Now that the PlayStation 5 is finally here, fighting games will feature better visuals, smoother frame rates, and probably the same complex inputs. For FGC fans the DualSense controller might not cut it in that small input window to perform a 21-hit combo or well-timed reversal. That’s where fighting sticks enter the picture.
A fighting stick is like having an arcade style controller in your own home. It provides the accurate, pinpoint controls you’d expect from a high-end arcade console. They’re great for fighting game specialists, whereas the DualSense is more of a general controller.
Finding the right one can be tricky, especially for beginners. Here are four of the best fighting sticks for fighting games on PlayStation.
The Mayflash F500 Arcade Fightstick
One of the coolest features of the F500 is that it works with PlayStations dating back to the 3rd generation. So if you have a PS3 laying around, you can use it with a few of your favorite classics.
The Mayflash is durable and customizable. That means your favorite design or character is an easy part swap away. For example, the top plate is easily removed if you’re the type who likes to make a controller unique.
It’s solid, with two metal panels to increase base, plus a headset jack and speed settings. The Mayflash F500 Arcade Fightstick is a solid choice for anyone looking for an affordable, quality controller.
Retail: $100
The Victrix Pro FS
Think of this as the Lamborghini of fight sticks. To be clear, this one’s not cheap, but you get a lot of bang for your buck.
It has a brushed-gray aluminum case, RGB lighting, and eight black buttons, with a minimalistic look designed with tournament players in mind. The joystick can be easily removed with a simple twisting motion, should it ever need to be replaced.
The Victrix Pro FS comes with buttons from Sanwa Denshi, the premier name in arcade stick parts. It also has a Playstation home button, audio and lighting controls, and three programmable buttons. While those features aren’t tournament legal, they can be turned off. Make the most of your FGC experience and practice using extra options with ease.
The panel easily comes off for customization and part-swapping. You can even adjust the tightness of the joystick.
Retail: $350
Daija Arcade Stick
This is another PlayStation specific stick designed to level up your tournament game. It was developed in collaboration with Kayane, a French pro who plays Street Fighter and SoulCalibur competitively.
The Daija Arcade Stick has Sanwa parts for a sleek, comfortable look. Not to mention, the uncluttered playing surface. Don’t expect any misinputs since the navigation buttons are on a side panel. It also has a touch pad with a number of customizable options, including a ball top or a stick top for the joystick. The playing surface is uncluttered, with all of the navigation buttons on a side panel.
Like other arcade sticks, there’s easy access to the components and it comes with a wiring guide. The faceplate is also removable if you want to add your own artwork.
Retail: About $300
Qanba Drone
Looking for something more affordable? The Qanba Drone is the only stick on the list that retails under $100. It’s an officially licensed Sony product that is more of a bare bones unit without all of the fancy bells and whistles.
It’s a journeyman’s stick, good for entry level players or as a first foray into the world of arcade fighting peripherals. It has non-slip padding and a few navigation buttons, including a way to switch between the PS3 and PS4 in addition to PS5 support.
The Qanba Drone also has a tournament lock switch and a turbo mode. That’s it, but what else do you really need besides skill?
Retail: About $70
Put your arcade stick to the test in one of our many free Open Series tournaments for exclusive prizes!