Our friend Alex from Mad Catz was kind enough to show us around their newest controller, the new Street Fighter IV Arcade Tournament FightStick. It's got a new body, a new look, and new parts and functionality that make it even more drool-worthy than the original. Hopefully it will be easier to find on release than the original was.
Do want, naturally. I tried to stick one under my shirt, but there were too many watchful eyes there. Also, while in a newer, slimmer chassis than the original, this thing is still a beast and a luggage buster. If I check my bags, someone will steal it.
There's two flavors: black/white and black/red. Both will cost $149 when they launch later this year. Check out the video above for a better look and our gallery for some pictures.
Dale North is Destructoid's Editor-In-Chief, a founding editor, and specialist in Japanese gaming. An accomplished musician, Dale was reporting from Japan during the earthquakes of 2011. Luckily, he got the fuck out alive and is home in America now with his wife and beloved corgi, Einstein. Dale is also a co-founder of Destructoid's sister anime site Japanator. Likes Corgis, Sega Saturn, PSP, iPhone, Photographic tools.
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It's cool that you can now lock the Start and Back buttons. Now you can set it on a chair or something and not have to worry about those buttons getting pushed.
As far as customization goes, how easy is it to change all the components? Is it still as easy as the original sticks? What about changing the artwork?
Nice Wood $ 75
Glass $ 25
Screws $ 5
Old controls $ 20
Sony Bravia $ 500
Game System $ 300
Metal Brackets $ 60
2 Foreign Kids $ 14 (4 for pay, 10 out of the kindness of my rotten heart)
And I'll show you an arcade unit for under a grand.
I got a modded Fight Stick SE and a HRAP3 SA, already. Please don't turn me into a joystick junkie that licks the screen when browsing the tech forum at shoryuken.com, please Mad Katz, I beg of you!
Okay, I was RIGHT on the precipice of ordering the femme fatale stick today, before I saw this article. I'm new to the whole arcade stick thing. Would I be foolish not to wait for this one? Or are the differences not that major..
God, this things are expensive. I was looking for one to play Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom, and it's like, 100 dollars. Shit. Also, like the above poster, I'm a newbie when it comes to arcade sticks. Any important stuff I should know when buying one?
@gore on the floor, Mirax:
honestly, I would keep an eye on Amazon, Newegg, etc for another sale.
The differences seem to be cosmetic so far.
As for lockable Start/Select buttons, how in the world are people hitting them by accident? They're not on the face like the others, but on the front, right? I can't really tell from the gallery because I'm on my mobile.
Yeah, I sort of figured the older TE sticks would get cheaper when the new ones came out, but I kinda don't want to risk not being able to get a hold of one when that time comes. I have shitty luck like that, and I really like the colors/artwork on the Femme Fatale model (plus, Sakura is my homegirl).
Also.. when I posted my first comment, I was on my phone and only able to read the article, where it was stated that there were new parts and functionality. I didn't want to end up with an inferior version. After watching the video, though, I get the impression that the only real differences are the button locks and form factor.. And if the actual buttons and stick are the same as the old models, I think I've got my answer. Thanks for the reply.
A lot of people(newbs) get this wrong! I know when it comes to Gamepads, it's the other way around but NOT with Fight Sticks. Every millisecond counts in fighting games and to have even a slight split-second advantage is a good thing.
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Contest:
11:00 AM on 01.08.2010 | 
Nice Wood $ 75
Glass $ 25
Screws $ 5
Old controls $ 20
Sony Bravia $ 500
Game System $ 300
Metal Brackets $ 60
2 Foreign Kids $ 14 (4 for pay, 10 out of the kindness of my rotten heart)
And I'll show you an arcade unit for under a grand.
Why I have no idea. The SRK peeps weren't too sure either. The sticks look great though!
honestly, I would keep an eye on Amazon, Newegg, etc for another sale.
The differences seem to be cosmetic so far.
As for lockable Start/Select buttons, how in the world are people hitting them by accident? They're not on the face like the others, but on the front, right? I can't really tell from the gallery because I'm on my mobile.
Yeah, I sort of figured the older TE sticks would get cheaper when the new ones came out, but I kinda don't want to risk not being able to get a hold of one when that time comes. I have shitty luck like that, and I really like the colors/artwork on the Femme Fatale model (plus, Sakura is my homegirl).
Also.. when I posted my first comment, I was on my phone and only able to read the article, where it was stated that there were new parts and functionality. I didn't want to end up with an inferior version. After watching the video, though, I get the impression that the only real differences are the button locks and form factor.. And if the actual buttons and stick are the same as the old models, I think I've got my answer. Thanks for the reply.
WIRED = GOOD!
WIRELESS = BAD!
A lot of people(newbs) get this wrong! I know when it comes to Gamepads, it's the other way around but NOT with Fight Sticks. Every millisecond counts in fighting games and to have even a slight split-second advantage is a good thing.
Function over fashion.