The Best Arcade Fight Sticks
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Ryan V. Editor-in-Chief
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Stuff calls the Victrix Pro FS "hands-down my favourite fight stick," and the other hands-on reviews agree. Tom's Guide and TechRadar both rated it 4.5 out of 5, and Dexerto gave it 9 out of 10. TechRadar's September 2026 guide names it the best premium fight stick, and Tom's Guide gives it the same title on its own list.
The case gets mentioned first in almost every review. It's a single piece of aluminum with a 6.28-degree wrist slope, and Stuff says that slope makes a huge difference to fatigue in long sessions. TechRadar found it lighter on the lap than the Nacon Daija. Carry handles on each side make it easy to take to a local tournament, and foam pads underneath keep it planted.
Inside sit a Sanwa Denshi JLF lever and eight 30mm Sanwa buttons. TechRadar's reviewer, who has used fight sticks for decades, says the stick and buttons feel "a cut above" other Sanwa-equipped models. Dexerto measured average input latency of about 4ms. A Tournament Mode button locks the system buttons, the back panel opens with the included Allen key for part swaps, and the lever shaft pops off and stores inside the case for travel.
Tom's Guide and PCGamesN picked the Nacon Daija as their overall winner, and it uses the same Sanwa parts for less money. We put the Pro FS first because it earned the highest marks for build and feel from every outlet that tested it, while the Daija drew complaints about its size, weight and sharp edges.
What It Won't Do
Price is the big one. At $399.99 list, Tom's Guide says you're basically paying the price of a console, and TechRadar points to the Nacon Daija as better value with the same Sanwa hardware inside. It's also a large stick, which TechRadar lists as its only other drawback. It's wired only and works with PS5, PS4 and PC, so Xbox and Switch players need a different pick. Dexerto's reviewer noticed a creaky hinge and missed having dedicated L3 and R3 buttons.
Every publication in our research recommends the 8BitDo Arcade Stick somewhere in its buying guide. TechRadar's hardware editor calls it "the one I would suggest for most beginners," Stuff calls it "a perfect entry-level stick," and Tom's Guide and PCGamesN list it as their pick for retro fans and Switch owners. TechRadar's full review gave it 4.5 out of 5.
It plays better than its price suggests. TechRadar found responsiveness "pin-sharp" even over a wireless connection and praised its "exceptional build quality for the price." You can connect over Bluetooth, a 2.4G receiver that tucks into a hidden compartment, or a USB-C cable. A dial switches between Switch and PC modes and lights up the matching button labels in red.
Upgrades are easy when you want them. The case opens with a screwdriver, and a universal mounting plate takes Sanwa-style levers and 24mm or 30mm buttons, so you can fit tournament parts later. Two extra buttons hold macros set in 8BitDo's Ultimate Software, and the faceplate art can be swapped. 8BitDo lists it at $89.99, $310 less than the Victrix Pro FS.
What It Won't Do
It doesn't work with PlayStation, so PS5 owners need a different stick. Dexerto notes it only works on a PS5 through a converter, and the Xbox version is a separate $119.99 model. The stock lever isn't Sanwa, and Stuff's reviewer had more trouble landing double quarter-circle motions on it than on premium sticks. TechRadar also warns that at 4.6 lbs it might be too weighty for some players.
Who Should Buy Which
Victrix Pro FS Arcade Fight Stick
A one-piece aluminum stick with Sanwa Denshi parts, and the best arcade stick Tom's Guide's reviewer has ever tested
- You play on PS5 or PC and want Sanwa Denshi parts without fitting them yourself
- You put in long sessions and want the wrist slope Stuff credits for reducing fatigue
- You take your stick to locals and want carry handles and a lever that detaches for travel
- You want a metal case that will survive years of heavy use
- You'd rather buy the stick reviewers rate highest once than upgrade a cheaper one later
8BitDo Arcade Stick
The stick TechRadar suggests for most beginners, with wireless play and room for Sanwa upgrades
- You're buying your first fight stick and want to find out if sticks suit you
- You play on Switch, Switch 2 or PC
- You want to play wirelessly from the couch
- You like the idea of fitting Sanwa parts yourself later
- You want to keep your spend under $100