Best Current Gen Console Stick for Shooters

[Yoshi]

Now that console joysticks have returned (at least in the west) in a big way, I am curious which one people think is the best one for shooters. The general consensus for fighters seems to be that Mad Catz Street Fighter IV Tournament Edition Stick is the winner, though the Special Edition (at least when modded) and the Hori Real Arcade Pros (especially the EX-SE) are very nice as well. Anyone have any strong opinions after using some of these for shooters?

[gameoverDude]

I'd go with the Street Fighter IV TE stick. Having both the 360 & PS3 versions I'll recommend this- it's been good with Death Smiles, Mamonoro, Soldner-X, Astro Tripper, etc.

Responsiveness is great for both the stick and buttons, and the panel design is nice. Just go easy on the stick so you don't overshoot your motions- it IS that responsive. The controller doesn't slide around thanks to the well-weighted base.

I see it on Amazon for $130 at the moment. It's definitely worth that.

[Chacranajxy]

Yeah, the SF4 TE stick is the best, unquestionably. The HRAPs are nice, but the way the stick is mounted in the newer ones makes it feel like shit. Plus, it's easy to mod the TE, so you can throw a Seimitsu in there if you want a stick that's more conducive to shmups.

[Yoshi]

Thank you for the quick replies, gentlemen. Fry's has the TEs on sale for $100 today, so your advice was timely enough to let me take advantage.

[Zero Gunner]

I have the Deathsmiles and BlazBlue 360 Sticks....anyone have these AND the SF Tournament Stick that can offer a comparison. I've been debating getting a SF4 stick, but if the others match it I'll pass...

[Elixir]

If you like Sanwa, get a TE. Otherwise, this is the best:

http://www.arcadeshock.com/items/hori-p ... detail.htm

Without a doubt.

[Ganelon]

I feel the HRAP2/3 SA is the best for fighters because it has a slightly more ergonomic button layout and the bottom pads don't protrude too far. The TE would probably be most comfortable for those laying the stick on the floor. But both are the best stock sticks you can get (and used by serious tourney players) so the difference isn't a big deal. Anyone who's on the fence for getting a stick should snap on those Frys $100 TEs ASAP.

A Sanwa-modded normal HRAP (almost equivalent to the HRAP SA except that it's more hassle opening the case) is way better than a modded SE. And I'd wager that very few fighting game players who've used Seimitsu parts would want to play on a HRAP EX-SE (although it's great for shooters). There are also Mas sticks, which are still great for folks who prefer Happ parts.

[professor ganson]

Death Smiles stick.

[D3m0nZ]

I need one...

Im currently playing with a 360 controller... frustrating

[Naiera]

The SFIV SE with Seimitsu parts thrown in has been very good to me while playing Death Smiles. I can definitely recommend that, and with online stores like Akishop around, the real arcade parts don't have to cost all that much.

[lawnspic]

I recently installed a Seimitsu LS-32 in my TE stick and its great. I kept the Sanwa buttons as im not sure of the Seimitsu buttons and dont want to spend more money on something i may not need.

[spadgy]

I love my PS3 Virtua Stick High Grades with Seimitsu LS-56-01s chucked in for that tighter shmup playing feel. The Sanwa's that come as standard are far looser, fighting sticks.

I can use that one stick (or pair, in my case) for all regions worldwide, PS1, PS2 and PS3, which might bias me - I'd love to be able to make them work for 360 too, but there's not much room left in the case! And I wouldn't know how - a hacked 360 pad board I guess...

[Hibachi]

The SFIV SE with Seimitsu parts thrown in has been very good to me while playing Death Smiles. I can definitely recommend that, and with online stores like Akishop around, the real arcade parts don't have to cost all that much.

I second that. Seimitsu LS32-01 drops in no problem at all but I popped Sanwa buttons in.

It's all personal prefernec but the value was second to none.

All in including the buttons and Seimitsu came in at £100.