6 Button Fightpad Faceoff: Pros and Cons

[@angryfish3679]

Nice review. I own a few of these myself, namely: Razer Raion, Hori Octa, Hori Fighting Commander 3 Pro, 8-Bitdo M30 Xbox, Retro-Bit Saturn Pro Controller and the Betop Thorn. Here are my thoughts for those interested: Razer Raion (Updated Version): Great clicky dpad, good size, medium tension. Very few input errors with this one. Not a very comfortable controller for me, shoulder button design is bad imo. People that only use index fingers to access triggers will hate it, others still might not like it depending on hand size and grip. Everything else is quite good though. Face buttons use linear switches and do not have a ton of feedback but they are very responsive. Back buttons are responsive, although mine have already worn out quite a lot. Hori Octa PS4: Actually probably the best designed controller in terms of comfort and access to buttons. Shoulder buttons are both longer and larger which just makes sense. Clicky face buttons and the new Tekken version also has two sticks, one of which is lowered not to interfere with the face buttons. Very smart design imo for those who still might appreciate having access to sticks. The left stick is also very good for those who like to play with the thumbstick. All of this is good, but the dpad isn't. Very small, very high tension, not very comfortable to use for extended periods due to the aggressive ridges. 8-Bitdo M30 Xbox: It's very small and I actually noticed discomfort in my hands after a few days of use. If you wear a glove size 8 or higher, I would not even consider it. The dpad is very comfortable, but also easily up there as the most sensitive one out of all controllers. Some people will experience accidental jumps with this one for sure. But it also makes all inputs very fast. I can do inputs faster with this one than any other controller, but it is also so fast that I get unintended inputs at times if I am sloppy with my execution. The buttons are fine, I quite like the feel of them and I think they will last quite a long time without breaking down. The Saturn design with smaller buttons on the top row is weird at first, but you get used to it very fast. I think the coating of this pad is also quite good. Retro-Bit Saturn Pro Controller: This is the one I bought most recently. I actually really like the design of this controller. It feels cheaper than the 8Bitdo M30, but the tensioning of the dpad is much better and the size is much more comfortable. Having access to two thumb sticks is also very useful to navigate lobbies etc. in SF6 and Granblue. I actually really appreciate the wireless which has minimal input delay, but it is a terrible design choice that you can not use it wired. I also had a few disconnects, so I would only use it if you can have the dongle close to you. You also cannot map all buttons due to button mirroring. Despite this, I like it a lot. I hope Retro-Bit understands how many fighting game players would buy their controller if they just added wired functionality and button mapping. Betop Thorn: Like Rush G mentioned, the dpad does wear out a bit. I don't trust it anymore for this reason. Other than that, it is quite good. But I think the M30 Xbox does the same thing as this one, but a bit better. However, the Thorn has it beat in terms of comfort. Hori Fighting Commander 3 Pro: It has been a long time since I used this one, since it doesn't have a circular dpad. It's fine though. Not much to say. The unique function with this one is that you can tilt the dpad, which makes some inputs easier for me. But I prefer all other controllers over this one. Which one do I use atm? The Retro-Bit Saturn Pro Controller. I really hope they make a second revision with complete button mapping and the option of both wired and wireless. However, if Hori were to ever make a new version of their latest Tekken controller with a dpad more similar to the Saturn one (or even something similar to Razer's) I would switch to that.

[@RushG]

Really appreciate this detailed feedback! My fingers are firmly crossed regarding either an updated Saturn Pro Controller or a new / updated Hori OCTA. Fingers crossed

[@angryfish3679]

​@@RushG I really appreciate your reviews as well! I did not know about the Sanwa controller. I am thinking about trying it myself since I only use 5 out of the 6 front facing buttons.

