Fightsticks for lefties?

[3spooky5me]

I've been meaning to build/get a fightstick for a while (currently using my laptop keyboard to play skullgirls...)
I can only find a few with the buttons on the left, I was considering building my own and maybe buying this one (pictured below) to use for parts?

Does anyone who's built a fightstick (even better, a left handed one) have any tips?
Also, post your leftie fightsticks, I'd love to see them.

 

[Marrow]

As a left-handed person as well, I'd actually recommend sticking with a stick like the one pictured. The finer control (movement) is best to do with your dominant hand, and buttons are more rhythmic, and can be done with the off-hand.

If you still want the reversed stick, the Qanba 2 Pro can be played either way since it's symmetrical. The Nyko Free Fighter has a stick that you can put on either side of the buttons. They may not be easy to pin down, but it would be what you're looking for

 

[Vadsamoht]

I disagree with Marrow on the left/right hand thing (I think muttons are more important) though it's not why I posted and SG is hardly the most demanding game anyway.

One thing to know, though, is that the Mayflash is a really, really cheaply made stick. The parts feel weird and just die after a while. My advice would be to look at buying a second-hand decent-brand stick for your platform of choice from eBay, then try it out for a few weeks and after that decide if it's worth gutting and rebuilding in a different configuration. The parts in a used stick by MCZ, etc. will last WAY longer than the mayflash or similar no-name sticks.

 

[Fizzxwizz]

A friend of mine built his stick with the joystick on the left, I don't think he's left handed but that's just how he wanted it I guess. When he was using somebody else's stick with an average layout and was having trouble I suggested to him to do the Seth Killian thing and cross your arms so the hand on normally on the right is on the left and vice versa. It seemed to help him so I'd consider trying that if you have trouble finding a stick with the inverted layout.

 

[Vadsamoht]

A friend of mine built his stick with the joystick on the left, I don't think he's left handed but that's just how he wanted it I guess. When he was using somebody else's stick with an average layout and was having trouble I suggested to him to do the Seth Killian thing and cross your arms so the hand on normally on the right is on the left and vice versa. It seemed to help him so I'd consider trying that if you have trouble finding a stick with the inverted layout.

Pretty sure the joystick is normally on the left...?

 

[Fizzxwizz]

Pretty sure the joystick is normally on the left...?

oh... I play pad and just assumed the picture in the OP was the backwards kind of stick. Guess I need to work on reading comprehension.

 

[Mike_Z]

Does anyone who's built a fightstick (even better, a left handed one) have any tips?

I'd recommend the Skillian cross-handed method, because then you can use any stick.
BUT! If you really want one with things backward, buying any fightstick (better, one with non-curved button layout, but any can work) you can easily open it up and switch around the buttons and stick directions so you can use it rotated 180 degrees. You don't necessarily have to build one, as long as you can find a stick that's comfortable from the other angle.

 

[Lex]

Hasn't S-Kill said that there are a bunch of problems with his cross handed method due to the arms restricting movement and stuff? I'm sure I read/watched a video where he was asked about his control method and he said that there are a bunch of problems with it.

 

[Ryin]

I'd recommend trying to learn how to play with the stick in its regular position before considering making a custom one. It's a new kind of input method and, regardless of the side the stick is at, you'll have trouble playing with it at first and will need some practice before getting used to it.

I think that the kind of movement that's required to operate a stick is the kind that most people should be able to do with both hands. Just like how people can switch from asdw to arrows for movement in a keyboard, both sticks have the same importance in a twin stick shooter and stuff like this.

From personal experience, I say that I see no difference between playing keyboard (buttons on the left) and the hitbox I made (buttons on the right). And, because I'm right handed, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't mind holding the stick with my dominant hand, despite the default being with the left hand.

But different people are different and you might end up preferring making your own custom stick (if you don't wanna follow Mike's neat suggestion because you want a curved layout or something). This site is pretty handy and has a lot of useful info: http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick/introduction.html

 

[DukeMagus]

Mike's right: if the arcade stick has a straight button layout, just switch some cables inside and use it turned towards you.

Last case scenario, there are some good stick makers ate shoryuken forums. it'll be expensive, but they can make one with almost any specification.

(Hell, someone made a BODY PILLOW arcade stick here at Skullheart IIRC?

 

[3spooky5me]

The finer control (movement) is best to do with your dominant hand, and buttons are more rhythmic, and can be done with the off-hand.

I agree with that, it's why I want to have a fightstick with the buttons to the left (I'm actually right handed usually, I just prefer to play left handed ^^;) I've played the cello since I was little and got used to having the bow in my right hand and doing fingerings with the left, so I consider my left more flexible for that sort of thing. Thank you for your suggestions btw, I'll check them out! :)

 

[3spooky5me]

I'd recommend the Skillian cross-handed method, because then you can use any stick.
BUT! If you really want one with things backward, buying any fightstick (better, one with non-curved button layout, but any can work) you can easily open it up and switch around the buttons and stick directions so you can use it rotated 180 degrees. You don't necessarily have to build one, as long as you can find a stick that's comfortable from the other angle.

I'd recommend trying to learn how to play with the stick in its regular position before considering making a custom one. It's a new kind of input method and, regardless of the side the stick is at, you'll have trouble playing with it at first and will need some practice before getting used to it.

I think that the kind of movement that's required to operate a stick is the kind that most people should be able to do with both hands. Just like how people can switch from asdw to arrows for movement in a keyboard, both sticks have the same importance in a twin stick shooter and stuff like this.

From personal experience, I say that I see no difference between playing keyboard (buttons on the left) and the hitbox I made (buttons on the right). And, because I'm right handed, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't mind holding the stick with my dominant hand, despite the default being with the left hand.

But different people are different and you might end up preferring making your own custom stick (if you don't wanna follow Mike's neat suggestion because you want a curved layout or something). This site is pretty handy and has a lot of useful info: http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick/introduction.html

Yeah I'll definitely give using it as-is a shot before I decide to take it apart and stuff, if all it takes is some getting used to or using the crosshand method that would certainly be a lot easier :). I dunno if I really need a curved layout since I'm used to the straight layout of my keyboard, though that link will certainly be helpful!! If I'm able to I'll probably want to add some cool art or buttons or something to mine once I get/possibly build it. (Or just settle for putting some stickers on it or something if that ends up being too difficult, but I'm staying hopeful lol)
Thank you both so much for your help!!!

 

[3spooky5me]

Mike's right: if the arcade stick has a straight button layout, just switch some cables inside and use it turned towards you.

Last case scenario, there are some good stick makers ate shoryuken forums. it'll be expensive, but they can make one with almost any specification.

(Hell, someone made a BODY PILLOW arcade stick here at Skullheart IIRC?

Unfortunately I don't think I have the money for that, I probably won't be able to start on my stick til January as is :( Otherwise I'd totally love to though, I've seen some super talented people on here. Maybe someday...

 

[d3v]

Unfortunately I don't think I have the money for that, I probably won't be able to start on my stick til January as is :( Otherwise I'd totally love to though, I've seen some super talented people on here. Maybe someday...

How much are you willing to spend. Some of my boys at SRKTT might be able to get something within your budget.

 

[3spooky5me]

How much are you willing to spend. Some of my boys at SRKTT might be able to get something within your budget.

The most I can spend is around $120, possibly a little more if I get any art commissions. Though like I said I'm most likely going to have to wait until after January to buy one (midterms and shit) How much do they usually go for?

 

[d3v]

The most I can spend is around $120, possibly a little more if I get any art commissions. Though like I said I'm most likely going to have to wait until after January to buy one (midterms and shit) How much do they usually go for?

Honestly, a custom will usually cost you a bit more than that. $200 is considered cheap for a custom and some of the more elaborate jobs can go from $300 to more than $1000.

If you have an existing stick, a better option might be to just have a new top panel fabricated.

 

[Sanji]

I wanted to get a fighstick with the analog stick on the right side aswell and i have some questions about some of your solutions.

Mainly I´d like to know if the idea of getting a normal fightstick and switching the buttons and stick directions around, then using it rotated 180 degrees is actually practical.
My main concern is that the cable and the location of possible macro buttons or whatnot would be very strange or impractical. And if its possible to use the fighstick turned around, couldn´t you just rebind the keys to the buttons you need instead of actually switching them manually?

Also, @d3v, what exactly could those boys from SRKTT get?

 

[3spooky5me]

If you have an existing stick, a better option might be to just have a new top panel fabricated.

Works for me

 

[3spooky5me]

I finally got a stick! It's got the joystick to the right but I actually haven't had too much trouble adjusting.
Anyway, if anyone's curious, here it is (it's super girly lmao)

So yeah, thanks for all the help and advice and stuff ^^;

 

[ribaluigi]

I finally got a stick! It's got the joystick to the right but I actually haven't had too much trouble adjusting.
Anyway, if anyone's curious, here it is (it's super girly lmao)
View attachment 13104 View attachment 13105
So yeah, thanks for all the help and advice and stuff ^^;

Amazing! I'll borrow some ideas for my hori mini which is super plain at the moment.

Btw, the hori mini 4 for less than 40$ is the best stick one noob like me could choose. My execution got slightly worse adapting from pad to stick but I like it a lot. I used to play sf ii at the arcades back in the day and coming back playing on stick had a huge nostalgia impact on me.

 

[3spooky5me]

Amazing! I'll borrow some ideas for my hori mini which is super plain at the moment.

I highly recommend buying a "Sticker Bomb" book, or just going to hobby lobby :) (that's where I got the sparkly sticker paper that I put on the borders)