Another Review: MadCatz SF4 FightStick Tournament Edition

How do you expand on describing the PS3 MadCatz SF4 FightStick Tournament Edition as.. AWEEEEEEESSSOMMMMEEEEE!!!?! Hmm… I’ll try…

I still have yet to personally own one of these badboys, but I did get a chance to go a few hours on one (more like 10 hours of Street Fighter 4). I can’t really comment much on the packaging, or the experience of opening it, which I’m sure will be the most fulfilling thing you do this year, but I’ll do my best to give some first thoughts on using it.

I must preface this with the fact that up until maybe 6 years ago I was more comfortable using a game pad rather than an arcade stick. But needless to say, I’ve been around the block for the last few years and have had a chance to play with North American-style as well as Japanese-style arcade joysticks. Purely based on my experience, and not expertise, will I give the most unbiased review on the FightStick.

Build

When you first pick this puppy up, you’ll realize immediately that it’s no lightweight. The FightStick can be described as sturdy. I wont say that it’s heavy, but even if it was then it would be for good reason. When you play Street Fighter in an arcade, you dont expect the console to move when you jerk at the joystick. Same goes with this stick–it doesn’t move.

A really cool feature for this controller is that there is a compartment in the front where you can hide the cord when travelling (handy for taking to tournaments like HGC). It also is nice for when you just put it away when not in use. Ideally it would be wireless, but I won’t complain.

The top surface of the control is very smooth and very similar to an actual arcade machine. It also helps that the joystick itself is a true Sanwa stick! The only oddity would be the two extra buttons, but I’ll get to that. The fact that this stick is easily moddable, no one should have complaints with the build or the components.

Experience

It’s an arcade in your livingroom (with the addition of the 3P and 3K buttons).

Buttons

Speaking of buttons, that would be my first complaint. Yes, a complaint. I’m complaining because the buttons are perfect. They are extremely sensitive and even with a slight press will the input be processed. This is something which I am not used to and frequently had issues with. I’m used  to resting my fingers in the divets of the buttons and pressing as I see fit. With the FightStick you’re not given such convenience. This is a player preference, so I can’t really say this is something I would deter me from buying it.

Sanwa <3

The stick is also perfect. The Sanwa stick sits in a square gate which may take some getting used to if you have only played on the common North American-style octo-gate. The throw is really short with this stick and allows for quicker execution, or if you have fat hands and horrible dexterity–a lot of random jumping. I don’t have fat hands or horrible dexterity, but it still took a few rounds to really get used to the sensitivity. I just found it really weird using a joystick that actually worked.

Each direction in the gate has a difinitive clicking sound. I personally love this. No guessing if you actually moved in a direction. With the input clicks sound, you have no excuse. Play with this stick and put away your joystick excuses.

3P/3K

I always liked having a 3P/3K button because I’m a lazy ass. If you’ve ever used an X-Arcade stick, you’ll know that the 3P/3K buttons were easily accessible with your right thumb and somewhat out of the way of the other buttons. With the FightStick TE, this is not the case. The 3P/3K buttons are right beside your HP/HK buttons. I can’t tell you how many times I accidentally 3K’d randomly because of the way my right hand sits. That’s just because I suck. Some people might have the same issue, so keep that in mind.

Connectivity

Yep, it’s wired. Should it bug you? No. It’s a joystick which should be on a sturdy foundation. If you got complaints, shut the fuck up. In no way, shape or form should this affect your gameplay–that is unless you’re one of 3 people in the world who have a 100ft wide screen and need to sit 300ft away from the screen..in that case, buy an extension.

Final Thoughts

I only have one final thought… if you can somehow get your hands on one of these puppies, don’t waste any time and pick one of these bad boys up. You won’t find a setup like this anywhere else unless you make it yourself. Even then, this FightStick is fully customizable. Every button, the faceplate, even the Sanwa stick can be replaced with replacement parts.

It’s like build a bear…except it’s build a stick. It’s sick to think a stuffed bear would make a grown man happy, but adversely any time I use a TE I’m more than proud to have a FightStick wood.