Despite the golden age of arcades, franchises like Street Fighter remain extremely popular on consoles and PC. Finally, players want to bring real archery with fast and accurate hitting and blocking. Like racing and flight simulator enthusiasts, many combat fans rely on controllers designed for their genre. The battle to be the best controller for fighting games continues with larger joysticks and more compact controller options.
The Best Controllers for Fighting Games in 2024
Best Overall Controller for Fighting Games
MAYFLASH Universal Arcade Fighting Stick F500
$83 – $90 = Save $7
Looking for an affordable arcade fight stick that supports multiple consoles and is durable? The MAYFLASH Universal Arcade F500 offers the above features and lots more. The stick also supports vibration, meaning that plugging in a wrist strap will let users feel the action, literally. It comes with a headset port, a mic mute button, and a cable storage unit.
| Brand | MAYFLASH |
| Platform | Switch, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Cable Length | 3-meter USB cable |
| Weight | 6.53 lbs |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent build quality | Requires controller for Xbox and PlayStation consoles |
| Widespread platform compatibility | Alternate face buttons feel more satisfying to press |
| Easily customizable buttons and front cover | |
| Strong value compared to more expensive fighting sticks |
Against heavy competition, the Mayflash F500 Fighting Stick emerged as the winner due to its excellent build quality and wide platform compatibility. The F500 is the perfect compromise between budget and premium alternatives, and buyers won’t sacrifice performance or customization.
The Mayflash F500 has a standard desktop console layout with a full-sized joystick and eight face buttons. controller users will find many familiar commands in addition to the keys L3 and R3. There are also plenty of switches to switch between modes for Xbox, PlayStation, Switch consoles and Android devices. Although it is significantly cheaper than high-end fighting sticks like the Razer Kitsune, the F500 is very sturdy with a double metal plate. The large width of the panel allows you to store the connected USB cable safely inside the box.
The F500 can connect to controllers rather than game systems, making it compatible with more consoles. Unfortunately, this creates cable management issues and makes traveling with a war stick difficult. While the F500 is compatible with the Xbox Series X, PS5 players will need to purchase a separate USB adapter or find a PS4 controller that works with Sony’s latest console. However, PC gamers are lucky enough to work with computers in XInput or DirectInput mode.
If fighting game fans are willing to keep a controller close at hand, there is no better value among the battlegrounds than the Mayflash F500. The power and ability to work with any system allows the F500 to remain constant in game settings.
Best Wireless Controller for Fighting Games
PDP Victrix Pro BFG Wireless Controller for PS5
PDP’s Victrix Pro BFG wireless PS4|5 controller delivers on a lot of promises but at a high price. Completely modular and packed with high-end specs, this wireless PC controller is ready for pro gaming across multiple genres.
| Brand | PDP |
| Platform | PlayStation, PC |
| Battery | 20 Hours Wireless |
| Connectivity | Wireless Adapter, USB-C Wired Mode |
| Headset Support | Yes With 3D Support |
| Programmable | Yes |
| Extra Buttons | Yes |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fight pad module installs easily and performs well | Lacks rumble and adaptive triggers |
| Extremely modular controller with many alternative parts | Feels far more fragile than most fighting pads |
| Better battery life than DualSense |
There are some wireless fighting pads, such as the 8Bitdo Arcade Stick, that lack the mobility and portability of wireless esports controllers. PDP Victrix Pro BFG is a controller with modular features for PS4, PS5 and PC, making it a capable fighting game accessory.
In its standard configuration, the Victrix Pro BFG offers standard PlayStation controls, but with analog sticks in an asymmetrical arrangement. Although the controller weighs only 298 grams, Victrix Pro BFG looks like a standard Xbox controller and has a large grip on the handles. At the back of the device, things get more interesting with four more customizable buttons and a key to adjust the sensitivity of the top button. The build quality of the controller is excellent, but the lack of weight makes it feel cheap, especially compared to rear combat sticks.
