Mastering fighting games can be a very tricky endeavor, but with the right gaming equipment, you can do it much easier and have lots of fun while doing so. We did a bit of research and found some of the best gamepad controllers for fighting games you can purchase in today’s market.
These gamepad controllers are especially important if you plan to play fighting games competitively as they grant you excellent response time and feel while playing. The inputs should be intuitive to perform as breathing as the key n fighting games is to predict the opponent’s moves and react accordingly.
Fighting games also require special setups, and these gamepad controllers are part of them. So, without further delay, let us dive in and find out which controllers are the best options to go for in today’s market.
List of Best Gamepad Controllers for Fighting Games
1. 8BitDo Pro 2 Bluetooth Controller for Switch/Switch OLED, PC, macOS, Android, Steam & Raspberry Pi
When it comes to competitive gaming in the fighting genre, nothing can quite replace the simplicity of this Bluetooth controller. It comes from the 8BitDo store, and it is available in white, gray, and black colors for you to choose from. It is an excellent 3rd party controller that features everything you need to master the fighting game.
It is a great quality controller with reprogrammable rear buttons, easy app support, and multiple profiles, making it one of the best controllers for Bluetooth/Switch. This controller also works great with iPad as it is MFI certified, although it is a bit hard to sync it back up to ps4.
The quality of this controller is on a very high level, as it feels very sturdy and can match some 1st party controllers from major console manufacturers. Moreover, it comes with more than an affordable price tag, and considering the quality that you are getting, it is an absolute bargain and something you should definitely check out.
2. Razer Raion Fightpad for PS4 Fighting Game Controller
This simple and straightforward game controller for fighting games is a product coming from the Razer store and offers you a chance to improve your gaming performance and get superb responsiveness. It comes with some extra functionality, such as a touchpad and share buttons, alongside a switch to go from PS4 to PC.
There is also a way to deactivate certain buttons, which is a great function since you will be able to avoid accidental pauses. This controller also features a headphone jack, which is a great bonus and something that certain fighting game controllers lack. It is an extremely resilient gamepad, and each button has a rating of 80 million presses.
With its amazing features and durability, this Razer controller is definitely an exceptional choice for all competitive gamers out there. Moreover, it comes with a much lower price tag than it did before, so it is a great opportunity to give this versatile controller a chance.
3. Arcade Fight Stick, PXN Street Fighter Arcade Game Fighting Joystick with USB Port
This controller is a great pick for gamers that often play games like Mortal Kombat, Tekken, or Street Fighter competitively. It is a product from the PXN store, and right out of the box, it gives a strong vintage vibe with its features and visual appearance.
What truly stands out with this amazing controller is its incredible and wide compatibility. You can connect it to pretty much any modern gaming device, be it a PC (win 7, 8, 10), Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch. Although stick buttons on it are a bit noisy, you can rest assured that they will not break easily because they are quite sturdy and durable.
This controller is a great alternative if you do not have an arcade cabinet or cannot afford to buy a new or build one. If you are more into classic games, this controller offers a rapid-fire button that is great for old-school shooters. Overall, it is a great joystick that comes at a very low price.
4. Hori Fighting Commander Octa Designed for Xbox Series X|S
The Hori Fighting Commander is closer in design to more modern console controllers, but its profile ensures that it will offer you great performance for fighting games. It is also a wired controller, so you know that response time will be on point, which is very important for any fighting game.
There is one downside to this controller, but it really is not connected to the physical part. The issues generally lie in the app because it only intends to let you remap the bumpers and triggers alongside two extra face buttons, but this way, it makes it completely impossible to change X, Y, A, and B. That being said, Hori might be working on the update so that these issues might change.
Other than this issue, this is a truly great controller for fighting games, and in many ways, it is an improvement over the last model. It is compatible with various gaming devices and is highly responsive in tight situations during intense fighting matches. Moreover, its current price is practically a steal, so it is worth checking it out.
5. New Improved D-Pad – Mad Catz Street Fighter V FightPad
Coming from the Mad Catz store, this controller for fighting games is available in four different colors for you to choose from and offers a variety of features that will help you improve your performance in fighting games.
The D-Pad is very precise; the controller itself has very easy quarter circles, half-circles, and 360s. The face buttons feel really nice, although the triangle and circle buttons feel slightly raised, while the R1 and R2 face buttons are lowered. The controller is truly on par with some of the best on the market, and apart from fighting games, it also shines with 2D platformers and some vintage titles.
It is a custom-designed controller with much thought put into performance in fighting games specifically. Moreover, it is a highly durable pad, and when you consider the price, it is a real bargain. Great for all competitive gamers that are into the fighting games genre.
6. Mayflash F300 Arcade Fight Stick Joystick
This arcade fight stick joystick is a product from the May Flash store, and it is compatible with most modern gaming devices. The face buttons feel really durable and comfy, and they are in the perfect alignment, so you will be able to respond timely and get the best performance in fighting games.
The important thing to remember when using this controller on PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox 360 is to plug the wired controller into the arcade stick; otherwise, it will not function properly. As far as PC goes, this joystick supports both Xinput and Dinput, so it is basically a plug-and-play controller.
The value from the low price tag and ease of mod-ability is where this fight stick controller truly shines. The stock joystick buttons that the F300 comes with are fine and responsive, but you can also upgrade it with some other equipment that will suit your playstyle better.
