When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.
Arcade sticks or fight sticks come to mind when most folks think of fighting games.
Pioneered by the companyHit Box, these controllers replace an arcade sticks lever for buttons.
I recentlyswitched to using arcade sticksand its been a great experience.
That said, Im not sure if Im ready to give up on thebest fight sticksjust yet.
A keyboard with arcade-style buttons is the closest approximation, but a leverless controller truly is its own thing.
The right half of the peripheral has the familiar arcade buttons youre used to.
Things arent typical on the controllers left side since there are four buttons instead of an arcade stick.
Yes, it’s the jump button!
Though the controller looks strange, it begins to make sense the instant you put your hands on it.
My first thought was Oh, thats smart design.
That sounds complex, but it was rather easy.
However, I quickly learned a better method.
In effect, I could shoot fireballs by pressing three buttons in total.
No wonder some consider these controllers cheating!
I still havent completely mastered performing moves in King of Fighters XV or Guilty Gear Xrd.
Ive pulled these motions off perhaps once (likely through pure luck) but thats it.
Some more practice is necessary.
That said, I’m getting better at it, albeit slowly.
Dashing back and forth by pressing Left or Right twice is actually much easier on a leverless controller.
The same is true for side stepping by pressing Down or Up.
Better or professional players might disagree with me, but I think leverless controllers work best for 3D games.
Right now, I can perform most special attacks well enough.
But basic movement is taking longer to nail down, especially for 2D games.
Despite that, Im having fun learning how to use this controller.
Its like typing, but also not.
Will I ever completely convert to being a leverless fighting game player?
Probably not since arcade sticks and fight pads feel more enjoyable to use.
That said, Im going to continue practicing so I can at least be proficient at using leverless controllers.
And who knows, maybe if I get good enough, perhaps I can become an EVO champion.
Okay, probably not, but it doesnt hurt to dream!
More from Tom’s Guide
