Summary
Fighting games have come back in style since the heady days of 1990s arcades. If players haven’t been getting intoGuilty Gear Strive,King of Fighters 15, orSuper Smash Bros Ultimate, they’re playingTekken 8,Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising,or waiting forFatal Fury: City of the Wolveswith bated breath. That’s not getting into Capcom’s big success withStreet Fighter 6,or the blood on offer from Netherrealm Studios’Mortal Kombat 1.
Either way, they’re all enough to keep people busy with their controllers. While the standard joypad might be enough for casual play, some players may prefer something more comfortable and ergonomically designed for doing Pretzel Motions and other crazy commands on the regular. With them in mind, here are the best controllers for playing fighting games.
Updated on April 3rd, 2024 by David Heath:2023 was a big year for fighting games, but 2024 is no slouch either. Tekken 8 finally came out and impressed players new and old. Under Night In-Birth 2 Sys: Celes popped up to entertain anime fighter fans. At least it did until Guilty Gear Strive brought fan favorite character A.B.A back from the Guilty Gear XX Accent Core games (and Guilty Gear Isuka, but no one talks about Isuka).
In short, fighting game fans have plenty of games to play, but they still need something to play them with. Whether they’re just playing them once in a while, or heading to tournaments, they’ll need the best pad, arcade stick, or stickless controllers around. So, this list has been updated with more of the top controllers for fighting games, alongside a few tweaks here and there.
188BitDo M30
Retro Design For Classic Controls
Many of the controllers here are going to cost a pretty penny as they’re aimed at the players who eat, sleep, and breathe the genre in between going to tournaments. But there are some economical options for players who just want a comfy controller where they don’t have to travel between the face buttons and the right shoulder buttons for attacks. The8BitDo M30is basically an old-school 6-buttonSega Genesis/Saturn pad, complete with their color schemes.
Aside from the comfort of having 6 face buttons for attacks, it’s compatible with smartphones, PCs, Raspberry Pi, and Nintendo Switch (PS4 and Xboxes require an adapter). It only costs $27.99 too. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have analog sticks, so it’s not so great for other games. Its SNES-based counterpart does have sticks, but costs $35.99 and keeps the 4-button layout.
17Hori Fighting Commander OCTA
Out With The Old, In With The New
Sadly, the original Hori Fighting Commander controller for the PS3 and PS4 has been discontinued. Its Switch version is still available and is compatible with the PC too. But its other models will have to be found pre-owned. This is because it’s since been succeeded by theHori Fighting Commander OCTA, which has two different models designed aroundthe PlayStation and Xbox consolesrespectively.
It retains the old design’s Genesis-inspired button layout, as well as its bigger buttons and D-Pad, and players can still set the D-Pad and shoulder button commands. But it now comes with a Short Throw analog stick with an 8-way gate for more accurate controls, and adjustable input sensitivity to get them just right. It’s only an extra $10-20 more than the old models too, so it’s not too bad on the wallet either.
16PowerA Fusion Fightpad
Old School Cool
Likewise, the PS4 and Xbox One versions of thePowerA Fusion Fightpadaren’t being sold on PowerA’s website directly anymore. In fact, they don’t have a controller section for any PlayStation console on their website as of this writing. They’re still selling the Nintendo Switch version, and have other Xbox controllers, but players will have to check out Amazon and other websites for the Sony and Xbox One Fightpads.
The controller is essentially identical to the M30, in that it’s modeled after the Sega Genesis/Saturn controller, complete with the same button layout and D-Pad. Yet its D-Pad has been praised by fighting game fans for its responses and comfortable design, offering precise control and a nice, lightweight design. Even so, its $59.99 price is quite high compared to the M30 and OCTA. But it can be found for as low as $10 from other outlets.
15Retro-Bit Sega Saturn Control Pad
Welcome To The Next Level
The reason the Genesis 6-button pad is so beloved is that it was essentially designed to play fighting games. PlayingStreet Fighter 2with the original 3-button pad was a mess because players had to press Start to switch between Punches and Kicks. The SNES controller had enough buttons to map all 3 Punches and all 3 Kicks without trouble. But they involved using the shoulder buttons, which weren’t as comfortable as the face buttons.
Then the Genesis' 6-button pad came out, got carried over to the Sega Saturn, and made fighting games a dream to play. TheRetro-Bit Sega Saturn Control Padis the closest to replicating the original pad, as it’s designed to fit the original’s grade of quality. The difference is that it can now be used on modern machines, from the Switch to the PC. But if players still have a Saturn knocking about, Retro-Bit also offers new pads for the old console to help them relive the 1990s.
