Best Fight Sticks

Gone are the days when gamers used to play arcade games using gaming keyboards. Technology has gone far away, and gamers are now better equipped with the fight sticks to win the battle in any arcade game.

I am a big fan of arcade games; and, like any other arcade gamers, I too want to win every title that I play. And, this is why I love using advanced gaming peripherals like the arcade fight sticks that have gushed recently in the gaming market.

So, you might be wondering, “Which is the best arcade fight stick In 2022?” The Hori Real Arcade Pro V Kai proved to be the best fight stick followed by Victrix Pro FS, we’ve tested so far. This is a great fight stick for gaming on Xbox One X, Xbox 360, and Desktop PCs. We’ve tested the controller on popular arcade games like Tekken, Street Fighter, Dragon Ball Fighterz, or Mortal Kombat 11. And, the results were promising to put it in the list of arcade fight sticks worth buying in 2022.

Apart from that, we’ve tested dozens of other gaming sticks, and some of them are worth buying, even for those are looking for the most affordable arcade fight sticks under $100.

Are the Arcade Sticks worth buying?

Obviously, the arcade sticks/controllers are designed to play fighting games in a more convenient way. However, keep in mind that these are just the controllers, the rest are your strategies about how you perform well on the battlefield. One thing is clear; these are far better options than using the best gamepads or a gaming keyboard in the fighting genre.

If you have already watched the E-sports events held in 2019, you will find that the tailor-made fight-sticks used by the pros really made a great difference in their gaming experience. And, arguably this would be impossible by Sony PS4 Pro or Xbox One X controllers. The fight sticks allowed them to smash their opponents and pull off maximum combos in the minimum possible time.

In fact, these are the reasons to prove that the fight sticks are worth buying gaming accessories for the ultimate gaming experience.

Best Fight Sticks In 2022

Now if you’ve decided to buy the fight stick for your gaming PC, Xbox One, PS4, or the Nintendo Switch, this is the list of the arcade sticks for fighting games.

  1. Mad Catz Street Fighter V TES+
  2. Hori Real Arcade Pro V Kai
  3. Victrix Pro FS
  4. Mayflash F500 Arcade Fight Stick
  5. Qanba Drone
  6. Razer Panthera
  7. Neogeo Arcade Stick Pro

1. Mad Catz Street Fighter V TES+

Best Overall Fight Stick

Mad Catz Street Fighter V Arcade FightStick Best Overall Fight Stick

Reasons to Buy

  • Comes with a switchable restriction plate
  • Feels nice and solid
  • Low latency USB connection
  • Wide compatibility

Reasons to Avoid

  • Feels bulky
  • Lazy quality control

Mad Catz Street Fighter V Arcade FightStick TES+ is another solid build arcade stick for gamers. It has excellent build quality and feels premium for its price point. You cannot get any better arcade fight sticks from the market which a switchable layout.

The price of the Mad Catz TES+ fight stick is reasonable, but it would be nice if there were a slightly lower rate. It has a slightly aggressive price than an A-tier fight stick in this series like Mad Catz’s TE2, which offers more functionality and is easier to mod.

The art style of this arcade stick is simple but unique. It comes in black and gold with Shadaloo themed artwork on the top panel that can’t be replaced because it is glued into place; unfortunately, modding will void any warranty you have if something happens to your unit after its initial purchase. The symmetrical shape makes for a comfortable fit without compromising too much space or quality within the device itself.

Despite the price, modding is possible with this arcade stick. It also comes with a USB cable that cannot be detached and has designated compartments for it. Unfortunately, you cannot pop open the box, unlike expensive fight sticks for gaming. This is possibly the reason for the drop in the price; however, this doesn’t affect the buying decision much if you are not a modder. Modding is possible, but the stock button and joystick are good enough to provide the reason not to modify the stick.

Overall, the Street Fighter V Arcade FightStick TES+ is a well-rounded arcade stick. The joystick has just enough flexibility to move around. Each of the buttons has plenty of depth while staying comfortable for gamers who enjoy fighting games and other titles that require quick movements on certain buttons. Lastly, the underside padding ensures this fight stick stays stable whether it sits atop a table or lap.


