I am in the market for a new fightstick after a 5 year hiatus and me very stupidly selling what was my Madcatz Streetfighter X Tekken for the XBox 360. In looking at Amazon here in the UK, I have seen and am interested in both the HORI Real Arcade Pro N and the Madcatz TE2+. I intend to use whichever one I buy on the PC and possibly the PS4 too and wished to know is the HORI stick as good as the Madcatz given that the TE2+ comes with what I assume are the same Sanwa JLF Stick and OBSF 30 buttons as my original stick did and it is clearly very easy to mod, I admit that other than add a Sanwa Octagonal Gate, I highly doubt I will do anything else?
Has anyone got a particular preference between Sanwa and HORI as I believe that there is not much difference between them both and that the HORI can be changed from the Hayabusa to the JLF very easily? I just want to be sure that the stick I buy will offer the best value for money as I am a complete noob to this!! And I also realise that a lot of this comes down to personal preference and I have tried to find as much infor on the HORI stick as I can but other than the Kai versions and the odd youtube video, I am still unsure especially as some people state that the Hayabusa stick is too “floppy” without a 2 or 5lb spring? and that the buttons are not as good as the OBSF ones?
you can always swap out parts on the hori for sanwa easily
cheapest option would be grab a venom stick and swap out parts, normally retail for ÂŁ60 to ÂŁ70, and used from as little as ÂŁ30 on eBay, ive seen used ones with sanwa parts and custom art go for around ÂŁ40 often
sometimes amazon sell them new for ÂŁ29.99 on a flash sale
Biggest issue with the TE2+ is the PCB. Prone to dying or having other issues. I’ve read some Amazon US reviews on the TE2+ and some reviews said that it was DOA. UK might be a different story, but it might not be worth the hassle.
Parts wise, the TE2+ does come with Sanwa parts and modding is easy to do. Hori Hayabusa parts aren’t bad, at least the joystick. Buttons aren’t for me however. If you don’t end up liking them it really easy to change the parts.
JasenCustoms did a great breakdown for the stick.
Personally I’d rather get the Hori RAPN just because it’ll be more reliable in the long run and I prefer the noir layout over the vewlix layout.
The case is nice IMO. Quiet large and feels solid. But the drawback is that the angle of the case is quiet stiff where you rest your wrists. I have to check if I don’t feel any pain using it for several hours on my lap on a movement heavy game like Tekken.
Personnally, I think the Noir Layout is better than the Viewlix Layout. Playing DBFZ with it is was easier for certain buttons combinations.
First time playing Hayabusa stick and buttons. Both are louder than Sanwa parts. But I really enjoy using them.
Buttons feels smooth and responsive. I prefer them over Sanwa OBSF 30, they feel great and precise.
The stick is great too. I’ve read elsewhere that it is on the looser side but mine is not like this right now. It is a little more rigid than the JLF inside the Venom Stick. There’s no opposite direction input if you throw the lever in one direction. Using it for Wavedashing and Korean Backdashing was great with less inputs errors than my JLF. The only drawback is the noise.
So overall, the stick feels great but I have yet to evaluate how ergonomic it is for long sessions. Especially for my left wrist. If I start to feel pain, then I’ll return it and probably go for an Etokki Omni stick.
As a sidenote, I had to adjust some timing while using the RAP N as I was missing some combos with it at first. I have to push buttons a tad later than with the Venom. Wonder if it’s because of the smaller button course, less stick input lag or a combination of the two.
I have a Hori RAP Tekken Edition which is basically the same as the RAP N and it’s really easy to mod, you just have to take out the screws to remove the bottom cover and just switch the parts. I mounted a Sanwa JLF on it and it fits perfectly, but I went back to the Hayabusa it came with because I feel it more precise. It’s just a matter of taste.
I use it mainly for PC as I don’t have any consoles and it works perfectly, also tried it in a friend’s PS4 without problems. I did add a stiffer spring but only because I use a balltop that’s like 50mm that I took from an industrial machine, with the original balltop and spring it works like a charm.
Don’t know much about that PCB problem they say about the TE2+, but other than that it comes down to which format you prefer, Noir or the Viewlix as both can be easily modded with the parts you want.
The RAP N has a much more solid case and the Noir layout, which for me is why I’d pick that stick. I can’t go back to Vewlix now, the way the buttons curve to fit your hand is just so much nicer. The stock stick is a lot like a JLF but a little looser and smoother - personally I rate it a lot better. The Madcatz is creakier and will eventually die on you requiring a replacement PCB.
Many thanks for all the feedback, I’ve decided to mod a Venom Arcade stick instead with Sanwa parts, ordered from Arcade World here in the UK!!! So am very excited!! Received the Venom on Friday last and initially thought it was broken as it didn’t register!? I then flick the switch to LS and all buttons and stick directions register in M.A.M.E and USF4!!! Can’t wait to get my mits on the Sanwa parts!!! I have also a 2lb and 4lb spring but feel that the 4lb spring may be overkill!?
Either way, again I am very appreciative of the advice/own viewpoints you’ve given me!! Hopefully, this will be all the fightstick I ever need!?
Finally, is there a definitive modding guide please for the Venom?! I’ve seen a few and I’m sure by taking my time there’ll be no issues!? Hope the C/E clip is easy enough to remove/replace!? As that looks to be the trickiest part!?
Again many thanks not only for all your help but also the very warm welcome!!
I tried a 4lb spring but yeah, it’s totally overkill, 2lb should be perfect if you don’t like a loose stick. Also the clip is really easy to remove, just be careful it doesn’t fly when you remove it. That happens a lot the first time someone removes it if they are not expecting that.
So I had the parts delivered today and have finished the mod and, what a difference it’s made!! Also, it was SO much more straightforward than I thought it was going to be!?
The stick just oozes quality and the buttons I’ve noticed are so very sensitive it’s brilliant, a completely different beast!!!
And although the overall cost worked out the same as a Madcatz TE2 + from Amazon, I’m glad I took this option as it’s clearly now the better stick!!
I just need to know where to print off some artwork!?
