How to choose the best arcade stick for your games

Nostalgia comes from relating certain experiences to different times in our lives, which is exaggerated when we relive it in a way closer to the original. The good thing is that playing classic arcade games on our PC brings us back to the good stuff, without the excessive smoke of olden days and the peepers in the back that made us nervous. Of course, you’re not going to play this arcade classic with a controller.

What makes a good arcade stick good?

The first thing that is important in a controller that emulates those of yesteryear is the so-called look and feel, where the touch, the weight of the levers, the size of the buttons and their sound must be exactly the same as in the Stick d arcade of yesteryear. Achieving this level of detail already demonstrates a level of attention to detail and care on the part of the device when it comes to producing it. Although we leave the nostalgic and romantic part for the moment.

How to choose one well?

• One of the points that differentiates a good arcade stick from others is the button bounce. The concept is similar to that of mechanical keyboards. You shouldn’t have to tap them for them to register your touch and they shouldn’t be so sensitive that when you put your fingers down they end up being squeezed. In this case, opt for those that use Sanwa-style buttons.
• There are two types of analog sticks: Japanese and Korean. The best are the first, since they are those used in the arcades of yesteryear and their mechanism is similar to what was in the furniture of the arcades. The Koreans, on the other hand, rely more on the analog sticks of current console controls and they’re not bad, just less adequate.
• The button layout should be comfortable for your right hand fingers and muscle memory. By the way, the more buttons, the better, because you will have access to more games, especially fighting ones that stood out in their use for this reason.
• Many arcade sticks promise wireless connectivity via Bluetooth, avoid them, although not having cables is comfortable, the extra input lag can completely hamper the gaming experience.

What are the best arcade sticks on the market?

We have chosen four different models as examples of the best that we can find in stores today.

• He Mini Hori Fighting Staff with 8 buttons and designed for use with PS3, PS4 and PC, although you can also find a version that works on Nintendo Switch and computer. Its price is generally between 50 $ and 70 $.
• For Xbox users, we have the Razer Atrox, However, its price increases to $286 for the brand it is. If anything, it’s an ideal complement to Retroarch on Microsoft consoles.
• Our third option, which stands out for its use of Sanwa buttons and joystick is the MAYFLASH Arcade Stock F300, which is for us the best option of all due to the fact that it works with any system and has a good ratio between its quality and its price, which is around 100 $.
• An option of the same quality as that of the previous point, the 8bitdo N30 arcade stick.Which is compatible with Nintendo Switch and PC.

What if none convince me?

Luckily, you can assemble your own arcade stick and purchase the keyboard and sticks separately to build the arcade stick of your dreams. In this case, you will need skill and patience, but the result will be worth it. In the event that you request a custom-made hobby machine from a specialist workshop, you can ask them for the configuration and parts you want, you can even choose to have a custom one made for you.

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