| Price | SaveYourGames |
| Release | July 19, 2023 |
| Compatibility | PS5 / XSX / NS / PC |
| Dimensions | 13.0″ x 9.8″ x 2.1″ |
| Weight | ~2.81 lbs |
Introduction
You know that one singer called Arash? Well, the fightstick by SaveYourGames that we’re covering in this review is called the Arash Arashi, which means storm in Japanese.
SaveYourGames is a fightstick maker and eSports company. We’ve seen many fantastic controllers by this Italian establishment over the years, but this time, something special about the Arashi is that it can perform at a high level while showing off more art than usual. Read on to find out more before you buy.
Performance
Your brand new Arashi can arrive at your doorstep with one of the following layouts you can choose from:
- Street Fighter 6
- Sega 2P
- Vewlix
Which layout is likeliest to win you the next tournament? Pick and choose. Otherwise, the Arashi’s joystick is the Sanwa JLX. Now, you may be familiar with the bestselling JLF as one of the most flexible joysticks. In comparison, the JLX provides you tighter motions.
Not only that, the Arashi uses Sanwa OBSC buttons instead of OBSF. Both buttons are fantastic—they have an optimal travel distance and produce a satisfying sound—but why did SaveYourGames choose OBSCs? We’ll reveal that later…
Moving on, the Arashi’s six function buttons are distributed across two locations:
- Three OBSC buttons on the top panel
- Three other buttons on the right panel
The three OBSC buttons are in a tactical location that brings you the best of both worlds. Essentially, they’re close enough to press fast, but they’re far from the Arashi’s attack buttons—reducing your odds of accidental pressing.
Since your right hand is likely your dominant hand, you can use its fingers to press the three other function buttons on the Arashi’s right panel. These stiffer buttons also reduce your odds of mistaken pressing.
To finish up the performance review, let’s just briefly comment on how the Arashi gives your wrists plenty of space to relax, and the fightstick’s width is also sufficient enough to painlessly set it on your lap—as you play till sunrise.
Hardware
Simply put, the Arashi is a 3D printed masterpiece. It’s only got six screws holding it together, so if you need to unscrew it, it shouldn’t take you much time (or effort).
And remember those stiff function buttons on the Arashi’s right panel? This is also where the USB-C passthrough is. Speaking of connectivity, this fightstick can run on a high end Brook PCB, such as the Gen-5X, to give you some of the most diverse modern console compatibility options out there.
Appearance
Having read our review this far, fighting gamer, it’s time to reveal to you why the Arashi uses Sanwa OBSC buttons. It’s because these buttons are clear and can show off your custom art—instead of blocking it like some other buttons do.
For custom art, we’d love for you to reach out to us here at The Arcade Stick—because we have a custom art service that’s been around for a while now. Just unscrew the Arashi’s plexiglass top panel, insert our/your art, and screw the plexiglass back on.
That’s not everything, though. You can make your Arashi even more beautiful by choosing the following parts’ colors:
- Side buttons
- Ball top
- Case
- USB
On a closing note, it may appear to you from a first glance that the Arashi has a fairly rectangular look. The truth is—if you look at the fightstick from the side—you’ll notice that its front and back panels are actually rounded!
Conclusion
The Arashi brings back SaveYourGames’ quality performance that we’re used to—plus clear buttons for some sick art.
- Sanwa JLX tight joystick
- Sanwa OBSC clear buttons
- Fully sized function buttons
- SF6, Sega 2P, or Vewlix layout
- Brook multiplatform PCB
- Rounded front and back
- Customizable art
- Color choices
- 3D printed
- Decent size
- Not too heavy
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