If you're like me, you understand how important it is to play a fighting game with a comfortable, capable controller. The genre demands swift, sharp inputs for launching fireballs, executing combo links, and performing super moves, so you need a controller that enables you to do just that. A standard gamepad can do the job, but for many members of the fighting game community (FGC), fight sticks—alternately known as arcade sticks—are the weapons of choice. I've been a member of the FGC since participating in 1990s-era Street Fighter II money matches, so I know a thing or two about a good arcade stick. Read on for my top fight stick picks, followed by buying advice to help you find one that fits what you need to play Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and more.
Hori Fighting Stick Mini 4
Hori Fighting Stick Mini 4 (2019)
Why We Picked It
The Hori Fighting Stick Mini 4 is a satisfactory entry-level stick. Though small in price and stature, it offers the features you expect from a PlayStation-compatible controller, including Home, Options, and Share buttons (a similar version for the Switch features Street Fighter branding). A 9-foot USB cord lets you sit comfortably away from a gaming monitor or gaming TV. Lastly, PC compatibility means you can plug in the stick and play your favorite Steam games.
Who It's For
Budget-conscious fighting game fans: Priced at $49.99, the Hori Fighting Stick Mini 4 costs less than many new fighting games.
People with small hands: Given the stick's small 3.4-by-8.3-by-5.9-inch footprint, the Hori Fighting Stick Mini 4 is useful when you don't want to lug a full-size stick to a friend's place. People with large paws may find the Mini 4 a bit compact, though.
Qanba Drone 2
Why We Picked It
The Qanba Drone 2 is a "premium" entry-level fight stick. Compatible with the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC, the stick costs more than the budget-friendly Hori Fighting Stick Mini 4 but includes anti-slip, textured strips on its bottom, a full PlayStation control panel, a Share button, a touchpad, a compartment for stashing the USB cord, and a headphone jack.
Who It's For
Novice modders: The Qanba Drone 2 features a lever-access hole that lets you easily replace the joystick without unscrewing the unit's top from the bottom. Measuring 4.5 by 14 by 8.7 inches (HWD), the Drone 2's size makes it easier to mod than smaller budget options, but it lacks the easy-access panels in truly premium models.
Hori Fighting Stick Alpha
Why We Picked It
Compatible with the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, and PC, the Hori Fighting Stick Alpha is a tournament-ready arcade stick with many user-friendly features. It features Hori's own Hayabusa lever and matte-finish buttons designed for faster response times and cleaner inputs (the company claims that the stick cuts input loads by up to 15%); a breakaway, 9.8-inch cable that tucks away into the body for easy transportation; anti-slip pads on the bottom; and a key-lock switch that prevents you from being disqualified from a tournament by tapping the Menu, View, or Share buttons mid-match.
Who Its For
People who play multiple fighting games: If you download the Hori Device Manager app, you can customize the Hori Fighting Stick Alpha's button configuration and create up to four different profiles—an excellent option if you play multiple games.
Qanba Titan
Why We Picked It
Resembling a hybrid of Qanba's Drone 2 and Obsidian 2 fight sticks, the $179 Titan is a terrific mid-tier controller with many attractive features. The Sony-licensed Titan is compatible with the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, so it's no surprise that it features a touch panel for games that support swipe gestures. It also works well with PC games, and features a tournament-friendly button-lock switch to prevent DQs. In terms of components, the arcade stick features a Sanwa Denshi arcade-quality balltop joystick and buttons.
Who It's For
Aggressive players: The Titan is a well-designed stick that won't budge when you're furiously executing moves. That steadiness comes courtesy of its 5-pound weight and a rubber, anti-slip pad on the controller's bottom.
Victrix Pro FS
Victrix Pro FS PlayStation Fight Stick for PS4, PS5, PC
Why We Picked It
Sometimes, you just gotta floss. The Victrix Pro FS doesn't come cheap, but you should drop some coin on this bad boy if you're looking for a high-end fight stick with a durable build, lock button, Sanwa Denshi's arcade-quality parts, and LED lighting that lets you stunt on rival tournament entrants. It is available in purple or white for the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, or PC.
Who It's For
Clumsy fighting game fans: Fear that you'll drop your stick and shatter it? The Victrix Pro FS greatly reduces that worry. It's made from a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum that can take some lumps and bumps.
Modding enthusiasts: The Victrix Pro FS comes with a detachable Sanwa Denshi ball-top joystick, an Allen wrench for tightening or loosening the stick, and an easy-access panel for getting under the hood.
Why We Picked It
Qanba has many excellent fight sticks, but the Obsidian 2 is the company's top-of-the-line offering. The quality becomes apparent when you touch the glossy, all-black controller that measures 4.6 by 19.1 by 10.2 inches and weighs 7.3 pounds. The officially Sony-licensed stick—compatible with PS5, PS4, and PC—has arcade-quality Sanwa Deshi parts, a lever-access hole, a headphone jack, a touchpad, a PlayStation control strip, and a button-lock switch.
Who It's For
Joystick swappers: Can't decide if you prefer bat top or ball top arcade sticks? The Qanba Obsidian 2 includes both. Its screw-off door panel on the right side houses a bat top that you can use instead of the default ball top.
Razer Kitsune
Razer Kitsune All-Button Arcade Controller: For PS5 / PlayStation 5 & PC - Low-Profile Optical Switches - Slim Form Fact
Why We Picked It
Leverless controllers are all the rage, and Razer makes its category debut with the Kitsune. The excellent, all-button "stick" leverages Razer's optical switches to reduce input errors, enabling super-accurate execution of complex special moves (though it takes some practice if you're accustomed to gamepads). Tourney players will be happy to learn that the Kitsune has cable lock and button lock switches to prevent accidental disconnections and unwanted inputs during high-stakes competitions. It's available for PC and PS5.
Who It's For
Gamers who want to travel light: Designed with portability in mind, the 1.7-pound Kitsune has a slim profile (0.7 by 11.6 by 8.2 inches), making it easy to toss into a backpack.
People who fancy visual flair: Is a Razer device truly a Razer device without attractive, colorful lighting? The Kitsune features Razer Chroma RGB, with several preset shortcuts for customization purposes.
Street Fighter fans: The Razer Kitsune is available in black and Street Fighter 6-themed models featuring artwork inspired by Akuma and Chun-Li.
Victrix Pro KO
Why We Picked It
If you want a leverless controller that won't bog you down while traveling to a tourney or a buddy's place, check out the Victrix Pro KO. The controller weighs just 2.7 pounds but feels incredibly sturdy thanks to its aluminum top plate and rubber bottom (which keeps it in place while you're fiercely battling opponents). It also features an ergonomic, 6.2-degree wrist slope that tapers to a relatively thin 0.8 inches. It's compatible with PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Xbox Series X/S.
Who It's For
Gamers who value ergonomics: The spacious KO Pro (13.3 inches wide, 9.2 inches deep) is great for lap or tabletop play. Its well-placed buttons are within reach but not cramped together, making for comfortable gameplay sessions.
Modding enthusiasts: The KO Pro features hot-swappable MX Speed Silver RGB switches, a removable aluminum top plate, customizable RGB lighting via the Victrix Control Hub app, and up to 16 moveable and mappable buttons (12 are installed; 4 extra are stashed inside).
Tournament players: Are you concerned about tournament-eliminating disconnects? The Pro KO has two solutions. A tournament lock switch deactivates the buttons to prevent undesirable disqualifications, and the braided, 9.8-foot USB cable features a locking mechanism to prevent accidental unplugs.