Tryna build a fightstick?

This page is set up to teach you all the basic information you might need if you are looking to build a fightstick. Parts, estimated pricing, all of that. Find me on "twitter" "x" - @s_awb5863 ! oh, and all the price info I mention is in US dollars. Sorry, global peeps.

The Basics

When it comes to building a fightstick, there are two styles you can go for: fightsticks with a lever, or "hitbox"/button box style controllers. Players using either style of controller have played to the highest level, and ultimately the controller most suitable for you is the one you are most comfortable using.

Fightstick Button Box ("Hitbox")

Between these, the main difference is how movement is handled. On the fightstick with a lever, the lever controls movement. Conversely, the button box controller uses four buttons to control the four directions; typically, up is controlled by the button on the bottom (think of it like a spacebar!), and left, down, and right are the three smaller buttons on the left side of the eight attack buttons.
On this controller, the directions are the red buttons and the attacks are white. This is the typical button box layout.

Components

A fightstick is made of four or five core components depending on the style. Click on the component links to learn more in-depth about what they're all about.

Fightstick (levered)

  1. PCB
  2. wiring
  3. buttons
  4. lever
  5. case

    Button Box/ Hitbox

  1. PCB
  2. wiring
  3. buttons
  4. case

The essentials

If you just want a quick and dirty guide on what you need for a fightstick and you don't want to solder, just follow one of these shopping lists.

Fightstick (Japanese lever)