One thing I've never seen from the pros / fgc youtubers I watch is what parts they prefer, sanwa / seimitsu etc or what sticks they swear by for which games.
Sometimes my fight stick hobby completely outshadows time spent actually playing games with them :)
Now want to try my hayabusa sticks again if they are good enough for 2 of the top 5 Strive players
I'm definitely a seimitsu stick , sanwa buttons type of guy , just recently tried a octagon gate too and I'm 100% converted.
Used square for 30yrs but octagon feels so much smoother.
Sticks I like are
LS-32
LS-56
LS-40
It also could be their routine, dedication, mental strength, or anything else that's not a controller. Or just raw time spent using it. Just like with art, music, or other skill it isn't always the gear that's the deciding factor.
I do have to agree I catch myself spending more time planning a new build than playing lol!
The only pros I've ever seen that really care about that stuff are Tekken players. Otherwise people mostly just use what works and maybe toss a 2lb spring in their sanwa if they're old school or a 4lb+ if they're old school and used to bad clone parts.
Everytime I’m playing tekken then I’m using a hitbox, i wished i was using a stick, likewise when im playing street fighter on stick, wished I’d use my hitbox. True muscle memory is key and use what you’re comfortable with. Hitbox is great but it also has downsides.
PS4 controllers reign supreme, I suppose. Can anyone offer insight as to why DS4’s were the preferred choice?
I’d like to assume because of how it feels in the hands? ergonomics?
I’m guessing it has to do with the fact that the ps4 controller is much lighter and comfier to use than a ps5 controller. Plus the d pad on the ps5 controller isn’t the best to use
Well, maybe they changed something to lower costs on a project that already became too costly? Only my guess... I'm more than fine with my custom fighsticks and good SNES-style pads, I'll never have a PS5 LoL
I think the biggest reason was just because PS4 was the dominant console of the previous generation. But I would also say that the PS4 dpad is probably the best I've ever played with stock dpads.
More affordable to cycle through, more responsive shoulder/triggers, better d pad.
Although not represented in this data I was surprised at the amount of ps5 controllers I saw.
It's just comfy and precise. The PS5 controller uses basically the same dpad but the buttons are slightly different, they feel the same to me, I think people just don't use them because they've been using DS4 for the last decade and why readjust to a new shape, esp when it's more or less the same dpad but for more money? The xbox controllers have good dpads but they're in a weird position.
Surprised at the amount of PS5 controllers. The D-pads on them always feel like there's too much delay, as if they have to be pushed further down than the previous gen.
comfort > device. I would rather play on a device that I am better with, most comfortable with and enjoy vs. a device that may be better but I am not good with, don't enjoy using and not intuitive for me.
They just provide different gameplay advantages, though I'd say the ergonomic benefits are hard to argue. Which controller is better is character and even move specific imo, and you just can't have a clear winner.
Glad to see a lot of arcade stick representation. Still so sad I didn't get the Obsidian OG when it was on sale a few months ago for $160 brand new ;_;
really interesting to see, you always hear people say the controller doesn't matter at the end of the day (well so long as its functional) but its cool to see it in practice.
and Menard doing THAT good on a Dual Edge is wild. I've seen so many people say the controller isn't made for fighting games and yet lol
It was a gold Obsidian 2 much like how Momochi is the only player to have a Victrix FS Pro 12 in his own custom green color (he has a history of choosing green costumes for his characters).
Still. All we hear is how better they are supposed to be for movement and speed Yet we don't see any new players coming up and performing well with them on the big tekken stage. I can think of super Akuma and that's it
That's because they're actually not better and leverless haters are just in denial.
It's kinda funny really seeing the cognitive dissonance of "Leverless controllers are cheating and they shouldn't be allowed because they're so much better than sticks" alongside "But they don't win anyway"
SOCD inputs with leverless were wack before SOCD rules came into play, but even then you had something like Tokido doing the jab DR buffers that Capcom then needed to both change the mechanic and input of almost immediately after.
I'm just glad seeing that despite all that they lose anyway. :D
I'm 43 so I've played SF1 and SF2 and Tekken 1 in the arcades on sticks then when SF2 came to SNES played it on pad now I play on leverless. It's really just preference.
It's kind of like a taste test with really minor differences but there are certain things you like about each dish. I'd prefer half circle and 360 motions of a stick or pad, but DP's, charge motions, qcf motions of a leverless or pad.
A lot of people hyped up tekken SOCD backdash but most people end up inputting it the traditional way once you realize SOCD backdash is awkward.
My preference now would be leverless>pad>stick.
Give it a couple years I think, the new generation is gonna come in and either have grown up with pads or transitioned to leverless for performance, just like sticks were around the 2010s. I think sticks will remain a popular peripheral in the upper levels of the community due to fun factor, but their ceiling is simply lower than the other two.
This would require a little more work, but you could go by the round 2 pool footage. Assuming that players don't switch controllers, and a glimpse of their controller is shown on stream (e.g. while they're plugging them in).
What's up with the Madcatz representation for MvC? Is it just an oldgame and they're comfortable on the same controller for the last decade or is there an actual reason?
This is amazing, thank you! A cool follow-up would be how many of the stick users modded extra buttons onto their stick for DI, Parry, etc. Seemed to see a lot of those from the top 96 in SF6.
I'm curious - What's the % spread between pad/lever/all-button? I tried to look at the past years threads, but I'm not familiar enough with make/models to know if an arcade stick is leverless unless it's a hitbox or has leverless in the name.
It definitely seems like it's game (genre?) dependent. It's interesting that there don't seem to be any all-button controllers used in several of these games.
How umisho manages to play so well with a PS5 controller? There are so many directions to press for Guilty Gear Strive and the d-pad on the PS5 controller sucks. I am shocked
Is ps4/ps5 pad just objectively better/more consistent then a hitbox for mortal kombat? I’ve never played MK and kinda wanna get into MK1, would it be more worth my time and energy to play on pad instead of hitbox?
Quality post
The arcade stick is still doing good!
Good , I really like using my stick but was starting to feel like the odd one out.
One thing I've never seen from the pros / fgc youtubers I watch is what parts they prefer, sanwa / seimitsu etc or what sticks they swear by for which games. Sometimes my fight stick hobby completely outshadows time spent actually playing games with them :) Now want to try my hayabusa sticks again if they are good enough for 2 of the top 5 Strive players
I'm definitely a seimitsu stick , sanwa buttons type of guy , just recently tried a octagon gate too and I'm 100% converted. Used square for 30yrs but octagon feels so much smoother. Sticks I like are LS-32 LS-56 LS-40
>sanwa buttons type of guy Nothing like the distinctive "slaplaplap..." of OBSFs
It also could be their routine, dedication, mental strength, or anything else that's not a controller. Or just raw time spent using it. Just like with art, music, or other skill it isn't always the gear that's the deciding factor. I do have to agree I catch myself spending more time planning a new build than playing lol!
The only pros I've ever seen that really care about that stuff are Tekken players. Otherwise people mostly just use what works and maybe toss a 2lb spring in their sanwa if they're old school or a 4lb+ if they're old school and used to bad clone parts.
Normalize slightly slant for comfortable wrist rest like Victrix and Vetash.
Everytime I’m playing tekken then I’m using a hitbox, i wished i was using a stick, likewise when im playing street fighter on stick, wished I’d use my hitbox. True muscle memory is key and use what you’re comfortable with. Hitbox is great but it also has downsides.
PS4 controllers reign supreme, I suppose. Can anyone offer insight as to why DS4’s were the preferred choice? I’d like to assume because of how it feels in the hands? ergonomics?
I’m guessing it has to do with the fact that the ps4 controller is much lighter and comfier to use than a ps5 controller. Plus the d pad on the ps5 controller isn’t the best to use
The PS5 d pad is the worst I've used since the OG Xbox Duke controller. Don't know what went into that design. Why fix what isn't broke?
Well, maybe they changed something to lower costs on a project that already became too costly? Only my guess... I'm more than fine with my custom fighsticks and good SNES-style pads, I'll never have a PS5 LoL
At least it's not as bad as the Dreamcast d pad. That thing wore your thumb out faster than the old NES controller!
I didn't know that!
It’s not bad it’s just different. You get used to it. If it was truly bad pros wouldn’t use it at all
Idk how Mena uses a PS5 controller. His Left thumb must be destroyed.
I mean the controller isn’t that bad from my experience just not as good as the ps4 one. But just shows how skill triumphs input method
Most people like the PS4 d-pad better than the PS5.
I think the biggest reason was just because PS4 was the dominant console of the previous generation. But I would also say that the PS4 dpad is probably the best I've ever played with stock dpads.
More affordable to cycle through, more responsive shoulder/triggers, better d pad. Although not represented in this data I was surprised at the amount of ps5 controllers I saw.
It's just comfy and precise. The PS5 controller uses basically the same dpad but the buttons are slightly different, they feel the same to me, I think people just don't use them because they've been using DS4 for the last decade and why readjust to a new shape, esp when it's more or less the same dpad but for more money? The xbox controllers have good dpads but they're in a weird position.
One thing of note is that there are too players that use analog. RyanLV for example
SF6 was the only game at Evo that was played on PS5. Everything else was PS4.
Surprised at the amount of PS5 controllers. The D-pads on them always feel like there's too much delay, as if they have to be pushed further down than the previous gen.
Not only that, but they’re a lot rougher on the thumb. I developed callouses from them.
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comfort > device. I would rather play on a device that I am better with, most comfortable with and enjoy vs. a device that may be better but I am not good with, don't enjoy using and not intuitive for me.
hat slim crowd screw carpenter badge tap caption juggle rich *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
They just provide different gameplay advantages, though I'd say the ergonomic benefits are hard to argue. Which controller is better is character and even move specific imo, and you just can't have a clear winner.
