THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS! UPDATED REGULARLY!
Last update on 02/09/2009!
See comments below for latest updates!
Also check this SRK – Tech Talk Discussion Thread on the subject!
I’m going to tier the recent sticks that are available(or coming out soon) for PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii… Also included are long time contenders such as the Namco arcade stick and Dreamcast Agetec stick. This listing is just based on my knowledge/experience and opinion. The ranking is based on:
- Quality
- Parts Used
- How easy it is to modify
- Performance
- Features
Customs do not qualify in this ranking. Please note that pricing is not taken into consideration in this list. Why? Quality is the more important issue here.
RANK – SS
- Street Fighter IV Arcade FightStick Tournament Edition (PS3, 360)
RANK – S
- Hori Real Arcade Pro 2 SA (PS2)
- Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 SA (PS3)
- Hori Real Arcade Pro SA (PS2)
- Hori Real Arcade Pro SE (PS2)
- Nubytech Street Fighter 15th Anniversary Arcade Stick – Happ Edition (PS2/Xbox)
RANK – A+
- SEGA Virtua Stick High Grade (PS3)
RANK – A
- Hori Real Arcade Pro 2 (PS2)
- Hori Real Arcade Pro Ver. A (PS2)
- Hori Real Arcade Pro EX-SE (360)
RANK – A-
- Hori Real Arcade Pro EX (360; JPN version)
- Hori Real Arcade Pro EX (360; US version)
- Hori Real Arcade Pro Amazon Japan (PS2)
- Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 (PS3)
- Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 Amazon.co.jp Edition (PS3)
- Hori Real Arcade Pro Ver. B (PS2)
RANK – B+
- Street Fighter IV Arcade FightStick (PS3, 360)
- Nubytech Street Fighter 15th Anniversary Arcade Stick (PS2/Xbox)
- Hori Tekken 5 Real Arcade Pro (PS2; Japan only)
- Hori Street Fighter IV Arcade Stick (PS3; Japan only)
- Hori Soul Calibur III Real Arcade Pro (PS2)
- Hori Namco Arcade Stick (PS1)
- Agetec Dreamcast Arcade Stick (DC)
- ASCII Stick III (PS1)
- ASCII Street Fighter Zero 3 Stick (PS1; Same as ASCII Stick III)
- ASCII Rival Schools Stick (PS1; Same as ASCII Stick III)
- ASCII Capcom vs SNK Stick (DC)
RANK – B
- Hori Tekken 5 Anniversary Arcade Stick (PS2)
- Hori Tekken 3 Real Arcade Stick (PS1)
- Hori Tekken Tag Tournament Real Arcade Stick (PS2)
- Hori Tekken 4 Real Arcade Stick (PS2)
- Hori Soul Calibur II Real Arcade Stick (PS2)
- Sammy SNK vs Capcom: Chaos Stick (PS2)
- Sammy Guilty Gear XX Stick (PS2)
- ROYDSSTICK.EX Arcade Stick (PS2)
- ROYDSSTICK.EX Arcade Stick (PS3)
- Sega Virtua Stick Pro (PS2)
RANK – B –
- Hori Fighting Stick EX2 (360)
- Hori Dead or Alive 4 Arcade Stick (360; Same as Hori Fighting Stick EX2)
- Hori Virtua Fighter 5 Live Arcade Stick (360; Same as Hori Fighting Stick EX2)
- Hori Soulcalibur IV Arcade Stick (360; Same as Hori Fighting Stick EX2)
- Hori Street Fighter IV Arcade Stick (360; Same as Hori Fighting Stick EX2)
- Hori Fighting Stick Wii (Wii)
RANK – C
- Hori Fighting Stick 3 (PS3)
- Hori Soulcalibur IV Arcade Stick (PS3; Same as Hori Fighting Stick 3)
- Saulabi 4K Arcade Stick (PS3)
- Exar Tatsunoko vs Capcom Fighting Stick (Wii)
- Exar Neo Geo Arcade Fighting Stick (Wii)
RANK – D
- Elecom Arcade Fighting Stick (PS3)
- Mayflash Arcade Fighting Stick (PS3; Same as Elecom Arcade Fighting Stick)
* – Not yet released.
