. While the directional pad is not ideal for certain players and characters, it is generally functional and pretty affordable if you’re just testing the waters before you fully jump in. Despite their value as an entry-grade controller to competitive play, many people later move on to a full arcade stick.

Price: $30 to $40. Please note that some out of production models can go for as high as $80, which may be more than they’re really worth to the player.

Examples: Mad Catz Fightpad and Brawlpad, PDP Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Fightpad, Hori Fighting Commander, various other copies of the Sega Saturn controller layout.

Pro: Most inexpensive choice for a controller built specifically for fighting games. Very portable; can fit in some pockets if necessary. Makes a good ‘backup controller’ if your main stick is lost or damaged during a tournament.

Con: Some models are wireless-only and may be prohibited at certain events. Often uses a directional pad instead of a joystick, which some users have trouble coping with for ‘charge’ (hold one direction, press in another after a few seconds) motions. Particularly noticed for some charge down, up motions.

Reliability Concern: Users seem to have wildly different experiences with these kinds of controllers. The author owns two that work perfectly to this day and knows others who have had similarly positive results, but has also heard from many who had their ‘Fightpad’ style controllers break in just a few months of use. You may wish to do additional research before buying one of these sorts of products.

Entry-grade Arcade Sticks

A Hori EX2 Arcade Stick

Overview: Probably the best compromise between cost and performance, most players will do just fine on an entry-grade stick. If you want to get a taste of how a player on the best equipment feels and competes, without risking too much money if you decide this isn’t for you, then the lower-end Hori and Mad Catz sticks are the way to go. Among them, I personally favor the Hori sticks a little more; they tend to cost a tad less and be a little better in play, but both manufacturers make acceptable sticks in this range. Just note that you’ll almost certainly have to do some digging around online to find one, as most sticks of this type are rare or have been out of production for a while.

Price: $40 to $70. Some models are out of production and may have to be acquired on the secondary market; eBay, Amazon used item sellers, etc.

Examples: Hori EX2 and offshoots (Hori Dead or Alive 4 and several other models use the same ‘six face buttons and a joystick’ design), Mad Catz Collector’s Edition (often informally called ‘Standard Edition’ or ‘SE’) Fightstick.

Pro: Least expensive way to get arcade style controls that will hold up well in play. Mad Catz ‘SE’ is considered an excellent platform for making custom sticks if you wish to go this route, provided you can find one at a good price. Most of these are relatively small and light for an arcade stick, making them easier to take with you to an event.

Con: Cheaper buttons and other parts may wear out sooner, or may not feel as good in play compared to top of the line models. Secondary market prices for some models, particularly the Mad Catz ‘SE’, are all over the place; don’t pay $150+ for these even if they’re new in box, you can get a top-notch stick for that kind of money.

Mid-grade Arcade Sticks

A Mad Catz Brawlstick

Overview: The other ‘compromise’ stick type, these designs usually keep the compact form of entry-grade models while improving parts quality but also costing more as a result. This is a rather niche market to target, so mid-grade sticks are few in design and somewhat rare. Still, it may be ‘just right’ for certain players and offers good enough quality without spending every possible dollar. While finding the Brawlstick is fairly easy, locating Hori’s mid-grade models will require some digging online; don’t be afraid to ask for advice on SRK’s Tech Talk forums.

Price: $70 to $90.

Examples: Mad Catz WWE All-Stars Brawlstick. Some Hori sticks also qualify as these, though opinions seem to vary as to which ones; the Hori VX and Fighting Stick V3 might be examples.

Pro: Good performance for the price you pay, usually the same size as entry-grade sticks so they’re fairly portable compared to their full-sized peers.

Con: You’re paying only a little bit less than a top-notch stick would cost. If you’re willing to wait for a sale or other special promotion, you can probably get an even better stick for only slightly more money than a mid-grade stick.

Top-end Retail Sticks

Left: Mad Catz Tournament Edition (“TE”) Fightstick. Right: Hori VLX. Images not to scale.

Overview: Chances are, these are the sticks you see most often when watching a tournament stream. Many pro players go with these sort of sticks because they know they’re getting a great controller right out of the box (and if it doesn’t work right, it has a warranty so they’ll be taken care of). Many of them boast a true arcade button layout and actual arcade cabinet parts, so players can use these for a familiar feel. While very expensive, it’s a reliable and worthwhile choice if you’re serious about competitive play.

