Looking at finally buying an arcade stick...

By The Mana Knight 06-15-2011 09:51 PM

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All right, short blog by me about a recent thought on my mind. Despite all the crap that's been going on with me (whether it be job interviews, traveling, car repairs, parties, etc.), I've been looking for an arcade stick. I finally decided it was time to get one after struggling more than ever against friends at fighting games who just got a stick.

Choosing an arcade stick is no easy task. The easiest part is I know I'll need a PS3 stick. The majority of my fighters have been purchased on PS3 (Arc Systems, Namco, Sega, Capcom, etc. fighters), while I only own 3 XBLA fighters, and 1 fighter on Wii (Tatsunoko vs. Capcom). I'd love a wireless stick; however, there really aren't many wireless sticks out there from what I know (wireless is easier on me due to where I sit for gaming). I'd prefer a stick to be modeled after one of my favorite fighters. The perfect stick for me (although it isn't wireless) is the BlazBlue stick for PS3 (I'm an Arc Systems fan most when it comes to 2D fighters), but I just cannot find it anywhere due to being limited. Haven't seen anymore on Amazon and haven't seen anymore at GameStop stores (although I have yet to check every single GameStop in Maryland and Northern Virginia). I don't mind paying $130 or a little more for the stick. I see the 360 version of the stick around, but I don't have enough use for a 360 stick right now. Some I know used the TVC Wii stick on PS3, but I really don't care enough to get a stick for my Wii (While I love TVC a lot, haven't played in a year). While I can get a SFIV or MvC3 TE stick easier, I just don't like either one of those games as much as an Arc Systems fighter, so I'd kind of hate having those sticks around the rest of my life. Tekken I like, but haven't heard enough about the stick quality.

So what do people recommend I do for a fight stick? Wait a bit for a newer one, try tracking down a BlazBlue one for PS3, or is there one currently out I should just buy?

While I originally played horrible with sticks (I only used them a few times when not in an arcade), I feel I'll get better as I work with them more.

22 Comments

Posted in Playstation 3, Gaming

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Comments (Total Comments: 22)

gravel

- 06-15-2011, 10:01 PM

My friend recently bought this Hori fightstick for PS3, and he loves it. He uses it for Mortal Kombat, Arcana Heart 3, and Street Fighter 4 at this point. I haven't tried it for any games, but I was impressed by the feel of it. It is actually very heavy and feels like a piece of an arcade cabinet. I also like the look of it.

As far as wireless sticks, the only one I know of was packaged with Tekken 6, and it is supposed to be decent, but the people who are in to fightsticks avoid wireless due to potential lag issues.

The Mana Knight The Mana Knight is offline

- 06-15-2011, 10:09 PM

@gravel, I do play MK and Arcana Heart 3. Arcana Heart 3, BlazBlue, and Battle Fantasia are especially my main fighters I want a stick for.

I own a ton of PSP fighters, but it won't help them, lol.

joshnorm

- 06-15-2011, 10:10 PM

Wireless is no good for a fighters due to lag. You can get that stick from the Askys website I believe. Also since its easily modded you could get a SFIV TE and change the graphics

panzerfaust panzerfaust is offline

- 06-15-2011, 10:14 PM

The motivation a stick gives you to play fighters is really where their value lies. You can be just as effective with a dualshock, it's all a matter of preference.

And you can always mod the art for your stick fairly easily. I never liked that BB art, too much going on and Noel looks very disproportionate.

gravel

- 06-15-2011, 10:17 PM

Here is a thread with a sale on a fightstick at Gamestop. It's a WWE one, but the discussion in the thread should give you an idea of what to look for, or what you can do to mod a stick. Also, there are some very nice pictures of some modded sticks.

GenDV138

- 06-15-2011, 10:26 PM

TE stick + Art's Hobbies for custom art

dv8mad

- 06-15-2011, 10:59 PM

Agree with GenDV.
I have posted this before, so I wouldn't be surprised if you have seen it, but the artwork was printed and the etching of the plexi was done by Art's Hobbies.
They did a fantastic job.

Halo05

- 06-15-2011, 11:13 PM

http://www.amazon.com/Real-Arcade-Pr...8193848&sr=8-1

Same price as the Blaz Blue stick, equally good parts, clean look that doesn't involve characters from games you inexplicably don't like.

I actually scoured Gamestops in NoVA for that same Blaz Blue stick before finally getting one online from them. It's good but I prefer my older HRAP3 SA.

option.iv

- 06-16-2011, 12:43 AM
Updated 06-16-2011 at 06:35 PM by The Mana Knight

Considering you mash and have no idea how to play fighting games. Do not get a stick.

