Best Arcade Fight Sticks of 2022

Fighting games can be played using a variety of inputs, but many people prefer the use of an arcade fight stick. These handy gamepads are the traditional means of controlling a character on-screen and beating the living daylights out of opponents. Despite the rise in handheld controllers, they remain one of the best ways to kick virtual butt.

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Razer Atrox (opens in new tab)

Razer Mods

The Atrox is not cheap, but it offers some enticing features. Razer used Sanwa components for enhanced durability and precision — ideal for combat.

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Mayflash F500 (opens in new tab)

Value Stick

The Mayflash F500 does it all. It's not only compatible with PCs but also consoles including the Xbox One, PlayStation 4 — and even an Android smartphone!

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Mad Catz Alpha (opens in new tab)

Budget Fighter

The Alpha by Mad Catz is a budget-friendly stick for those who wish to enjoy arcade games without spending much. Just don't expect anything fancy.

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Mad Catz TE2+ (opens in new tab)

Premium Stick

The TE2+ by Mad Catz is one of the company's premium fight stick gamepads. It supports PlayStation out-the-box, but drivers are available for Windows 10.

Game on!

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Arcade fighting sticks are often the key to winning in serious competitive fighting game scenes, so getting one might be in your best interest. If we were to recommend a single option, it would be the Razer Atrox (opens in new tab), thanks to its high-quality components and mod support.

Should you wish to save a little, the Alpha from Mad Catz (opens in new tab) is a excellent budget-friendly fight stick, don't expect to enjoy a premium-feeling experience when beating your enemies down.

Rich Edmonds
Senior Editor, PC Build

Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.