Best Arcade Fight Stick For Fighting Games

In recent years, fighting games have become increasingly popular, with an increasing player base and eSports coverage. Therefore, the Best Arcade fight sticks are now more important.

For seasoned enthusiasts, arcade fight sticks are essential, but new players need guidance to choose the right one. These games are designed with fight sticks in mind, enabling you to execute epic moves and string combos together to crush your opponent.

Our team has extensively researched and tested these arcade fight sticks. We’ve compiled a list of the best arcade fight sticks for fighting games to assist you.

Editor’s Choice – Top 3 Picks

Top 10 Best Arcade Fight Sticks for Fighting Games

We’ve included their unique features, pros, and cons to help you quickly find what you need to dominate action-based fighting games. Keep reading to discover more.

To be the very best, you must have the very best. HORI stands out for always putting out quality fight sticks in the fighting stick manufacturers and is loved by professionals as well. The Real Arcade Pro N Hayabusa is a testament to HORI’s capabilities. 

The HORI Real Arcade Pro N Hayabusa looks simply stunning, with the stock version coming in black with gold and silver accents. All you need to do is unscrew and screw, and you’re done. We loved the experience, and its durability was excellent.

Specification	Details
Compatibility	PC, PS4, PS3
Colour	Black with gold and silver accents
Build Quality	Thick and firmly built with durable materials
Customization	Plexiglass layer on top for easy artwork customization
Button Layout	– L3, R3, PS Home, and Turbo buttons in a separate section on the top panel – 4 PS4 buttons – L1, L2, R1, and R2 buttons – Start/Options button located away from primary keys on the left
Button Type	Hayabusa grade (Can be easily swapped to Sanwa buttons)
Responsiveness	All buttons are very responsive
Noise Level	Hayabusa buttons are quieter compared to Sanwa buttons

These buttons are all Hayabusa grades and not Sanwa, which are also remarkable but noisier, which could be annoying. However, you can easily swap to Sanwa buttons in this fighting stick.

Whether it’s the best keyboard, mouse, phone, or fighting style, there is always that one pick that is exceptional. In the arcade fighting stick community, the Qanba Dragon Stick stands out.

It is among the most premium and expensive fight sticks, specially designed for professionals. Qanba Dragon offers everything you could want from a fight stick and takes it up a notch.

Specification	Details
Compatibility	PS3, PS4, PC
Build Material	High-grade aluminium body with plexiglass surface; durable plastic sides
Buttons	Sanwa OBSF-30s buttons
Joystick	Sanwa JLF joystick
Additional Buttons	PS Home, Share, Options, R3, and L3 buttons on top panel
Slider	Allows selection of arcade machine compatibility (PS3, PS4, PC)
LED Lights	Additional LED lights for enhanced aesthetics
Storage Space	Provides storage space for gamers
Customization	One-touch modding feature for easy customization
Artwork Swapping	Easy artwork-swapping capability
Size	Considered heavy and sizeable
Target Audience	Specially designed for professionals and enthusiasts
Price	Among the most premium and pricey fight sticks

It is safe to say that the Qanba Dragon is one of the best-looking fight sticks of peak perfection.

This fight stick is primarily made of high-grade aluminium with plexiglass on the surface. The sides are made of complex and durable plastics, which add to its longevity.

You have the 4 PS4 buttons and L1, L2, R1, and R2. In the top section, there are additional buttons that you can use. 

For starters, a slider helps the Qanba Dragon decide which cabinet arcade machine it is being used with- be it PS3, PS4, or PC. We had a great gaming experience due to the Sanwa buttons and joystick.

Also Read: Mayflash F300 vs Mayflash F500

Is it surprising that Razer’s name has appeared in gaming peripherals? Razer has consistently produced quality products.

The Razer Panthera is more like an updated version of the Atrox than Razer’s previous fight stick. We encountered no previous flaws with the updated version, which has more mod options.

Specification	Details
Compatibility	PlayStation (PS4 and PS3), PC (requires Xinput driver setup)
Build Material	Thicker and heavier plastic with a slightly tilted upward shape for comfortable hand placement
Joystick	Sanwa joystick
Buttons	Razer Akemi switches (similarly responsive to Sanwa buttons but with a different tactile feel)
Additional Buttons	L3, R3, Home, Options, and Touchpad buttons on the top panel
Button Layout	Taito Viewlix layout (buttons close together for easy reach)
Customization	Hinged case design for easy removal and installation of custom artwork
Mod Options	Offers more mod options compared to the previous Atrox version
Compatibility (PC)	Compatible with PC after downloading Xinput driver
Panthera Driver	It has its dedicated Panthera driver for PC use, but setup may take some time.
Panthera vs Atrox	Panthera is an updated version of the Atrox with improvements
Price	Considered a premium product in Razer’s gaming peripherals lineup

It is also compatible with Panthera’s driver, but it takes some time to set it up on a PC. You must download Xinput to have Panthera recognized.

Razer opted for the Sanwa joystick with the Panthera; however, the buttons are a different case. This time, the Razer fight stick uses the Razer Akemi switches. These are just as responsive and fast as Sanwa buttons, and they are registered as soon as the circuit is completed.

However, I wouldn’t say I liked one little thing about the Razer Akemi switches: they have almost no bump. While they are swift, the feel of a button just being registered without giving a slight pushback feel isn’t that satisfying. After spending the big bucks on the Panthera Razer fight stick, you’ll want to be able to make it your own by adding a personal touch.

