It’s not all that practical to squeeze the best arcade cabinets in your home. But if you’re after that classic, nostalgic feel of a joystick and mashable buttons, a fight stick delivers a similar experience when playing the best fighting games in a much smaller package. So, no matter your preferred layout, price, or platform, we’ve found a fight stick for you, including our top pick, the leverless Razer Kitsune, which is reliable and responsive.
TL;DR – These are the Best Arcade Fight Sticks:
- Razer Kitsune
- Qanba Drone 2
- Mayflash F500 Elite
- Nacon Daija
- Hori Fighting Stick Alpha
- Mad Catz Ego
- 8BitDo Arcade Stick
- Hit Box
- Mixbox Universal Edition
- Victrix Pro FS
The best fight sticks deliver a better feel and more control in fighting games like Street Fighter 6 or Tekken 8 than the best PS5 controllers and Xbox controllers. Sure, a regular controller will work fine in a pinch. But a fight stick amps up the experience, letting you pull off trick moves and ultimate combos, while the customizable and swappable components are a huge boon thanks to easy-to-access compartments. So, if you want a fight stick that’s sure to be a KO, check out our 10 top picks – and click here to find them in the UK.
Best Fight Sticks for Fighting Games
1. Razer Kitsune
Best Fight Stick
The Razer Kitsune is a standout option that easily connects to PC or PS5 via USB. This fight stick is unique, because rather than including a typical stick on the controller, it has a leverless design offering buttons that move in a full range of directions. Though that may take getting used to, there are advantages, including a quicker input speed–milliseconds matter in fighting games—along with better accuracy and easier execution of certain moves. Beyond the directional controls, you get all the other buttons you need to KO opponents on this PlayStation-licensed device.
The Razer Kitsune is an ideal size, letting both hands rest comfortably on it while being light and compact enough to carry around at tournaments. That said, the controller still feels sturdy and durable, and the buttons have responsive and surprisingly quiet optical switches. If you’d like a different feel, those buttons are even hot-swappable. Razer also includes a flashy light strip around the edge of the controller and a tournament lock to prevent you from accidentally getting disqualified.
2. Qanba Drone 2
Best Budget Fight Stick
Fighting games can be way more fun with fight sticks, but you might not want to pay the high price tag for a better experience in just a handful of games. That’s where the Qanba Drone 2 comes in clutch, letting you get in on the button-mashing, quarter-circle action of fighting games for under $150. With the money you save, you can grab some of the best game deals on fighting titles.
The Qanba Drone 2 is an entry-level fight stick using its own arcade buttons and lever, which are reliable and responsive. However, modding is fairly simple should you decide to go with the ever-popular Sanwa parts down the road. As for platform compatibility, there’s a bit of flexibility on this Sony-licensed product. Of course, it works seamlessly with PS5 and PS4, while the flip of a switch makes it ready for some PC gaming. Most will get the hang of its PlayStation button layout quickly, and there’s even a touchpad in the upper right-hand corner for more control.
3. Mayflash F500 Elite
Best Xbox Series X/S Fight Stick
For whatever reason, the Xbox has more or less been left out in the arcade fight stick market in recent years. A lot of the really good options only support PlayStation, and that leaves Xbox gamers with only a few solid options. Fortunately, the MAYFLASH F500 Elite supports Xbox Series X and has the incredible build quality you want in a fight stick.
On the MAYFLASH F500 Elite, you'll find all the controls you need for your favorite fighting games. The high-end Sanwa components make for buttons that are impressively responsive and the joystick is perfectly precise, so you will be able to maintain peak performance game after game. It is even made for modding out, so you can fiddle around and get everything to your liking. After you've got the fight stick locked down, be sure to check out the best racing wheels for Xbox to amp up your experience playing driving games.
4. Nacon Daija
Best Competitive Fight Stick
For those who are serious about fighting games and play competitively, the Nacon Daija is the ultimate partner. With it comes a Sanwa joystick with two head options, eight face buttons, and a few ancillary buttons on the side of the controller typically found on a PS5 gamepad – an Xbox model is also available. The joystick features a square gate similar to many arcade cabinets for plenty of freedom in movement, while the bouncy face buttons provide great feedback and are ready to pull off combos.
