Just in time for the impending release of Street Fighter IV, owners of the standard MadCatz FightStick are reporting several problems with the peripheral. Reported on the Shoryuken.com forums (which seem to be overloaded as of press time), the various problems include the joystick itself sticking in certain positions and sticky buttons.
Other users are reporting that the controller may fail to register certain directions on the stick or certain button presses, with at least one user reporting that the stick stopped registering all inputs entirely. Certain users have attributed the stuck joystick inputs to a metal washer that actually grinds away at the inner workings of the stick while in use.
In a statement to Joystiq, Mad Catz Global PR & Communications Manager, Alex Verrey, said, "There are no major problems with the Street Fighter range of products. Customers can buy with complete confidence."
"As with all complex precision-engineered products, there is always a chance that a tiny percentage of product may exhibit a fault," said Verrey, adding, "This is TOTALLY normal and not at all unexpected. Usually this is due to circumstances beyond our control but this does NOT mean that there is any kind of inherent fault with the design or manufacture of the product." Verrey advises all customers who have encountered a problem to contact Mad Catz directly for a repair (visit this link for Mad Catz warranty information).
For those that already have a standard FightStick, have you experienced similar problems?
Reader Comments (103)
Posted: Feb 22nd 2009 3:12PM (Unverified) said
I am getting ridiculously annoyed with this fight stick. I purchased one the other day and within 1 hour of using it, the diagonal bottom left just stopped working period. I returned it and received a new one that worked good for about 2 hours, and then the top right stopped working. This did not bug me that much because I was still able to block attack...now a day later both top and bottom right stopped working on this stick. It's a damn shame because apart from the fact that I can't down block most the time on a certain side, the stick feels great! Going to try and return it tomorrow...hopefully third time is a charm.
Posted: Feb 27th 2009 5:33AM (Unverified) said
Bought my stick on the 21st. By the 25th I knew it had the much reported loose washer problem. I'm not really annoyed at the fault since i knew it was a possiblility before i bought the stick, and as long as it got it fixed promptly then no probs. Unfortunately Madcatz UK technical support are not returning my calls and I've been ringing since 9am of the 26th. Apparently, a recorded message now tells me, Madcatz tech support are experiencing technical problems. Now its getting annoying.
Posted: Feb 27th 2009 9:16PM (Unverified) said
I purchase a madcatz SF4 control pad and only lasted 1 week, yesterday the controller got stuck on the right pad and is not responding to the LS, DP and RS option. It seems the controller is not in sync with my PS3. I'm going to contact tech support however I am planning to sue he company for a life time of cheap defective products. I will open a forum so others can join and sabotage such a crappy company. I think is time we gamers make a stand for all the frustration this company make us go through.
I tough Capcom will force them to make a better product, however just thinking of the crappy street fighter movie they are releasing I'm not surprised.
I tough Capcom will force them to make a better product, however just thinking of the crappy street fighter movie they are releasing I'm not surprised.




