Last week, we reported that something might be funny with MadCatz’s first batch of Street Fighter IV Special Edition Arcade FightSticks. Several members of the Shoryuken message board were voicing their complaints over a sticking issue with the controller’s joystick. One inquisitive member disassembled his FightStick and diagnosed the problem quickly, but voided his warranty in the process.
MadCatz global media manager Alex Verrey told 1UP that the problem has been blown out of proportion. “We have shipped tens of thousands of standard Arcade FightSticks. I can assure you, the number of consumers who have actually contacted us with this issue numbers well under 50 to date,” he said in the interview. “This really is a very small minor issue, one now rectified.”
Various issues have been reported since the SE: FightStick has become available to the masses. Some have complained of unresponsive buttons. Others — including myself — opened up the shiny box to find a scuffed faceplate. Verrey went on to describe that any issue will be fixed:
Those who have an issue will have the issue fixed. By us. Free of charge. We even pay for the postage and packing. We ask that consumers relax. It is almost certain that there will be no issue and for the few who have a problem, we are already set up to rectify it for free and quickly.
When I opened the box to find that my FightStick had a defect, I could only laugh. It was mere hours after I reported the sticky joystick problem. Did any of you get a wonky or scratched FightStick?
