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[Crayon]

I was wondering if it's hard to learn if I have almost always played fighting on traditional arcade sticks. (Since early 90's)

Even if you don't have one.
Do you know a good one?
How much?

Im not expert but I currently have a quanba crystal. It was about $130 when they made them, and it's sort of a mid-grade thing. After using it for a year or so, I found one of the switches died and I'd grown to dislike the buttons. So I replaced that stuff which is like $40 or so. I thought the stick spring was real weak, too so I replaced that. (cheap). So I ended up getting closer to $200 in the end but it was spread out and I got to customize a bit, which was fun. So I'm good with not spending more on the stick.

As far as learning, you'll have to try and see how you take to it. The key is that all eight directions will need a different posture from your hand, instead of just pushing the stick around like a dpad. With a leverless, you are keying in directions and it's super easy.

 

[Griffon]

A stick is a nice object, but unless you've already actively played stick in the past, it's a whole new learning curve. If you ain't got the time to put into learning it, there's no point.

 

[Neff]

they are objectively speaking a worse way to play a fighting game than a good dpad or a hitbox.

You have more force and motor function in your arm, wrist and hand combined than you do in your thumb alone. Yes, the stick base theoretically has to travel a longer distance than a d-pad takes to pivot, but your arm and wrist working in tandem can react faster than your thumb can, and accuracy is signicantly improved. I use both controllers and sticks for high-dexterity games, but going back to a controller for fighting games just plain sucks.

Hitbox is debatable, but in certain situations depending on the game and the command, they're very good, maybe too good.

 

[cireza]

As far as I am concerned, I prefer a great dpad to a stick for the directional inputs. Especially for double taps, registers much quicker.

 

[Three]

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?

I bought a cheap Mayflash F300 and barely use it and I'd like to consider myself slightly above casual. So I would say no it's not worth it for a casual but it entirely depends on if you enjoy using it. If you do then go for it.

 

[kevboard]

You have more force and motor function in your arm, wrist and hand combined than you do in your thumb alone. Yes, the stick base theoretically has to travel a longer distance than a d-pad takes to pivot, but your arm and wrist working in tandem can react faster than your thumb can, and accuracy is signicantly improved. I use both controllers and sticks for high-dexterity games, but going back to a controller for fighting games just plain sucks.

Hitbox is debatable, but in certain situations depending on the game and the command, they're very good, maybe too good.

that's entirely a skill issue tho. if you are precise with your thumb, you will easily outmanoeuvre a stick player.

which is how Luffy won EVO in SF4 with a dualshock 1 connected through an adapter lol.
and the dualshock doesn't even have a good dpad

 

[near]

I've used various arcade sticks over the years, the last one I bought was the Hori Real Arcade Pro.N Habayusa, which I customised with a Seimitsu LS-32 stick and Sanwa buttons. I got into using them when I was younger, mostly out of curiosity. I don't play fighting games like I used to, but I still use one for shmups occasionally.

In my opinion, playing with them doesn't make you better, and they can feel quite uncomfortable for beginners. So I'd ask yourself whether it's worth spending money on something with a moderate learning curve when a regular controller would suffice. Good sticks aren't cheap either.

 

[Neff]

if you are precise with your thumb, you will easily outmanoeuvre a stick player.

Nonsense. Controllers are viable for sure, but tournaments are more consistently played/won by stick users.

 

[amigastar]

Nonsense. Controllers are viable for sure, but tournaments are more consistently played/won by stick users.

Smug uses Controllers and he was nr.1 Dudley in Street Fighter IV back in the days.
That being said i prefer Arcade Sticks it makes the game much more fun.

 

[ClosBSAS]

I dont dl foghting games without an arcade stick. Its as simple as that.

 

[kevboard]

Nonsense. Controllers are viable for sure, but tournaments are more consistently played/won by stick users.

because most of the older tournament players grew up with it and younger ones copied it.

sticks have no advantage whatsoever.
in fact, the bigger advantage actually comes from the buttons not the stick. having your whole right hand ready for pressing buttons is better than using 1 thumb and your index finger.
also pressing the buttons essentially like piano keys gives you better timing.

so the optimal way is a 6-button pad that you lay on your lap while using your whole right hand for the buttons.
or, a hitbox

 

[Neff]

because most of the older tournament players grew up with it

Most of the fighting game players I know, myself included, got into the genre on console via controllers. We then later tried and stayed with sticks because they are superior in almost every regard. The FGC doesn't spend hundreds or even thousands a pop modifying high end sticks because they 'grew up with them'. It's because they're the best way to play fighting games.

This is an odd perspective you've sold yourself, but I'll leave you to it.

 

[NeverYouMind]

Most of the fighting game players I know, myself included, got into the genre on console via controllers. We then later tried and stayed with sticks because they are superior in almost every regard. The FGC doesn't spend hundreds or even thousands a pop modifying high end sticks because they 'grew up with them'. It's because they're the best way to play fighting games.

Hitboxes are factually better for input response and being able to hit directions faster and more accurately.

 

[DarkShadowXI]

I appreciate the hitbox recommendations (that thing looks intimidating to me), but I'll only using an arcade stick very casually. I also grew up in the late 80's/early 90's, so the stick is a nostalgia thing to me.

I wish I could get into fighters competitively, but I'll never have the time to. Those days are long behind me, I won't even try lol