So a friend asked me about getting a fight stick cause I'm the only one he knows who owns one, but there's a lot of new sticks since I last checked back when there weren't as many options for current gen.
His budget is in the 100-200 range and he only needs PS4/PC, and he says PS3 would be a big plus. He wants it for fighting and rhythm games which means the stick needs to be mappable to the d-pad with a switch or something (I know my stick can do this, but I'm not sure how common it is). Previously I would have recommended a TE2 but they seem to be slightly outside his budget now. I own a RAP.V Hayabusa, which I would recommend but he doesn't like the kuro buttons and he doesn't want to do any modding (not sure how hayabusa buttons compare to the old kuro's). So are there any mid-priced sticks that come with sanwa (or otherwise good quality) parts or do I have to tell him to compromise?
Get the Rap 4 Kai. Hayabusa buttons are just as good as the sanwa buttons in my opinion, haybausa buttons are matte vs glossy, and they're more low profile, which basically means the button reactions are more quicker.
It's $150 on their website and on amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SULMRI4/?tag=neogaf0e-20
If you really want to recommend a Madcatz stick, try to wait until the TES+ is back on sale. Right now it's at its MRSP of $199.99, but sales have put it around $165.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018AW408C/?tag=neogaf0e-20
The Qanba Drone is $74.99. I had the chance to try it out during EVO. It felt okay to use. It's non Sanwa parts. From what I read, buttons are easier to mod, the joystick is harder.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I0GEDEY/?tag=neogaf0e-20