This article was originally found on Versus City Singapore and has been reposted with full permission of the writer, Lenn Yang. It has been edited in accordance with the Games in Asia style guide.
Before I commence this article, I would like to state that I am focusing on current Playstation 3 (PS3), PC, and Xbox 360 sticks: platforms that the games that matter are currently on.
This is just a short run-through as I cannot be bothered to explain ergonomics. These matters are subjective; to each his own.
There is no better time to write this as the PS3 and Xbox 360 consoles are now fully established in terms of peripheral support and equipment availability.
I will be listing most prominent sticks on the market, and their pros and cons.
Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 (PS3, Xbox 360)
Get it if you can find one for S$50 to $60 (about $40 to $48). Take note that although the stock stick is a Sanwa JLF, its buttons are not. Factor in the costs of swapping buttons to OBSFs before you contemplate. I have two of them and I love them.
On the Xbox 360, there is a variant termed the EX-SE with Seimitsu LS-32 stick and PS-14 buttons which is excellent for the extensive shoot-em-up library on the Xbox Live Marketplace. If you happen to have one, for god’s sakes, please DO NOT modify it unless you have to replace a broken part.
Pros
Excellent PC compatibility with emulators and as a general Windows human interface device.
Easy to swap parts. I would like to think that the printed circuit board (PCB) is pretty godlike.
Cons
Inconsistencies in product design schematics. Some variants of the RAP3 (Tekken 5 faceplate, vanilla Street Fighter 4 faceplate, for example) come with a soldered-on PCB instead of quick disconnects.
Hori Fighting Edge (PS3, X360)
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