Espada Review

Price	jonyfraze
Release	September 11, 2020
Compatibility	PS5 / PS4 / PS3 / PSC / XSX / XB1 / X360 / NS / WU / PC
Dimensions	18” x 9.5” x 2.5”
Weight	6.5 lbs

Quick Facts

The Espada has been discontinued due to logistics.
It was possible to be ordered as a case or fully assembled.
Its wide shape was inspired by traditional Filipino weapons.
It is made of a wood supporting frame along with wrap-around acrylic covers.

Performance

You could choose your own build, so here is a sample:

The joystick could be the Sanwa JLF supported by the OTTO DIY V5, Bit Bang Gaming Shuriken JLF PCB, and Phreak Mods: The Link EX Groove Edition. The primary buttons in the Noir layout could be the Crown/Samducksa SBD-202, and the secondary buttons could be the Sanwa OBSF.

Otherwise, if you opted for the preassembled edition, the Espada would come with Sanwa or Seimitsu parts, which are state-of-the-art. You could also opt for a microswitch buttons swap for the buttons, namely Qanba Gravity or Crown 202B. The plexiglass edges are sharp, but you can smooth them out yourself.

Hardware

The frame is heavy duty black melamine MDF (medium-density fiberboard), and the 0.12” acrylic artwork covers the top, sides, and bottom. Mounting hardware and rubber feet were included. You could order foam grip bottom pads as well.

Compatible are Japanese joysticks with flat mounting plates and Korean joysticks with short collars as well as 30 mm Japanese buttons and 30 mm snap-in buttons, with the latter being for the sides. Also compatible is a 24 mm Neutrik A-to-B USB port.

The PCB is a basic one by Brook. You can upgrade it to the Brook Universal Fighting Board (UFB) and even add the Brook UFB-UP5 to it for maximal compatibility that includes the PlayStation 5.

Appearance

You could opt for an LED upgrade for the buttons that comes with a remote. You can also download Espada artwork templates, create your own artwork, or order your prints. Otherwise, JxKDesigns was offering its own stock Espada artwork as a free download, which is marvelous to look at.

If you would like custom artwork for your Espada, our artist, Felipe Fernandez, can make it for you. Check out the complete makeovers he gave his clients’ Espadas: