Almost every genre in gaming can be played competitively, but fighting games are essentially intertwined with competitive play. Each match is a direct test of two players’ skills, reactions, understanding of game mechanics and ability to predict the opponent’s next move. All of this is conveyed through inputs that must be as intuitive to perform as breathing. If you have to think about how to do something – or worse, accidentally do something else – then you’ve already lost.
Content
- Victrix Pro FS Arcade Fight Stick (PS4, PS5, Xbox)
- Qanba Dragon (PS3, PS4, PC)
- Hori Fighting Stick Mini 4 (PS3, PS4, PS5, PC)
- Mixbox Universal Edition (PS4, PS5, Xbox, PC, Switch)
- Hit Box (PS4, PS5, PC)
- Hori Fighting Commander (PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch)
- Skywin Brook Sniper Converter (PS3, PS4, Xbox, Switch)
- Razer Rayon Fightpad (PS4, PS5, PC)
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Fighting games require a completely different setup than most other genres. Unlike FPS games, for example, there is no need for two analog sticks or triggers. Based on the genre’s arcade origins, many players feel most comfortable with a controller that mimics that stick-and-button style, but over the years there have been plenty of innovations to please all types of fighting game players. Regardless of your preference, we’ve listed all the best fighting game controllers.
Further reading
Victrix Pro FS Arcade Fight Stick (PS4, PS5, Xbox)
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For all you competitive gamers willing to spend a little more for a solid stick that will last a generation, the Victrix Pro FS Arcade Fight Stick is among your best options. Not only does it look and feel great, but it also comes with extra features and is built with maintenance in mind. Besides just having a nice sleek design, this stick also comes with neon purple cables and RGB lights to give it some personality. Looking from the side, this stick comes standard with Sanwa Denshi buttons and a joystick, all of which are easily detachable for cleaning or replacement. You also get three macro buttons on top that you can customize however you like, plus they can be turned off so you don’t accidentally press them while playing.
The Victrix is nice and heavy at just under 8 pounds, so there’s no chance of it slipping or sliding while you have it on your lap or on your desk. When it’s time to move, you have handy handles and strap attachments if you want to sling it over your shoulder. Since this is a premium bat, they’ve also made it incredibly easy to open up and tool around with components or adjust the bat. You even have small spaces to store tools and spare parts inside, so you’ll never be caught with a broken rod.
Qanba Dragon (PS3, PS4, PC)
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Another expensive option on this list is the Qanba Dragon. This rod is a little less well designed in terms of ease of transport, but once you set it up, there is nothing not to like about this rod. It is undoubtedly small also heavy, even for those who like a hefty rod, weighing just under 12 pounds. But that weight is not for nothing, as this rod is as durable as they come. It’s an all-aluminum body with Sanwa buttons and a joystick that feel just as good, if not slightly better, than the Victrix. The buttons are fast and responsive, and the joystick has a comfortable chrome head.
This stick is made for the PS4, so one of the extra buttons is a touchpad, which makes it much easier to navigate without having to change the normal controller when setting up games. Removing the hood is also a breeze, with more storage space for parts, but also plenty of room for a few other things. You could realistically pack everything you need for the day into just the stick itself, which is good because it’s otherwise awkward to travel with. Oh, and if you love fingerprints, you’ll hate the glossy surface that captures them better than a homicide detective.
Hori Fighting Stick Mini 4 (PS3, PS4, PS5, PC)
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Okay, so we’ve looked at the two big boys, but what about some smaller options? The Hori Fighting Stick Mini 4 is obviously a much smaller and cheaper arcade stick that is a much better entry point for those who don’t want to make a big first investment in an arcade stick. This little guy measures just 8″ x 6″ and weighs just 2 pounds, making it by far the easiest to bring to events or visiting friends. It straddles the line between being compact, but not to the point where your hands feel cramped while using it. The stick and buttons will be just fine, nothing special, and it has rubber grips to hold it in place. On that note, if you’re an aggressive player, you might find yourself looking for this stick because of how light it is.
This rod is also not that friendly when it comes to customization. You have all the buttons you need, but there aren’t any bells or whistles here. You also won’t be modifying this stick as there is no easy access to its guts and the buttons are actually soldered straight to the circuit board. All in all, this is a fully serviceable arcade stick for anyone who needs a simple, easy-to-transport backup or wants to try one at a lower price before checking out more expensive options.
