Introduction
Arcade sticks allow you to perform advanced motions with the joystick. In addition, you can perform simultaneous button presses with ease.
Different button pressing techniques open up. One technique is pianoing, which involves hitting different buttons in rapid succession to produce a certain move. Another technique involves hitting two buttons almost simultaneously, resulting in techniques such as kara canceling and plinking.
Using an arcade stick is helpful when dealing with nerves, which are common during tournaments or even heated sets with friends.
Besides hands getting sweaty and slippery, using sweaty hands on an arcade stick is easier than with a regular controller. You see, it is harder to nervously mash buttons on an arcade stick due to the buttons being more spaced out than with a controller, so you would have to press the larger buttons more deliberately. Essentially, you are more aware of each press.
It is nice to be able to play at any arcade. If there is no arcade stick at your friend’s place, most arcade stick veterans have probably used a controller before, so the muscle memory should still be there. However, revisiting the controller will likely feel like a setback. Fortunately, it should not be hard to bring your own arcade stick to a friend’s place.
Grip
Go for the tried-and-tested modified wineglass grip that is well established within the community. It is a popular grip for a reason.
The modified wineglass grip is when the joystick goes between your pinky and ring fingers while your thumb rests up top. It works well for beginners and intermediates alike. Many who have gotten used to unorthodox grips might wish they would have started with a better grip from the get go.
Character
While you could definitely start practicing with your main character straight away, your main character may be too advanced for your transition. So, it is not a bad idea to switch to an easier character as you transition your way to the glorious world of the arcade stick.
Training
Utilize training mode to practice normal attacks and special moves on both sides of the screen. Remember to turn on the input display if supported by your game of choice.
As you get more comfortable, you can start attempting combos. Aim to reach the level you were at with a regular controller, keyboard, or whichever method you were using before. Once you become comfortable enough, activate the dummy so that you can fight it as the CPU.
First, start with the lowest difficulty and then ramp it all the way up to the highest difficulty. Once you reach that point, either play the CPU in versus matches or start playing with your sparring partner after giving him or her the disclaimer that you are still getting used to playing on an arcade stick.
Optimally, your sparring partner would be in your same position as well, trying to get the hang of the craft like you are. After that, take the arcade stick online to play some friendly matches, eventually making your way to ranked matches. Your final stop should be the tournament stage!
Timing
Although there is no universal answer to the question of when to finally make the switch to an arcade stick and drop the controller completely, fighting gamers may usually make the switch as soon as they find themselves reaching a higher win-loss ratio than when they played with a controller.
Your execution with an arcade stick might still not be on par with your controller performance, such as struggling on one side of the screen more than the other, but you may feel more confident with an arcade stick regardless.
Get Started
To make the transition easier on your wallet, check our top budget arcade sticks and top budget hitboxes.