2. Hori Real Arcade Pro V Kai

Best Fight Stick For Gaming

HORI Real Arcade Pro.V Kai Fighting Stick -  Best Fight Stick For Gaming

Reasons to Buy

  • Great value for the money
  • Responsive joystick and buttons
  • Compatible with PC and XBOX
  • Professional-level features

Reasons to Avoid

  • Not good for modding
  • Awkward built-in buttons

Hori Real Arcade Pro V Kai is the recommended arcade stick for consoles as well as PC gaming. This is arguably the sturdy hardware to conquer the next-gen games with a price as low as $200.

Among the notable features of Hori Real Arcade Pro V Kai includes the durable metallic frame, eight optimally positioned Hayabusa buttons for immersive gaming, and a sturdy base. Besides, internally the hardware looks similar to the original Hori Hayabusa Joysticks which have their proven fame due to their excellent gaming performance.

Most important to note is that these arcade sticks are equipped with their damn-good response time and minimum input lag thus improving the efficiency while you are on the battlefield and have no time to wait for the buttons to respond. While testing the stick delivered instant response time in Street Fighter V and we were able to inflict maximum damage to the opponent with combos. Although its price is high, the Real Arcade Pro V Kai is still professional level Fight Stick, and our recommended fight stick for gaming.

Not only this is compatible with Windows PC, its compatibility with the gaming consoles especially Microsoft’s Xbox One X, and One S, and Sony’s PS4 as well as incoming PS5 make it an appealing Fight Stick to win the console games.

And the good thing is its switching feature from one platform to another platform. With the help of a button, you can flip from PC to Xbox. The plug-and-play makes it easy to quickly switch between the platforms.

The design is highly ergonomic, buttons are really soft and easy to press with zero input lag. Besides, the device is available in multiple colors like red, blue, and white. And, the Joystick looks like Sanwa JLF-TP in design/

All in all, the Hori RAP V Kai is the superb tournament-grade fight stick to excel in the gaming arena, thanks to its solid design, responsive controls, and Hayabusa switches.


3. Victrix Pro FS

Best Fight Stick for Tekken 7

Victrix PS4 Pro FS Arcade Fight Stick -  Best Fight Stick for Tekken 7

Reasons to Buy

  • Aircraft-grade aluminum material
  • Excellent in-game performance
  • Responsive Sanwa buttons and joystick

Reasons to Avoid

  • Expensive

Sometimes paying for the premium gaming peripherals is worth it. The Victrix Pro FS is a testament to the fact that the fight stick is one of the best fight sticks available for Tekken 7 in the market.

Priced at a $349 mark, this is one of the most expensive fight sticks we’ve ever reviewed, (In this price tag you can get a new Xbox console). This might be the downside for most of the gamers looking for some affordable options; the finest look and excellent performance it offers are actually beyond what we had expected from it.

And the best part is that this is specifically engineered for Microsoft’s Xbox One game consoles.

Boasting an aircraft-grade aluminum chassis, premium Sanwa Denshi buttons, and a joystick the Victrix Pro FS is actually a professional arcade stick for Xbox One players. Besides, the Vitrix also sends an Allen wrench for customizing the buttons and joystick.

What features make it a worth buying arcade stick for Xbox gaming are the included headphone jack, accessible panel for modding, adjustable LED lighting, a USB-C cable, and eight Sanwa buttons. The bottom surface, too, is quite impressive and designed with anti-slip rubber material to provide perfect grip while gaming.

Most importantly, the Vitrix Pro FS includes a training mode button to reset your character position in Soul Calibur 6, Dragon Ball FighterZ, Injustice 2, King of Fighters 14, Street Fighter V, Tekken 7, Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite, and Mortal Kombat XL. This is where it comes to a handy fight stick for Xbox players.

Internally, the fight stick is nicely built and quite easy to be modded. The whole compact design is portable making it easy to carry and travel. The integrated cable hooks are duly attached for shoulder straps, and that’s why you can carry the stick over like a shoulder bag.

Performance-wise, the Sanwa buttons, reset button, and as low as 5ms quick response are enough to make you able to defeat your opponents in no time. The whole design delivers maximum comfort in intensive gaming sessions, thanks to its angle of slope that doesn’t let your hand muscles fatigued or fingers cramped.