If anyone has any other arcade sticks that you think should be added, let me know. Again this is just from my experience. And I’ve used them ALL… lol.
December 14, 2008 at 1:02 pm |
Hi ,
The Sega Saturn Virtua Stick Pro is missing (which is a real astrocity panel, with seimitsu and sanwa parts). It’s SSS.
Best Regards,
Antoine.
December 14, 2008 at 4:26 pm |
Hi, I would put it in, but I’m not including Saturn arcade sticks.
If it was included it would definitely be an S rank.
December 14, 2008 at 10:11 pm |
Edited, Dec. 14, 2008:
Added to RANK – B.
# Hori Tekken 3 Real Arcade Stick (PS1)
# Hori Tekken Tag Tournament Real Arcade Stick (PS2)
# Hori Tekken 4 Real Arcade Stick (PS2)
# Hori Soul Calibur II Real Arcade Stick (PS2)
Moved the following from RANK B to RANK B-.
* Hori Fighting Stick EX2 (360)
* Hori Dead or Alive 4 Arcade Stick (360; Same as Hori Fighting Stick EX2)
* Hori Virtua Fighter 5 Live Arcade Stick (360; Same as Hori Fighting Stick EX2)
* Hori Soulcalibur IV Arcade Stick (360; Same as Hori Fighting Stick EX2)
* Hori Street Fighter IV Arcade Stick (360; Same as Hori Fighting Stick EX2)
* Hori Fighting Stick Wii (Wii)
-
Edited Typo for Hori Soul Calibur III Real Arcade Pro (PS2)
December 15, 2008 at 2:57 am |
Shouldn’t the Sega VSHG be ranked lower due to its 3-button issue in T5DR?
December 15, 2008 at 4:40 am |
How about the Hanaho HotRod for computers?
December 15, 2008 at 1:21 pm |
Edited, Dec. 15, 2008:
Added to RANK B+:
# ASCII Stick III (PS1)
# ASCII Street Fighter Zero 3 Stick (PS1; Same as ASCII Stick III)
# ASCII Rival Schools Stick (PS1; Same as ASCII Stick III)
# ASCII Capcom vs SNK Stick (DC)
Added to RANK B:
# Sammy SNK vs Capcom: Chaos Stick (PS2)
# Sammy Guilty Gear XX Stick (PS2)
Added to RANK B-:
# ROYDSSTICK.EX Arcade Stick (PS2)
Special thanks to Paik4Life !
December 17, 2008 at 11:58 am |
Umm the SAs should be up in the S+ tier unless your just trying to hype sales for the SF stick. If otherwise, why did you put the stick you helped make above them.
December 17, 2008 at 12:00 pm |
You’ll find out once the details are revealed at CES.
It has every feature the HRAP SAs have + more.
Wouldn’t that contribute to a higher rating, no?
SS is essentially S+.
December 17, 2008 at 12:15 pm |
I will have to see but HRAPSAs already have everything I need and more.
December 18, 2008 at 1:57 pm |
*Comments from this user have been banned*
January 6, 2009 at 9:50 pm |
I own both the Hori Soulcalibur 2 and Fighting Stick EX2, and of the two I vastly prefer the EX2 – the SC2’s stock buttons feel terrible and even broke after only a couple months of gameplay. I also don’t see how the SC2 would be any easier to modify than the EX2 – they’re both the same formfactor and both have the buttons soldered directly onto their PCBs. So, why did the SC2 get a higher grade, per your ranking?
January 28, 2009 at 7:29 am |
the ps3 has so many high quality stick readly available. the only good stick for the x360 is limited :( i am so tired of the hori ex2s being made over and over again for so many games. why can’t hori make a Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 SA for the x360?