This fight stick excels in 4-button, 6-button, and 8-button games, so it’s perfect for just about any fighting game out there. Plus, fully mappable buttons let you customize controls for all your favorite games. Of course, a profile and home button are also on board, and a lock switch ensures you’re good to go during tournaments.
The Nacon Daija is a large and weighty fight stick, but the padded bottom allows it to rest firmly on a tabletop or your lap without feeling burdensome. Even though Daija has some excellent components, if you feel the need to tinker, it’s easy enough to open up and swap parts. However, you are limited to a wired connection to your PlayStation or PC. Luckily, that means latency should never be an issue.
5. Hori Fighting Stick Alpha
Best PS5 Fight Stick
We’re big fans of the Hori Fighting Stick Alpha for Xbox, and the PlayStation 5 model is quite similar and just as awesome. It features a sleek, sturdy design with an easy-to-open chassis for tinkering around and swapping in arcade components or replacing the top-panel artwork. However, Hori's Hayabusa buttons, switches, and lever that come stock are all marvelous, so most won’t feel the need to do any major modding.
The Alpha has a highly sensitive eight-directional joystick for quick responses to your actions. The eight main buttons also have some wiggle room around them, helping ensure they don't jam up against the sides of their slots and ruin any of your combos. Given it’s officially licensed by Sony, those buttons are assigned specific PlayStation controls. There are even L3 and R3 buttons at the top, along with a few other handy controls. Plus, this fight stick isn’t exclusively for PlayStation, so it’ll pair with your PC, too.
6. Mad Catz Ego
Best PC Fight Stick
The Mad Catz Ego is a fight stick that’s simply ready to go. What do we mean by that? It’s a fight stick that breaks through the absurd platform-compatibility divide, stands out with quality parts, and is geared up for gamers to tinker with at their leisure. Coming in under $200, it's also fairly affordable for a fight stick in a market of many pricier options.
The Mad Catz Ego works seamlessly with the best gaming PCs, making it a great PC controller, and Nintendo Switch. As for the Xbox or PlayStation, all you need to do is plug the respective controller of that platform into the Ego. It'll even work with the PS5 if you connect a DualShock 4 controller to this fight stick. It’s a serious boon to find something that can work for all of the platforms. The Mad Catz Ego comes kitted out with Sanwa Denshi ball-top joystick (seated in an eight-way gate) and action buttons similar to the best arcade cabinets. If those quality parts aren’t your personal favorite, the Mad Catz Ego is easily customizable and it even comes with a screwdriver to let you easily open it up.
7. 8BitDo Arcade Stick
Best Nintendo Switch Fight Stick
Plenty of great fighting games have come over to the Nintendo Switch even though they face the fierce competition of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. If you're all smashed out and want to enjoy those other fighting games to the fullest, grabbing a fight stick over some of the other great Switch controllers can improve your experience and make it easier to control with the precision these games require. 8BitDo has made an excellent arcade stick that's perfectly at home on the Nintendo Switch.
The 8BitDo Arcade Stick has awesome, retro NES styling. It also has illuminated button labels that show you exactly which Switch controls each button represents, and it can even change to a second set of illuminated button labels for PC controls. The buttons are easy to mash away, and the joystick is satisfactorily clicky. There are even macro buttons and a turbo function. And, let's not forget that the whole thing works wirelessly with a USB dongle. It also supports USB wired and Bluetooth connections. The 8BitDo Arcade Stick works just as well on PC and mobile as it does on the Switch, letting you get extra value out of the already fairly affordable arcade stick.
8. Hit Box
Ditch the Stick
Don't like the stick and just want all buttons? The Hit Box has you covered there. This controller replaces the joystick with another set of four buttons designed to work like WASD on a keyboard. With this control scheme, your left fingers rest over left, right, and down and then you can trigger up with your thumb.
It's an interesting controller layout for sure, but it essentially gives you the precision of a D-Pad, but ergonomically arranged for fighting games. Best of all the Hit Box uses 100% authentic Sanwa Buttons so you know you're getting the best and most responsive experience out of this controller.
