From Controller to Arcade Stick: My Epic Transformation in Fighting Games

I’ve been a tremendous admirer of fighting games ever since I stumbled upon Street Fighter II in a convenience store during the early ‘90s. Once that game along with other pivotal titles such as Mortal Kombat and Virtua Fighter became available on home consoles, I essentially ceased visiting arcades and adapted to enjoying my preferred fighters using controllers. During that time, arcade sticks were not widely accessible, and the few available options were overly pricey for my family to manage. The formidable Sega Saturn controller was sufficient for me to outplay my friends and local kids who dared to challenge me.

I grew distant from fighting games following the calamitous launch of Street Fighter V, yet the Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection rekindled my enthusiasm for the genre. Over the past four months, I’ve devoted the majority of my leisure time to playing Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and King of Fighters XV, among various others. I am deeply engrossed in the fighting game realm, to the extent that I’m contemplating attending this year’s EVO tournament in Vegas.

I’ve been relishing my time playing fighting games, but I began to notice the shortcomings of the Hori Fighting Commander Octa and PDP Victrix Pro BFG controllers I utilize. I looked for alternative fight pads (as they are known), but the selections were quite sparse. Nevertheless, there is an abundance of arcade or fight sticks accessible. Considering these elements, I opted to acquire my very first arcade stick — the Mayflash F700 Elite.

Having spent an entire week mastering how to engage in fighting games using an arcade stick, I wish to convey my experience to anyone contemplating the transition. Although it may appear intimidating, I assure you that replacing a controller or fight pad with one of the finest fight sticks isn’t as challenging as you might presume. In fact, it could be the most advantageous decision you make. Let me elaborate on why.

The Mayflash F700 Elite

Before delving into my experience playing with an arcade stick, I want to provide you with a concise overview of the Mayflash F700 Elite.

After watching numerous videos regarding the top arcade sticks for newcomers, I opted for Mayflash’s device for several reasons. Firstly, it is equipped with Sanwa parts — recognized as the most high-quality, responsive, and enduring among arcade stick aficionado. The F700 Elite can also be customized, enabling me to replace the joystick and buttons should any of those components malfunction or if I wish to upgrade to alternate parts. I can even insert personalized artwork beneath the acrylic clear panel.

You can link through Bluetooth, a 2.4 GHz receiver, or with a cable. Bluetooth connectivity isn’t available for PS5/PS4, but I have no issue utilizing the receiver. If you favor wired connections, you can use the provided USB-C to USB-A converter for devices without legacy ports. This converter is especially beneficial for PS5 Pro users who would otherwise need to connect the F700 Elite to one of the back USB-A ports of the console, which would shorten the cable length.

Additional features comprise a convenient storage area for the arcade stick’s cable and an even smaller compartment for the USB receiver. There’s also an included 8-way gate for the arcade stick that you can replace with the 4-way gate inside the controller. The headphone jack and mute button at the front are also practical. The straightforward design, easily storable cable, and (relatively) light 7.6-pound weight are other aspects I value.

Now, let us explore my experiences transitioning from a controller to an arcade stick.

The experience

My initial plan was to start playing Street Fighter 6, struggle with it, practice on simpler games such as beat ’em ups and platformers, then return to Street Fighter 6 a month later to assess my progress. However, that strategy went out the window the moment I executed Ryu’s Hadouken on my first attempt. Some remnants of muscle memory from my arcade days persisted, allowing me to avoid starting entirely from the beginning. I then dedicated time in the lab (training mode) to master the fundamental controls in Street Fighter and similar 2D fighting games.

I probably shouldn’t be surprised by my approximately 80% proficiency with an arcade stick compared to a controller. While I’m developing new muscle memory and optimizing my grip, my years of fighting game experience are benefiting me, as I don’t have to relearn the timing for specific moves — my focus is solely on execution. In some instances, such as King of Fighters XV, I’m finding it easier to maneuver since that game revolves around movements that translate better on an arcade stick compared to a D-pad.

The primary benefit arcade sticks possess over controllers is their button layouts. Rather than four face buttons and four shoulder buttons, arcade sticks (generally) feature eight sizeable face buttons. Controllers with six face buttons (like the ones I’ve acquired for several years) can’t compete. This configuration of buttons allows me to effortlessly perform two-button moves without the need to combine two buttons into one. Additionally, avoiding awkward hand positions to press certain buttons is another advantage.

This might seem trivial, but one reason I was hesitant to buy a fight stick was my uncertainty regarding how to hold it. Should I place it on my lap or on a desk? I thought the latter would be more suitable, but I was surprised to find that resting the device on my lap has been quite comfortable. While this arcade stick is seven pounds, its balanced weight distribution makes it feel light on my lap. Moreover, the anti-slip rubber mat covering the entire base of the arcade stick keeps the device securely in place.

I don’t have equipment at home to assess battery performance, but Mayflash’s claimed 20-hour battery life from the 1000mAh rechargeable battery appears accurate. I played for about three to four hours each night over four nights before the battery indicator changed from blue to red, signaling me it was time to recharge. My regular PS5 controller typically lasts around eight hours, so the F700 Elite’s longevity certainly surpasses that.

I’m still not at a stage where I can perform moves automatically. Every action, from arcade stick movements to button presses, is a conscious effort. While this is helping me execute actions more effectively, it’s slowing me down. Nevertheless, I can still hold my ground in online matches. When I lose, it’s because my opponent played better than I did, not due to the controller. With each match, executing moves is gradually becoming instinctual. I hope it won’t be long before I match (or surpass) my arcade stick proficiency with that of a controller.

A new obsession

The YouTubers who recommended the Mayflash F700 Elite were correct. I’ve relished the opportunity to learn how to use the arcade stick and am enjoying the gradual improvements I see during my nightly practice routines. This is the most enjoyable experience I’ve had playing video games in quite some time.

And although I’ve only had this controller for a week, I’m already contemplating upgrading to different Sanwa components or collaborating with an artist friend to create artwork I can place beneath the clear panel. I want to make this arcade stick uniquely mine! I also intend to explore other peripherals like the Hori Fighting Stick Alpha or Nacon Daija. Perhaps I will even experiment with leverless controllers like the Hit Box — but that’s a discussion for another time.

I’m done playing fighting games with fight pads or standard controllers. From this point forward, I identify as an arcade stick player.

More from Tom’s Guide