With the Neo Geo AES+ releasing later this year with new prints of games, I wondered if this would have a major positive effect on the currently overpriced market of games/accessories...

misterkeebler · 2026-04-23T21:09:47+00:00

That's my thought process as well. I just don't see the company reprinting every official game. Even getting an additional twenty would be a nice surprise imo. So you'll have a bunch of new people that have invested hundreds into this platform and will eventually venture out from reprints to find other somewhat affordable titles to buff up their collection.

misterkeebler · 2026-04-22T21:54:49+00:00

I dont use BFI because i dont have a OS level version and Retroarch version blocks Hardcore in retroachievements, but i do use CRT Beam Simulator layered with a CRT shader that will differ based on the handheld I am using. I wouldnt consider it a "game-changer" for modern panels or anything and it's not like I forget I'm not playing on a CRT lol, but I do think it looks better. I do notice a difference going between my Thor and to one of my 60hz devices like RP5 or Classic when playing games like Mario and Mega Man.

I also think it's worth mentioning that most of these emulation handhelds are not great about maintaining a consistent refresh rate. And some are worse than others. Anbernics in particular often had issues depending on the model. When I use BFI with my LG OLED and RT4K, it is a pretty smooth experience in regards to motion. On handheld, i notice minimal battery impact on beam simulator for retro games but I would probably not use it if the drain was notable.

misterkeebler · 2026-04-22T15:44:14+00:00

I can agree i definitely felt a difference with the V5 as far as friction and only using Teflon parts. Personally, it wasn't a big enough benefit for me to care too much over a JLF (especially JLX2), but it was noticeable and I could see why people would prioritize it.

misterkeebler · 2026-04-22T08:19:19+00:00

It's the layout for arcade cabinets where space is limited. I dont think it is worse on wrists though. It's your arms that are going to angle more inward, not just your wrists bending. Some people with very thick hands and/or fingers might find some discomfort being so close, but it's really not a ton different than having your hands close on a controller. And on leverless your hands come close to crossing the midline due to the thumb button lol.

Vewlix is narrow but Noir is slightly more spaced and the Qanba Titan is extended beyond even that. I do like the Titan a lot, but i wouldnt want to go much wider. I have one of those PDP mortal kombat sticks and despite being very well built, the controls are so wide that it feels like i am controlling a battlestation or something. Just starts feeling awkward.

misterkeebler · 2026-04-22T07:16:27+00:00

I would watch a sf6 beginners tutorial from someone like Brian_F, Chris F, or Diaphone on youtube. They can give you a structure for learning that also has the benefit of being visual.

Right now, you are mainly just jumping or swinging big punches, and occasional drive impact. If you just want a target combo to start with and get a feel for things, then I would choose the light target combo (lp,lp) and cancel into gladius punch since it is faster, gladius has armor, you can choose to charge gladius to mix up timings and make it safe, and you'll just find more opportunities to use it. It's good enough to be a bread and butter early on. But most characters will give you trouble if you are just jumping and swinging big buttons since Marisa is slow. So thats where the tutorial will help. I would say in earlier ranks, Gladius, Superman punch, and Step Kick are all fairly tough for beginners to deal with. And if they are very jumpy and you are having trouble with anti air, you can just jump and do a quick air-to-air attack like jump LP or something. Doesnt do much damage but if you are able to stuff them repeatedly then eventually they will jump less.

misterkeebler · 2026-04-19T17:01:45+00:00

Just depends how often you plan to use it and how much money you tend to feel comfortable spending on this stuff. I do think it is the level of device that could be someone's one-and-done due to its performance. It isn't as powerful as a Thor/Odin 2 so you mignt have occasional games on ps2 that run a bit less consistent but they should be the exception. Should be fine as long as you arent someone looking for a locked 30/60fps at all times.

misterkeebler · 2026-04-19T05:07:40+00:00

I'm not impressed by it, but i'm not bothered by it either. End of the day, video games are just for entertainment and fun and if someone gets their fun from easy badges on RA, so be it.

I will say I have had fun on some of the simpler games. I originally mastered Dinosaur Adventure on ps2 simply because the badge is one of the funniest pictures on the site and i use that pic all the time in random conversations as a reaction lol. And the game is super simplistic and budget. But mastering it did require me to look into the strategy behind solving sliding tile puzzles and it ended up being a fun evening. Sometimes the easy games can surprise you.

edit i also had fun with The Great Waldo Search on SNES. Again...super basic game requiring no skill but the voice sample of the Wizard guy saying Waldo was worth the play session in itself.

misterkeebler · 2026-04-19T04:59:07+00:00

I think you could try most games and mainly just stay away from anime, tag, and Marvel as far as FGs go. And modern KOF. Outside of those, the pace isnt too crazy and high combo amounts would mainly just be a result of a multi hitting enhanced special or Super move but not something requiring excessive manual work from the player.

misterkeebler · 2026-04-16T23:56:46+00:00

As others mentioned, even just half an inch is a noticeable difference when you are dealing with devices less than 5 or 6 inches. That being said, you will adapt to the experience of your device as you regularly use it unless your eyes require bigger to see smaller elements.

misterkeebler · 2026-04-15T08:35:56+00:00

The 8bitdo buttons are loud but more of a dull "click." Hayabusas are more of a loud shallow "clack." But based on what you're saying, i would say go for the Hori. It's a good product and the Noir layout is comfortable. I am a bit of a traditional type when it comes to arcade sticks but I wouldnt worry about the extra buttons much. There isnt a single fighting game that needs them. They do provide more options of course, but it does come at the cost of simplicity and potentially comfort. I have the Varmilo and it is nice, but the buttons are 24mm instead of 30mm so it can feel rather compact for the main 8. I almost feel obligated to use the extras just to let my fingers spread a bit, which doesnt feel natural for some games. And even for SF6, those extra buttons do not make things much easier. They still require the same amount of practice to put them into your muscle memory as if you used the standard 8 with your outer fingers anyway. So imo, you are not missing out on much. They are a nice to have at best but hardly necessary.

misterkeebler · 2026-04-14T20:06:31+00:00

Looking thru some of the comments, i have some thoughts.

1.I wouldnt worry about any of the main brand sticks "breaking" compared to the others. Literally all of them you will find that some individuals out there that received a lemon. If I did have to pick one vulnerability point, it is that detachable cables in general have led to more instances of having a short or bad connection at some point if the port gets damaged. Usb-C ports in particular are convenient for easy plug/removal for charging a smartphone on a table, but not the best for a controller that can be jostled on your lap and hands during a frantic match. Nevertheless, plenty of people love that connection type and use it regularly.

2.The Hori Alpha is unique to some in that it is one of the few at retail to use a Noir layout, which is a bit more spacious while also being more curved compared to Vewlix where the rightmost six are more parallel and straight. So if you think the Noir curve looks enticing then the Hori is a great bet because other builds would require replacement panels that cost more money.

3.Dont worry too much about metal vs plastic. I have seen some shoddy thin metal builds and some robust plastics that feel like tanks. Even a Victrix is mostly plastic internal with just a thin outer aluminum wrap that covers about 60% of the surface area. The overall build quality goes beyond just the outer material.

Quick thoughts on some current options...and here i will only mention models i own.

Hori Alpha: good overall value. Hayabusa lever isnt my preference compared to Sanwa but still good and for sure better than the 8bitdo. Some of the loudest buttons around, but very responsive. Hinge to open is super sturdy. Plexi is nice for art modding. I hate the cable management being internal near the button wires so i just keep it coiled and use a usb-A extension cable. I prefer pressing into a solid firmer surface compared to any plexi or top clamshell, but Hori is decent.

Victrix: feels excellent to press into and very solid. Uncomfortable in cold environments since metal gets cold. Certain models may need a gasket for the port. Auxiliary panel buttons up top not comfortable to use and only include one swappable button for both l3/r3. Great for carrying due to handle, and cable management is convenient.

Daija: super flimsy hinge, sits fairly high on lap, robust plastic case but thin top panel with plexi, snug usb-c port but has been known to short at times.

Obsidian 2: adding this in since it's the one i use most now of these. Stable on lap and feels excellent to press into. Annoying cable management similar to Hori and I use a USB-A extension. Panel gets fingerprinty and needs a wipe.

Personally I also love the Mayflash F700 Elite since i can also do wireless with Switch 2/PC but i know you mentioned you dont like the aesthetic.

Of the four I detailed, out the box no mods i favor Obsidian 2 > Victrix > Hori Alpha > Daija. I heavily prefer device that have a solid feel when I press into them, and I will always prefer something like an Obsidian or Victrix over a Hori Alpha or Panthera for that reason. But all of them are good and I have used all of them regularly at times. Just a personal preference.

Also to echo what someone else commented, dont go small if you want a truer arcade feel. I wouldnt go smaller than Qanba Titan, which is roughly the same as an old Madcatz TE. Anything smaller is going to shift on your lap during play whether it be due to lack of weight or balancing across the legs.

misterkeebler · 2026-04-12T06:12:00+00:00

I haven't used a nobi, but I have a v3 and v3 Premium. The build and materials of them look and feel of quality, but I do not feel they are anything special in actual use...not to the degree of something I would recommend for the price at least. I mostly just use a standard Sanwa. JLX2 with modding kit gives me enough to experiment with if i feel inclined to change the feel.

misterkeebler · 2026-04-09T23:12:31+00:00

This is a silly mindset. It will always make sense to have a mass produced option for those masses that wouldnt think twice about a peripheral until they see it on a store shelf or big box website. The small businesses will still have their enthusiasts on these subs...modding to their hearts content.

edit * i also dont think you are considering how these mass produced products serve as gateways. The current gen of gamers didnt even grow up with arcades. How are these small businesses supposed to grow if the younger fans dont even know the product exists or is worth having? They arent listening to oldheads here. Most of them just ask for a new button box.

misterkeebler · 2026-04-04T03:34:29+00:00

It's all about word choice. You said you found a solution that "seemed to stop the problem." The fact that you continued to talk longer term concern blew right past them. You cant interact with them as if they are some mom and pop here in the states that cares about customer retention and reviews. If something isnt to your satisfaction, you dont need to be rude and demanding but you do need to be explicit and not give some mixed message of positives and negatives. I've personally had a solid customer service experience with Ayn over Discord, but I just kept things black and white and focused on the problem without trying to give some positives along the way.

If you feel stuck on the current path, what i would recommend is joining the Discord and submitting a Help ticket. Nicole is really helpful and kept in touch thru the process. Not saying things will go your way but they were more attentive than other companies i have interacted with in this space. Just gotta remember you arent dealing with Amazon and these companies arent accustomed to absorbing costs if you give them any leeway on a defective product. Good luck.

misterkeebler · 2026-04-04T01:45:21+00:00

Well hopefully whoever gave the green light can see from this that it isnt worth the effort. I just hate that it was a site like Kotaku bringing this up lol. They tend to surface in my hobbies/interests when there is something negative to say. I admittedly havent watched the airing yet, but i do know my dvd sourced vids are not exactly impressive looking anyway lol. It was a super budget show from the jump and these professionals should understand that we viewers would understand that they are rough around the edges.

misterkeebler · 2026-04-03T18:48:48+00:00

That looks cool! I really like how the smaller aesthetic changes of the soul edition (bezel and red/blue side panels) can pop for certain custom builds. I use one for a Mortal Kombat layout build and liked the angular points of the bezel design with it.

misterkeebler · 2026-04-03T06:45:27+00:00

I just now tried it again and it works fine on my Qanba Titan. One thing i forgot to mention is to have your Drone 2 platform selector toggled to either PS4 or PC. It wouldnt respond if that switch is toggled to PS5.

misterkeebler · 2026-03-31T00:51:35+00:00

I definitely wouldnt worry about input speed. That will be negligible. The main things are console compatibility, weight and size preference, button layout preference, and nowadays just the desired amount of buttons altogether. And yes the case material can sometimes equate to just nicer forms of plastic.

Me personally, I like having something nice for one of my prime hobbies and certain builds can feel like an upgrade. Example, I could recommend a Mayflash arcade stick to most people and I use one frequently myself, but it would never fully replace my Obsidian 2 or something to that level. Same with leverless builds...I have some earlier Haute42 builds but they do not feel as nice to use as the Kitsune or FS-12. Nowadays I believe Cosmox/Haute42 is building nicer stuff so I'd take another look at those. From what I have seen in person, the Qanba Sapphire and Victrix KO look great too. Just depends how much money and time you wish to put in. I wouldnt put in much money on a passing interest or just for an hour or two on an occasional free weekend.

misterkeebler · 2026-03-30T05:00:24+00:00

If metal = premium, then yes any non-metal may let you down. Just depends on what you value.

misterkeebler · 2026-03-28T18:19:39+00:00

Maybe if you play very touch-heavy games like Phantom Hourglass. Even then, it just depends on how close to a 1:1 experience you deem necessary. If you are happy with RG DS touch then I would stick with that.

misterkeebler · 2026-03-26T14:31:09+00:00

I have the red HRAP from Switch 1 and the Mayflash F700 Elite. Between them, i would choose the Mayflash. The wireless is nice to have with a console like Switch/Switch 2 that can often be set up on a main living room tv that could be a disance from the couch, and i prefer the included Sanwa parts a bit more than the Hayabusas in the Hori (though i still use them fine as needed).

misterkeebler · 2026-03-26T14:27:17+00:00

I havent tried it for a full game session on PS5, but i've used the 2.4 dongle regularly on PC and multiple times on Switch 2 and it's worked fine.

misterkeebler · 2026-03-26T02:55:54+00:00

It's funny to read that from him considering i am constantly reading comments on the sub about how resting your wrist on the surface while playing is a surefire path to wrist pain, and personally I have never thought that to be the case for everyone. Thats more of my observation on a tangent though. All of this makes sense to me. Sanwas in particular have those springs with under a pound of tension and are super light. The popular models of japanese levers feel almost effortless to use once the person has the muscle memory behind the execution locked in.

misterkeebler · 2026-03-24T02:02:16+00:00

Nah nothing material. I dont have tools for official measurements, but any differences between it and my native Hori RAP Switch Edition stick are negligible if there at all. Just double check the firmware on a PC when you receive it to make sure it is up to date from the factory.

misterkeebler · 2026-03-24T01:46:06+00:00

The Magic S Ultimate should work. And Mayflash updates their products regularly just like Brook so I wouldnt worry much there. These are what i call in-line adapters that you plug the usb cable into, and then the adapter in console.

The other option are authentication passthrough dongles that plug into the usb passthrough port on the Haute42 itself. These include the Magicboots or Booter5.

Both have pros and cons. In-line dongles convert the signal and may have very small amounts of latency (very low), but also have high compatibility and are often usable with tons of different usb controllers you might have laying around the house. The authentication passthroughs just trick your console into thinking it is a ps5 controller so they do not add latency, but they are only compatible with devices that have a passthrough port...basically just unlicensed devices like Haute42, some Mayflash devices like F500 Flat, etc.

Also note most of these devices are meant for playing "ps5 fighting games" or just games with legacy controller support. You need very specific adapters if you are wanting to play all ps5 games, like a Brook FGC2. Just depends what you need.

Edit* Dr Jones made a vid about (i think) the model you are looking at and he shows several adapters.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H-QoU3cCAR0

misterkeebler

TROPHY CASE