[@NeggyNegi]

I'm glad I'm not the only one having this crisis. I also use the Betop as my main pad right now, but I really wish the buttons weren't quite as stiff. It makes using the controller with an overhand grip much more difficult. I love its dpad, though, and am fine with the size of the shoulder buttons though I wouldn't mind them being bigger. I think my dpad is becoming worn down like yours, I've been getting a lot of misinputs with my diagonals the past month or so. At least it's incredibly cheap, so replacing it isn't that bad. It seems like every fightpad on the market has some major drawback to it, which is frustrating considering how expensive they get once you move past 8bitdo and the Betop. I also really hope 8bitdo does some kind of future release of those NeoGeo controllers, but with 6 responsive face buttons, 4 shoulder buttons, and less throw on the dpad. That dpad feels amazing for 2D fighters, but the controller has too many drawbacks as it is now to recommend to anyone for reasons other than novelty. Oh well, for now I've gone back to using arcade stick for 2D fighters and just use the current fightpads for Tekken until something better comes out.

[@inksword6029]

Ohhh this video is just what I needed! Thank you for your in depth videos :]

[@RushG]

Any time. No problem

[@JadeDragonMeli]

Man, I'm glad I'm not going crazy. I have most of these and I'm about to force myself to learn leverless. Every fightpad style controller has its own quirks. I have a FC4 that I used through SFV and it's OK... but it does miss diagonals now sometimes even on the max diagonal setting. I was liking the PS4 Hori Octa, but eventually noticed that no matter what sensitivity level I had it on, down would not register. I would hold down-back and go to roll QCF to the right and it would register down-back to down-forward, skipping down and SF6 does not count the QCF without the down. Keeping my thumb towards the center hasn't helped. I do tend to ride the edge, but I've consciously kept it towards the center and it still happens. I read a couple of reviews on the Xbox version of the Octa and I got a consensus that people felt the pad was not quite as stiff as the PS version, which I have to say I disagree on. The Xbox Octa is way stiffer than my PS Octa. I ended up using this pad the most though because it was more accurate than the PS at the end of the day. But, recently the down-left diagonal doesn't register unless I press hard on it, and when I press hard on it my finger takes just that much longer to hit the left direction and I end up pressing my button a frame early. I think playing with negative edge on would fix this for me, but I find negative edge screws me over more than it helps because i tend to be heavy handed with button presses - and unfortunately despite SF6 not giving me a move when I press my button frame early on the down-forward, it does give me the special if I release the button on down-forward. IE: if I hit cr.lp, cr.lp, then go to move qcf lk, if I release the lp at down-forward I get the qcf + p special even though I let it go before forward. So if I turn negative edge off to negate that, then on the flip side if I hit cr.lp, cr.lp and hit the lk at down-forward even for a single frame, it won't give me the special. Again, I feel like negative edge would fix that, but then I constantly get the punch special instead of the kick special. The Switch Fight Commander is ... OK. I find it weird that the FC4 had options to increase or decrease the diagonal throw range even though it's not a circle pad, and this one doesn't. It's just Ok but doesn't seem to work as well as my FC4 did. The 8bitdo is just too small for me, but also I feel like the dpad's movement range is massive, and that goes double for both of these things when coming from Hori sizes. I prefer the larger controllers, my hands feel cramped otherwise. I feel like to dash left my thumb has to go wayyy further than it feels good. If it had like 2/3rds the movement range I think I would like it more. The Dpad certainly reminds me of my old 6 button Genesis pad, but I was also like..... 12 when I played with it back then. You have me interested in Betop, and I just ordered a used Razr Raion... I never even knew Razr made a pad back on PS4, but I did take a long break from playing SFV in 2021 and most of 2022. Honestly, I don't seem to drop inputs at all with the DS4. It's kind of perplexing that Sony helped fund SFV and wouldn't bother making a fight pad or stick for it. I'd like to try a 6 button layout on a DS4 dpad. The Hori Octa's just fail too often after about 6 months of daily to semi-daily use. I love the microswitch buttons and the dpad is one of the better ones... for a few months. I'd like for them to make a microswitch dpad, or give me some tactile feedback like the Series S controller. I refuse to pay $180 to try a vitrix. The 6 button layout pushing the 4 traditional face buttons down to where the right stick normally is seems like a deal breaker for me. Just looking at it feels wrong. Like I would constantly accidently catch the edge of MK when I went to tech a throw. It's a mind boggling decision to me that they would place the buttons there and not put that logo on the buttons where the right stick would be. Everyone tells me that leverless is the way to go, and that seems to be the way pros are going. Just the thought of learning it and being patient with it at 43 years old when I already don't have a ton of time to play these days is overwhelming. If I don't like this Razr I'm going to give the Betop a try. Thanks for this video!!

[@RushG]

Reading the post I hear you, it's a challenge trying to find the right pad, like you said each pad has its own quirks My issue was trying to find the right pad and generally struggling to enjoy SF6. Pads giving me issues, dropped inputs in 6, the input system being so different to SFV (imo it's much harder to execute optimal combos in 6 compared to V just due to stricter timings). I was livid and had to stop, I wasn't enjoying myself. The Betop is worth looking into, I strongly recommend it. The dpad will become a little more loose as time goes on but jts not too bad. The size of the controller and those small shoulder buttons are the standout issue. But it's has an amazing dpad and nice face button layout I hear you on the PS4 dpad, I've always found Sony PS pads to have nice dpads (I am aware that not every pad feels the same) I did actually purchase a Victrix, its really nice but the 6 button configuration, placement of the buttons is weird and the buttons themselves feel too mushy, they aren't snappy. It's a nice pad regarding it's customisation options and the quality. Still not a go to pad for me for fighters though

[@NapoleonSoulo]

I really like the M30 but I can understand the size issue some people will have with it.

[@RushG]

Its a lovely controller, the size is an issue for me but I think what is worse is the reports about the dpad becoming loose and buttons breaking. Unfortunate.

[@roninstormYT]

same street fighter 2 was my first game when i grew up but the one put more time in was alpha on psp and 3rd strike as well my 2nd game was super street fighter 4 i miss that game needs a remake . also sfv was my 3rd and 6 was my 7th

[@ireallydontknow6709]

I wish hori makes a new fighting commander with a circular dpad It's really good even with the cross dpad, but making it circular would make it the best fightpad bar none I can't understand why they discontinued the best pad they created, nobody seems to like octa either

[@RRR-h9s]

I got so frustrated with finding the best pad, that I just decided to switch to keyboard instead. Using it as a hitbox type controller.

[@mutemateam]

Congratulations on your choice , it was the best choice in this situation. All the dpads is sux overall compare to the sticks or hitbox , leverless controllers - for fighting games

[@CestJordan]

I went from keyboard to a hit box style controller from haute 42. It’s really affordable and feels great. Highly recommend.

[@RRR-h9s]

@@CestJordan Can you remap/swap the up and down key? I Know all the leverless use the key at the bottom as the up key. But I wanna use it as the down key.

[@ZimpanX]

Razer should make a 6 face button varaint of the Wolverine V2 Chroma without the analog sticks. Would make it to THE go-to fightpad for me. Because the d-pad, the face buttons, the bumbers and the extra M1/M2 buttons next to the regular shoulder buttons are all brilliant. Would be a sequel to the Razer Raion but actually good

[@RushG]

I'm hearing Hori are releasing a new pad, details are limited but they've had input from players so maybe this could be the pad In the interim I've ordered a standard Saturn wired controller. Not tried the Wolverine V2 Chroma but sounds awesome. That pad but in the Raion design, take my 💰💰💰

[@CalcioRoma]

I want a pad with VERY CLOSE TOGETHER BUTTONS, so no need to play with binds like lp+lk anymore... maybe the SANWA PAD could be perfect for me? Thanks Rush, i like your videos about pads :) .

[@lagunofartmancer6552]

I’ve used the hori fighting commander for around 5 years now and I’m on my fourth one already. 1 classic and 3 octas. It breaks really often for me but not having the shoulder buttons mappable on the other controllers is a deal breaker for me.

[@MrSamuelAdam4]

Have you tried a OG Sega Saturn pad with a converter? You'd probably love that.

[@RushG]

This is what I've ordered. Retrobit actually sell a USB version, think there's a backlog at the moment or low stock so I have it on order. Delivery in June

[@ringrippa]

I'm glad it's not just me who feels the same about the hori commander. The D pad over time does feel flimsy and input error definitely becomes an issue. I'm wondering if you have used the vistrix as you can swap the front to have 6 buttons. It's pricey but one I am considering

[@phaze5594]

Out of all of these I think I’ll go with the betop or the m30

[@RushG]

Good choices, the M30 is small though, really small. Worst case can always return it

[@phaze5594]

@@RushG ig that settles it for the betop

[@ImTrendel]

i have both, def prefer the betop. m30 feels small on my hands, and the betop is slightly taller. The betop would be perfect if the controller itself was a bit more thicker, that’s my only concern

[@MarlonMikami]

I think that the M30 doesn't feel as small of you hold it differently. Rather than gripping it like a modern controller, hold it with the sides at the fold between the palm and the fingers. That way you press the buttons and the dpad more with tips of your thumbs rather than with the fleshy part.

[@RushG]

I did try this and it just wanted comfortable for me personally

[@HCIbn]

After testing on my Hori Fighter commander 6 button layout. I feel more comfortable using a standard dual sense controller.

[@RushG]

6 button pads aren't for everyone. I wish I could use a standard 4 button layout

[@tilghman123]

I went through the same thing of trying to find the perfect controller. I ended up liking the Xbox Series controller the best. It's not a 6-button pad, but the d-pad and buttons are great. I would prefer different triggers though.

[@RushG]

It's a rela journey looking for the perfect pad. I do like the Xbox Series pad. Feels very well built, weighty and I look the way those triggers feel. Giving me chills thinking about it

[@saltyluigi4011]

I have the Hori pad, I don't really like the directional pad but it works better than a ps4 pad and feels nice enough. I've heard that the new Hori pad isn't great though, I forgot its name.

[@RushG]

The Octa? Yeah the dpad on that is pretty trash (IMO)

[@junior1388666]

Also my octa broke in less than a year. Two shoulder buttons came lose. The old fighting commander is way better built, I have mine for almost 10 years and it's still in really good shape

[@garlanramadhan4291]

Isnt that 8bitdo m30 xbox version?

[@juanchol21]

i want 4 face button controller with a sega like dpad so bad

[@RushG]

@@juanchol21 crazy to me that this combination doesn't exist

[@Khinh-xq6lx]

he is dpad guy no thumbsticks, i don't go back to dpad anymore but i can still use it

[@RushG]

Thats correct I dont use thumbsticks, I know a few people that do play this style but they are not as common as dpad players

[@natr0n]

Your thumbs look like thumb toes. nice review.

[@Erkm4n]

What do you think about the PDP Victrix Pro BFG?

[@RushG]

I did try one recently, it's a very high quality controller and I love the customisation The dpad options are great. I found a module that I liked, the only downside of the pad is I found the 6 button module to be positioned "too low". If the buttons sat higher up it would be pretty much perfect

[@mehvil5620]

Its too bad you only review the 6 button game pads. I was looking at the fly digo controllers. But those aren't 6 button right pads

[@-LAH]

How would you compare the dpad on the fighting commander to a dualshock 4 or dualsense 5? I liked both these controllers but am now getting misinputs on the dpad and it'd be nice to have 6 buttons. I wouldn't buy the FC if the dpad is worse tho.

[@RushG]

I really like the DS4 dpad, I use this on Tekken. Id say the Hori FC is slightly inferior to the DS4 DS5 I haven't actually used for fighters. It feels good but I've heard bad things about this controller when it comes to fighting games

[@KingCyborg15]

Hey Rush, have you ever tried the victrix pro bfg? Its pricey but it looks pretty nice

[@RushG]

I'm looking into it. Not a fan of how the - buttons sit on the face of the pad (sit white low). I'll have a think before buying one

[@RyuHippo]

@@RushG I got the same preferences as you (10 mapable buttons, saturn dpad) and I can tell you that u'd love it. Amazing dpad (not the default one, you can switch it out to a circular one, kind of similar to the saturn pad). Gotta get used to the paddle buttons on the back but can be useful to quickaccess parry/DI. In the worst case you can turn them off & even tape them down so you dont press them all the time by accident. Huge downside is the ridiculous price. I dont want to settle with a 150+€ and i dont know how durable it is.

[@Abbelboxe]

Good Dpad indeed. Face button placement is horrible though, if you use the 6 button module. They are way too far on the left and low. You actually have to actively reach and stretch your thumb to get to the "lights". And the annoying part is, that there actually is a piece of empty space on the right. All what needed to be done is move the buttons towards that space and we might have the perfect pad.

[@Deredesa]

I own two of the BFG for PS5. One of them has an inconsistent R1 button. Supposedly they fixed that being an issue with the refresh that came out this year, you can tell it’s the newer model with it being white or black and having a purple strip on the handle area. The fight pad module is way too low and just falls flat because of it, but excluding that imo its the best controller ever made

[@JadeDragonMeli]

​@@AbbelboxeThat's exactly why I never bought that pad. It boggles my mind that they moved the buttons down and didn't just put that logo at the bottom.

[@ElCu3rvo]

I used to have the hori ps4 pad and have been thinking about getting the hori ps5 pad but have seen mixed reviews. What's your opinion on it and/or have you tried it?

[@RushG]

Hori OCTA sucks, don't go near it

[@ElCu3rvo]

@@RushG thanks for the heads up lol

[@RushG]

No worries. I have heard rumours they have a new one coming in the future. Fingers firmly crossed

[@siberianspecialforces7246]

​@@RushGHad to use one on Tekken 8 on a PS5 at a local and man, I was misinputing bad.

[@RushG]

@@siberianspecialforces7246 yeah the dpad just isn't it. I literally couldn't do QCF inputs on it on one of the sides in game. Absolutely awful

[@Pēm̐cā]

I can't find the SANWA controller

[@RushG]

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/296151246431?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=22PLvSn4RG2&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=F4uSR2s2Q0O&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@Pēm̐cā]

@@RushG thx

[@nirjharsarker2362]

Any recommendation for a 4-button controller? I just want one with a good dpad, everything else I can get used to

[@RushG]

For me I do like the standard PS4 pad in all honesty. But in the 4 button pad area there's many pads I've not tried so it's hard to give rounded feedback

[@ViridianMaridian]

Do you think for someone with small hands the 8bitdo M30 would shoot up to first place?

[@RushG]

It will be better positioned in smaller hands. The pad being so small however also makes it harder to grip. I've noticed more recently testing so many pads, for me personally something chunky with handles at the bottom (like how a PS controller is designed) makes it more stable in terms of grip

[@ViridianMaridian]

@@RushG I got one for myself to try and I've been using it for a few days now. I have to say it fits perfectly into my hands! D-pad feels great, diagonals are easy, face buttons feel good, absolutely love the top buttons and I never mis-input them. Still getting used to quarter circle motions but I think I'll get there. The only problem I'm having is that pressing grab (X and A simultaneously) is super awkward. I have to roll my wrist to get my thumb over them both consistently. I'm thinking of changing LSB (currently drive impact) to grab, since RB and RT are much easier to press together. How have you gone with grabs/simultaneous inputs with the M30? I'm slightly annoyed that I'll have to relearn my DI muscle memory but I'm honestly finding it impossible to grab consistently at this point. To reiterate everything else about the controller is perfect for me.

[@Abbelboxe]

At this point we need to find a shop that custom builds one. For 700000 dollars...... :(

[@RushG]

RG - Reliable Gear

[@LoserTry]

razer raion fightpad ???????????????

[@RushG]

Tried the original (not the one with the updated dpad). Clicky face buttons, I feel I remember the shoulders being sensitive? Dpad was awful, I hear the new version has a better dpad but no way to tell which one is old / new when you buy it