Though the version we’ve reviewed is for Xbox gamers, there is a similar fight stick for PS4 gaming. The good thing is that both versions are equally compatible with PCs.

If price isn’t a big issue, this is the fight stick you can get to stun your rivals with lightning-fast moves and combos thanks to its premium quality responsive buttons.


4. Mayflash F500 Arcade Fight Stick

Best Fight Stick Under $100

Mayflash F500 Arcade FightStick -  Best Fight Stick Under $100

Reasons to Buy

  • Quite affordable
  • Offers Elite version with Sanwa buttons
  • Great cross-platform compatibility
  • Designed for easy modding

Reasons to Avoid

  • Has no room for improvement
  • Needs to be plugged into an Xbox to use for Xbox One

For those who are looking for an affordable arcade stick under $100 without compromising on quality and performance, the MayFlash F500 is the best choice they can make. Not only the device has an appealing design and sturdy base, but it is also compatible with all the platforms especially, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Android, and Windows PC. Due to its Support on Xbox, as per our test and benchmarks, the HORI Real Arcade Pro.V Kai Fighting Stick is the Best Fight Stick for Guilty Gear – If you are an Xbox Fan. The price for buyers is also not too high, and is reasonable, however, stock may be an issue.

Similar to its successor F300, the F500 is an upgraded and improved version for fighting games. Built with sturdy metal and rubber base, the design seems durable and promising.

Just like the Hori RAP V Kai the MayFlash F500 also comes with eight standard buttons and a solid base. The glitch with this fight stick to using for consoles is that you need to have a standard Xbox One controller connected to your console. This limits its feature although this is not compulsory while using it for PS4 or PC. We tested the Mayflash F500 Arcade Fight Stick, and our tests suggested it had great controls, high quality, and most importantly, It was looked very pleasing to customize.

The good thing is that it is basically a universal arcade stick available at an affordable price. Thanks to its Sanwa Denshi joystick and buttons, the stick is fully customizable. This is the reason it is the arcade stick to be used for modding. On the other hand, the downside is that the design looks cheap and not as durable as Hori RAP V Kai.

Overall, the MayFlash is one of the inexpensive and best fight stick under $100. Granted, the design may look a bit cheap, it delivers a good amount of performance, a solid rubber base, and swappable buttons. If you are a beginner or an intermediate player, this is a good choice that you can make without breaking your bank.


5. Qanba Drone

Best Fight Stick For Modding

Qanba Drone Arcade Stick -  Best Fight Stick For Modding

Reasons to Buy

  • Good price-to-performance ratio
  • PS4 certified
  • Responsive buttons and joystick
  • Replaceable buttons for modding

Reasons to Avoid

  • Small in size
  • Double triggering lever

If you are a beginner and don’t know where to start, get the Qanba Drone arcade stick in as low as $79. Without requiring a huge investment, the stick offers decent performance and an eye-catching design.

The entry-level players would definitely love its appealing shape that feels nice when placed on the table. But while using it on the battlefield, it feels like a soldier that won’t make you feel disappointed. As far as size is concerned, the Qanba Drone is comparatively larger than its competitors making it best fight stick for gamers with large hands and modding.

On its top, the stick comes with eight Qanba custom buttons and a joystick. From its bottom side, the Drone features an anti-slip textured rubber base for enhanced stability. Besides, the stick comes with a button lock switch, LED indicators, and USB ports. The adjustable and removable cable makes its portability and cleaning quite easy.

The Qanba is also highly compatible with PC and PS4 consoles. Unlike other inexpensive arcade sticks, this model doesn’t compromise over performance. The good thing is that all the parts can be replaced with new ones making it perfect for modding. If you are into fight stock mods, the Qanba Drone is the consumer choice.

The downsides of the Qanba Drone are the plastic material, loose fittings, and the double-triggering due to the Qanba’s custom-built joysticks and buttons. This problem, however, can be resolved by using the Sanwa lever and buttons which have a quite impressive tactile feel.

Overall, the Qanba Drone is the best choice for first-time buyers who want to improve their gaming skills without investing a lot of money.


