Do arcade sticks really make a difference?

[xSlender_manz]

I've been playing this guy and he uses an arcade stick. He says he's way more precise and he's been winning so much more since he got it. Should I get an arcade stick? Or do they really not make a difference.

 

[AZ MotherBrain]

If you willing to commit to it. I used to play stick but I converted to hit box. I think hitbix is the best option for nrs and 3d fighters. Its all preference though. I personally think pad is a better choice for nrs games.

 

[zaf]

They do not make a difference. Try one out and see if you like it.
It all comes down to preference.

Reo has always used a pad for every MK game and well....... yea look at his resume.
He is also one of the more technical players in terms of inputs.

I would suggest a hitbox over a stick, as those are actually more precise then a stick.
The dude you were playing, probably just found his comfort level using stick and that is why he is saying that.

I come from playing smash, years and years ago now. So I am well adapted and used to pad and will probably always used pad.

 

[Spinky]

Don't bother with sticks for NRS games.

 

[zaf]

honestly, do not buy a stick.
do not buy a hitbox.

Get someone to lend you one of each. Mess around with the both of them for a good week.
You will not find a comfort level with using them, nor get the muscle memory in just one day.

After using them extensively, you can then make the decision.

You will also not win more games. it is not like using a stick changes your fundamentals, just how you press buttons.

 

[chessmaster]

I have a shitty stick and i prefer it over any controller. So for me yeah. However they are not neccessary at all for nrs games.

 

[Mikemetroid]

Its all preference.

 

[Minh Giang]

don't need stick for nrs games.

 

[LAGalactico]

I use a pad for block-button games (MK9 and VF5FS) and a stick for hold-back-to-block games (IGAU and Capcom fighters). I also like to use a keyboard for emulated fighting games because of it's precision similar to a hitbox.

It's all based on preference.

If you have been playing with nothing but a pad and you switch over to stick you will suck at first but give it time and you will most likely prefer it to a pad.

 

[NoobHunter420]

I prefer stick. am new to fighters, I was having a lot of trouble with controller, I would usually get the wrong moves out due to how close the buttons are from each other. My fingers would get sore after a few minutes of gameplay( I press buttons real hard). The only character that I rather play in controller(ps3) is grundy because his chain grabs are a lot easier to do with the directional arrows. I use the hori fighting stick mini, it moves a little when I get too excited,but i still prefer it. a very important thing to note is that doing b3 combos on stick feel so natural, unlike controller where you have to press up+forward. I'm garbage when I play on controller, some times I feel like i have an unfair advantage with the arcade stick. I strongly suggest getting a stick, you might not want to spend too much if you want to move to next gen.

 

[godlessmode]

IMO:
NRS Games/3D Games: Hitbox > Pad (PS3) > Stick > Pad (360)
Animu Fighters (Marvel, BlazBlue, GG): Stick > Pad (Ps3) > Pad(360)/Hitbox
Standard 2D Fighers (SF4): Hitbox > Stick > Pads

The difference has to do with the input systems and buffer systems.

 

[Pro Marshmallo]

I voted yes because after I switched to stick my thumb wasn't being ground into hamburger on a d-pad anymore.

 

[xInfra Deadx]

For this game a stick makes a hell of a difference. Absolutely yes, if you can afford it.

 

[Konqrr]

I am all about using sticks for fighting games... but when it all comes down to it it's just user preference (unless you are using an xbox pad then you're an idiot <3)

 

[Bildslash]

Depends on the type of FGs you're playing.

NRS game are simple enough in terms of inputs to favor pad over sticks. For more precise games like 3D fighters or SF series a stick is the best way to go.

Now, it also depends on your own comfortability using each. For instance, I've been playing with pad for over a decade. And prefer to keep playing on pad regardless of the game.

 

[Galactic Geek]

I play just fine with my standard Xbox 360 controller & have managed my way into the top 200 for MK & the top 350 (so far) for IGAU, playing as Baraka, Sheeva, Lex Luthor, & Lobo no less...