Price: Usually $140 to $160. The most expensive imported Hori sticks can cost $200 or more! Note that both manufacturers sometimes run special sales during tournaments; see the “Misc. Topics” section near the end of this article for more details.

Examples: All Mad Catz “Tournament Edition” (‘TE’) model sticks (there are numerous designs that share the same basic features), Hori VLX, some Hori Real Arcade Pro series, similar Hori models.

Pro: The best possible performance out of a retail stick. Large size also reduces ‘stick slide’ during play. Well proven choice, used by many successful players.

Con: Very expensive. Large size and weight means they require special considerations for travel, such as purchasing a stick bag or making careful padding arrangements in your luggage.

Hit Box, similar ‘keyboard layout’ sticks

Overview: Also known as the “stickless arcade stick,” the Hit Box is an unusual controller that is nonetheless effective once mastered. Designed to offer the advantages of a keyboard style layout and input, which can make it easier or faster to do certain things. While the Hit Box requires extra training to use well, its unique traits are worth considering. Time will tell whether it ever truly replaces the traditional arcade stick, but people are starting to win tournaments with the Hit Box (or similar controllers) and they are a valid choice.

Price: Roughly $160 plus shipping via HitBoxArcade.com

Examples: Hit Box, independent copies thereof (almost always individually made, custom sticks).

Note: The name ‘Hit Box’ is a play upon the fighting game concept of ‘hitboxes’, which are invisible areas used by the game to determine how attacks interact with one another. Take care not to confuse these concepts.

Pro: Its design offers some inherent advantages that can’t be duplicated on a traditional joystick. Tutorials on its use are available on the manufacturer’s website and Youtube.

Con: Unusual design requires time and practice to learn. Currently made by small specialty companies and individual custom stick makers, meaning you’ll likely wind up on a waiting list in order to receive one.

Custom Sticks

A Project GiantSword Custom Stick

Overview: Perhaps none of the retail or ‘standard custom’ designs above appeal to you. In that case, you still have the option of building your own stick or hiring an expert to do it for you. If you want to stand out with a stick whose look suits your interests and thoughts, whose layout and number of buttons fit exactly what you want, this is the way to go. It’s probably the most costly route, but you’ll generally get what you pay for. The best parts, the best craftsmanship done by an expert instead of the assembly line, and custom-applied art are all par for the course here. This is your stick, and not just something out of a retail box.

Price: Varies wildly. Could be as low as the cost of frame, parts, and your time if doing it yourself or could get as high as $200 or more for top-end sticks made by an expert. Doing it yourself requires significant electronics/wiring skills and study, so will require several hours of your time.

Examples: Too many to list. Check SRK’s Trading Outlet and Tech Talk forums for examples, lists of vendors, etc.

Pro: You will get a stick made to your unique needs. Want special art? No problem. Need the joystick moved a little to the left? That’s entirely possible. Need to reverse which sides the buttons and stick are on? That can probably be arranged. This is also the best way to get American-style controls if Japanese-style sticks (which most retail offerings are) do not appeal to you. Additionally, most dual-mod sticks are custom jobs.

Con: You’ll almost certainly be paying a little more than you would for an equivalent retail stick; someone is doing this work by hand and has to be paid for their labor, plus shipping costs, etc. If you do it yourself to save money, it will be a time-consuming project. As you are buying from an individual or very small company, then the transaction is done at your own risk; search around to find reliable sellers.

What is Dual-Modding? Do I Need a Dual-Mod Stick?

‘Dual-mod’ refers to an arcade stick that has been built for use on both the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. Most retail sticks aren’t dual-modded because they are products sold under license from Microsoft or Sony, and they have no interest in having peripherals be compatible with the competitor’s game system. Thus most major manufacturers, faced between either selling unlicensed peripherals or having the increased exposure of a licensed product, will choose to just make separate products for each system.

This can be a problem since some tournaments use one system and not the other. You could research well in advance which events will be using which system and just buy one stick that covers most of them. Or if you want to be certain you covered all your bases, you could buy one stick for each system and bring the right one with you to each tournament. That’s certainly an option, but it’s a very expensive choice if you go the ‘two sticks’ route. If you’re willing to shop around, there is an option that might serve you better: getting a dual-mod stick. Since most dual-mods wouldn’t be licensed peripherals, they’re usually made by smaller companies and individual custom stick makers.

Because of this, while a dual-mod stick may save you money in the long run you should understand up front that you will pay more for it on a per-stick basis; someone has to get the extra parts necessary to make your stick dual-system compatible and test it to ensure it works right. Shop around and find someone who can do it at a good price, but understand that it will cost more to have it done right.