Qanba is a well-known name among the fight stick community. The Dragon has already reserved the spot as the second-best on this list.

It targets the medium-priced fight sticks that deserve good praise in the gaming community for beginners.

Feature	Details
Design	LED side lights, metallic ball joystick
Controls	Easy-access top panel buttons
Lighting	LED control button on top
Storage	Side wire compartment, 3.5mm jack
Parts	Sanwa OBSF buttons, JLF joystick
Layout	Vewlix style like Qanba Dragon
Extra Buttons	Options, Share, Turbo controls
Modding	Mod-friendly but needs tools

Quick Features:

• Premium Sanwa parts
• Built-in LED lighting
• Storage compartment
• Audio jack included
• Professional layout

Mad Catz arcade fighting stick has had a very high mantle to stand on for a long time. It has gone out of business; thus, no more TES+ fight sticks are being made.

Quick Points:

• Quality parts
• Comfortable size
• Good value
• Extra buttons
• Solid weight

Potential Issues:

• Tricky panel removal
• Complex customization
• Warranty Concerns

Feature	Details
Rating	6th ranked, good value
Design	Black/gold, compact size
Build	Good weight, lap-friendly
Layout	Classic Vewlix style
Parts	Sanwa-grade quality
Controls	L3, R3, touchpad + 8 buttons
Art	Nice stock design
Mod Options	Possible but warranty risk

The HORI Nintendo Switch Real Arcade Pro is the next fight stick on our list. This one is a stepped-down version of the HORI Real Arcade Pro Hayabusa.

However, it is still a decent option for those interested. As its name suggests, this Nintendo Switch arcade stick is designed primarily for the Switch.

With just over 80 bucks, you get the Qanba Drone fight stick. It is an entry-level fight stick that most fighting game enthusiasts start with.

Mayflash F300, another entry-level fight stick for beginners. With its universal compatibility and ease of use in the wallet.

The Mayflash F300 gets many things right. It’s a good budget pick not only for PS4 but for PC as well.

Features 🎮🥊

At the very least, we again have another fight stick by HORI. This one is as small as they come and boasts a very cheap price tag, making it a good option for budget fight HORI arcade sticks. But does it live up to its name and do what it intends to do?

What to Consider While Buying the Best Arcade Fight Sticks for Fighting Games

There is no better way to execute a special combo of moves and tricks than arcade sticks. Qanba, HORI, Mayflash, and Razer are great companies known in the market for fighting arcade sticks.

You will find two main countries that manufacture arcade sticks: Japan and Korea. They are the main suppliers in this niche. You can find every type of arcade stick. That is why we will mention a few unique pointers you could consider before buying top fight sticks that appeal most to you from the list above.

Conclusion

This list shows you what fight sticks are available for your PC, PS3, PS4, and other gaming consoles.

Some are very expensive and thus perform equally well. At the same time, budgeted picks are available for those who want to try the best arcade fight sticks and familiarize themselves with them.

• Our top recommendation would be “Real Arcade Pro N Hayabusa.” It has everything a gamer looks for in an arcade fighting stick. The stick’s built quality, the buttons’ performance, and the customization a gamer looks for. Its versatility and ease of use are another bonus.
• Second, we recommend the “Qanba Dragon fight stick,” which stands out among others. It has a very hefty price tag, but the question arises: Does the Qanba Dragon justify that price tag? With all that it offers, whether in terms of performance, quality, modding, or other factors, it sure does.
• Finally, we would suggest going for “RAZER PANTHERA: Fully Mod-Capable – Sanwa Joystick and Buttons” because the modding is pretty simple, even though you don’t have to. This arcade fighter stick is compatible with all PlayStation consoles and PCs, but it requires some hard work.

This list will prove sufficient for you regardless of your mindset for arcade fight sticks.

Please read it carefully and see which fight stick is for you. You will also be able to pinpoint your ideal arcade fighting stick with the help of our buying guide tips.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a fight stick?

Fight sticks are special, tailor-made game controllers designed for arcade fighting games. The games are designed with arcade fight sticks in mind, so their moves and options are designed with them in mind.

They usually have an 8-way button design and a joystick. However, some models are available without a joystick.

How do I get better with a fight stick?

It may seem very difficult for those just starting their hands-on fight sticks. However, time and practice are everyone’s friends. It would be best if you remembered that games like Tekken and Street Fighter were made to be played on these fight sticks.

So, if you stick with them and practice your hand on them, you’ll quickly become better at them.

How do I hold a fight stick?

There is no “proper” way to hold and use a fight stick. It all comes down to how comfortable and easy it is to use it. Many people can’t grasp a grip that another can quickly master.

The most generic way of holding and using a fight stick is holding the joystick with your palm facing up as if you have a glass.

Use your other hand for the buttons and press them with your fingertips to switch between buttons easily and quickly. However, again, this is just one way of doing it. Practice, and you may find a method that makes working with a fight stick significantly easier.

Are fight sticks better than controllers?

There are different game types; each requires a right stick or a controller. There is a rift between the controller, keyboard, and mouse for an FPS game.

Arcade cabinet games were first introduced on machines with these arcade fight sticks. Playing games with arcade fighting sticks is always ideal because these let you perform exceptionally well compared to controllers.

Where can I buy new fight sticks?

Although the purpose of the fight stick is narrow, it is still very popular in the gaming community. You can buy arcade fighting sticks from the manufacturer’s website or Amazon.

If you prefer to do your shopping on your own, you can go to a local game store and browse through their collection. You will not have issues finding these fight sticks as they are readily available.