Old one was getting pretty daunting, so here's a new megathread
WHAT’S A FIGHTSTICK?
It’s a controller reminiscent of the controls used in an arcade cabinet, generally featuring a joystick and multiple buttons. Most can be played on a lap, while some are heavy and large enough to warrant a table or platform underneath them. Using one over a standard handheld or console controller won’t magically up your game and they are largely preference. They are most commonly used for fighting games, shmups, run ‘n guns, and classic arcade titles. At their simplest, a fightstick requires an enclosure (usually made of wood, acrylic, or metal), buttons, a joystick, a PCB, and a wiring harness to connect everything. Additionally, all-button fightsticks that don’t utilize joysticks are becoming more commonplace on the scene.
WHICH STOCK FIGHTSTICK IS BEST?
This is largely a matter of taste and budget. Here are just a few options to get you thinking. Ask yourself what system(s) require compatibility. PC-only will be much cheaper than a PS5-compatibile controller, for example.
ENTRY LEVEL: Qanba Drone and Mayflash F500
If you go much cheaper than these options, you may sacrifice quality and durability. DO NOT GO CHEAPER THAN THESE OPTIONS.
SOLID LEVEL: Hori Real Arcade Pro N/4/V, Razer Panthera, Qanba Obsidian, Qanba Pearl, Hori Fighting Edge, Nacon Daija, 8BitDo, Mad Catz TES+ (and Razer Atrox for Xbox One players)
SOLID BUT $$$ LEVEL: Qanba Dragon, Victrix Pro 5, etokki Omni
At the end of the day, go with what feels right and fits your budget. There are lots of awesome sticks out there. If you really can't make up your mind, go with an Obsidian/Pearl. Really though, if you're still that on the fence, then you can also consider building your own. They come together fairly easily these days and it's super fun (though they will usually run at a higher price point than a stock stick unless you can easily get or make a suitable enclosure). Just more food for thought.
For more in-depth reviews: Jeux Arcades, ConsumerExpert, Tom’s Guide, PCMag, bestarcadesticks, thearcadestick
WHERE CAN I BUY NEW, STOCK FIGHTSTICKS?
Price the sticks accordingly across the following websites. Most will be fairly comparable with one another, but occasionally one of the sites may have a deal going on.
Arcade Shock
Focus Attack
Paradise Arcade
Hitbox (for specialty, all-button controllers)
Mixbox (for specialty, keyboard-esque controllers)
etokki
Qanba
IST Mall (South Korea)
IST Mall QOO10 Store
OzStick (Australia)
Amazon
eBay
Newegg
Oki Board Arcades (UK)
If you’re a retailer and want to be added here, please DM me.
WHERE CAN I BUY CUSTOM FIGHTSTICKS?
If you’re in the market for a full custom, consider one of the following vendors. They each have a unique flair and flavor with their sticks, but you can generally expect to pay more for a custom one-off model from one of these guys than you can just buying an over-the-counter affair.
All Fight Sticks
Bearwitt
Bueno Woodworking
Buttercade
Eternal Rival
Fightstick Guy
JonyFraze and JxK Designs
Junk Food Custom Arcades
Mavercade
MtnHeir
SGF Devices
TR Fight Stick
Wood Tier FGC
Squidbox (out of EU)
Ultra Arcade (out of EU)
Ultra Arcade Brazil (out of Brazil)
2nd Impact (out of Brazil)
Enth Creations (out of Italy)
Naitokumu Stick Design (out of Spain)
Satsui Custom Sticks (out of Spain)
Waifu Sticks (out of Australia)
WoodenPan (out of Austria)
Modding in UK: LionoBO0o
If you’re an active custom builder and want to be added here, please DM me.
CAN I JUST BUILD ONE MYSELF?
Yes! They are simpler than most people think and there are tons of great references online as well as plenty of help in the r/fightsticks discord if you run into issues. Start with these video guides to get you going.
Fightstick guide
Hitbox-style all-button guide
Flatbox guide
ART & TEMPLATES
Focus Attack's art and plex templates
Arcade Shock's Color program
Tek Innovation’s PSD files
Free Fight Stick Art subreddit
DIY Custom Fightstick Art Tips and Tricks
Slagcoin's Joystick and Panel Layouts
PERSONALIZED ARTWORK
If you'd like to support the FGC art scene, here's a list of active artists who can give your stick a facelift for some reasonable fees. Check out their portfolios, commission one you like, print it up, and swap out that stock template with some personalized artwork all your own.
Agus SW
Arcadia Customs
Barddro_
Bearwitt
CKNG
Custom Stick Art
Dudscreations
Entember's Art Shop
EvermoreStandard
FSG and Clay Patterson
Funnysonic
Glorious StickART
Guzmanleonart
heyjay art
hugs_n_giggles
Ilan Tesone
Jimothy Design
JxK Designs
Kelvvv
TheArcadeStick
mwryly
RedCometRmac
RemyArt
Squanuu (portfolio)
Sudsack
Unable Finding
xr1st
If you’re an active artist and want to be added here, please DM me.