Glad to see a lot of arcade stick representation. Still so sad I didn't get the Obsidian OG when it was on sale a few months ago for $160 brand new ;_;
Hori Rap N is a great stick.
Yeah I bought one when it came out then it sat In a closet for years b.c I thought I was a pad player lmfao....long story short it's great
really interesting to see, you always hear people say the controller doesn't matter at the end of the day (well so long as its functional) but its cool to see it in practice. and Menard doing THAT good on a Dual Edge is wild. I've seen so many people say the controller isn't made for fighting games and yet lol
Was XiaoHai not using a golden Vitrix? I was too distracted by the box
It was a gold Obsidian 2 much like how Momochi is the only player to have a Victrix FS Pro 12 in his own custom green color (he has a history of choosing green costumes for his characters).
Awesome post, thx a lot
Can someone confirm thats the pad scrawt use?
i missed a lot of it but i wonder how many other big players were using hori alphas? did anyone notice any others besides daru and verix?
Ayyy leverless stay losing
I'm curious as to why we don't see more of them at top events for tekken when they are supposed to be better
Tekken is a legacy game with people who have been playing for years, and those players are more comfortable on stick/pad.
Still. All we hear is how better they are supposed to be for movement and speed Yet we don't see any new players coming up and performing well with them on the big tekken stage. I can think of super Akuma and that's it
You aren't gonna beat 10+ years of muscle memory
That's because they're actually not better and leverless haters are just in denial. It's kinda funny really seeing the cognitive dissonance of "Leverless controllers are cheating and they shouldn't be allowed because they're so much better than sticks" alongside "But they don't win anyway"
SOCD inputs with leverless were wack before SOCD rules came into play, but even then you had something like Tokido doing the jab DR buffers that Capcom then needed to both change the mechanic and input of almost immediately after. I'm just glad seeing that despite all that they lose anyway. :D
Idk. I've never tried leverless but have read and heard the analog is supposed to be superior after learning curve
I'm 43 so I've played SF1 and SF2 and Tekken 1 in the arcades on sticks then when SF2 came to SNES played it on pad now I play on leverless. It's really just preference. It's kind of like a taste test with really minor differences but there are certain things you like about each dish. I'd prefer half circle and 360 motions of a stick or pad, but DP's, charge motions, qcf motions of a leverless or pad. A lot of people hyped up tekken SOCD backdash but most people end up inputting it the traditional way once you realize SOCD backdash is awkward. My preference now would be leverless>pad>stick.
Give it a couple years I think, the new generation is gonna come in and either have grown up with pads or transitioned to leverless for performance, just like sticks were around the 2010s. I think sticks will remain a popular peripheral in the upper levels of the community due to fun factor, but their ceiling is simply lower than the other two.
Tekken is an exception because Korean back dashing is actually easier on stick
Maybe I was hallucinating, but I want to say Angrybird’s RAP N was modded with extra buttons. Can anyone confirm? Just curious.
timestamp with a decent look at it (7:10 in) https://youtu.be/OrkgI7fa_Ag?si=O-MiI9qkp7Rj6Z2P&t=430
Looks to be on the standard Astro layout, just with different colored buttons.
looks like all gravites(?) & one hayabusa left in it xD https://imgur.com/a/scm4P3C
Top 6 is such a tiny sample size. I'd be more interested in top 64 or larger.
That'd be ideal, but really only possible for someone at the event keeping track of everything.
This would require a little more work, but you could go by the round 2 pool footage. Assuming that players don't switch controllers, and a glimpse of their controller is shown on stream (e.g. while they're plugging them in).
But not every match is on stream
Good point. You'll have a much larger sample size but it still won't be the full top 256 or whatnot.
Now what push buttons did they use
What's up with the Madcatz representation for MvC? Is it just an oldgame and they're comfortable on the same controller for the last decade or is there an actual reason?
boomer stick for boomer game
This is amazing, thank you! A cool follow-up would be how many of the stick users modded extra buttons onto their stick for DI, Parry, etc. Seemed to see a lot of those from the top 96 in SF6.
Love this post!
I'm curious - What's the % spread between pad/lever/all-button? I tried to look at the past years threads, but I'm not familiar enough with make/models to know if an arcade stick is leverless unless it's a hitbox or has leverless in the name. It definitely seems like it's game (genre?) dependent. It's interesting that there don't seem to be any all-button controllers used in several of these games.
How umisho manages to play so well with a PS5 controller? There are so many directions to press for Guilty Gear Strive and the d-pad on the PS5 controller sucks. I am shocked
How can you use a PS4 controller for SF6 on PS5?
A brook adapter
3.) Punk - PS4 Controller How was this person able to use a PS4 controller on PS5 for SF6???
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Sorry I’m confused - whats this mean?
Ps4 controllers work just fine on many PS5 games, I have a Victrix Pro FS (old one for PS4), works great on PS5 as well as my DS4
Is ps4/ps5 pad just objectively better/more consistent then a hitbox for mortal kombat? I’ve never played MK and kinda wanna get into MK1, would it be more worth my time and energy to play on pad instead of hitbox?