Play-Asia reveals new Mad Catz FightSticks [update]

[Update: Mad Catz let us know that these sticks are, as the Play-Asia reveal may suggest, being released in Asia, beyond the scope of the company's Street Fighter IV licensing deal.]

The FightSticks released by Mad Catz alongside Street Fighter IV were surprising, to say the least, for Mad Catz products: despite some early technical issues, the Tournament Edition FightStick for Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 is by far the highest-quality arcade stick available in North America. The only problem, of course, is that they aren't always available. The sticks were produced in extremely limited numbers and initial shipments sold out quickly.

We're very happy, then, to see new Tournament Edition FightSticks for PS3 and Xbox available for pre-order on import retailer Play-Asia. These sticks don't have any Street Fighter IV artwork, but otherwise they look identical -- and adding your own artwork isn't that complicated. According to Play-Asia, the sticks will be available Q4 for $149.90.

[Thanks, John Doe!]

Reader Comments (68)

"despite some early technical issues, the Tournament Edition FightStick for Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 is by far the highest-quality arcade stick available in North America."

Those complaints were regarding the SE, not the TE.

so wheres my wireless 360 arcade stick, hmmmm ??

Wait for when madcatz officially announces this for the states. If Play Asia says it's $150, you can bet the official stuff will be slightly cheaper over here. Case-in-point, they charge you $199.90 for the SF4 TE stick when you can get one at retail for $150 - assuming you live in the US. This non SF4-branded stick will probably be around $100-125 without the Street Fighter association.

People make fun of this stick being for people with small hands, but you don't necessarily have to grip the ball. Personally, I just use my fingers and don't actually grab it at all; I find grabbing to have very little control. These balls are perfectly made to fit within the curvature of your fingers.
...no homo...

So if I pre-order these from Amazon they will not charge me until it ship correct?

Dude the details for that PS3 stick clearly says "Sanwa" for the joystick and buttons. I perfer a full Semitsu stick over a full Sanwa one any day of the week. And I also agree...the TE sticks my have quality jap parts and design, but the PCB in them are MadCatz.....something that just screams danger. Hori gets my vote.

Sorry that was a mistake; the HRAP3 SA has Sanwa parts.

best sticks out on any market

and btw, these sticks are the standard for fighters in japan and now in america. Most top level players use sanwa ball sticks and the price is also really good for the build quality of this stick. A custom probably would cost about the same not including all the labour that is required. It is tough building a nice looking stick and that is why nice customs go on sale for over $200.

"Tournament Edition FightStick for Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 is by far the highest-quality arcade stick available in North America."

JC, please stick to writing about things you know about, which clearly doesn't include arcade sticks. Unless this is some bizzaro news story announcing that both Hori and X-Arcade no longer sell products in north america?

C'mon, seriously? When it comes to arcade sticks: Hori for consoles, X-Arcade for PC, Madcatz for people you hate.

X-Arcade is garbage. Hori and Madcatz, I would say are about the same level. Hori has slight advantage if you have a PS3, since their sticks work with PS2 games.

Speaking about commenting about things you know about...

The Madcatz TE is one of the best arcade sticks on the market, this product is in no way related to the quality of any other product ever produced by Madcatz.

luckily i snagged one on my last trip to Fry's over the weekend.

thank god, buying the fuck out of this

i need wireless

>Breaking news
>Mad Catz

-_-

Links no longer work!

If you don't mind waiting for the release day:

http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Real-Arcade-Pro-EX-SE/dp/B002FKYPU4/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1247696205&sr=1-4
HRAP EX for 360 with all Semitsu parts

http://www.amazon.com/Real-Arcade-Pro-3-SA-Playstation-3/dp/B002FL0T8U/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1247685035&sr=8-10
HRAP3 for PS3 with all Seimitsu parts

These sticks are equal in quality to the TE, and will cost slightly less. Also, I'd rather buy from Hori over Madkatz; I know their TE sticks are decent quality, but I still have my qualms against Madkatz.

Previous 50 Comments

Play-Asia reveals new Mad Catz FightSticks [update]

Reader Comments (68)

Posted: Jul 15th 2009 4:18PM Blackjacker said

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