The best fighting sticks on this list include a lot of different types of controllers, but the common factor is that they are all designed to give a more accurate or more effective way to play fighting games like Street Fighter or Tekken.
These games won’t automatically make you a better player – they require the use of their own learning curve, and most modern fighting games are designed with the standard gamepad in mind. However, the feel of the controllers may be best for you, and getting comfortable with the controls is an important first step to conquering your opponents online and offline.
Our pick of the best fighting sticks below offers something for all types of gamers, regardless of console or budget. Some work with PS5 and Xbox Series X as well, so you won’t have to change sticks when upgrading to a next-gen console. You can check them out below, but take a look at the best PC game controllers, best gaming keyboards and best gaming mouse picks too if you want more traditional control methods.
What are the best fighting sticks?
If you want the cheapest way to the best stick fighting games, look no further than Hori Fighting Stick Mini for a compact and well-priced offering. On the other hand, if you want something a little more luxurious, try Razer’s Panthera or Atrox sticks (depending on whether you’re a PlayStation or Xbox team), Qanba’s Dragon or Obsidian models, or the Victrix Pro FS.
Whether you want to customize your stick components or add a custom layer of artwork, Razer sticks are well suited for that with their easy disassembly. The Victrix is also suitable for swapping out buttons or a joystick, but its clever metallic exterior doesn’t mean you can’t change the look of the thing like you can with competing products.
Qanba’s Dragon is the best fighting stick you can choose if you only play fighting games at home. It feels great to use, and its heavy construction is no problem if it sits next to your sofa when not in use. For portability, the Hori Fighting Stick Mini can’t be beat due to its small size, but if you’re willing to spend a little more, both the Qanba Drone and Victrix Pro FS have dedicated travel-friendly cable storage, with the Victrix also offering slots to attach a shoulder strap if needed. command.
What if you like the idea of a stick fight, but don’t want the stick part? Next, you’ll want to take a look at Hitbox or Mixbox, which offer non-stick controls but are still laid out in arcade style for ease of use.
The best fighting sticks you can buy today
1. Nakon Daeja
This stick only works on PlayStation and PC, but it’s a great choice for gamers who want an elegant and focused design. It features Sanwa-made parts, the gold standard for arcade sticks, but many of the additional controls are mounted on the side panel rather than the top, meaning you’re less likely to bump into them by accident in the middle of a match.
The Nacon also offers some great customization options, giving you full access to the inside of the stick to replace components, a removable front panel for swapping artwork and choosing a ball or stick head for the joystick.
2. Hori Mini Fighting Stick
At just $49, the Hori Fighting Stick Mini is the best fighting option for people who want to know what sticks are before throwing hundreds of dollars. Compatible with PS4, PS3 and PC, this mini stick is extremely portable. The peripheral features a traditional 8-button design and provides easy access to the PS4 share button to record those crazy combos.
3. Mayflash F300 Arcade Fight Stick
One of the best and most popular cheap fighting stick options on Amazon, the Mayflash F300 is another great starter stick. This peripheral features a turbo function for assigning multiple button presses, as well as a switch to make the joystick act as either a D-pad or an analog stick. It is also popular for its easy adjustability. There’s only one problem: When using the F300 on your PlayStation or Xbox, you’ll have to connect that controller’s controller to it to use the stick.
4. Drone in hemp
The Qanba drone is an excellent middle ground when considering affordability, portability, and build quality among our top combat picks. This stunning yellow and black stick works with PS4, PS3 and PC, and features a special locking function that prevents you from accidentally pausing a match. It has a front cable compartment when traveling, as well as soft padding on the bottom to keep it from slipping off your lap.
5. Hori Real Arcade Pro V Kai / V Kai Blue
If you are ready to get serious, then Hori’s Real Arcade Pro V is one of the best fighting sticks, and one with a deluxe deluxe build. This glossy, extra-wide combat stick features standard arcade Kuro buttons and metallic accents, with a clever button layout designed to prevent accidental stops. V Kai works with Xbox One, Xbox 360, and PC. An attractive V Kai Blue variant is available for PS4, PS3 and PC players, as well as a red V Hayabusa option for the Nintendo Switch.
6. Hori Real Arcade Pro N
Real Arcade Pro N (PS4, PS3, PC) with shiny metallic gold accents, joystick and powerful Hayabusa buttons from Hori, is more unique than Hori fighting stick entry. Like the Real Arcade Pro V Kai Blue, the Pro N features a full touchpad for use on PS4, plus typical turbo features and button mapping. The well-hidden pause button and the symmetrical “Noir” button design in Hori help accentuate this sturdy and durable wand.