January 29, 2009 at 7:05 am |
Could you add the bad ass Hori Real Arcade Pro EX-SE, please?
January 29, 2009 at 3:45 pm |
Updated 01/29/09.
Added:
Hori Real Arcade Pro EX-SE (360)
Sega Virtua Stick Pro (PS2)
ROYDSSTICK.EX Arcade Stick (PS3)
Moved:
ROYDSSTICK.EX Arcade Stick (PS2) to B rank.
January 29, 2009 at 5:39 pm |
Thanks for the update! Not bad ranking at all for the new Hori Real Arcade Pro EX SE considering this stick is more targeted for shmup games due to its Seimitsu parts.
January 30, 2009 at 11:43 am |
The X-arcade single. Where does that one stand?
January 31, 2009 at 2:46 pm |
X-Arcade is Sean/Useless tier.
January 31, 2009 at 5:43 pm |
I use a Tekken 5 Anniversary stick with a REAL converter and was thinking of picking up something new for SF4, specifically the standard SF4 Fightstick. But seeing this ranking now, is there much of a difference between a B and B+ rank stick or should I just stay with what I have?
February 2, 2009 at 12:55 am |
Thats ridiculous… The stick you helped make is somehow the only one ranked in the highest category?? I dont know what extra features it has, but the bigger (and from looks also heavier) HRAPs should be up there. At least the latest ones, and especially the HRAP 3 SA. Come on…
February 2, 2009 at 9:50 pm |
silly noob, the SFIV stick> Hori
February 2, 2009 at 10:44 pm |
@ ME:
Do some research first before you fire off.
The SF4 stick is bigger/heavier. Not as fat though.
February 7, 2009 at 1:05 am |
Hi ,
The Sega Saturn Virtua Stick Pro is missing (which is a real astrocity panel, with seimitsu and sanwa parts). It’s SSS.
Best Regards,
Antoine.
————————————
anyone know where to get one of these babies?
February 9, 2009 at 7:20 pm |
Updated listing.
February 10, 2009 at 5:05 am |
I know you said customs don’t qualify but what’s your thoughts on the Arcade-In-A-Box joysticks? I’m torn between this & the SF4 TE I have on pre-order, thx!
February 10, 2009 at 8:21 am |
I think the AiaB sticks are excellent especially if you know what EXACTLY it is you want.
You can’t go wrong with choosing what you want, so if you have the money, go for it.
February 10, 2009 at 11:14 am |
Where does the original Hori Real Arcade Pro stand on this list?
The one with the green buttons and the Mirror-like panel.
February 13, 2009 at 2:33 am |
How is the tournament edition stick better than the HRAP SA 3? I’ve been using my TE stick for about 2 days now and although there is nothing wrong, I don’t feel it’s superior to the HRAP SA 3 other than the awesome design. Not to mention I’ve heard a lot of people complaining about it, if I were a new user looking for a stick, I definitely wouldn’t be looking at this thread for advice.
February 13, 2009 at 2:59 am |
Markman,
Thx for the advice. At this point, I think I’m leaning towards the AiaB
February 13, 2009 at 8:24 am |
My defective TE stick with joystick completely unresponsive – D or worse because of the stress over opening it and trying to fix it and voiding my warranty or sending it back to MC (paying shipping costs in the process and waiting at least 2 weeks to get it back) which is a terrible spot to be in.
Out of curiosity, why isn’t the HRAP EX-SE not up there with the other SA and SE HRAPs?
February 17, 2009 at 7:57 am |
lol the se sf4 sticks are still ranked so high. haha
February 18, 2009 at 8:18 am |
The SE fight sticks need to be dropped SEVERAL ranks, especially with all the problems people are having.
@Dodgers
“silly noob, the SFIV stick> Hori”
Nice try… that statement only partially works in general, and not at all for the comment you were replying to. The SFIV stick SE versioin is garbage- and you only have to look at the massive number of complains about the defects to see that… The TE version is better than some hori sticks, but the SAs are at the very least on par and should be ranked the same. For calling people noobs that sure was a noobish generality you made there, lol.