6. Razer Panthera

Best Fight Stick for PS4

Razer Panthera Arcade Stick -  Best Fight Stick for PS4

Reasons to Buy

  • Premium Arcade stick
  • Compatible with major consoles
  • Tournament grade buttons
  • Awesome design for easy modding

Reasons to Avoid

  • Expensive

Razer has always been the king of the gaming industry and never refrains from fingering in every pie.

The Razer Panthera fight stick boasts some of the premium features including Sanwa hardware, full customization, and a touchpad. The stick comes with 10 responsive buttons and an 8-way joystick.

The buttons give an amazing tactile feel to smash the enemy especially when your competitor gives you a tough time. I actually loved the performance of its buttons and joystick that enabled me to run the maximum combos in the minimum possible time.

Design-wise, the Razer Panthera I is equipped with a decent glossy upper body and an anti-slip rubber base for a higher level of grip in intense gaming sessions. Apart from the standard buttons and lever, the stick comes with Start and Select buttons on its right side to be used in PS4.

As far as compatibility is concerned the Panthera is compatible with PCs and PS4 consoles. However, bear in mind that connecting it with a Desktop gaming PC is somewhat tricky that needs a bit of mastery because you’ll have to map the keys manually in most of the games. The Razer also provides Xinput drivers with the stick to make the process easy.

The best part is that the whole of the Panthera arcade stick is customizable and for modding. For this purpose, lift the lid off and swap the keys according to your choice. The Razer also sends a screwdriver to make things easy. If you are not willing to use this for PC, and as Razer along with buyers recommend, it’s the best fight stick for PS4, and this should be your ideal choice when going to fight stick for PlayStation5 Console.

As you know the good things come in small packages, they may also be pricey, and this is what the Razer Panthera comes with.

All in all, the Razer Panthera is an exceptional arcade stick perfect for immersive gaming. If you are looking for a premium fight stick with all the necessary features and are fully customizable for PC and PS4, the Razer Panthera is the one that wouldn’t disappoint you in any case. However, for Xbox One the Razer Atrox is really a masterpiece for your gaming.


7. Neogeo Arcade Stick Pro

Best Fight Stick for Neo Geo

Neogeo Arcade Stick Pro - Best Fight Stick for Neo Geo

Reasons to Buy

  • Best for NeoGeo Mini
  • Lightweight design
  • Supports Android devices

Reasons to Avoid

  • Not for modding

Not all the fight sticks are compatible with Neogeo systems and titles. To meet this limitation here is a Neogeo Arcade Stick Pro. The stylish arcade stick is a masterpiece for Neogeo and Retropie gaming.

Featuring an SNK electrostatic-style joystick and a nice-matte finish, the device is really appealing. The fight stick boasts with 720p output, 3.5mm audio jack, eight multi-colored Sanwa Denshi buttons, and a joystick.

As far as performance is concerned, the soft buttons combined with an excellent response rate let you push the gaming experience beyond limits. Besides, the buttons are highly tactile and silent in operation.

Apart from standard buttons, the Neogeo Arcade Stick features control buttons like controller lock/unlock switch to deactivate unnecessary buttons and the turbo button.

Connectivity-wise, the Neogro Arcade Stick supports two USB-C Neogeo Mini controllers in, an HDMI output, a USB-A controller, and USB-C power input. It might look very retro, but It is modern when it comes to features, and the Neo Arcade Stick Pro is our recommendation, if you are looking for the best NeoGeo fight stick.

The only downside with this arcade stick is that this is not compatible with other gaming consoles. So, you need to look for some other alternative for console gaming.

All in all, the Neogeo Arcade Stick Pro is a comprehensive arcade stick designed for Neogeo arcade gaming. With this arcade stick, you can easily dominate the Neogeo arcade titles such as King of Fighters, Fatal Fury, World Heroes, Ninja Masters, and The Last Blade.

Photo of author

Mathew Bradford

Hey! Mathew Bradford Here, A proud member of GamingExpert Team. I love playing games with new gaming gadgets. Our team is here to help you find the best gaming products, reviews of videos games and to help you decide which one is best for your. You can contact me if you need further assistance.