Using the standard controller to play a fighting game like Street Fighter 6 is one option. But it’s far nicer to have a literal built-in advantage by using a pad or joystick specifically made for fighting games, the kind that will make the game easier to play more comfortably. It’s also worth having a better advantage over other players. To no surprise, the best fighting game players around are using a dazzling variety of control setups that look stylish and very fittingly priced to give them an arm (or stick) up over the competition.
5. Victrix Pro FS Arcade Fight Stick (Angrybird)
The easiest way to find a good joystick is to look at one used by the big Street Fighter 6 tournament winner: Evo 2023 champion Angrybird. He fought hard and won with a strong and fearsome Ken in the final tournament, and received a stunning pile of cash and fame for his efforts. But we’re talking about fight pads and sticks here, so let’s talk about the prize he won that he’s using now: The Victrix Pro FS from PDP.
The Victrix Pro FS is made for fighting game comfort. It’s also made for tournament usage. The buttons are made from high-quality Sanwa Denshi parts with a Link 2 joystick, meaning it will withstand a beating from all the buttons that will be smashed and the joystick motions that will be performed for years on end. It’s also made for easy transportation from one house or tournament location to another, and made so players can make easy modifications to have it resemble their own personal joystick.
- The joystick replicates the feel of an arcade machine for the arcade-at-home experience, with ample space between the stick and eight buttons. It’s perfect for a six-button game, with extra options.
- Its customization options make it easy for owners to swap out buttons for their preferred style. They can also swap out the art for their own.
- The Victrix Pro FS has an easy way to lock out control options. This will prevent the player from disqualifying themselves by pressing the wrong button during the match, which you do NOT want to happen.
The white version of the Victrix Pro FS Arcade Fight Stick, in all its beautiful glory.
Victrix Pro FS Arcade Fight Stick specs:
- Available for $399.99
- Available for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC
- Comes in white and purple (sadly not the gold that Angrybird won)
- Built-in carry handles and cable compartments for easy transportation
- A Link 2 Pro detachable joystick and Sanwa Denshi button parts
- Control bar lockout to prevent tournament disqualifications
4. FLYDIGI Vader 3 Pro (Snake Eyez)
The FLYDIGI Vader 3 Pro is the latest controller from FLYDIGI, one newly modified thanks to the criticism this manufacturer received from prior controllers. This was used to create their best controller yet. The controller incorporates the best features from its rivals, including shoulder buttons with a great, durable, and comfortable feel, gyro capabilities, and great battery life.
The directional pad in particular makes it great for fighting game players. Any Street Fighter 6 player that uses a pad will demand one in which the diagonals and motions are easy and precise to nail each time, one that prevents critical execution errors. The FLYDIGI Vader 3 Pro brings the d-pad used in the newest Xbox controllers to other platforms. Snake Eyez uses it to nail the 360 motions for Zangief for every opportunity he can.
- The precision in the d-pad is great for the circular motions that several characters in Street Fighter 6 require.
- It also includes this in a controller with great battery life, and a rechargeable battery at that. You wouldn’t want that battery going out in the middle of a match, right? Absolutely.
- For SF6 players who’d rather use the analog stick instead: The FLYDIGI Vader 3 Pro’s analog sticks are made with a Hall effect that will prevent them from drifting after constant usage.
The FLYDIGI Vader 3 Pro doesn’t need to be used for fighting games. But you knew that.
FLYDIGI Vader 3 Pro specs:
- Compatible with PCs, laptops, Switch, iOS, Android, and TV
- Comes in white and black colors
- Includes Hall effect analog sticks that will never get drift
- Rotational d-pad
- Includes four back buttons that are easy to use
- 800mAh rechargeable high-capacity battery
- Supports wired, Bluetooth, and a wireless dongle
3. Hit Box (Tokido and Daigo Umehara)
The hit box is the newest and hippest way to play fighting games. It’s an arcade-style stick, sure, but all the functions are mapped to buttons. It does so while doing away with the joystick, allowing for easier motions.
Hit boxes boast improved accuracy and speed with performing techniques in fighting games, especially ones that demand command motions like Street Fighter. Charge techniques for the few charge-based characters that still exist are almost too easy to perform, like with longtime professional player Daigo Umehara, who plays Guile. They’re also comfortable for the, let’s say, older types. Both Diago and Tokido, who both use similar hit boxes now, are in their 40s and late 30s, respectively.
That’s “similar hit boxes” because they use custom ones assembled by Hit Box Arcade, who also sells the standard hit box. Their custom one will be sold sometime in the future, according to a Hit Box Arcade representative who posted on Reddit. In the meantime, the standard version gets the job done.