7. PowerA FUSION Wired Fightpad for PlayStation 4
PowerA Fusion gamepad is an excellent solution for anyone that looks for a vintage wired controller. It has a classic Sega Saturn pad shape which was known back in the day as a go-to pad for fighting games. In case you have used a DualShock or Nintendo Cross D-Pad, you are going to be stunned by the quality of this product and left wondering why more D-pads are not designed like this.
The Face buttons feel really good and of course, have a six-button layout, Street Fighter style. Even if you are playing some four-button fighter like Tekken, these will not get in your way, and you will be able to play comfortably, without any difficulties.
The shoulder buttons are in the same position as they are in the original Saturn pad and are very light and easy to press. The micro USB cable is pretty long, so that it will be suitable for various setups. Although the pad is very light it does not feel cheap, and it is highly durable. Moreover, it comes at a great price, so you should definitely give it a chance.
8. SUNCHI 3 in 1 Arcade Fight Stick
Extremely comfortable and versatile, this arcade fight stick offers exceptional performance and is a great pick for all Mortal Kombat fans out there. It is an elegant and cost-efficient controller that offers a wide variety of features necessary to improve your performance in fighting games.
Compared to other controllers, it is a bit noisy, and there are a lot of clicking sounds, but if you can get past it, you will truly enjoy this fight stick as it is very responsive and great for modern and vintage fighting game titles. It is compatible with most modern gaming devices, and right out of the box, it feels sturdy and well-constructed.
This controller is also perfectly sized, and its configuration is excellent for long-term arcade-style gaming. Although it is compatible with various gaming devices, it is particularly good for PC, as it can be set up very fast on any Windows. There is also a sucker on the bottom that will keep it firmly gripped to the surface. Considering the price and quality, this is a real bargain.
9. Forty4 Wireless Gaming Controller
This is a true plug-and-play wireless PC controller, and it can be set up in mere seconds. The buttons are set up pretty much the same as any Xbox controller, and it is a great pick for players that enjoy four-button fighting games such as Tekken. The controller has multiple modes, and each one of them is indicated by the lights in the lower middle area.
Given the fact that it is a wireless controller, you would expect that there will be some input lag; however, the buttons respond very fast, which is great for fighting games. Also, the sensitivity on the analog sticks is pretty good and far better than most controllers in the class.
There is also an option to plug in the cord if your wireless connection is poor, and it is a great feature to have. Moreover, the gamepad feels very sturdy and has a bit of weight to it, so you can rest assured that it will serve you for a long time. In addition, it comes with a fairly low price tag, so you should definitely check it out.
10. Rii Game Controller, SNES Retro USB Controller
If you like to play fighting games using a classic and straightforward controller, then this product from the Rii store might be exactly what you are looking for. It is compatible with various gaming platforms and has that vintage throwback look that every retro gamer will appreciate.
The company has been working for a long time in the market, and its products are beloved among so many players that enjoy gaming on classic controllers. This product is wired, has a great response time, and has all the traditional properties necessary for exceptional performance.
Moreover, it feels just right, and it seems like the original SNES controller. It is a must-have for Raspberry Pi emulation enthusiasts. The buttons are very sturdy and durable, and in case you are using Windows 10 or 7, the operating system will easily pick it up. The price is great, and the overall gaming experience you are getting with this controller is on a very high level.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing Gamepad Controllers for Fighting Games
This concludes our list of the best-reviewed products. However, when picking the right controller for fighting games, it is important to pay attention to some tiny details and features to get the best value for your money’s worth. In order to help you with that, we have assembled a brief list of guidelines to follow.
Compatibility
This is one of the most important things to consider before you decide to spend any money. Make sure that the controller you are about to purchase is compatible with a gaming platform you plan to game on or if there is a type of converter that will allow you to use it on different platforms.
Responsiveness
Since you will be using this controller mostly for fighting games, responsiveness plays a big role in this purchase. This is something that you should pay attention to in case you are buying a wireless controller since it may have some input lag due to connection. However, high-end controllers do not have big input lag, and you will be able to use them effortlessly.
Price
Considering the fact that controllers for fighting games vary in price, you should make sure to buy within your budget. There are some excellent controllers that come for a lower price but will not offer you as high performance as you would get with some high-end, expensive ones.
Brand
Brand plays a huge role in the purchase of controllers for fighting games. Make sure that the product you are buying comes from a well-known and renowned seller, since purchasing the controllers from off brands may result in subpar quality and poor performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of controllers do fighting game pros use?
Fighting game pros typically use a variety of fight sticks. Some of them have modded sticks, where they swap out the joystick/lever and button in favor of better parts. These controllers are very responsive and convenient.
What is a D-Pad controller?
D-Pad or Directional Pad controller is a great option to go for if you are a fighting games enthusiast. It is objectively better than an analog one, especially for movement. Some players use analog for some specific moves like charges, but it is almost always better to go for D-Pad.
Are fighting sticks better than controllers for fighting games?
Not necessarily, since it always comes to your personal preferences. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable while gaming and that you can respond on time and perform at a very high level.
How to clean a game controller?
Make sure to scrub all the hard-to-reach locations to remove all the dirt and build-ups that may cause the controller to underperform. It is best to dip the Q-tip in a solution of water and alcohol and clean hard-to-reach spaces with a toothpick since its tip is gentle enough not to cause any harm to the controller.
Final Words
This concludes our guide for the best gamepad controller for fighting purchase. We hope you liked our picks and that you will opt for one of them since all of them offer exceptional performance and will not disappoint you.
Make sure to read reviews and ratings online carefully, as it will help you make an educated choice and spend your money wisely. In case you are still uncertain about which one to choose, revisit our list of top ten controllers, and you will surely find your favorite.