These Are The Best Fighting Game Controllers For You

This article is written by guest contributor Kyle Lantion. Kyle recently started his fighting game journey and got himself into the rabbit hole of finding the perfect controller. Let’s find out where his search took him and the insights he got along the way.

So you’ve taken the plunge and got yourself a copy of Tekken 8 (Street Fighter 6, Guilty Gear Strive, Mortal Kombat 1, or whatever fighting game you fancy). Most of you are probably playing it on your console and have a dedicated controller you use for most other games. The same goes for PC players who regularly game using either a controller or Mouse and Keyboard. However, the rest of you may be wondering if there are other controllers people prefer using for Fighting Games. In this article, we’re going to tackle the pros and cons of three different types of Fighting Game Controllers and hopefully help you find the right one for you! Before we jump in, please know that a better controller will not immediately make you a better player. Even the most expensive Hitbox cannot fix a skill issue.

Fighting Game Controllers – Pads

This type of controller is the most common one you are already familiar with. It’s your typical PS5 or Xbox-style controller with dual analog sticks, buttons, and triggers, and if you own a console, you probably already own this controller as well. While not essentially the best controller for fighting games, it’s the controller that you and many players are used to. It’s compact and perfect for traveling, but its size and button layout aren’t specifically optimized for fighting games. There are, however, pads specifically made for fighting games! The Hori Fighting Commander is a pad specifically designed by Hori to be used for fighting games. It sports a D-pad and 6 face buttons arranged in the typical arcade style. While these pads aren’t exactly usable for any other game outside the genre, they are incredibly comfortable to use for fighting games; just be sure to get the ones made to be used with your console or gaming system. Pads are also the most affordable and accessible controllers, and they have the added benefit of familiarity. While their size makes them the best for travel, they aren’t the most comfortable for long gaming sessions.

Fighting Game Controllers – Arcade Sticks

Some of you may have experienced fighting games on weekends at TimeZone or other local arcades. The Arcade stick is a portable controller that is designed to replicate the feel of an arcade lever and buttons. The layout of controls is precisely that of an authentic arcade cabinet and even features actual arcade buttons. While these controllers are comfortable to use and minimize the likelihood of mis-inputs when fighting, they are often large, bulky, and heavy. This is an intentional design choice to keep the controller from sliding around on your desk when you’re moving the lever in different directions. The button layout is also more convenient than a pad when fighting game controls and combo notations (more on that in a future article). All you need to know is that gaming on an arcade stick is a lot of fun, especially if you love to mash buttons. While the arcade stick is most players’ controller of choice, do note that traveling with a stick is frequently tedious and very cumbersome. There is the added factor of a higher price tag compared to pads, especially those made by Hori for the PS5 and Xbox. There are, however, budget options like the newly released arcade sticks by 8BitDo for the PC, Xbox, and PS5.

Fighting Game Controllers – Hit Boxes

This last controller style is controversial and recommended for players who have gone far down the fighting game rabbit hole. For most casual players, the Arcade stick or pad is enough to afford you a good play experience. Still, if you are looking for a controller with the most control, quick inputs, and a smaller form factor than a stick, then a Hitbox may be your controller. The Hitbox, often called a “leverless controller,” is a flat-mounted controller that has the same layout as an arcade stick, but instead of a lever or joystick, it has buttons used for movement. The Hitbox may seem daunting for a beginner, but it is gratifying once you get the hang of it. It’s lighter than an arcade stick, and movement inputs on a Hitbox are more precise and faster than input on a pad or stick. The main downsides to this type of controller are its accessibility and price. The one that most people will find is the Razer Kitsune, and it will Shoryuken a hole in your wallet. There are more budget options online, but those often require much work to be used with official consoles.

Fighting Game Controllers – Summary

To recap, a Pad is most convenient for traveling and has the benefit of price and familiarity but isn’t the most comfortable to game on. An Arcade stick is comfortable to play on and much easier to use for fighting games layout-wise, but it is cumbersome. Lastly, the Hit Box is what most professional e-sports athletes like to use. It offers the most control but is extremely expensive for officially licensed ones. While it may be tempting to splurge on a new controller, our advice is to pick a controller that you will feel most comfortable on and practice the game like there’s no tomorrow! At the end of the day, the controller is only as good as the player!

Now that you have that perfect controller, how about getting into solo esports?

Here Are 3 Great Solo Esports Titles That You Can Compete In Without Needing A Team – VRSUS