Hori busts out arcade-style joysticks for the PS3

While it may not be the best option for a game of Resistance, if you want to be prepared for one of the few fighting games that'll be making its way to the PS3 in the coming months, you might want to give one of these offerings from accessory-maker Hori some serious consideration. The Fighting Stick 3 is the less expensive of the two, running a reasonable 5,229 Yen ($45) and sporting a button layout that'll be familiar to anyone that's set foot in an arcade in the last fifteen years, as well as a rapid fire feature for those that need a little help. Taking things up a notch, the $70 Real Arcade Pro 3 will give you the same layout and features, but in a more arcade-authentic package. Both sticks will be available in Japan February 8th, just in time for the downloadable version of Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection.

[ogallaga @ Dec 13th 2006 3:52PM]

No wireless?

[GioNYC @ Dec 13th 2006 4:10PM]

Its not wirless and Its ugly too.

[Andir3.0 @ Dec 13th 2006 4:53PM]

People will complain about anything because it's remotely related to the PS3/Sony.

...and I suppose this one looks better because of the 360 logo?
http://www.hori.jp/products/xbox360/controller/doa4_st/index.html

[Andy @ Dec 13th 2006 5:00PM]

Well, the xbox one really is ugly. This is actually a good idea for games. And a pretty decent price, although no wireless is a little annoying.

[tk. @ Dec 13th 2006 5:00PM]

At least the xbox version has something to cover up the fugliness.

Arcade-style anything does not need to be used in "nexgen" consoles, come on.

Make a box, give it some buttons, call it retro... people buy anything that has retro in the name.

[James @ Dec 13th 2006 5:52PM]

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY! Seriously, if you don't have a particular arcade game port in mind, and/or are not a hardcore arcade "enthusiast", be wary -- I have a very similar PS2 controller and was disappointed to realize that you don't get either analog stick (the stick usually controls the D-pad; if you're lucky you can toggle between left analog and the pad), plus the buttons usually aren't analog, plus they often don't support rumble (though I can't speak to those last two things for this particular product). If you were hoping to use this for 4-player Marvel UA or some such, don't count on it being adequate.

If you *are* an "enthusiast", I guarantee you that a

[Shibathedog @ Dec 13th 2006 8:48PM]

oh my god are you people serious? You don't want it because its not wireless!? My god how gamers have gotten spoiled nowadays.

[ug @ Dec 13th 2006 10:01PM]

This is for button-mashers. Why can't they make a right-handed joystick?

[Jorn @ Dec 14th 2006 3:44AM]

Hori always have built te best fighting sticks. I still use a metal stick that I bought for Tekken 1. (10 years of serious beating and still excellent) What a fighting stick doesn't need are these things:

Analog control -> fighting games don't use analog controls!
Looks -> it has to be functional
Wireless -> Brrr, the thought alone gives me shivers.

and button-mashing? the opposite, all button combinations are now much easier to pull off. If you are good at fighting games you're game will become even better.

[americankgb @ Dec 15th 2006 12:57AM]

As a fighting game fan, I'd probably opt for the less expensive stick only because I'm going to end up swapping the joystick and buttons out anyways.

[Needle @ Dec 17th 2006 3:29AM]

You guys should be grateful that it's NOT wireless. Wireless controllers cannot avoid input lag, however small it may be. And input lag is critical for serious arcade fighting/shmup/etc games where a single frame of lag can break the gameplay.