****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
Just a quick note to those interested in using this with their Mac: With my Macbook Pro (running Leopard 10.5.8), the stick was instantly recognized as a standard USB device. While I don't personally use ROMs all that much (as I prefer to play my games on the actual systems), I tested it with a few different emulators and it worked without issue - great for those interested in playing older fighters or even games like Pacman where it's just more fun to play with a stick. I'd assume it would work similarly with a PC, though I haven't been able to test it yet. Also worth noting that I own the PS3 version only.-=-=-Now, on to the stick itself. The only times I've ever used arcade sticks was at my local Pizza Hut about 6 years ago, so I really wasn't sure what to expect when buying this. On top of that, while I've always been a fan, I've never been very good at fighters. However, upon using the item for a few dozen hours, I honestly can't see how it can get any better than this.I tend to play games extremely relaxed, with a "weak" grip on controllers and light inputs on the buttons. So to my style of play, the arcade buttons felt a bit "mushy" at first, but then I realized that couldn't be farther from the truth - they're extremely responsive and sensitive, it feels perfect. A few people complained about how the buttons are too close to the joystick...well I'm 6'6'' with huge hands, and I don't have this problem. In fact, the entire unit is a great size for me and my wrists rest comfortably on the sides. It's MUCH bigger than I expected it to be - way bigger than both my PS3 slim and 360. I play with it on my lap (leaned back in a chair of course) and it's extremely comfortable. It feels solid like a tank, with a nice weight to it. As for the square gate, I really don't have any issue with it. At first I noticed my "shoryuken" inputs weren't registering very often, but I realized I wasn't hitting the corner hard enough for it to register (again, due to my "lazy" style of playing games). My ONLY gripe is that the cord is a pain to get back inside the compartment, only because it's extremely long. The length is probably a good thing overall, but it easily stretches from one side of my room to the other (read: way too long for my standard use).As far as "skill" goes, once I got the hang of using the stick, I completed about twice as many BB:CS challenges than I had with a controller - many of which I thought I would never complete. I recently completed Ragna's 6-8, and feel I can get 9&10 in a few days. In about 4 days, my skill level has already far surpassed my previous controller skill, which is kind of sad considering I've been using controllers in fighters all my life. It seems like every day I play I get a little better.-=-=-Overall, if you've never used a stick before but are interested in buying one, this is an excellent choice. Just know ahead of time that it's going to take a little bit of practice until you get used to it, but in the end, you'll find that playing fighters with a stick is much more satisfying.PROS:-Great size and feel to the buttons, stick, and unit itself-Very appealing to look at and listen to (clicks)-Extremely responsive, solid construction, doesn't feel cheap in any way-Limited XXXX/1500 is pretty cool for collectors like myself-I'm still shocked that my new favorite controller is a Mad Catz-LONG cordCONS:-LONG cord is LONGI ordered this on amazon and got it in the same week. The packaging and everything was great. Completely satisfied with that.It's newer than the round 2 TE so it should have the latest PCB inside as in a better one than the original TE. plus it's cheaper than the other TE sticks so it is a ficken amazing deal. I think the art looks great and I'm planning on making my own plexi glass cover for it anyways. The button layout is supposedly different than the other TE sticks but I customize my controls anyways so that is not really a problem.But i did have some issues with the stick.First the bad:I received my stick with the R2 button (bottom row 3rd button) not working. I've read in another review here that someone got a madcatz TE stick with one of the buttons unplugged...so i thought maybe the same issue was happening. I decided to go ahead and void the warranty and open it up. To my dismay everything was connected properly. However the button felt loose from the bottom. After messing around with it for some time, the button base clicked and i thought i broke it :(. I then pressed the button and it snapped back into place and it started working just fine. In trying to put the thing back together, i discovered the source of the problem. The bundle of wires is zip tied and sits right under the buttons. It happened to press up against the button in question which was what was causing the problem. I had to cut the zip tie to close it back up without affecting the buttons.Now on to the actual stick:It's great like everyone says. If you're like me and this is you're first arcade stick, it takes some time to get used. Not just the layout but rather the sensitivity of the buttons. The sanwa buttons are so sensitive that if you graze them, they'll register. This is great for when you're used to the stick but I find myself constantly hitting things i didn't mean to at the beginning. Also the timing becomes different since the buttons do register so easily. I found myself hitting the buttons too early using the same timing as a game pad. Once you get used to it though, it is awesome.The square gate is fine for me. I'm shooting off fireballs at will after a few minutes with the stick. Also i like that it catches in the corner if i want it for dragon punch inputs since I tend to over rotate before and likely would still over rotate with a octagon gate.Overall the stick is great just like everyone says.It has a good weightsit well on on your lap or on a tablesuper responsive controlslarge surfacelong cordThe only reason i can't give it full 5 stars is cause my stick came to me not working and required me to void the warranty to fix it.