14SCUF Envision Pro
Fit For The PC Master Race
Looks can be deceiving, as theSCUF Envision Prodoesn’t seem more ideal for fighting games than an ordinary Xbox or PlayStation pad. Especially when it’s essentially $180 and PC only. However, judging by its reviews, it may be more suited for fighting games than other genres. For one, it offers a wide range of configurable buttons, from ‘G-Keys’ for mic/headset controls, to additional shoulder buttons and triggers, which can be adjusted to fit the player’s preference.
The faceplate and sticks can be swapped out and customized, and its clicky, Omron face buttons offer rapid response times. For some genres, that would be handy. For fighting games, they can be essential for nailing the tight timing on certain combos. If players can’t find a use for its extra triggers and bumpers, it comes with some caps to cover them up and shut them off. It can be a handy controller for fighting games, but it has a rival at the same price that offers a little more.
13PDP Victrix Pro BFG Wireless Controller
Stop & Swap
Considering everything it comes with, thePDP Victrix Pro BFGmay be the best value for money at $179.99. For that hefty price, players get a controller where they can change the layout themselves. The D-pad, analog sticks, and face buttons come with different attachments, so players can choose between the standard pad layout, a 6-button setup, and more. It also has buttons on the back, which are handyfor FPS gamesand other genres.
It also comes with a Tournament Lock to lock out the system buttons during tournaments, which will keep the player safe from accidentally pressing these buttons during a tournament that makes them verboten. The pad can also receive system upgrades to aid compatibility and functionality, though tech-savvy players may need to scour for any bloatware out of the box. Otherwise, this can cause it to run out of power pretty quickly. It can recharge in a snap too, but it’s still quite power-hungry.
12Hori Fighting Stick Mini
A Good Place To Start
While it’s fine toplay fighters with pads, arcade sticks are easier on the hands. People can just set it on their laps and drum on the buttons, rather than split their fingers between holding the pad and pressing the face buttons, or using the shoulder buttons for alternative inputs per game, etc. The question is, if someone is new to sticks, where should they begin? Which one is good for beginners?
Enter theHori Fighting Stick Mini. It’s officially licensed by Sony, so it’s only compatible with their consoles and the PC. But it’s also $59.99 new, has 8 face buttons, neatly organized system buttons, and is light and compact enough to lug around. Nintendo Switch owners do have their own version that’s $10 cheaper and has all the same features. But Xbox owners are out of luck unless they also have a PC to use it with too.
11Hori Fighting EDGE
Get The Edge Over The Competition
While the originalHori Fighting EDGEstick did work on the Xbox 360 and PS3, the newest iteration of it is another PS4, PS5, and PC exclusive. It’s a much bigger device than the Fighting Stick Mini, but not uncomfortably so for play. However, it does mean it requires more care if players are taking it on the move. Especially as it costs $199.99 per unit (even more so for older models). The reason it costs four times as much as the Mini, beyond its size, is its tech.
Its Hayabusa buttons and stick are clicky and responsive, the system buttons are set away from the face buttons to avoid accidental presses (it also has thataforementioned Tournament Modeto shut them off if need be), and it has a headphone jack. The device can also be customized if players want to swap out the buttons or stick for less clicky alternatives. Pricey as it is, it’s worth the cash for big fighting game enthusiasts.
10Qanba Drone 2
Effective And Cost-Effective
For something easier on the wallet than the Fighting EDGE, but more upmarket than the Fighting Stick Mini, there’s theQanba Drone 2. Aside from the 8-button layout, it comes with switches that alter the stick’s input (D-pad, Left Stick, or Right Stick) and compatibility with the machine it’s being played on. Yes, it’s another PS4, PS5 & PC-only stick.
The stick is also easier to modify than the Fighting EDGE, which is handy as it’s just slightly less sturdy than that stick too. So, if push came to shove, players would be able to replace its parts. Its buttons, while responsive, can feel a little slick. There’s no Tournament Mode either, but the system buttons are placed out of the way of the main face buttons to avoid accidental presses. At $124.99, it’s a solid, mid-range stick that’ll keep players in the game.
9PDP Victrix Pro FS
The Pro-Player’s Choice
Not to be outdone, PDP also made controllers for players who prefer sticks. ThePDP Victrix Pro FShas the most eye-watering price of the bunch at $399.99. When PDP said it was “designed for tournaments”, they really meant it, as only top players and professionals are going to get their money’s worth from the stick. Its sturdy design, backed up by its aluminum panels, is meant to take the brunt of traveling to and from venues as well as any accidental drops.
It also had Sanwa-Denshi buttons, which are generally regarded as the best on the market, but they can be replaced if the player prefers other models. The same goes for its Link 2 Stick. The system controls are a little close to the face buttons, but it has Tournament Mode to lock them out during tournament play. There’s even a stickless model available for players weaned on the Hit Box. Still, the stick is best suited for players seeking glory rather than fun.