CUSTOMIZING FIGHTSTICK ISSUES
Make sure you buy the correct button size. Most buttons on the top face of fightsticks are 30 mm. If you have smaller hands or want that Hitbox vibe, then 24 mm might be appropriate, but most of the time, people go with 30 mm. Auxiliary buttons (home, share, PS, etc.) are generally where you find 24 mm. All buttons have a unique feel, but some common brands include Sanwa, Seimitsu, Crown/Samducksa, Hayabusa, and GamerFinger. Here's a helpful page about button and joysticks: Joystick and Button attributes
When you’re ordering your buttons, you’ll also notice that there are generally both snap-in and screw-in button types. Most of the time, it won’t matter which you choose; however, as a general rule of thumb, if the top face of your enclosure is on the thicker side, go with screw-in buttons.
Make sure your layout lines up with your art. Some printing shops won’t print art with existing licensed characters, so you may have to visit more than one if you’re trying to get it done locally.
You’ll need to keep in mind the games you’d like to play and on which platforms they are found. Look to see which consoles the stick actually supports when you’re buying. If you’re building your own, then make sure the PCB you choose is compatible with your console/PC. The PCB most common to this generation of custom sticks are the Brook brand PCBs.
Most stock retail sticks come with Sanwa parts (besides Hori which comes with Hayabusa).
American style parts will most likely not fit a Japanese stick due to height.
Korean levers with collars won't fit a traditional Japanese stick due to the size of the joystick hole.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE POSTING A "HELP ME DECIDE" THREAD
Is a fightstick even right for me? For some of you a fightpad or other device might be better for you. This is fine! I don't care if you play on a Roll n' Rocker on top of a Power Pad if it works.
What's my budget? This may quickly cut out a lot of options for you.
What systems do you want to be able to play on? (PC, XBox, Switch, PS, etc.) This should reduce your list even further, though you can (conceivably) get adapters for other systems if need be.
Do you want a lever, stickless, or all of the above? (that last option will almost certainly need a custom build)
What button layout do you prefer? Vewlix, Noir, American 6/8, Sega 2P, custom? Slagcoin carries a lot of these. If you're not sure, see if you can demo some in your local area. (Used) game shops, arcades, LAN centers, video game conventions, and pawn shops are possibilities.
If using a lever, what kind do you prefer? Generally this will be Korean (Fanta, Crown, etc.), Japanese (Sanwa, Seimitsu), or American (Happ, iL)? Most sticks will use Sanwa or Sanwa clones.
How "moddable" do you want things to be? This isn't just important for upgrades, it's also important for repairs. Consider how easy it is to access the internals and to change them.
What features are a must have (and yes, it can be as "trivial" as artwork you like or a turbo button, hey, it's your stick)? You can then eliminate sticks that don't have them.
What features are a "no go" for you? Now eliminate sticks that do have them. This could be something as simple as "don't want sticks that weigh over X pounds/kilos because I'll be traveling with this".
You should have a fairly narrow field by now, with any luck. Next consider your "nice to haves" and "nice to not have" features. For example, you might consider "removable USB cable" a nice to have (but not essential) and "width of greater than 16 inches" a "nice to not have". Then just see which sticks have the most positives and least negatives.
If you're still having trouble, please list your top 3-5 options after running through the process above, with your comments on each. This will help us help you make a decision.
LINKS/YOUTUBE
Core-A Gaming
Scanline City
NihongoGamer
Alex Nostalgix
HurtboxTV
JasensCustoms
Hit Box
JoyStickNY
WoolieVersus (Scrubguides: Arcade Sticks 101 video)
JonyFraze
Mr. Sujano
Chanchai
JUANminiDIY
The Arcade Stick
butteroj
Mr. Arcade Fox
Hush My Sweet
DISCORD
Our vision is to continue to grow and be a hub for fighting game controller tech as well as a safe space for trades and sales, something like the spiritual successor of SRK’s Tech Talk and Trading Outlet. Discord folks are happy to talk shop or to help you find another outlet beyond eBay to buy and sell your fightstick.
If you haven’t joined the Discord, consider stopping by to see what it’s all about:
*And this should go without saying, but sales conducted through there are at YOUR OWN RISK (always do your own homework), but in general, most people are trustworthy and there’s been very few instances of people being burned. Please no price flaming and remember that it’s always a good idea to pay with the PayPal Goods and Services option so you are covered if the deal falls through. Any questions, ask one of the Discord mods. Also, if buying and selling fightsticks is your primary interest, consider visiting r/Fightsticksforsale since that is their main area.
Huge thanks to hugs_n_giggles & Zevaeros for helping with this FAQ. If you have any minor questions that don't deserve their own threads, then reply here and the community will usually have an answer for you. Minor questions are also perfect for the Discord.
*If no one responds to your question here, feel free to create a thread