Also, be careful who you buy a dual-mod stick from. An improperly built stick can short out the controller ports on a game system, and the organizer is probably going to hold you liable for the damages if your stick does this. Do your research and make sure you get a dual-mod stick from someone with a good reputation for making safe, reliable controllers.

(Optional) Stick Bags

A Mad Catz ‘Messenger’ Stick Bag

Overview: Meant to carry your stick plus a few games, these are travel accessories rather than something one absolutely needs in order to play. You probably don’t need a stick bag if you’re just going down the street to play at a friend’s house or at a local small tournament. One might even be able to get away with just putting the stick in a backpack or suitcase if you pad it properly. Yet if you have a high-value stick and want a purpose-built way to carry it, a stick bag is a good choice.

Price: Varies by manufacturer and model. Expect to pay $20 to $60.

Examples: Numerous, ranging from Mad Catz’ Messenger and Carrier to SRK-branded bags (many of which are no longer in production and have to be acquired on the secondary market. Shop around!), misc. others.

Pro: Purpose-built to fit an arcade stick, usually with padding to protect the buttons and joystick. Generally looks better than improvised carrying methods.

Con: Not strictly necessary for some players and events; you may be able to get by without one. Also some bags only fit specific models or brands of stick. Very few bags are big enough to hold Hori’s larger model sticks.

Special: Due to the above, you should research your bag of choice to ensure it will fit the stick you want. Nothing is worse than spending another $20 to $60 only to find out it doesn’t even hold the stick you wanted.

Where to Buy

Some of these controllers can be found in any typical video game store, especially the less expensive ones. Others are best found on Amazon, Ebay, or other similar sites. In many cases, the manufacturer may be willing to sell them directly to you through their online store; Hori’s US store and Mad Catz’ store are included below. They also run promotions from time to time, particularly during tournaments; watching for promo codes can be a nice way to score a discount on your controller of choice!

Hori – http://www.hori.jp/us/

Mad Catz – http://store.madcatz.com

Custom Sticks – Can often be found on our forums in the Trading Outlet and Tech Talk areas.

Misc. Topics

It’s possible you have a few other questions, and I’ve tried to address the most likely ones below.

What about the Wii? Doesn’t it have some good fighting games and controllers?: Yes, on both counts. However, they do not see widespread play. You’ll find some side events for Tatsunoko vs. Capcom or Guilty Gear (among others) on occasion, but it’s rare to see them as major tournament games these days. If you’re interested in these games and have found a local circle to regularly play them, the Mad Catz Tatsunoko vs. Capcom Fightstick and Hori Fighting Stick Wii are decent controller choices. You should note that both are treated as Classic Controllers by the Wii, so you’ll probably need to bring a Wii Remote (and batteries).

What about stick raffles?: Tournament streams often run these to help cover their costs, at a going rate of about $10 per entry. Understand that only one person out of a large audience is going to win the stick, since it is essentially a lottery or raffle drawing as the term implies. You’re free to enter one and doing so is a fine way to support the community, but doing this with the serious expectation you’ll acquire your first stick this way is absurd; the odds are way against you.

Are stream promos worth keeping an eye open for?: Definitely. While not every tournament has them, most of the larger events that are sponsored by Mad Catz or Hori will run a ‘during the tournament’ online sale. Pay attention during intermissions, as a commentator or screen overlay may share a promo code with you. Use these at the relevant manufacturer’s online store while the competition is running and you can score a pretty good discount on various controllers. Depending on the exact details of the sale, already inexpensive controllers can become casually affordable while top-end models can see their daunting prices become a little easier to stomach. That said, it’s hard to know when exactly such promotions will happen and how much of a discount they’ll provide, so it may not be worth waiting for weeks or months on end for the perfect deal.

Conclusion

As you can see, you have no shortage of options ranging from budget model sticks and gamepads to top-notch retail and custom sticks, with choices in between as well. However, please understand that fighting game controllers are not going to automatically make you a better player. You could buy a $1,000 arcade stick and still lose every single match if you don’t study your character, learn the game, and play well. A fighting game controller is an enabler; it lets you use the skills you have developed by giving you controls that match what the game and genre were designed around. It is not a substitute for skill and knowledge, so you must be ready to put in practice time along with your money if you expect to do well.

Future installments will look at which games see active play, how to improve at fighting games (both in general as well as specific titles and characters), and what to expect in your travel to tournaments.

[header image via ProtocolSnow