9. Mixbox Universal Edition
Best WASD Fight Stick
Yup, you read that right, the Mixbox Universal Edition is the best WASD fight stick. In a similar way to how the Hit Box replaces the joystick with more buttons, this arcade fight stick supplements its traditional lever input with mechanical keyboard keys. Now, this makes more sense than you might expect as this type of setup gives you an extremely tight grouping of the four directional buttons. This spacing allows you to easily go through the motions of pulling off hadoukens and other special attacks. And since this controller uses Cherry MX red switches you're pretty much getting the fastest input with its linear action.
The mechanical keyboard aspect aside, this Mixbox controller comes equipped with eight Sanwa Denshi buttons. Also as the universal edition, this arcade fight stick works with the PS5(upgrade kit required), PS4, PS4 Pro, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, and even the Wii U if you still have it kicking around.
10. Victrix Pro FS
Best High-End Fight Stick
If you’re after a premium fight stick experience, the Victrix Pro FS is what you want. Once you get past the slightly excessive price tag, you’ll see this option exudes greatness from its reliable Sanwa components and sturdy build to the lag-free gaming and customizability. This fight stick is designed for PlayStation, so along with its eight responsive face buttons and a joystick, there are a few menu and function controls. And don’t worry, the controller works great for PC too.
Beyond the impressive controls of the Victrix Pro FS, you’ll see the body is equally great. The sleek, rounded aluminum build even features handles, so taking the stick around at competitions is easier, while the buttons are ergonomically laid out for better mashing. If you want to do some tinkering, there’s a handy, easy-open compartment for all your mods. And that’s just scratching the surface of what this fight stick delivers.
Where to Get the Best Fight Stick in the UK
What to Look for in an Arcade Stick Controller
Finding the right arcade stick controller for you is all about getting the best lever and buttons for your budget.
When it comes to the stick of a fight stick, you pretty much only have the option of going with either a Japanese- or Korean-made parts. Sanwa is going to be the most prevalent name you hear while shopping for a controller in this segment. It's a Japanese company that produces arcade buttons and sticks, the latter of which features square gate and mild resistance.
Comparatively, Taeyoung Fanta and other Korean-made fight sticks usually come sporting a circle-shaped gate and rubber grommet. You'll want this type of stick if you want a lever that springs back to neutral after every motion.
FAQs
What makes for a good fighting stick?
The best fight sticks offer a quality lever and buttons, with one of the most recognizable manufacturers of top-tier components being Sanwa Denshi. But plenty of brands create durable and reliable parts, including those found on our top pick, the Razer Kitsune. You’ll also want to seek out customizability and easy modding. Your gaming experience will be amplified when you personalize the controller to your preferences, so swapping face plates or controls and having programable buttons can make a big difference. Of course, platform compatibility can’t be forgotten. Luckily, most fight sticks work seamlessly with PC, while some are ready to play on PlayStation, Xbox, or others for multiplatform functionality.
Many fight sticks have different button configurations and even leverless designs. But no matter what you choose, one isn’t necessarily better than the other; it’s more a matter of personal preference. Same with weight and size, so if your controller lives at home, a bigger option might be a good choice. But those who want to cart it around tournaments could ditch some of that bulk. More than anything, you just want a fight stick that feels great to you, is responsive, and works with your chosen platform.
Do I need a fight stick for fighting games?
Your average controller will work just fine for fighting games, but a fight stick can enhance your experience, similar to the best racing wheels in driving games. A fight stick won’t necessarily give you any advantage, but the feel might be more appealing and comfortable, especially for those who grew up playing on an arcade cabinet. You can also use your whole hand to mash buttons rather than relying on your thumbs for most of the action. Customizations are usually easier on fight sticks as well. Whether you reach for a controller or fight pad is more a matter of personal preference than anything else though.
Is there a universal fight stick?
There are fight sticks that can be used universally to work across different platforms. One of the most popular universal fight sticks is the Mayflash F500 Elite which is compatible with Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, PC, and more. It also supports headset functionality. With USB connectivity, the Mayflash F500 Elite is a solid universal fight stick.
Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam
Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian
