| Price | AliExpress |
| Release | July 2024 |
| Compatibility | PC |
| Dimensions | 9.8″ x 7.9″ x 2.0″ |
| Weight | 2.87 lbs |
| Cable | ~2.5 m |
Introduction
Listen, we know you’re super busy perfecting your combos and learning new matchups, which is why we’d like to immediately let you know the FightBox R4’s star feature. Read on.
Performance
The R4’s star feature has to be its slanted eight-button layout. Some may even call it the IST Mall layout—based on the Korean company that likes to feature this layout on its fightsticks. FightBoxArcade itself calls it the classic PS2 layout.
That’s right: it’s intended for the R4’s selling point to be its PlayStation 2 (and 3) compatibility. It comes with the right cables for that and everything.
Having said that, you may find the R4’s layout to be optimal for your right wrist’s health. It may also improve your performance in a way that nets you more wins.
(Note: You can also buy the R3 if you only need six buttons, and you can even buy the R2 if you only need four buttons.)
Anyway, there are two function buttons on the R4’s top panel (for start and select) that you may find useful. Otherwise, it’s important to note the button brand: Sanwa.
Yep! We’re talking about Sanwa OBSF-30 buttons as the attack buttons and OBSF-24 buttons as the function buttons. We’re also talking about optimal travel distance, a crispy sound, and durability for years. For newcomers, here’s a quick guide regarding the R4’s buttons:
| Button Model | Size |
|---|---|
| Sanwa OBSF-30 | 30 mm |
| Sanwa OBSF-24 | 24 mm |
Hardware
The R4’s joystick is where the hardware gets a little tricky… Essentially, the fightstick always comes with a flexible, responsive, and clicky Sanwa JLF-TP-8YT lever (a bestseller, by the way). However, you can choose between:
- Sanwa LB-30N American bat top
- Sanwa LB-35 Japanese ball top
Maybe you want to play some old school Tekken games with a bat top. Maybe you want to play some retro Street Fighter titles with a ball top instead. With the R4, the choice is yours.
That aside, FightBoxArcade brought back its signature metal-acrylic combo for the R4’s structure. In other words, the cutely sized enclosure—although tall—is metallic, and the top panel is acrylic.
Not only that, the R4’s bottom has feet, which keep the fightstick in place while you parry your opponent’s moves. You see, this fightstick is moderately weighted.
Appearance
Alright, so check this out:
- White top
- Black bottom
- Blue joystick top
- Some buttons blue
- Some buttons white
With that, it’s safe to say that the R4 looks pretty simple, but because it has an acrylic top panel, you’re confirmed to be able to customize its artwork.
Speaking of which, our artists at The Arcade Stick are waiting for your instructions to transform your R4’s look. You can even catch a glimpse of this art by our designer Carlos Martinez for his client’s FightBox—just to get an idea:
(Hey, do you have some digital R4 art already? No worries, we can just print it for you.)
Conclusion
If you were to buy the R4 for one reason, buy it for the slanted button layout. Don’t forget that you can also grab the R3 if you only need six buttons—and the R2 if you only need four buttons. It’s sick that the buttons are Sanwas as well.
Now, it’s up to you to place an R4 order through FightBoxArcade’s site, its sister company’s site (RetroArcadeCrafts), or even a site like AliExpress. It’s a pretty cool fightstick—and doesn’t break the bank.
- Eight, six, or four buttons
- Sanwa bat or ball top
- Sanwa buttons too
- Slanted layout
- PS2 & PS3 cables
- Cute size with big feet
- Mediumweight metal-acrylic
Links
- FightBoxArcade (10% code: THEARCADESTICK)
- RetroArcadeCrafts
- AliExpress