| Price | IST Mall |
| Release | July 13, 2025 |
| Compatibility | PS5 / XSX / NS2 / PC |
| Dimensions | 17″ x 10.2″ x 2.2″ |
| Weight | 7.45 lbs |
| Cable | 2 m |
Introduction
Evidence suggests that you’d like to get better at fighting games. Further evidence suggests that the right fightstick can get you closer to that goal.
Fightsticks are alive and well!
That said, you may have stumbled across a beautiful fightstick on Taobao called Starry Sky. Even we at The Arcade Stick have noticed that fightstick gaining prominence.
Well, the fightstick in this review is the MakeStick Metal by the legendary IST Mall from South Korea, and it features some improvements that you may appreciate.
Unboxing
The MakeStick Metal arrives with at least a manual and USB-C to A cable. Other freebies may depend on your choices of the joystick, buttons, PCB, and so on.
Performance
Let’s start out with some first impressions of the MakeStick Metal. It can come with a Korean or Japanese joystick. IST Mall offers so many joystick brands, including (but not limited to):
- Sanwa
- Qanba
- Crown
- Sanjuks
- Fanta
- Knee
- Nobi
Button-wise, the MakeStick Metal has eight main buttons in the Vewlix layout. Some of the button brands offered include Sanwa, Seimitsu, and even GamerFinger.
In addition, the MakeStick Metal has seven function buttons conveniently located in the top panel’s upper center. These metallic function buttons have a decent size. Also, the fightstick has an ergonomic slope for your wrists.
Hardware
Although on the heavier side, the MakeStick Metal’s bottom has some nice foam padding that relieves your legs from pressure during lap play.
The bottom is where you can also find a one-touch opening to crack open your MakeStick Metal and make some mods. Just pop open the fightstick, and enjoy looking at the neat wiring.
The MakeStick Metal can be compatible with as many consoles as you want. All you have to do is let IST Mall know which PCB to install for you, and you’re good to go.
(Yes, high quality Brook PCBs are offered too!)
Appearance
The MakeStick Metal’s futuristic look is supplemented by its metallic hardware. You see, the fightstick is made of durable steel and with a brushed aluminum top panel—the quintessence of elegance.
Disclaimer: The MakeStick Metal’s hardware is not for vanity only. It also prevents the fightstick from getting damaged, which prevents you from having to pay extra for repairs—if not another fightstick.
The side panels of the MakeStick Metal also look awesome—and even futuristic. These side panels are transparent acrylic, allowing LED to glow through them like a spaceship.
Check this out: the MakeStick Metal is available in frost silver and phantom black. Truth be told, both colors are gorgeous. In case you can’t decide which color to pick, here’s a word of advice: buy the fightstick in both colors, stare at them in person, determine which color strikes your fancy more, and then gift your buddy the other color.
In general, the MakeStick Metal comes with a black joystick. As for each edition’s button colors:
- Phantom black comes with black buttons.
- Frost silver comes with white buttons.
(Fortunately, you can mod the MakeStick Metal’s joystick and button colors whenever you please.)
Though it’s not as bad as acrylic, the MakeStick Metal can get a little bit oily. Thankfully, we at The Arcade Stick have actually made art for this model before. If there’s no art panel, you might be bold enough to paste some vinyl art on top of the fightstick.
If you like what you see below, our artist Carlos Martinez can make art for your MakeStick Metal like he made art for one of his recurring clients:
Conclusion
The MakeStick Metal is for those who aren’t too excited about the latest wave of leverless controllers. In fact, this fightstick brings back some 2009 vibes, keeping things simple by reviving the Vewlix layout—with no extra buttons to distract you.
You won’t look like an owner of an outdated fightstick because the MakeStick Metal looks quite cutting-edge. If you consider yourself a stylish OG, don’t miss out on this fightstick. Of course, newcomers are welcome too!
- Brushed aluminum with steel
- Frost silver or phantom black
- Korean or Japanese joystick
- Popular Vewlix layout
- Ergonomic wrist rest
- Diverse compatibility
- Noticeably weighty
- Organized wiring
- Quick opening
- Lit side panels
- Foam pad
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