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Hori Virtua Fighter 5 Arcade Stick Coming To US This Summer

All you hardcore fighting fans will probably have to consider this, right?

One of you die-hard followers of the genre forwarded us this press release , which says a new Hori arcade stick for Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown is coming to North America some time this summer.

It's based on Hori's Real Arcade Pro V3 SA model, and it utilizes authentic Sanwa Denshi parts for the stick and buttons. It also tosses in some optional turbo settings for all the buttons, an adjustable turbo speed, and a "wide body and heavy weight" structure for extra stability. There's no knowing how much it will cost but just as a comparison, it retails for 13,800 yen in Japan, which is the equivalent of $170. Now, to me, that sounds crazy steep, especially when you consider that Final Showdown probably won't retail for more than $20 when it arrives on the PlayStation Network.

But then again, I'm no big-time fighting fan. I've met some, though…and I know what they're willing to pay for top-notch fighting sticks. By the way, this stick and the game in question should drop at about the same time.

Related Game(s): Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown

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Temjin001
Temjin001
11 years ago

Awesome. I'm glad this helps confirm that SEGA isn't scratching off VF5 FS from this year's roster… phew!
I already have a HRAP3 Sanwa stick. It's not quite this new Hori stick quality (it's buttons are also Sanwa) but it works great for Tekken, like for button buffering etc. I could open the case and mod it to use the Sanwa's but I don't really see the point.

But DANG IT!
Too many amazing fighters this year.

Well, I think these 3 (DOA5, TTT2, VF5 FS) will round off the whole year for me, aside from maybe Darksiders 2 if I can squeeze it into my busy schedule. It being my most desired of the single player games for the year.

EDIT: and ME3 of course. That one will be hot. AC3 can wait till it goes $20 in less than five months from release.
I can't tell how bad I want Halo 4. I want to play it, but I'm somewhat leery.


Last edited by Temjin001 on 4/15/2012 10:01:30 PM

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
11 years ago

I'd like to have some kind of stick in hopes that I'd play more fighters, but they never reduce much in price.

Temjin001
Temjin001
11 years ago

Hardware usually doesn't have the markup in profit margins like software does.

But hey, you being a DOA fan probably don't need to sweat it. I tend to preference DOA with a pad. I think one of the reasons VF has struggled so hard on consoles is because a huge part of their cast has a number of abilities that are only really accessible with a spendy dedicated stick, like the one here. But a product like this succeeds off of the residual arcade market (remember those?). VF without a successful reboot I think will remain a very niche and very hardcore scene until then. Because I don't think fighters can survive on their own with only the hardcore player types like me, where this genre's appeal needs to be broadened with peripheriary attractions, like boobies, cos-play, story modes, and all of those collectable doo'hickys more transient game players like.

As for DOA, Itagaki was wise in designing DOA with very easy input commands so the vast majority of gamers can learn it's play system and have fun with good old competitive fights without having to practice delicate "just frame" moves to make things work.
SF works well like this, too. It's easy enough for most people to pull off the game's relatively limited moveset in relation to 3D fighters by using a standard pad, where only the more dedicated types invest in a stick for the added competitve edge in timing combos.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
11 years ago

Remember the good old days when you stood at the arcade and your moves depended on you hitting that stick just right? And there was MONEY in that machine! Man, what a thrill…

DOA is gonna be a breath of heaving bosoms… I mean fresh air. I'm actually hoping Brad Wong returns, I love drunken boxing with him.

frylock25
frylock25
11 years ago

do the stick controllers that they keep putting out for different games work on other games? like the mortal kombat one? does it work for other games?

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
11 years ago

Yup, it will work with any game.

SaiyanSenpai
SaiyanSenpai
11 years ago

So many great fighting games coming out! YES! It's hard to believe they were in such a slump for so long.

I wish these fighting games would be released digitally for download the day of release though – those are the games that I play before, throughout, and after playing other games like Uncharted and Batman. It would keep me from changing discs all the time.

xenris
xenris
11 years ago

VF5 is my favourite fighting game ever. So stoked for the new version this summer.

I am actually better with a controller than a stick so guess I wont be getting this puppy.

BikerSaint
BikerSaint
11 years ago

Man, I've got some many different sticks, but unfortunately they're all for the PS2/original Xbox & on down to some of my retro consoles.

I don't play fighters that often anymore, so I can't really justify buying $140 and above, priced sticks anymore, unless someone's got an super-deal on a used one.

Laguna
Laguna
11 years ago

Ive been told that Virtua Fighter requires a stick to do the most complex inputs, but at that price and for one game, I am afraid I won't invest.

I will buy it…I hear it has a tutorial thats on par with VF4 EVO.

The problem with latest fighting games is that they don't give you the tools for success (Soul Calibur V).

Im glad VF5 gives you the proper direction.

Hell, Im just glad it isn't cancelled!

Temjin001
Temjin001
11 years ago

Characters like Jacky, Sarah, and Pai hold up well with a d-pad. Of course, that'll only get you so far, given your time and interest after becoming moderately good with one of them, you may find it worthwhile to jump for the fight stick.

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