The arcade scene has had a renaissance of late bringing many new eyes to this area due in part to the increase of indoor hobbies during COVID-19, large competitive fighting game prize pools and a distinct spotlight from the newest Street Fighter franchise entry.
For anyone new to this category, there is two distinct streams within the arcade scene containing ample crossover between each - the social/competitive community of fighting game fans, termed the Fighting Game Community (FGC), who often play on arcade sticks (termed “fightsticks” most times). In contrast, there are arcade cabinet owners who prefer the idea of cabinets being used for gaming to preserve the originality of the legacy experience via original game hardware or emulation. For a more in-depth explanation on Arcade cabinet ownership options visit here (Official Blog – Close Quarters Battle Arcade “Arcade Cabinet Ownership”).
(A Head-to-Head versus “candy cab” by Sega, the Versus City. This unit was retired from an active amusement centre and is now privately owned)
For many of us interested in the retro gaming scene, we can recall using arcade sticks on the game consoles we grew up with and remember the excitement of having that arcade experience in the home. Indeed, this is where my experience started as well - using the Sega “Power Stick” on Sonic 1, Street Fighter 2, Streets of Rage and Golden Axe.
A key aspect of the entire combined scene that emerged post Street Fighter 4 (2008), is the large-scale discovery of arcade parts choices to fine tune and personalise the user performance and gear aesthetics. To that end, the industry standardised joysticks, buttons and components are manufactured by the high-quality parts makers Sanwa Denshi and Seimitsu. Co. Ltd. from Japan.
ifferences between the feel and performance of the products from the two manufacturers could cover an entire article on its own, though suffice to say, the difference is personal, contextual and sometimes subtle. Both brands are renowned for high quality and durability. Unfortunately, this means that low quality clone/knock-off examples are prolific, difficult to spot and regularly damage the health of the larger gaming scene.
Both Sanwa and Seimitsu have been manufacturing arcade and amusement parts for decades - for example Seimitsu were the parts suppliers for the Neo Geo AES home arcade sticks. Both companies are famous for their joysticks and pushbuttons installed within Japanese sit-down style cabinets (referred to as “candy cabs”) which have huge significance within the fighting game and arcade culture.
(The Sanwa Denshi JLF, the most widely known and utilised Japanese joystick)
American style parts will be familiar to some and deserve mention. They are recognisable by larger bat top style handles and concave “clicky” buttons built to original specifications by brands such as Industrias Lorenzo (IL) which also have decades in the industry. These are more usually located on arcade cabinets due to the larger physical sizes of the parts but did feature heavily on large enclosure arcade sticks in the USA during the Marvel vs Capcom craze.
(The Eurojoystick, by Industrias Lorenzo is the original high quality “American style” joystick)
Nowadays the arcade gamer has easy access to local assistance via suppliers, builders and tech support within this arcade scene. In addition, reflecting the normalisation of fightstick ownership, many fightstick enclosures are built with upgrading in mind - such as easy access to wiring and quick connects/releases for changing parts.
The easiest on ramp into the arcade scene is to acquire an off-the-shelf fightstick in a readymade format. Accessory makers such as PDP, Mayflash, Razer and Nacon offer fightsticks containing Sanwa parts by default from the factory in addition, fightsticks from HORI and QANBA have their own brand parts of high quality. All of these aforementioned brands have products ready for immediate use on your new console of choice. This represents a fantastic plug and play solution and a very low barrier to (re-) enter gaming using arcade controls.
(The Fightingstick Alpha PS5 version made by HORI, features a clamshell opening design for maximum ease of access to the internals)
Alternatively, for those seeking a custom product, there is a long list of builders who will create a bespoke item, usually with metal, acrylic, 3d print, custom artwork and personalised support. This area of the arcade scene has flourished and become a highly creative and supportive niche.
(A custom “fightstick” made from acrylic and utilising bespoke 3d printed components installed with authentic Japanese buttons/joystick)
Importantly for the retro gamer interested in arcade sticks, compatibility with legacy consoles is a question which gets asked often - One of the great support products is the USB converters from Brook Gaming for all the popular older consoles. This is also a plug and play solution allowing compatibility of a quality fightstick on a beloved console with no electrical or tinkering experience required. Playing the console arcade classics with authentic Japanese joysticks and buttons is a fantastic way to re-experience your gaming library!
(A USB to SNES and NES converter - One of many converters for retro consoles Brook manufactures. Others consoles include Megadrive, Gamecube, Neo Geo and Saturn to name a few)
Undoubtedly the key advantage of jumping into arcade gaming via consoles and/or cabinets is the supportive communities that are in place to assist with every aspect of the hobby. Jump in and get amongst the scene and you will be pleased with the journey it takes you on!
By MD - Close Quarters Battle (CQB) Arcade, Australia
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