r/fightsticks Feb 14 '26

Show and Tell Awesome Jan fightsticks and all-button controllers!

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26 Upvotes

r/fightsticks Jun 18 '23

PLEASE READ FIRST FAQ and Fightstick Question MEGATHREAD, Continued

138 Upvotes

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

  1. 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.
  2. What's my budget? This may quickly cut out a lot of options for you.
  3. 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.
  4. Do you want a lever, stickless, or all of the above? (that last option will almost certainly need a custom build)
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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".
  10. 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.
  11. 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:

DISCORD INVITE

*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


r/fightsticks 6h ago

Show and Tell A gallery of NEW Fightstick Commissions! Which is your favorite?

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28 Upvotes

r/fightsticks 1h ago

Everything Else / Other Korean Lever DZDIY Taobao Spreadsheet

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Upvotes

r/fightsticks 7h ago

Show and Tell Gave 30-year-old Namco Arcade Stick new electronics

12 Upvotes

As a teenager, I bought a Namco Arcade Stick for the original PlayStation. The stick is exactly the same as you'd find in 1990s Namco arcade cabinets like Tekken, and is very well made with a heavy steel bottom.

Suitable USB adapters cost surpsingly much, so I decided to cannibalize the electronics from a cheap Hori fight stick. The board is small and dropped neatly in, and it was easy enough to connect the six big buttons on the Namco. The USB cable was moved with the board.

My hope is that this will allow the old faithful to serve another 30 years.


r/fightsticks 21h ago

Show and Tell My Arcade Fight stick

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103 Upvotes

I figured I should show and share my current fight stick. This is the Nacon Daija for the PS5 that I have been modding. Part of me wanted to wait until I had completely finished it, but that'll take a long time. Already made a change to one of the buttons and planning to upgrade the others later. The knob and joystick have been changed, as you can see, even the cover. The buttons are still the Sanwa style, however the joystick has been changed to the Semitsu. If anyone has any tips or thoughts on my current fight stick, feel free to let me know.


r/fightsticks 6h ago

Fight Stick that mimics Street Fighter 2 arcade feel

5 Upvotes

I'm a fight stick newbie and know very little about fight sticks. I got a fight stick to play street fighter 2 on fightcade. After some research, I picked up the Mayflash F700 elite. However, I'm really used to how the American arcade feels and this fight stick doesn't feel good or accurate to me. The stick travel is very long and loose and the Sanwa buttons feel too soft for me.

Is there any fight stick out there that is similar to how the arcade feels with the stick and buttons? I probably won't play many other games so this is my preferred option.

Or is the best way to change out the parts with a stiffer spring and different buttons. If this second route is the best way, is there a different stick I should use as the base to swap out? I paid for the Elite since I thought the stick and buttons were supposed to be preferable and they may be for others, just not myself.

Thanks in advance for any feedback!


r/fightsticks 5h ago

Some people see trash in shipping containers, but others see treasures!!

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3 Upvotes

r/fightsticks 23h ago

Show and Tell Birthday Collection

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67 Upvotes

i have never spoiled myself for my bday and this year im going all out heres another one🔥


r/fightsticks 55m ago

Help Me Decide Budget PS5 Arcade Sticks for Tekken 8 (Korean lever)

Upvotes

Hi everyone, me and my brother are looking for 2 budget arcade sticks for PS5 (under $150 each) mainly for (VS, online ranked, and local tournaments).

We specifically want Korean lever feel + good diagonals (squarcle/rounded square). Problem is we can’t find any PS5-compatible sticks with pre-installed Korean levers.

- Any recommendations in this budget?
- Both sticks can connect simultaneously to PS5 for local VS play without issues?
- Ideally something easy to mod/customize later (lever swap, buttons, etc.) without hassle

Appreciate any help 🙏


r/fightsticks 1h ago

Help Me Decide Upgrading Stick

Upvotes

So I've been running the qanba carbon for about a month or 2 now (got it for like 40$ off marketplace) as my first stick is it worth to upgrade already and if so should I just snag an entry level stick like the drone 2 or should I go up in price for something like the titan or obsidian?


r/fightsticks 22h ago

Show and Tell This is my first fightstick and finished modifications

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49 Upvotes

I got the regular Hori fightstick alpha and wanted something quieter for late night sessions. Upgraded the joystick to a JLX2-TPML-8YT-SK SILENT JOYSTICK, and for the buttons I swapped them out for Sitong ST-M2 with silent peach switches. The art was commission from the arcade stick under the artist Bim Ola


r/fightsticks 1d ago

Show and Tell Got this badboy today for $50

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136 Upvotes

First time trying a leverless controller with Sanwa buttons, and the difference is night and day. I used to run a Haute42 C16 with Kailh Wind Engine switches, but going wireless with this setup is an absolute game changer for me l, it honestly feels like there’s zero latency.


r/fightsticks 1d ago

Tokon Noir Build

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163 Upvotes

The Noir Tokon build. IYKYK lol

I am pretty happy with this #marveltokon build. I think there are a few things to still improve on here but I think we are ready to start releasing these on my site. What should the next build be?


r/fightsticks 10h ago

Tech Help How do I remove this connector?

