| Price | FightBoxArcade |
| Discount Code | THEARCADESTICK |
| Release | Circa August 2023 |
| Compatibility | PS5 / XSX / NS2 / PC |
| Dimensions | 15.7″ x 8.7″ x 1.8″ |
| Weight | 4.32 lbs |
| Cable | ~3 m |
Introduction
Imagine the benefits of using a fightstick. Now, imagine the benefits of using a leverless controller. Finally, imagine the benefits of using a WASD controller…
You know what? The FightBox M3 gives you all three of those layouts in one! Yep, this type of controller is called a hitstick. Continue reading to explore the wonders of this hitstick by the bestselling company, FightBoxArcade.
Performance
Alright, so here’s the deal. The M3 gives you a joystick, five directional buttons, and eight attack buttons. So, you can use it as just a fightstick, just a leverless controller, just a WASD controller, or all three layouts at the same time.
However, a likelier use case of a hitstick like the M3 is that you may prefer to play a game like Tekken with a fightstick, whereas you prefer to play Street Fighter with a leverless controller.
Furthermore, maybe you’d rather use the M3 like a fightstick for all games, but your roommate likes to use a leverless controller for all games, and y’all can share this hitstick.
In any case, the M3 uses the best of the best parts: Sanwa. The attack & jump buttons are 30 mm Sanwa OBSF-30 buttons, and the other directional buttons are 24 mm Sanwa OBSF-24 buttons. Also, the function buttons are the stiff Baolians. Here’s what the function buttons can serve as:
- Touchpad, share, R3, and L3 back buttons
- Options and PS right side buttons
But let’s conclude this performance section with what’s good about the M3’s Sanwa JLF joystick and OBSF buttons:
| Sanwa Part | Description |
|---|---|
| Sanwa JLF-TP-8YT | Flexible, responsive, clicky |
| Sanwa OBSF | Triggers fast, sounds crisp |
Hardware
Let’s start this section with how the M3 features a RAC-J300S detachable joystick shaft. What does this mean? There’s a fast coupling mechanism that makes it easier to attach/detach the joystick shaft—without any expertise in carpentry.
That aside, the M3 is metallic with an acrylic top. It’s got good width to set it and forget it on your lap while you grind out matches for hours.
Not only that, the M3’s bottom has feet, which keep the hitstick in place while you evade your opponent’s attacks. Truthfully, this hitstick is on the heavier side—increasing its stability.
Fun fact: The M3 uses a USB-B port (instead of the usual USB-C). More than that, FightBoxArcade gives you different low-latency PCB options based on your budget and needs. Just check this out:
| Board | Description |
|---|---|
| PC | Budget, limited compatibility |
| Pico Plus | Budget, more compatibility |
| Brook Gen-5 | Pricey, wide compatibility |
| Brook Gen-5X | Pricey, insane compatibility |
Appearance
Black enclosure? Red joystick? Some red buttons? Some black ones? Well, the M3 does look cool, and the matte black acrylic is elegant, but you really want to customize this hitstick’s art to make it a true representation of you.
Put simply, our artists at The Arcade Stick await your instructions to give your M3 a makeover with some sick art. You can take a peek at this artwork by our designer Felipe Fernandez for his client’s FightBox—just to give you an idea:
(Yo, got some M3 digital art already? Not a problem, we can just print that for you.)
Conclusion
With three layouts and premium Sanwa parts on metallic-acrylic hardware compatible with many consoles, the M3 is easy to recommend. Don’t forget about the custom art either!
By the way, if you’d rather skip the WASD layout, you can order the M1 instead, but if you really want a WASD layout—yet would rather use keys than buttons—order the M7.
At this point, it’s up to you to place an order through FightBoxArcade’s site, its RetroArcadeCrafts sister company’s site, or even sites like AliExpress, Amazon, and Etsy. Hope to see you win Evo with this hitstick!
- Three-in-one hitstick
- Premium Sanwa parts
- Detachable joystick shaft
- Metallic-acrylic hardware
- Customizable artwork
- Compatibility options
- Wide, heavy, footed
Links
- FightBoxArcade (10% code: THEARCADESTICK)
- RetroArcadeCrafts
- AliExpress
- Amazon
- Etsy