Advantages/Disadvantages of Arcade Sticks

[toredauei]

So I've got my heart set on building an arcade stick and I'm curious as to the advantages or disadvantages they have over playing with a pad. I figure there must be a reason that tons of people like to use sticks (other than the authentic arcade feel) and I would very much like to know what those reasons are

[holaback]

pros..much better controls

cons...it costs money

[otaku]

For me its mostly the feel (and look) but the best part is the stick itself you will play better with a good stick as opposed to a controller. Can't wait to try my TE SF4 stick most expensive and likely the best stick I'll own the thing from my unboxing feels like its very well made.

[Ack]

If you've spent the majority of your life on a controller, will moving to a stick be a relatively easy transition, or will it be difficult and painful?

[superlarz]

Growing up, I was always been better using regular controllers. Not really sure why. Way back when I would even use the Dpads on PS1 controllers for a while. Not really sure when I started using the analogue sticks, but I didnt even notice that I started doing it.

There days, for older games I still prefer regular controllers for the most part, though I do use my Turbo Stick sometimes. I know I am prob in the minority, but I do much better in games, such as fighting games, when using a DPad

[the7k]

I spent most of my life with controllers, but after getting an X-Arcade, I've found that joysticks really are the way to go when it comes to anything that would be in an arcade.

Of course, the fact that most controllers have such horrible d-pads is no doubt contributing to the need for joysticks. If every controller was as good as the official Saturn controller, I wouldn't need an arcade stick.

[Citizin]

The biggest disadvantage is why controllers are the norm: You need a flat surface to play arcade sticks on. You can hold a controller with two hands.

Controllers work just as well anyways, I honestly don't see the point other than having an expensive pad that doesn't belong and is a pain to use in a standard living room setup.

Though arcade sticks might be considerably better than Playstation and Xbox360 Dpads.

Growing up, I was always been better using regular controllers. Not really sure why. Way back when I would even use the Dpads on PS1 controllers for a while. Not really sure when I started using the analogue sticks, but I didnt even notice that I started doing it.

There days, for older games I still prefer regular controllers for the most part, though I do use my Turbo Stick sometimes. I know I am prob in the minority, but I do much better in games, such as fighting games, when using a DPad

Dpads are digital controls like arcade joysticks are, not analogs like what you find on modern consoles. Digital is much better for old games.

[toredauei]

You need a flat surface to play arcade sticks on.

Good point but whats wrong with sitting the stick on your lap?

[nickfil]

If you've spent the majority of your life on a controller, will moving to a stick be a relatively easy transition, or will it be difficult and painful?

i find it painful, but i think in the long run it'll be worth it. I have problems with the stick. I find that when i want to move back or forward most of the time I unconsciously hit back and up or forward and up. End up hopping around like a fucking madman in street fighter. Just something i have to get used to.

[RemyC]

The only people that prefer controllers to arcade sticks, are people that have not spent enough time with a quality arcade stick, to develop proper technique.
Once you have developed a proper technique, a magical world opens up for you.