Support NeoGAF

[DarkShadowXI]

After messing around with the Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection this year, playing the arcade version just didn't feel right with a controller.

It's got me thinking: should I try the world of arcade fighting sticks?


I would get one for me and my wife, so we could play together. It dawned on me that it would be great for beat 'em ups, too. I never even considered that before!

Now, I've never enjoyed using arcade sticks for fighting games in arcades. I could never do any moves correctly and fatalities were out of the question. But that was like 30+ years ago.

I have no idea if I'll still suck with these. And my wife is a very very casual gamer, so I'd probably play beat 'em ups with her or other arcade like games.


I'm considering the 8Bitdo wireless one for playing games on Steam. It's on sale for $89.99 right now.

Is this thing any good? From quick reviews, looks like it is, but I honestly have no idea what to look for.

Do any of you use fighting sticks these days? What do you use?

Appreciate any help on this, because honestly I'm lost and am afraid that this would be an impulse buy.


I do enjoy fighting games and own a ton of franchises on Steam: MK, SF, Fatal Fury, DBZ, Tekken, etc.

Edit: we would also be using these on our laps. Not sure if that matters?

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

Honestly, I think that's how you move beyond just being a casual gamer with this stuff. Not because it makes you great all of a sudden, but because you've got the right tool for the job and are likely to be more invested in arcade games if you've got a stick.

I remember when I first tried to get into using a stick back maybe... 19 or 20 years ago. It took some doing, and I genuinely didn't like it at first. But I stuck with it, and man... that's what helped me become such an absolute shmup addict today. Same for fighters for a lot of people. I can't go back.

So yeah, I think it's totally worth it.

 

[DarkShadowXI]

Honestly, I think that's how you move beyond just being a casual gamer with this stuff. Not because it makes you great all of a sudden, but because you've got the right tool for the job and are likely to be more invested in arcade games if you've got a stick.

I remember when I first tried to get into using a stick back maybe... 19 or 20 years ago. It took some doing, and I genuinely didn't like it at first. But I stuck with it, and man... that's what helped me become such an absolute shmup addict today. Same for fighters for a lot of people. I can't go back.

So yeah, I think it's totally worth it.

Right on!! See that's what I was thinking too. When I was looking at this stick, I was like "wait…playing shmups would be an entirely different experience!

That's a great way to put it: having the right tool for the job.

I'm assuming I'd get used to fighting games, but I imagine it'll be a pain in the ass for a while…

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

Right on!! See that's what I was thinking too. When I was looking at this stick, I was like "wait…playing shmups would be an entirely different experience!

That's a great way to put it: having the right tool for the job.

I'm assuming I'd get used to fighting games, but I imagine it'll be a pain in the ass for a while…

Yeah, the irony for me is that I initially bought a stick for fighting games, but found it way easier to learn with shmups, run-n-guns, etc. With fighters, I had a tendency to "ride the gate" and rely on the outer edges of where the stick could move instead of where your inputs actually register. That's way less effective than playing on a d-pad. I also had an issue getting comfortable with holding the stick straight upwards or downwards and knowing exactly how I was positioned. Well, those other genres cleared that shit up quick. Learning to 1CC some of the Metal Slug games on stick was about as good of an exercise for it as I could've hoped for.

But at the end of the day, yeah - you've gotta have fun with it. It's probably not going to be super enjoyable to just jump into online matches in fighters and expect to perform well.

 

[MayauMiao]

I started out playing fighting games with gamepad for a few years and later on tried to get serious with joystick. Felt uncomfortable using it but in the end I just going back to gamepad. I do occasionally fired up fighting games every now and then but I won't be using joystick as its too hassle to use from the couch.

I still have the joystick but its just gathering dust.

 

[DarkShadowXI]

Yeah, the irony for me is that I initially bought a stick for fighting games, but found it way easier to learn with shmups, run-n-guns, etc. With fighters, I had a tendency to "ride the gate" and rely on the outer edges of where the stick could move instead of where your inputs actually register. That's way less effective than playing on a d-pad. I also had an issue getting comfortable with holding the stick straight upwards or downwards and knowing exactly how I was positioned. Well, those other genres cleared that shit up quick. Learning to 1CC some of the Metal Slug games on stick was about as good of an exercise for it as I could've hoped for.