- Ease of use: The hit box allows for fighting game motions to be performed far easier compared to a more standard controller or arcade stick. It’s a learning experience at first, but not too hard to master.
- Comfortability: Using a hit box for an extended amount of time is far easier on the hands compared to an arcade stick or controller, making it great for ergonomics.
- Top-tier construction: Like other top-of-the-line sticks, the pad is made with Sanwa Denshi buttons, the most durable buttons made in arcade. The stick is bound to last for a while.
The Hit Box, seen here from the back.
Hit box specs:
- Compatible with PlayStation 4 (PlayStation 5 compatibility with mods), Switch, and PC
- Made with a steel case and thick acrylic top with easily replaceable parts
- Comes with a detachable USB cable
- Gripping material to ensure that the pad won’t slip from your lap
2. Hit Box Cross|Up (Justin Wong)
The debate about the benefits of hit box controllers compared to fight sticks has gone on for years, and no clear winner has emerged. One surefire attempt at a winner is the Hitbox Cross|Up, which combines many of the best features of a hitbox and a fight stick.
There’s a reason why Justin Wong swears by this. Some fighting games that work best with a fight stick, while others work spectacularly with a hit box. Having the option to use both is a fantastic choice. The Cross|Up includes the standard joystick made with durable Sanwa-Denshi materials, with the same applying to the 30mm OBSF high-quality buttons. It also includes buttons that mimic a control pad like a hit box would. The pad isn’t completely compatible with PS5 fighting games yet, which is why it’s only #3, but that could be coming soon.
- The best of both worlds: The Hit Box Cross|Up is great for switching between the two control methods, between a hit box or a standard tournament edition fight stick.
- High-quality parts: The control setup is made with Sanwa-Denshi durable materials used in Japanese arcades for years
- Button remapping: The pad allows for players to remap buttons depending on the game, and includes an option for game-specific profiles.
The Hit Box Cross|Up in all its shiny glory.
Hit Box Cross|Up specs:
- Available for PlayStation 4 (with some PlayStation 5 fighting game compatibility), Switch, and PC
- Available for $299
- Allows for multiple profiles, and profile switching
- Sanwa OBSF high-quality buttons and a Sanwa-Denshi joystick
- Steel case with a Plexiglass top
- Gripping material on the bottom that makes sure the stick comfortably stays put on your lap
1. Hori Fighting Stick Alpha (Angrybird)
Angrybird won the Victrix Pro FS stick as a prize for winning Evo 2023, a special gold variant at that. But it’s a bit more important to talk about the stick he used to win the tournament with: The Hori Real Arcade Pro.N Hayabusa.
Well, not quite that stick. The Real Arcade Pro.N Hayabusa is no longer in production. It can still be purchased on the second-hand market, but anyone in the market for a new stick might as well go with the current variant: The Hori Fighting Stick Alpha. The stick includes all the essentials anyone playing a fighting game will need, including Hori’s own Hayabusa joystick and buttons, a touchpad, tournament lock buttons to prevent anyone from frustratingly (or hilariously, depending on your perspective) disqualifying yourself. It also supports multiple profiles for specific games, and embedded audio and microphone controls. It doesn’t feel as premium as some aforementioned sticks, but it includes what anyone needs.
- Heavy customization: Hori Fighting Stick Alpha is heavily customizable, allowing for users to easily swap out buttons and sticks for preferred ones. The art can be swapped out too.
- Branded versions: Of course, the stick can come with its own art. This is the officially-branded arcade stick for Street Fighter 6, which includes an image of Luke and Jamie battling it out. (It’s also the official Tekken 8 stick, if you were curious.)
- The large size makes sure there’s a place to rest your hands while playing, ensuring comfortability.
- The price makes it attractive for experienced fighting game players and newer fans alike.
You might as well go with the official Street Fighter 6 stick for the official Street Fighter 6 game.
Hori Fighting Stick Alpha specs:
- Available for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, Xbox One and PC
- Retails for $199 for the standard Alpha, or $229 for the SF6 and Tekken 8-branded sticks
- Easily customizable artwork. There are 18 images available for customization for the SF6 stick, for instance.
- Allows for easy customization and maintenance.
- Supports up to four custom profiles.
- 3.5mm headphone jack.
None of these options will come cheap, but you’re getting what you pay for when it comes to buying the best controllers for fighting games. These will allow you to play Street Fighter 6 easier than the standard controller, though those remain solid options (MenaRD and Punk use DualSense and DualShock 4 controllers, respectively). It’s worth thinking carefully about which control method you’ll want to learn before spending freely on an expensive controller or stick, however.
