| Price | AliExpress & Amazon |
| Release | February 6, 2015 |
| Compatibility | NS2 / PC |
| Dimensions | 16.2″ x 10.2″ x 5.0″ |
| Weight | 6.61 lbs |
| Cable | 2~3 m |
Introduction
The Qanba Q4 is one of those fightsticks that feel like they’re from the future. This fightstick has features that even fightsticks in the generation after it don’t always have. Read on to find out what we mean.
Unboxing
The Q4 comes in a beautiful Qanba box with Chinese writing and a carrying handle. Inside, you can find a cleaning cloth. In other words, the box contents are simple this time around.
Performance
As usual with Qanba’s bestselling brand, the Q4 uses some of the best parts known to man:
- Sanwa JLF joystick
- Sanwa OBSF-30 buttons
Basically, the Q4’s joystick is clicky, responsive, moves uniformly, and goes back to neutral smoothly. The buttons are also clicky, responsive, uniform, and spring back up nicely after every press. Moreover, the buttons are light and sound satisfying. The buttons’ volume can be described as moderate.
Though the Q4 uses the typical Vewlix layout, something rare is that its start button is to the attack button cluster’s right. This start button doesn’t feel like Sanwa, and since its place is nearby, some players might press it accidentally.
On the bright side, there are four smaller function buttons above the Q4’s attack button cluster for:
- Home
- Mode
- Select
- Turbo
Mode means D-pad or left stick inputs. Otherwise, you can activate the turbo feature on your Q4 to press a button once but then have that one button press result in rapid button presses in-game.
Hardware
It goes without saying that the Q4 is one of the biggest and heaviest fightsticks to date, yet its two most interesting hardware features are by far:
- Retractable carrying handle
- USB cord compartment
That USB cord compartment is on the Q4’s left side. Speaking of USBs and compatibility in general, this fightstick is also compatible with the PlayStation 3 (in addition to the Nintendo Switch 2 and PC).
Ergonomic features of the Q4’s hardware include a wrist slope for long gaming sessions. Underneath, you can find four rubber feet to decrease the odds that the fightstick slides off your desk as you pull off a tough combo.
Appearance
The flagship Q4 model is primarily black and with some white elements like white buttons. Furthermore, the fightstick has a black felt bottom, and the cord is black as well.
That said, here are some colors that the Q4 has been released in (including the flagship color):
- Black
- White red
- Ice red
- Ice blue
Something neat about this fightstick’s looks is that its art is customizable, and we at The Arcade Stick actually have a custom art service. For example, check out this art that our designer Carlos Martinez made for his client’s Q4:
Conclusion
The Q4 has outstanding Sanwa parts, and its carrying handle & cord compartment make it convenient if you often travel to compete in tournaments.
- Sanwa parts
- Vewlix layout
- Turbo feature
- Wrist slope
- Rubber feet
- Bottom felt
- Big & heavy
- Carrying handle
- Cord compartment
- Customizable art
- Color options
- Start button location
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