I agree with ConHuevos, this list was made by someone who contributed to making the madcatz sticks, and the bias is pretty plain in that respect. No way people new to arcade sticks should be using this to judge…
February 18, 2009 at 9:45 am |
Again, this is my opinion, it has been stated many times before in the original listing.
If it doesn’t match up with your opinion, I guess we have differing ones, no?
If you think I’m biased, go ahead and think that, but I will tell you personally that I am not.
I love arcade sticks, all of them, I’ll continue to buy/review/make them as I see fit for the foreseeable future.
Especially with Tekken 6 coming out. I’m going to start doing a feature where I put some sticks head to head with each other (with the Tekken games in mind obviously)…
February 18, 2009 at 7:01 pm |
Hi there,
i have an old HORI Command Stick PS Custom that was originally bought for the ps1. Now im using it via USB convertor for SF4 on PS3, where abouts would this fall on your chart so i know what to upgrade to. Thanks!
February 18, 2009 at 8:34 pm |
Markman, in light of all the complaints and problems with the SE SF4 sticks, do you think you will drop them down in rank at all?
Also, why are the bottom tier Hori models on the 360 ranked higher than the ps3 versions? Is there much of a difference?
I have a couple SF4 sticks pre-ordered from Capcom, but they are now on back-order. Any idea when they will fill these. It is from the night that it was posted on CAG, with 10% off.
February 18, 2009 at 9:42 pm |
@ Swamp Donkey
Unfortunately I do not know when Capcom will be able to fulfill their orders, sorry.
Also regarding the regular Hori EX2(360) and Fighting Stick 3(PS3)…
The PS3 one is ranked lower because it does not use the proper button layout. It has it arc’d the wrong way. In fact the FS3 was the first stick to have this erroneous layout. The HRAP EX (Japan version) was the second.
If you don’t know what I’m referring to, check out the main four face buttons, the tilt up and to the left. They should be up and to the right for Hori sticks.
February 19, 2009 at 4:47 pm |
Fair enough MarkMan, we have differing opinions. But I was also responding to the comment “silly noob, the SFIV stick> Hori”, which is a totally flawed generalization.
As far as what I said about the SE sticks…come on. You answered Swamp Donkey’s questions one by one, and somehow glossed over his first question- and I think that’s because we all know the SE needs to be dropped down in ranking several places. Just out of curiosity, and I wrong to assume the VSHG isn’t in S because of some of the input problems people had? I don’t know, but even if not, I think the widely reported defects on this stick warrant it being dropped down. The joystick sticking, and people having input problems- that is an impediment to being able to play the game… if you can’t play the game right with a stick, then there’s no point to even owning it.
February 19, 2009 at 8:36 pm |
I think I’ve answered myself clearly many times, this is based on MY opinion, and that alone. If anyone else has an opinion other than mine, I won’t knock them.
I don’t feel the need to change anything of MY OPINION. If this was a community ranking/voted ranking, then things would be different. But it is not.
February 19, 2009 at 9:21 pm |
Nobody said it wasn’t your opinion, I agreed with that.
Maybe you “answered yourself”… whatever that means, but you didnt’ answer what the guy you recently responded to asked- and what I mentioned before that. Sure, you ranked the stick where you ranked it due to your opinion. But you haven’t addressed the defects at all, which was the point- even in your last comment. You’re telling me you care about arcade sticks enough to make a list- yet your opinion of one wouldn’t change if you find out that a large number of people report defects in it? That’s fine I guess, but it would seem that your opinion takes some pretty limited information into account. You say you aren’t biased, but I highly doubt if this was a stick from another company with all those problems and people pointed it out in here that you woldnt’ make an update to the list…
February 21, 2009 at 5:16 am |
Markman, you have the Hori Street Fighter IV Arcade Stick (PS3 Japan only) listed as a B+. I was under the impression that this stick was the same as the Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 (PS3) just with the new street fighter artwork.
