For fighting game fans, a new title always brings fresh arguments about the best fight sticks and gamepads. Capcom‘s Street Fighter 6 is no different. In this guide, I will explain what I prefer and give you other options you may not have considered. If you’re on console, your choice of peripheral may be restricted, so make sure you do your research before splashing out.
Street Fighter 6: Best Fight Sticks and Gamepads
You’re going to hate this statement, but it’s disingenuous for me to start this guide any other way. It’s a personal preference. Gone are the days when Arcade Stick was 100% the way to go, and Pads can keep up with the competition. If you’re interested in trying your first Fight Stick, watch some video reviews and make an informed purchase. Still, if you’re looking for guidance, here are a few options:
Xbox Controllers
Image by PC Invasion
I’ve recently switched from the PlayStation Dualshock 4 (DS4) to the Xbox One Controller (XB1) for one reason. I prefer the D-Pad. The XB1 D-Pad has softer edges and a smoother surface on top. For sliding motions, I find this much more comfortable and less wearing on my thumb. I prefer the DS4 face buttons, but the XB1 Pad is solid, and I’ve had no issue doing many of the Advanced Combo Trials with it.
Although I’ve not tested it myself, I’ve also seen heaps of praise for the Series X Controller. It has a clicky, responsive D-Pad and build quality on par with the Xbox One.
PlayStation Controllers
As mentioned in the previous section, I’ve switched from PlayStation to Xbox controller for Street Fighter 6. This is purely down to how the D-Pad feels, as I prefer the buttons on the DS4. The lower profile buttons feel great and require less force to input than the XB1. Since we’re talking PlayStation controllers, I actually prefer the DS4 to the PlayStation 5 Duel Sense.
The smaller size of the DS4 works for me, and the D-Pad feels better for sweeping motions. I’ve input random diagonals on the Duel Sense, but I’m entirely going on my own experiences here, and it’s not a widespread issue. You can do everything with a controller; it just takes practice. If you’re struggling with commands, check out our guide on the different control schemes.
Arcade Stick
Image by PC Invasion
I’ve not tried every Stick out there, but the one I swear by is the Hori Real Arcade Pro 4 (HRAP4). It’s a larger stick and feels great on my lap for extended sessions. I’ve not tried a Mayflash F500, but many recommend it, and it’s universal to boot. It doesn’t have the same price tag as the top Hori, Quanba, and Victrix sticks, either.
Street Fighter 6 isn’t so mechanically demanding that I think an Arcade Stick is necessary. If you don’t use one already, the learning curve is extraordinary, and the results may not be worth it. I have strong opinions on Fight Sticks because I made every mistake you can imagine with mine. They don’t make you a better player, but they feel great to use after some practice. If you ever play in an Arcade, some muscle memory with a stick is never bad.
Hit Box Arcade
Hit Boxes have been a point of contention since their release, but there’s no denying how good they are. A Hit Box is basically an Arcade Stick, but the Stick is replaced with buttons. As barmy as that sounds, this gives the user unrivaled accuracy, as you’ll never mess up angles like you can with a Stick. There has been some controversy around rules for Street Fighter tournaments and how they affect the Hit Box. This device is tournament legal for now, but nobody knows if it will stay that way.