At most, start off with a cheapo stick and once you become proficient, then start considering the higher end models.

RabbitSuit RabbitSuit is offline

- 06-16-2011, 01:06 AM

Yeah, the PS3 BlazBlue stick on the Aksys site sold out a day into their relief sale for Japan.

Is Chun Le acceptable?tag=cheapassgam08-20& Some people say it's great. Others say it's trash. I personally haven't tried it out, so best of luck if you shoot for it.

antlp89

- 06-16-2011, 02:10 AM

If you can find a SE stick, they are pretty cheap to mod (probably around $30) and in my opinion feel the same as a TE stick.

I bought a 360 TE stick for around $100 from one of Markman's sales. I then ended up finding a PS3 SE stick for around $15 clearanced and modded it for around $30 (better joystick/better buttons). After the mod the stick feels very similar to the TE and it is more compact (about 2/3 the size) which is very nice.

My advice is if you do get a stick, don't give up on it if you start losing more. Having a fightstick does not = instantly better. You are probably going to be worse because you have to relearn everything in a different way. But it's definitely worth it and enjoyable if you spend the time to learn how to use it.

The Mana Knight The Mana Knight is offline

- 06-16-2011, 05:01 AM

@joshnorm, I tried Aksys website and the PS3 one was gone (when I checked a week ago).

@gravel, I have seen that WWE stick, but since I HATE wrestling so much, I don't have plans to get that one.

@option.iv, depends which fighter it is. Most Arc Systems (outside of Arcana Heart 3, where I have no idea what I'm doing yet), I do not mash. Street Fighter and a MvC I may.

@antlp89 I quite understand it takes a while, one reason I held back for a while.

integralsmatic integralsmatic is offline

- 06-16-2011, 09:21 AM

yeah do not get a Wireless fightstick. Your inputs will be laggy and you dont want your stick dying on you in mid match.

From my newbie experience on fight sticks.....i suggest a TE stick. It already has authentic Sanwa Parts and if you wanted to mod the artwork. Tek Innovations has plexi glass covers to make the artwork switch easy. I modded my SE with authentic Seitmitsu Parts and the parts ran me about 50 bucks. I bought the stick on sale from a Wal Mart clearance for 15. But if i bought the stick normally, the costs equal out and its smarter to buy the TE.

The SEs are nice and compact but i am beginning to dislike mine because of that reason. I feel so cramped on it while the TEs i just feel like have more room .

i think the main thing when starting out to use a fight stick is grip. Find the grip that is most comfy to you and then you can go on to the other tricks .

phantasyx

- 06-16-2011, 11:26 AM

Blazblue Continuum shift II on the psp is pretty good, I'm playing it now.

joshnorm

- 06-16-2011, 11:59 AM

@Mana Knight: Looks like Rabbit said that it was sold out during the relief fund deal a few months ago, sorry for that I didn't checked and just assumed.

Personally though I would look for the type S sticks (like the Chun Li ones) they are awesome

kburns10

- 06-16-2011, 01:42 PM

That's a beautiful looking arcade stick! I don't see myself ever making the leap to a stick, but I've thought about it numerous times. So far my fightpad works just fine. Since I don't play for tournaments and more for fun, it's not an investment I want to make. But I play people who do own sticks and it definitely improves your game.

DurbanBrown DurbanBrown is offline

- 06-16-2011, 02:02 PM

i use a cheap hori ex2 on xbox... works great for me. its not as impressive as the others though.

The Mana Knight The Mana Knight is offline

- 06-16-2011, 04:20 PM

@phantasyx, I have BlazBlue Portable already. I decided to just wait for BB CS II on PS Vita.

raizanillusion raizanillusion is offline

- 06-16-2011, 07:30 PM

Hey Mana, I have a Street Fighter IV stick that's modded for the PS3/360/PC. I have been using stick since 2009 and it's pretty fun to use. When I first got my stick, I was terrible at using it. After time passed, things just started to get easier for me.

I would not get the wireless stick. You won't have to worry about dropped inputs if you stick with the wired sticks.

As some people have already suggested, I would either get a Madcatz TE stick with has authentic Japanese parts in it, or get a Madcatz SE stick and mod it with Japanese parts - cheaper.

It's up to you. It's a great investment and you won't want to go back to pad. However, I play Third Strike best on pad than stick.

Hence, I am known as the crazy Sean guy at Otakon lol.