Is it the same stick or quite different?
If its the same stick shouldnt the street fighter version then also be ranked at A-. Could you please let me know how they differ?
Also do you think its worth buying the Hori Street Fighter IV Arcade Stick (PS3 Japan only) or wait until Madcatz make some more Tournament Edition sticks?
thanks for your help.
February 21, 2009 at 10:42 am |
Zero_Uchiha:
They are different actually…
The buttons are soldered onto the PCB and it doesn’t use the same mounting plate as the traditional HRAP3.
That is why it is lower than the stock HRAP3.
It’s up to you on what you want. If you want all Sanwa, I’d suggest either getting an HRAP3 SA or TE. But they do have different feels due to the size/casing.
February 21, 2009 at 3:44 pm |
Markman thanks so much for your quick reply. I really appreciate the hard work you have put in to both reviewing sticks and helping answer peoples questions like myself (also helping build sticks like the TE).
The Hori Street Fighter IV Arcade Stick (PS3 Japan only)is in many electronics stores around Japan so I can buy it very easily (and was very close to buying it the other day) but after reading your ranking list of sticks, I decided to hold off. So Im very grateful to your help and advice. Hopefully Madcatz will release more TE sticks if not then maybe I’ll just have to settle for the Hori Street Fighter IV Arcade Stick (PS3 Japan only). I dont want to but heck it beats a d-pad anyday :P
Thanks again.
February 22, 2009 at 4:35 am |
Zero_Uchiha: Don’t mention it…
If you really want a good arcade stick now, you can always go for an HRAP3 or HRAP3 SA. You should be able to find them in Japan..
February 23, 2009 at 12:47 pm |
Where would the Hori Fighting Stick 2 (PS2) come in – same as the FS3? I’m a noob looking for a ps2 stick for <£60, and this is about the only one I can currently get hold of in the UK (apart from the Mayflash..!).
February 28, 2009 at 1:50 pm |
Is the FS3 ranked so low because of the button placement. Because that stick is 30 bucks and it OWNS. Plus, most people say that when you mod it with Sanwa parts, it’s better than the HRAP3.
March 4, 2009 at 9:46 am |
Men what about the Dominator Joystick XCM [PS3] ?
Can you give any thoughts about it plz ?
March 11, 2009 at 8:58 pm |
I would think that the Pelican Real Arcades should probably go on the list since they were one of the few sticks that were fairly common at retail in the US. I believe their was a Gamecube, Xbox, PS2, and 3-1 version. The buttons were absolutely terrible but they were easy to change to happ parts. They also had a cord compartment (like the TE, I figured that was the inspiration). The sticks also have very very low compatibility with adapters in my experience (and I had tried at least 10 xbox -> pc and PS/PS2 -> PC adaptors. Only way I ever got it to work was to make a xbox to usb adaptor and edit the device ID.)
P.S. Thanks again for the amazing job on the TE stick, I was fortanate and had it placed in my Amazon gold box right after they were put up for preorder (probably because I had already pre ordered the Hori EX) and it is the stick I’ve hoped for this entire time. Even though I was layedoff the Friday before getting it (picked up on Monday), I even had to go to my old workplace to get it, that I have been able to talk myself out of ebaying it. It will probably mean eating lots of Ramen and my wife leaving me but its too nice.
March 16, 2009 at 11:09 pm |
I’m going to chime in for the Hori Real Arcade Pro EX. I bought 2 off Amazon a month ago. I’m no Street Fighter fanatic or collector of fine console joysticks… but this joystick is phenomenal.
As a basis for where I come from… I have the old Hotrod dual joystick that uses a keyboard connection for MAME and uses Happ joystick and buttons. I’d say this setup is on par but of course works better on my Xbox 360 (duh) and also seems better on my PC. The keyboard connection always seemed bothersome. I may sell my hotrod someday… but I just can’t get myself to part with it yet.
March 16, 2009 at 11:10 pm |
That last paragraph… “this setup” was actually referring to the Hori REal Arcade Pro EX.