But at the end of the day, yeah - you've gotta have fun with it. It's probably not going to be super enjoyable to just jump into online matches in fighters and expect to perform well.

Thanks for giving me a heads up on that! Ok cool I'll start with shmups, shooters, and fighting games with simple controls.

Thankfully fighting games have plenty of tutorials and practices modes.

Which stick do you use now? Is 8bitdo a good starting point? I like it because it's wireless, but I'd considered wired if there's a massive difference.

 

[DarkShadowXI]

I started out playing fighting games with gamepad for a few years and later on tried to get serious with joystick. Felt uncomfortable using it but in the end I just going back to gamepad. I do occasionally fired up fighting games every now and then but I won't be using joystick as its too hassle to use from the couch.

I still have the joystick but its just gathering dust.

I definitely have a concern that this will collect dust for me, too.

I wonder if using it on my lap will already be a bottleneck.

 

[L*][*N*K]

Yes if you enjoy using them, if you think it will give you an advantage then no

 

[MooMilk2929]

I think a joystick would be good for sidscrolling beat em ups and some other type of games.

 

[Porcile]

It's worth it but the trial and error of finding the parts, particularly the lever, that suit you is a really annoying process to be honest. And yes, having your preferred parts does make a big difference to how much you enjoy using the stick. So don't just expect to buy a stick and that's the end of it.

 

[Celcius]

This reminds me, I'd like to try to get another arcade stick at some point. Back in the day I modded 2 with Happs Competition pushbuttons and joysticks and they were amazing but I eventually sold them.

 

[Evolved1]

i use them for 2D games, side scrollers, classic arcade games, etc.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

Thanks for giving me a heads up on that! Ok cool I'll start with shmups, shooters, and fighting games with simple controls.

Thankfully fighting games have plenty of tutorials and practices modes.

Which stick do you use now? Is 8bitdo a good starting point? I like it because it's wireless, but I'd considered wired if there's a massive difference.

I've not used the 8bitdo stick - the last time I used one of the normal off-the-shelf ones was when the HRAP was the go-to. And I guess the Mad Catz TE stick. Way back. Right now, I'm using a custom stick from Jasen's Customs (which closed up shop) and I've been meaning to build a couple new ones from AllFightSticks. As far as the ready built ones, I tend to see a lot of recommendations for Qanba's stuff. I'm also tempted to get the TR Fight Stick Octopus, because that works with just about every system under the sun and seems pretty great... though it's pricey.

As far as wired vs wireless... I'd suggest wired just because of the reliability and because input lag can be (but isn't always) better with wired solutions. I personally see less reason to opt for wired with an arcade stick because you're always going to be sitting at attention while you're playing this stuff, and you'll probably be fairly close to the screen and whatever system it is. Your cable isn't going to just get caught on everything the way a normal controller's can if you're lounging about while playing something.

 

[Neff]

Sticks imo are unquestionably better for comfort, accuracy and reaction time. Once I bought my first stick some 25 years ago, I never looked back.

That said, the best players in the world use all manner of controllers. It really depends on what you feel more comfortable with, what your end goal is, how much money you're willing to spend, and how much time you want to put in. Sticks do still take getting used to, and the good ones can be pricey, but it's the best way to play.

Is this thing any good? From quick reviews, looks like it is, but I honestly have no idea what to look for.

I have over a dozen sticks across a bunch of platforms and upper end Hori sticks (usually HRAP) are the best sticks for the lowest price in my experience. I would also recommend against wireless, wired will give you better latency and stability.

 

[Crayon]

Hmm. For your use, I'd look at a leverless. I don't use them but I have 30 years of muscle memory on stick and it's hard to let it go.

A leverless gives you a lot of the experience. You still have a big clacky slab to pound on. But you'll try quickly have super fast and precise inputs.

They can be a lot smaller, too. One annoying thing about using a stick is having a place to keep it. In leverless, you can get stuff like this that fits on a bookshelf:

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

I say yes, they're good devices... I have a Nacon. And it's worked well, and I think you'd really enjoy it.

 

[Spukc]

Mod the 8bitdo with sanwa parts
Best way to play imo