| Price | TIKITAKA |
| Release | Circa November 2025 |
| Compatibility | NS2 / PC |
| Dimensions | 17.0″ x 10.4″ x 2.4″ |
| Weight | ~13.23 lbs |
Introduction
Ever held an electric guitar? Or a light bowling ball? Or a really heavy cat? Those roughly weigh the same as the TIKITAKA JS1, so if you like your fightsticks heavy, you’re probably going to dig this fightstick!
Performance
The JS1 is probably named that way to mean “joystick one”, meaning it has a joystick and is the first in the JS series. So, let’s talk about the joystick first.
The square gate of the JS1’s joystick has an arc-shaped stopper to make movement smoother, such as by preventing any stutter in motion. This increases accuracy and reduces fatigue.
As for the JS1’s nine buttons, which are in the convenient Sega 2P layout, they use light Kasumi switches with the specs below. Compared to Cherry MX or Kailh Choc, you’ll probably feel that Kasumi switches trigger earlier in comparison:
| Switch Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Actuation force | 35 ± 10 gf |
| Actuation point | 0.5 ± 0.2 mm |
| Total travel | 1.5 ± 0.2 mm |
Hardware
The JS1 is a large and heavy fightstick. Its largeness means you can rest your wrists on it comfortably, especially because there’s a wrist slope too.
The largeness also lets you place the JS1 on your lap comfortably. Despite being really heavy, it’s surprisingly okay to place on your lap without feeling like you’re lifting weights or something. On a desk, the weight makes the fightstick less prone to sliding.
You see, the JS1 exudes a sense of quality, thanks to its CNC aluminum alloy case with smooth edges. Not only that, the case is anodized for:
- Fingerprint resistance
- Fading resistance
- Longevity
Most interestingly, the JS1’s panel and frame are connected by way of a hinge for easy opening, maintenance under the hood, and modification of the internal parts.
More than that, the JS1 has an acrylic panel so you don’t have to bear with the metal’s coldness during winter. Read on to find out the acrylic panel’s other benefit…
Appearance
The JS1’s acrylic panel allows for custom art, which we at The Arcade Stick can provide you through our tried and tested art service. Will you check out this one sample of art by our designer Carlos Martinez for a client’s similar fightstick?
(We just ask that you exercise a bit of patience as you remove the joystick and buttons from the JS1 to then install the printed art.)
Otherwise, the JS1 ships with kraft paper by default. Another detail worth noting is that this fightstick bears a striking resemblance to the MakeStick Metal.
Conclusion
There are many good reasons to buy the JS1, but if you had to buy it for one reason, buy it for its unapologetically heavy metal case.
Other than that, the JS1 is also a good fightstick if you need more than eight buttons, prefer switches that actuate early, and think that a square gate optimizes your joystick movement.
- Nine buttons with Kasumi switches
- Square gate joystick
- Iconic Sega 2P layout
- Big, heavy metal case
- Easy to open up
- Wrist slope
- Customizable art
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