Mixbox Universal Edition (PS4, PS5, Xbox, PC, Switch)
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Starting with unique controller options, we have the Mixbox Universal Edition. As you can already see, the unique feature of this arcade controller is the lack of a joystick. Instead, Mixbox caters to players who are more comfortable controlling their character’s movement with the arrow keys. This completely changes how difficult — or easy — it is to make various entries. But the reason behind this design and the controller that follows this one was not to give players an advantage. Personal preference aside, many long-time fighting game players suffer from wrist pain from prolonged joystick gaming due to repetitive motions, and this controller’s arrow key setup allows them to play pain-free.
In terms of parts, you get the best of the best with Sanwa keys, plus Cherry MX for the directional keys. There are plenty of additional customizable buttons and even a handy switch on the inside to quickly switch between the two movement options. It has a nice weight, exactly 5 1/2 pounds, and has a really generous cable of almost 15 feet. This universal edition, as the name suggests, is a little more expensive, but if you want a stick that will work no matter what you plug it into, this is the one to go for.
Hit Box (PS4, PS5, PC)
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Similar, yet completely different to Mixbox is Hit Box. Just looking at it can seem a little confusing, but the design is actually incredibly intelligent and intuitive once you get the hang of it. Instead of the triangular orientation of the previous entry, Hit Box arranges the movement buttons in a very organic and natural position so that your hand rests on the pad, just like the normal attack buttons. It should go without saying at this point, but yes, every button here is Senwa, so everything is tactile and satisfying. Again, this is a godsend for players with hand or wrist issues.
Just like learning the proper grip and swing of a golf club, there is a learning curve with the Hit Box. Until you get used to it and the input keys become second nature, you’ll probably suffer a bit. Also, there’s still some contention that this controller gives unfair advantages since you’re able to instantly go from, say, holding back to forward without going neutral like you would if you were pushing the stick from back to front. If you want to compete, just make sure the events you’re interested in don’t ban this particular controller before investing time and money into it. Otherwise, this is one of the best innovations in fighting game controllers ever created.
Hori Fighting Commander (PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch)
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Some people call them crazy, but there have been plenty of high-end competitors that stick with more traditional pad-style controllers. For anyone who likes to keep a firm grip on their game rather than emulate an arcade cabinet, the Hori Fighting Commander series of controllers is tailor-made for fighting games. Unlike most default controllers, the Hori actually has a good D-pad, six buttons on the front, a turbo button, and all the other necessary inputs. The buttons and the controller in general are slightly larger than normal and flat rather than curved to prevent slipping or accidental input.
Hori has a full line of these controllers for every console, with ones like the PS4 version also compatible with PS5 and PC, so you’re covered no matter where you play. It’s also light and ergonomic enough that if you want to play with a “claw” grip, using your thumb and forefinger on the front buttons, you can do so reasonably without cramping. Plus, you can still easily use it for other 2D games, and you’ll probably want to once you get a feel for how good the D-pad feels compared to a standard controller. It’s pretty cheap and honestly worth having, even if fighting games aren’t your primary genre.
Skywin Brook Sniper Converter (PS3, PS4, Xbox, Switch)
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Okay, this is kind of a scam. This isn’t the controller itself, it just lets you use the existing keyboard and mouse setup on your console of choice. If you’re already used to playing on your existing — and maybe even expensive and custom — keyboard, why go to the trouble and expense of buying and learning a new controller when you can just use what you want on the console? That’s the whole point of the Skywin Brook Sniper Converter. Just plug in your USB keyboard and you’re good to go — in most cases, anyway.
Technically, this is advertised for FPS games since keyboard and mouse controls are the preferred method for many players in the genre and not officially supported on consoles, but it works just as well for fighting games. There are also those players who use even crazier controllers to play, such as a piano keyboard, which, while connected via USB, this converter works, no problem.
Razer Rayon Fightpad (PS4, PS5, PC)
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Razor will round out the list with another fightpad. Raion Fightpad is simple, clear and accurate. You get a great D-pad, fast and flat buttons with a mechanical switch to turn them on and off, and a comfortable and sturdy shell. It runs on the pricier side compared to some other pads, including the Hori Fighting Commander, but it’s a bit more versatile and comes with some extra features, such as a touchpad and share buttons, plus a dedicated PS4-to-PC switch depending on where you’re playing . You can also deactivate these buttons to avoid accidental pauses, which is always a great feature.
Another bonus is the headphone jack, which many dedicated combat gamepads lack. Razor also claims that this is one of the most durable gamepads and gives each button on the face a rating of 80 million presses. We haven’t tested it ourselves, but the promise is comforting to say the least. This is essentially a high-end option for those looking for a gamepad, while the Hori is more basic. It’s not a huge jump from one to the other, but if you’ve invested in the extra features and overall feel of quality, this one will pay off.
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Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn