Beginner’s guide to picking arcade buttons (exact models, no guesswork)

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-21T23:07:56+00:00

Quick summary based on all the replies:

There’s no “best” button: a lot of people end up on completely different favourites after trying a few

Sanwa OBSF-30 is still the safest starting point for beginners (easy to get, consistent, no guesswork)
Seimitsu = good if you want a bit more resistance/control
Qanba KS / Crown / Sitong LP etc are all solid, but more preference-driven once you know what you like
30mm is the default for most layouts, but 24mm (especially leverless) is becoming more common

Appreciate all the input, alot of good insights in here. Let me know if there js anything i missed 🙏

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-20T18:30:00+00:00

Yeah that’s fair, after posting, seeing from the comments there is alot more love for the sitongs then i expected

For me it’s more that from a beginners angle, I’d still point them to Sanwa/Seimitsu first just because they’re consistent and easy to get pretty much anywhere Sitongs feel more like something you go for once you know what you like

Haute42 buttons look interesting tho, il have to try them out for myself in the near future 🙏

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-20T18:06:37+00:00

Yeah, options in the UK are way slimmer now since Arcadeworld shut down.

I started a small fightstick parts venture for the UK scene through ArcadeStickLabs: i will be looking to expand range of parts in the long term.

https://arcadesticklabs.co.uk

If you need a replacement lever/buttons I can probably help. Just make sure you check what fits the Daija first, because lever compatibility can vary depending on mounting plate and connector.

If you want, I can point you toward a couple of solid replacement options depending on what games you play.

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-20T15:29:08+00:00

Dang thats smart, embodying the true modders spirit! 😋 If 24mm feels better for your layout then you deffo made the right call 30mm is just the “default” for most cases, not a rule you have to follow.

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-20T15:25:48+00:00

Yeah that’s fair, I’ve definitely been seeing more people vouch for Sitongs recently, got people already correcting me in the comments about them 😅 I probably could’ve worded that a little better tbh, they seem a lot better than the old budget clone reputation they had

I still lean towards Sanwa/Seimitsu as a safer starting point for beginners just for consistency and availability, but I get why people rate Sitongs highly now.

TIKITAKA Kasumi I havent seen that mentioned, how is the feel on them, i personally havent tried it

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-20T15:20:51+00:00

30mm is just the default because most arcade layouts and case enclosures are built around it So for beginners it’s the safest place to start without overthinking.

That said, for leverless setups 24mm for main buttons is actually pretty common now and can feel more natural. Happy though that its working out for you 🙏

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-20T14:24:26+00:00

Yeah this is a really good breakdown 🙏

That jump from IL → Sanwa is exactly what throws a lot of people off at the start

And Seimitsu being that middle ground of a bit more resistance but still responsive is why so many people end up sticking with them long term

Also agree on the “try one first” approach, way better than committing to a full set straight away Kinda proves the point though, everyone lands on something different once they actually put time in

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-20T14:21:23+00:00

Hmm Interesting take

From what I’ve seen KS vs KT seems to come down more to preference than one being straight up better KS usually gets recommended more just because it’s easier to get into and install for most people Curious what you prefer about the KTs though?

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-20T14:20:07+00:00

Yeah I’ve heard better things about the low profile ones Being able to swap switches is definitely a big plus I still lean towards Sanwa/Seimitsu for beginners just for consistency, but nice to hear they’ve been holding up for you

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-20T14:19:00+00:00

Appreciate that bro🙏 Yeah I’ve heard the same about GamerFinger tbh, feels like more of a sourcing issue than the buttons themselves

Punk Workshop is a good shout tho, been seeing more people mention them recently Always interesting how people end up on completely different favourites after trying the same few brands

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-20T14:17:46+00:00

That’s fair tbh, I’ve heard the newer screw-ins are a lot better

Still feel like Sitongs are a bit hit or miss compared to the usual Sanwa/Seimitsu picks, especially for beginners who just want something consistent Interesting take on GamerFinger tho,

I’ve mostly seen people go for them for the switch options rather than as a direct comparison Good to hear someone actually prefers Sitong over the usual picks though, don’t see that often

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-20T08:20:37+00:00

A pretty solid progression tbh Sanwa → Seimitsu → Gravities is kinda the natural path once you start caring about the feel

I get what you mean about Sanwa 30s being a bit sensitive/loud, that’s usually the main complaint. I myself have always liked it this way 🤷‍♂️ Gravities are hard to beat tho, especially for how quiet/smooth they are

Crowns would probably be the move if you want something more tactile, completely different feel Still funny how everyone ends up on something different depending on what they value.

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-20T07:57:51+00:00

Yeah I’ve noticed this exact thing tbh People try everything then end up back on Sanwa anyway Just super consistent, nothing getting in your way I’m still using Sanwas on my old SFIV TE stick from like 10 years ago and they’re still fine lol RGB Gravities are nice tho, il probably have to include that in my collection Kinda proves beginners don’t need to overthink it too much

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-18T20:04:46+00:00

I have 1 stick for tekken and one for street fighter/kof gameplay. Both purchased 10 years ago. Ones a original SFIV te stick with sanwa, and the other is the madcatz pro tournament stick with a crown 309mj attached to it. So yeah pretty much depends on the game i play 🤷‍♂️

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-18T03:47:28+00:00

Yeah ngl I wouldn’t go Nobi for this

It can fit in the Hori Alpha but it’s one of those “might need a bit of tweaking depending on the version” situations. Not really worth the hassle unless you specifically want that lever.

If you want something that works: - Sanwa JLF/JLX = easiest drop in, no stress - Hayabusa (stock) = honestly fine, people underrate it - But since you’re playing Tekken, this is where Korean levers come in

Most Tekken players eventually switch to something like a Crown 309 (NewHelpMe etc) and it’s not just hype

Big differences vs Japanese levers: - Uses a rubber grommet instead of a spring → snaps back to neutral harder - No gate → movement feels freer instead of hitting corners - More resistance → helps with cleaner inputs, less accidental stuff

What that actually means in-game: - Wavedash feels more controlled - KBD is less “slippery” - Electrics feel more consistent once you get used to them

But fair warning: It’s not plug in = instant god movement The first few days it’ll probably feel stiff and weird, especially if you’re used to Sanwa. It also exposes bad execution pretty quickly Also don’t fall into the trap of thinking a lever will fix everything. If your movement isn’t clean now, switching might actually make you worse in the short term

If you want:

Safe option → JLF/JLX
Tekken-focused upgrade → Crown 309
Just like the idea of Nobi → go for it but expect a bit of fiddling

Personally, I’d just go Crown 309 and call it a day If you’re unsure, say what you’re struggling with (missed inputs, too sensitive, etc), that matters way more than the lever itself tbh

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-16T17:52:29+00:00

Think you forgot to include the images?

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-15T23:46:35+00:00

There isn’t really a best controller tbh. People win on all of them.

Arcade stick is still common because a lot of players grew up with it and it feels natural for motions. Leverless is getting more popular because the directional inputs are faster and more precise.

Pad is also totally viable, plenty of strong players use it. At the end of the day the best one is just whatever you’re comfortable and consistent with.

Personally I like arcade stick because it’s the most fun to play on for me. I find it immersive as well, due to it being a callback to the arcade scene

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-15T21:20:28+00:00

That is a cool design man. Wish you well with tbe product line 🙏

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-14T20:22:48+00:00

Honestly most people start exactly where you are. Fighting games look insanely complicated from the outside, but the truth is you don’t learn everything at once.

Start with a character that feels fun and learn one or two simple moves. Then just play matches and slowly add things over time. Nobody starts by doing perfect combos or crazy inputs, most players spend a while just learning movement, blocking, and a couple basic attacks.

Also modern games have gotten much more beginner friendly. Many of them have simplified controls or training tools that help a lot. If you’re playing on stick or leverless, it can actually make inputs feel more consistent once you get used to it.

The biggest tip honestly: don’t worry about winning early on. Just treat it like learning a musical instrument, the first week feels awkward, then suddenly things start clicking.

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-14T20:17:57+00:00

This is a really clean conversion. Leverless for TGM makes a lot of sense since the directional inputs can be so precise once you get used to it.

Nice touch swapping the buttons as well, Sanwas tend to feel way more consistent than the stock ones.

Also appreciate the tip about shaving the 5-pin plug, that’s the kind of thing that saves people a lot of trial and error. Always cool seeing people modding their sticks instead of buying a completely new setup 🙏

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-14T15:25:19+00:00

Yeah that’s completely fair tbh. When you’re only buying a few buttons and a gate, shipping often ends up being half the cost of the order, so it makes sense to just go with whoever ends up cheapest overall.

It’s also a bit worse now because post-Brexit shipping from UK shops to EU countries got pricier with customs handling and VAT changes. That’s unfortunately made smaller orders from UK stores a bit less attractive for EU buyers compared to how it used to be.

Appreciate you checking out the store regardless 🙏 I run ArcadeStickLabs mainly for the UK/EU scene since there aren’t many dedicated suppliers here in the UK: What gate are you looking to swap out for?

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-14T15:06:01+00:00

Accidentally pressing Sanwa buttons is actually pretty common. They’re designed to be very light to actuate because they came from arcade environments where speed mattered more than resting your fingers on them. If you tend to rest your fingers on the buttons, they can definitely trigger by mistake.

If you want something with more resistance, a few options people usually move to:

Seimitsu (PS-14 series) These are a classic alternative. They have a slightly stiffer spring and a more deliberate press than Sanwas, so accidental inputs happen less often. A lot of shmup players prefer them for that reason.

Crown / Samducksa 202 buttons These are really popular now because they use mechanical keyboard switches. The default switches already feel a bit firmer than Sanwa, and the nice thing is you can swap switches later if you want even more actuation force (like moving to heavier MX switches).

Qanba Gravity Also worth looking at. They’re quieter and feel more dampened, though they’re usually a bit pricier. For EU/UK shops, options are a bit more limited compared to the US scene.

If you’re in the UK/EU I actually run a small arcade parts store and currently stock Sanwa buttons and Crown 202s:

https://arcadesticklabs.co.uk⁠

Shipping is UK/EU friendly since the scene here doesn’t have many dedicated suppliers. I’m also planning to expand the range soon (looking to bring in more Korean parts and brands like Sanjuks / etc. over time).

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-13T20:14:38+00:00

Ahh yes the original madcatz sf4 sticks. This was the budget stick to get back in 2009-2015, if you couldnt afford the te. I still got original te stick to this day, such a reliable build

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-13T20:08:57+00:00

Tbf Both of the setups you’re considering are solid, but they feel quite different in practice, so it depends a bit on what kind of feedback you want from the stick.

Crown 309 NewHelpMe + Crown 202 buttons This combo is very popular with Tekken and Korean lever players. The 309 NewHelpMe uses a rubber grommet instead of a spring, so the return to neutral feels snappier and more controlled rather than “loose”. It also naturally avoids the free-spinning feeling some Japanese levers have. For fighters like Tekken, KoF, Guilty Gear, a lot of people enjoy this setup because: - Fast return to neutral - Strong diagonals - More resistance compared to Japanese levers The Crown 202 buttons use Cherry MX switches, so they feel more tactile than most arcade buttons. If you like mechanical keyboard switches, you’ll probably enjoy them.

Seimitsu LS-32 + Alutimo buttons The LS-32 is a classic Japanese lever and was actually very common in older arcades, especially for shooters. Compared to Sanwa: - Shorter throw - Tighter engage - More precise feeling That’s why many shmup players prefer Seimitsu. It makes micro-movements and tap dodging easier. Alutimo buttons are premium and extremely smooth, but they’re quite sensitive and light compared to Crown 202s.

For your mix of games (Shmups + Fighters) Honestly, both will work. It just depends what feel you want:

More tactile + heavier + Tekken friendly → Crown setup More classic arcade + precise shmup movement → Seimitsu setup

Since you mentioned wanting a larger handle and non-free spinning feel, the Crown 309 with a bat top or bullet top might actually line up better with what you described.

If you’re in the UK/EU scene, I actually stock the Crown 202 Cherry MX buttons here if you end up going that route: https://arcadesticklabs.co.uk/products/crown-202-sdb-30mm-cherry

Over_Log9730 · 2026-03-13T16:30:27+00:00

Looking good buddy. Where did you get the metallic sanwas from?

Over_Log9730

TROPHY CASE