 

[miloPKL]

not for NRS games. good luck playing KoF and SF on pad. stick players far outnumber pad players and for good reason. the large stick movements are more precise than smushing your thumb around a dpad. it can be done of course it just doesnt provide the same level of accuracy. my gameplay increased a lot moving to stick when i played sf. SF and Kof movements are a bit more complicated than NRS titles though. (360 and 720 motions, half circle and double half circle, Z turn (srk dragon punch) and even quarter turns which arent present in NRS titles) i think thats the main reason people will tell you its all preference here at TYM. sure, it IS all preference, but i dont think you can argue that the stick is just better for these fluid movements, rather than the press-press down forward or back forward movement of nrs titles. my 2¢

 

[Bildslash]

not for NRS games. good luck playing KoF and SF on pad. stick players far outnumber pad players and for good reason. the large stick movements are more precise than smushing your thumb around a dpad. it can be done of course it just doesnt provide the same level of accuracy. my gameplay increased a lot moving to stick when i played sf. SF and Kof movements are a bit more complicated than NRS titles though. (360 and 720 motions, half circle and double half circle, Z turn (srk dragon punch) and even quarter turns which arent present in NRS titles) i think thats the main reason people will tell you its all preference here at TYM. sure, it IS all preference, but i dont think you can argue that the stick is just better for these fluid movements, rather than the press-press down forward or back forward movement of nrs titles. my 2¢

None of those are hard in pad; well, if you have been using it for years. The true disadvantage for playing pad in current FGs is that you can't plink or piano attack inputs because of the button layout.

 

[Tony at Home]

NRS games control so easily, you don't really need an arcade stick.

If you are playing with an Xbox 360 controller, however, you should consider getting a custom face-plate for the 360 dpad.

http://www.evilcontrollers.com/products/xbox-360-controller-parts/evil-d-pad-face-plates/360-red-d-pad-kit.html

Been using this and have never had any directional-input mistakes since.

I play just fine with my standard Xbox 360 controller & have managed my way into the top 200 for MK & the top 350 (so far) for IGAU, playing as Baraka, Sheeva, Lex Luthor, & Lobo no less...

pffft.... Tier-whore alert

 

[miloPKL]

None of those are hard in pad; well, if you have been using it for years. The true disadvantage for playing pad in current FGs is that you can't plink or piano attack inputs because of the button layout.

i used pad for years. i found stick to provide far more control. sticks have the gate to lock your movements in. you are using a large object to make more precise movements with the gate to help guide you. down forward is actually a button rather than combination of df. movement is more precise. imo.

 

[Bildslash]

i used pad for years. i found stick to provide far more control. sticks have the gate to lock your movements in. you are using a large object to make more precise movements with the gate to help guide you. down forward is actually a button rather than combination of df. movement is more precise. imo.

To be honest I haven't actually used any of the current gen sticks. My experience comes from the times I played in old arcades, which I never felt comfortable with.

Matter of preferences for the most part.

 

[Lex Luthor II]

i LOVE my stick. I dont know if it makes me better, I was halfway decent at MK9 with a controller, but i think its WAY more fun using a stick. Fun is the most important thing.

I do think that it might make me better in the sense that since i enjoy it more, so i play more, and obviously that makes you better.

 

[miloPKL]

To be honest I haven't actually used any of the current gen sticks. My experience comes from the times I played in old arcades, which I never felt comfortable with.

Matter of preferences for the most part.

well maybe you should take a refresher course before making up your mind. arcade public sticks for the most part are pretty horrible in my experience. you must try a stick with sanwa make components. dreamy.

 

[AZ MotherBrain]

IMO:
NRS Games/3D Games: Hitbox > Pad (PS3) > Stick > Pad (360)
Animu Fighters (Marvel, BlazBlue, GG): Stick > Pad (Ps3) > Pad(360)/Hitbox
Standard 2D Fighers (SF4): Hitbox > Stick > Pads

The difference has to do with the input systems and buffer systems.

You speak the truth good sir.

 

[Galactic Geek]

I used to be the #49 best Dhalsim player in the U.S. for Super Street Fighter 4, again with a standard Xbox 360 controller.