7. Obsidian
If you are looking for a high-profile stick that will surely stand out in the tournaments, the Qanba Obsidian is a great choice. The Obsidian features one of the most eye-catching designs among the best fighting sticks, with eye-catching aluminum rims accentuated by blue LED lights. PS4, PS3 and PC peripheral games with high-quality Sanwa Denshi buttons, a compatible PS4 touchpad, and all the extra programming features you’d expect from a modern fighting stick.
8. Razer Panthera Evo
The Razer Panthera Evo is the latest version of the company’s main battle stick, with 8 face buttons that feature the same responsive Razer mechanical switches you’ll find on the company’s popular gaming keyboards. As with previous iterations of the Panthera, the Evo was designed with mods in mind, with a transparent top panel that lets you easily switch in your artwork as well as a removable bottom panel that lets you open the wand to swap parts. Factor in the rugged Sanwa joystick, an improved chassis design with a rubber base and an easy-to-use headphone port for using the cans of your choice, and you’ve got the best dependable fighting stick built for performance and customization.
9. Razer Atrox
The Razer Atrox is Panthera’s best fighting stick counterpart for the Xbox, offering many of the same features for the Xbox One and PC. This means you get the same model-fit design, storage compartments, and Sanwa buttons, but with a green Razer panel instead of a blue one.
10. Hemp Dragon
This beast of a console features a stunning red and black design, with a large sturdy base, LED light bar, and a reversible design that allows for easy adjustment and parts replacement. Dragon Sports has all the essential features of the best high-end fighting stick, including original Sanwa Denshi buttons, custom PS3/PS4/PC switch, and 8.5ft braided cable. You probably won’t want to travel to tournaments with this huge stick, but it will make a great staple in your training area if you have the money for it.
11. Vectrix Pro FS
Victrix Pro FS is as advanced as a fighting stick. This deluxe stick has a stunning semi-hollow aluminum body, which is curved for wrist comfort and light enough to be carried via its ergonomic handles or optional strap attachment. Sanwa’s premium on-stick buttons and removable joystick are designed to withstand years of competitive play, and you can easily unlock the Pro FS to swap in new parts. The stick’s customizable RGB lights add to a really cool design, and intuitive on-board controls are designed to let you easily access menus without accidentally stopping mid-match.
Available in PS4 and Xbox One versions, Pro FS carries a hefty asking price, but serious gamers may find the investment well worth it.
12: hit box
It may not look like a traditional fighting game controller, but Hit Box has proven to be popular with professional gamers. Instead of using a joystick, you instead have four direction buttons that you press in different combinations to move your character. Although it doesn’t provide the same feedback as a joystick, some users find that they have better control over their actions when using the digital buttons instead of the analog input.
Although you may be unsure of the control method, there is no reason to doubt how effective it is. Hit Box works with PS4 (and by extension PS5), Nintendo Switch, and PC, so it’s likely to work on whatever platform you like to play your fighting games with. Meanwhile, its compact frame with replaceable parts makes it easy to carry and repair or modify.
Available via Heat Box Arcade
13. Mix Box
Another non-stick combat stick, Mixbox blends traditional arcade buttons with keyboard direction inputs to create a hybrid option, ideal if you find that the joysticks aren’t giving you the input or feedback you want from a controller.
It’s very versatile, as the more affordable global version lets you play on any console you want, including PS5. You’ll need to up the costs before you buy this model, but we can vouch for how easy it is to use and how cool it is to play with.
Read full Mixbox Review
How to choose the best fighting stick for you
Other than regular device buying tips, such as keeping your budget in mind, here are some unique tips for buying fighting sticks.
The first thing to consider is how you want the stick to be portable. Do you intend to keep the stick attached to the game console or will you carry it around to play it in other places? Let this decision guide you when it comes to choosing size and weight
Another important factor that you need to check is platform compatibility. There are third-party products to make the battle stick work with any console you wish, as well as some consoles that have multi-platform support built in, but it’s even better if you know you can pair your new combat stick with at least your own console without any hassle.
If you want to really go deeper, you can also look at the button and joystick arrangement. Some sticks place their buttons in two parallel lines, while others have the offset of the far right buttons to simulate a specific arcade cabinet layout. Likewise, some sticks use rounded surfaces for their joysticks, while others feature a longer “stick” top style instead. The option to customize your wand is always available if you don’t mind opening the wand to change parts. However, if you can, try out some sticks in person before making a purchase to see which setting you prefer.
[ad_2]