With the Victrix Pro BFG, players can experiment with different sized analog sticks and alternate D-pads with optional octagonal gates. However, the Pad battle module with six face buttons will appeal to fans of Street Fighter and Tekken. The headset attaches securely with a few small hex screws and has a mechanical keyboard with microswitch buttons for quick input and clicks. These buttons aren’t as big as on a war stick, but they’re spread out enough to prevent mistakes. Combined with four additional buttons, gamers have enough commands to seamlessly transition from fighting games to FPS titles.
The low-latency wireless performance of the Victrix Pro BFG via USB dongle is impressive. This will be great for virtual chats, but there is also the option to use a wired device with the included braided USB cable. PlayStation gamers may be disappointed by the lack of special DualSense features like vibration or adaptive triggers, but they’ll appreciate the 20-hour battery life.
Gamers will find that the Victrix Pro BFG is the perfect controller for fighting games and other genres. The controller can be a great weapon for any scenario due to its huge customization potential.
Best Wired Controller for Fighting Games
HORI Fighting Commander Octa Xbox Controller
$43 – $50 = Save $7
The HORI Fighting Commander OCTA is an officially licensed Xbox Series X Controller that caters to users looking for a quality wired controller for fighting games. The controller offers a six-button layout and an analog stick with an 8-way gate for higher precision and speed. The HORI Fighting Commander OCTA allows switching between 4 custom profiles, programmable through a companion app.
| Brand | HORI |
| Platform | Xbox Series X/S |
| Connectivity | Wired |
| Battery | N/A |
| Programmable | Yes |
| Extra Buttons | Yes |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely low-latency USB connection | Lightweight, plasticky feel |
| Micro switch buttons promote rapid and accurate inputs | Lack of right analog stick limits its use in other genres |
| Great option for novice fighting game fans |
Most gamers find the D-pad on the Fighting Commander Octa less satisfying than the micro-switch face buttons. Perhaps to save costs, Hori only implemented this mechanical keyboard-like technology on the six main buttons. Consequently, the D-pad feels a bit squishy in comparison, but users can customize the Xbox controller on PCs or consoles with software or by using the profile button. The apps are rudimentary, but they allow gamers to customize profiles for various fighting games easily.
This Hori wired controller lacks the feel of premium gaming gear but is a streamlined device without a vibration motor. The Fighting Commander Octa is the best game controller for fighting games when a player decides against investing in a bulky and expensive fight stick.
Best Budget Controller for Fighting Games
PXN-X8 Fight Stick
The PXN-X8 is an affordable fight stick in a Mixbox style with a keyboard-inspired D-pad. This allows fighting game competitors to launch attacks with more speed and precision. Blue Axis mechanical buttons provide clear, audible responses to button presses and withstand years of abuse. Turbo mode makes executing combos and complicated attacks easier for inexperienced fighters. The PXN-X8 is compatible with the PC, PS4, PS3, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One, with PS5 gamers able to use the device by attaching a controller.
| Brand | PXN |
| Platform | PC, PS4, PS3, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One |
| Connectivity | Wired, USB |
| Headset Support | Yes |
| Cable Length | 2.2 m |
| Weight | 3.32 pounds |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Full-sized buttons for far less cost than most Mixboxes | SOCD cleaning function in doubt |
| Compatible with most platforms | Not as easy to swap buttons as with other fight pads |
| Possible to execute attacks quicker than with joysticks |
Mixbox-style fighting pads sacrifice a joystick in favor of dedicated buttons for Up, Down, Left, and Right commands. Although there is a steep learning curve for many gamers, fighting game competitors can perform attacks more quickly and precisely than by moving a stick. Many Mixbox devices are expensive, but the PXN X8 is a reasonably priced way to transition from other controllers and fight sticks.
The PXN X8 is a wired fight stick that works natively with many consoles and PCs, but the PS5 is not among them. Also, like the Mayflash F500, gamers must daisy-chain a controller from an Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PS4 to a USB port on the device for full functionality. Once set up, buyers will find this budget-friendly controller surprisingly sturdy, with its mechanical switches a standout feature. While they cause a racket, gamers won’t experience the mushiness of buttons on many cheap controllers.