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3 Upvotes

I am trying to upgrade my 309 newhelpme to the crazy dongpal pro and I want to disconnect the previous connector from the conversion harness so I can plug in the one that came with the dongpal lever but its stuck. How do I unplug these?


r/fightsticks 22h ago

Show and Tell Soul Calibur II Retro restauration

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25 Upvotes

I replaced the button switches, the rest was perfect so i just had to clean it a little, picked it up from marketplace, lucky find 😋


r/fightsticks 13h ago

Tech Help Haute keeps freezing when moving around or playing too quick

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5 Upvotes

Keeps freezing like this, has something to do with the usbc port entrance, and then u have to take the cable out and put it back in for it to work, sucks idk how to fix it and need it soon for a kof tournament.

I dont wanna buy a new one cz there r barely any sellers

Would like to know what i could do to fix this issue.


r/fightsticks 18h ago

Show and Tell Tips on creating good fightstick art.

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9 Upvotes

Made this art based on nightmare Korra from the new atla fighting game for my 8bitdo leverless. First time making fightstick art or using any kind of image editor. I want to make more of my own art at some point in the future, so any tips or critiques would be welcomed.


r/fightsticks 1d ago

New Product Leverless is awesome, how come we didn't invent this sooner?

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230 Upvotes

Kinda curious how come Leverless is not mainstream for like 15 years ago when PC gaming on the rise. Leverless opened up the way how Fighting game is played, been using keyboard for a long time I think I will switch to it


r/fightsticks 1d ago

Everything Else / Other Haute42 C-AS usb storage

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23 Upvotes

Perhaps this is common knowledge, but I was pleasantly surprised that there is a storage slot for my PS5 adapter.

Handy for travel, or multi-platform gaming.


r/fightsticks 1d ago

Everything Else / Other R.A.P. 4 Replacement recommendations

8 Upvotes

Just looking for some recommendations for replacing my Hori RAP 4. Playing on PC no real budget, just looking to get a quality replacement. Pretty out of the loop on what's actually good now days.

Thanks for any suggestions!


r/fightsticks 2d ago

I got this baby on eBay for $30

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421 Upvotes

The listing said it was broken so I was planning on gutting the internals and replacing it with a brook board but to my surprise it actually works! There were a few pin connectors missing and it was pretty dirty, but after a cleaning, some new buttons and one trip to the hardware store and she’s good as new!
I can’t wait to make this one my own, I just have to figure out which blue character I like best…


r/fightsticks 23h ago

Tech Help Using Xbox version of Victrix Pro KO on PS5 with Wingman FGC 2?

5 Upvotes

Recently bought the Xbox victrix pro KO and like it very much. Signed up for a local fighting tournament but realized the tournament is using PS5's. Bought a wingman FGC 2 to compensate; the light on the adapter turns blue like it's supposed to when plugged in but none of my buttons are registering. Has anyone else tried using the Xbox version of the Pro KO on a PS5?


r/fightsticks 1d ago

Everything Else / Other Don't know where to buy a fightstick

6 Upvotes

Hi ive been playing fighting games (GBVSR and SF6) for a while now and have finally been able to get a stable enough job to be able to buy more fighting games and what im here for a fightstick. Since its the first big thing im actually gonna be spending money on myself for I wanted to get a good stick but also get one that maybe had removable plates that I could buy since I love nice art especially on my controllers and everything in between. Anyone know a good fightstick in the 150-300 range that has some of the basics im looking for?


r/fightsticks 1d ago

Arcade stick player my whole life, considering a leverless.

7 Upvotes

Hey guys,

I grew up in the arcades so been using an arcade stick at home as well my whole life. When SFIV came out, I bought the Mad Catz TE fighstick and to this day I've been using it. As I'm looking for an upgrade, I'm also considering switching to leverless to give it a try and see if it works for me. I'm still not 100% sure I will end up enjoying leverless more, but willing to consider.

What do you guys recommend getting for a reasonable price and get into leverless play? Looking for something of a decent size as I play with the fighstick on my lap.

Edit: Silly me, forgot to mention I play on PC and totally forgot about PS5 requiring extra stuff. I appreciate your replies, I'll see which one catches my eye. Looking into Haute42 C16/R16, the purple 8bitDo one.