March 26, 2009 at 4:33 am |
Saw Joytron Paewang+ 3-in-1 Arcade stick and Joytron Singbigi 3-in-1 Arcade stick at many game shops in SG. I’m intending to buy either one so have anyone tried those sticks before? Are they good?
March 27, 2009 at 4:20 am |
Oops Joytron arcade stick is actually same as the Elecom and Mayflash arcade sticks.
April 14, 2009 at 1:48 am |
[...] De nada. Cmq tanto epr dire, qui han fatto una tier list degli stick al momento in produzione. arcade stick ranking SDTEKKEN.COM – Tekken News Resource! . quota Gametag Xbox Live : [...]
April 16, 2009 at 12:24 am |
Here’s two new ones:
Playstation 3 Street Fighter 4 Pro Fighting Stick
which apparently is sold at gadget-asia
and
playtech ps3 arcade stick
April 19, 2009 at 6:37 pm |
why is the svc chaos stick in a lower rank than the other ASCIIs? I could understand the GG one since it has 5 buttons on the top. But really?
and if that’s the case should the tekken tag stick be on a lower rank than the other tekkens?
i don’t it’s my opinion since yeah ill giev you that the parts aren’t exactly the best you really can’t use the tekken tag, nor the GG to play Street fighter. I believe there is another hori that has only 4 buttons on the top for psx, i just can’t remember which one it was.
April 21, 2009 at 1:16 am |
MarkMan, What about the X-Arcade solo?
Please tell me where this would rank.
April 21, 2009 at 1:37 am |
MarkMan, What about the X-Arcade solo?
Please tell me where this would rank.
(PS. sorry for the double post. I forgot to click the ‘notify me by email’ check box)
May 12, 2009 at 10:41 am |
[...] [...]
May 31, 2009 at 4:34 pm |
An arcade stick review without x-arcade is not a real arcade stick review…
July 12, 2009 at 3:15 pm |
Considering none of the parts on an X-Arcade are genuine Happ are basically poorly made Chinese sweatshop knock-offs, I’d say unless the X-Arcade is easily modified then they are more likely to be considered quite low on the list.
Quality is key here as well as construction. And since the X-Arcade does not use REAL Arcade parts for either the joystick or buttons. (i.e HAPP being real arcade buttons, and not the cheap rip-offs made in china that the X-Arcade has)
Then it it’s a given that X-Arcade does not qualified to be on the list as a “REAL” Arcade Stick.
June 1, 2009 at 2:31 am |
So how come the HRAP2 is > then HRAP3 whats the difference?
June 3, 2009 at 9:41 am |
[...] [...]
July 26, 2009 at 11:05 am |
if anyones interested i’m selling a namco arcade stick on ebay uk (but i’ll send to the us) email me dj_wilhelm@hotmail.com if you’re interested
September 6, 2009 at 10:35 pm |
I know this is primarily “arcade” but I’ll tell you, I use this for playing a lot of MAME arcade games as well as Classic Computer emulation games on my WinXP PC, its a USB joystick recreation of the old Atari 2600 stick and man, I’ll tell you – this thing is great!
http://www.legacyengineer.com/storefront
September 7, 2009 at 9:13 am |
holy crap…
Saulabi 4K is ranked -C ??
Fortunately I asked for HRAP 3, instead of the Saulabi 4K.
So, thank you SDTekken.
Love the HRAP3, heaps… :)
October 27, 2009 at 1:14 am |
Do you think you could add the Tekken 6 Wireless stick if you get your hands on one to test?
January 25, 2010 at 4:13 pm |
Hi all! Just wanted to let you know I’m selling the mother of all joysticks, a Sega Saturn Virtua Stick Pro HSS-0130 on eBay If you guys are interested:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sega-Saturn-Virtua-Stick-Pro-HSS-0130-joystick-SS-RARE_W0QQitemZ330398956524QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVideo_Games_Accessories?hash=item4ced4ffbec