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I'm a very lazy gamer. what do I mean by that? My definition of lazy as a gamer refers to the fact that I rarely ever finish anything I start playing. I'm sure almost everyone has played a game where they just couldn't get into it, you would just give up at some point and never look back. This happened to me several times in the past with the numbered entries in the Street Fighter series. Although the Street Fighter games don't really have a beginning or an end, I never really tried to learn different characters or even play against others in a competitive setting. In fact, every Street Fighter game before Super Street Fighter IV was played by me for a couple hours at best.
Ten minutes later and I die on stage 3. I'm done.
All of this changed when Super Street Fighter IV was released. I bought the game seeking redemption from my past sins in a way, hoping something would irreversibly change the way I play fighters. For the first week I tried learning how to use characters old and new, spending hours in the trial mode. Having played with a dualshock controller since the PS1 and Street Fighter Alpha 3 I always felt it was ok using the basic controller for fighting games. This opinion swiftly changed after a quick visit to a local video game shop.
Cue the chorus and light shining down from above.
This shop which I visit frequently to purchase games from does have a used games section, but I usually ignore the used without a second glance. On this fateful Sunday I saw a used camouflage PSP, not something you would normally see in a used game section, right? I went over to get a better look when I suddenly noticed the used PS3 Fighting Stick 3 right below it. This was exactly the type of controller that was on my mind after I started playing SSFIV and noticed how inconsistent ultra combos were when trying to press all three kick buttons (X, O, and R2 together). Finding a controller like this, and in nearly perfect condition was easily the highlight of my week. I immediately purchased this arcade stick and took it home, jumping into a few practice rounds of SSFIV.
I can say I quickly noticed a difference in how SSFIV feels using a arcade stick compared to a regular controller. Because I can now use separate fingers for different attack strengths combos seem to flow together instead of rapidly switching from one button to another on the controller face. Repeated quarter stick motions seem to be easier to pull off. I seem to have better timing on the charge type moves, but that might just be because of the long break I had taken from Street Fighter. As I am slowly getting used to using this great controller and hopefully improving my playing skills, I can definitely say at this point using an arcade stick is very different than playing using a dualshock controller. I plan to stick with SSFIV and my arcade stick, learning new techniques and combos. I won't give up this time, hopefully this will make up for my past sins.
Now I ask you, fellow Bitmobbers, what experiences have you had with arcade sticks? As seasoned experts, the new guy like me or somewhere in the middle,did using an arcade controller change your fighting game experience? Do any of you modify your controllers with arcade parts, custom art, etc.? Please leave your story in the comments below.
