Late in 2013, Mad Catz released their new Arcade FightStick Tournament Edition 2. Launched in conjunction with Microsoft’s rebooted Killer Instinct on Xbox One, the Tournament Edition 2 gave us a glimpse into the company’s vision of what a premium arcade stick should be as we entered a new generation of video game consoles.
Now, a little over a year later, Mad Catz has released a second batch of Tournament Edition 2 sticks for the growing number of fighters on the upgraded platforms, ones that feature a few improvements over the original version. We already gave a preview of the changes by way of a pre-production Ultra Street Fighter IV version last June, and now we have with us a final production version Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- Arcade FightStick Tournament Edition 2 for review.
The Basics
The Arcade FightStick Tournament Edition 2 features a totally brand new form factor for Mad Catz, using no visible features from previous peripherals.
One of the biggest updates lies with the quick opening top panel, a feature first pioneered by HORI for their limited edition Real Arcade Pro VLX that has now been adopted by other manufacturers for their premium sticks. Other features include a specially designed top panel acrylic cover that allows for quick art swapping without having to remove the buttons, two connection points for a shoulder strap, and a new control panel that ditches the turbo feature from previous models.
Meanwhile, the USB cable connects to the back via a sturdy, screw-on connector originally seen in Mad Catz’ MLG Pro Circuit pad.
The new Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- Tournament Edition 2 ready for testing.
With a further revised design, the Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- stick features a few additional improvements over the original, including a thinner, stronger acrylic top panel, thicker bottom rubber panel, and new easy release tabs on the .110 quick disconnects used for the buttons. One thing missing from the original Killer Instinct version, however, is LED lighting on the buttons.
As a PlayStation stick, this model features a switch on top that allows it to switch between PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 modes. This seems to be a standard feature for most PlayStation 4 peripherals now, considering that HORI has also begun to include such a toggle.
Design & Build Quality
Featuring the now ubiquitous Sanwa JLF lever and OBSC buttons (eight 30-mm buttons on the face and two 24mm buttons out back), there’s nothing much that hasn’t already been said about the parts used in the Tournament Edition 2. Any issue with these mostly comes down to personal preference, as these Sanwa parts will last players for quite some time.
The challenge, then, is to build a case that compliments the quality of these parts while introducing new features, and the Tournament Edition 2 does that admirably. The flip open case feels quite sturdy and, while any flip top case is given to some flex due to the design, the Tournament Edition 2 feels as if has less flex than the comparable Atrox from Razer. This can likely be attributed to the fact that, unlike the Atrox’s straightforward box design, the more complex design gives it stiffer sides, especially when combined with the additional support provided by the removable side panels.
The top cover itself uses the same hinges that you’d see on a laptop. These hinges are able to fully support the weight of the top cover, arcade parts and all and, more importantly, keep it from slamming down on any fingers. At the same time, they don’t take as much space as the gas strut seen in the first release of the Atrox. This allows Mad Catz to make better use of the space inside the Tournament Edition 2 and mold the compartments for the cable, extra buttons, and mini hex screwdriver into the sides. This also keeps the sides from flexing.
Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- Arcade FightStick Tournament Edition 2 opened up.
Speaking of the cable compartment, the Tournament Edition 2 provides ample enough space for its cable, an issue with the previous Mad Catz cable compartment design. Combined with the cable’s built in velcro strap, this should help keep the cable from getting damaged in storage (an issue that the Razer Atrox was notorious for).
One of the main issues from the original Xbox One model came in the form of the top panel acrylic cover, which was prone to flexing and the somewhat sunken nature of the buttons. Fortunately, this is no longer an issue with the new versions; not only is the top panel stronger, but that strength also allowed Mad Catz to make it thinner, making sure that it lines up better with the buttons.
As an added bonus, the thinner acrylic is clearer and allows the art–in the Xrd model’s case, a classy abstract piece that avoids the kindergarten lunchbox look that some sticks have–to pop out better.
The buttons sit better with the new acrylic.
One change from the original Tournament Edition 2 that some may not like, however, is that the acrylic no longer sits flush with the bezel holding it down. In earlier versions, the acrylic cover actually sat flush with the bezel thanks to beveled sides that sat underneath. That said, this loss seems to be a reasonable compromise for a stronger acrylic that fits better around the buttons.
Ergonomics
Another issue that arose in the first Tournament Edition was the palm rest area of the stick. The unique, bezeled design of that stick meant that the palm area was a somewhat uncomfortable compromise between a flat wrist area and the slanted ones seen in other controllers and Japanese arcade cabinets. Later versions would actually exacerbated the problem, especially the TE “S” with its sharp edge. This has been corrected with the Tournament Edition 2, as the stick now has a flat palm rest area with a flush bezel preventing any harsh angles from hitting the players palm.
The layout of the stick itself is the familiar Mad Catz implementation of the Taito Vewlix arrangement seen in their other peripherals. This layout should be familiar and comfortable enough for most players, with the flat configuration of the outer six buttons appealing to those who prefer a more American style. As for fans of the more curved Sega or Namco style layouts, Mad Catz is planning to release a replacement top panel sometime in the future.
One interesting design quirk of the Tournament Edition 2 is the fact that the Start/Options and Select/Share buttons in the back are actually slanted downward, away from the player. This means that some players not used to it may fumble a bit trying to press them. Additionally, the downward slant means that they’re more easily hit by random objects when playing on a table.
For those who play on their laps, however, the thicker foam padding on the bottom is a welcome addition.
Customization
With its flip open top cover, customization is a big part of making a Tournament Edition 2 purchase worthwhile. As with the HORI VLX and Razer Atrox, easy access to the internals allows for folks to easily change out parts in their controller.
What the Tournament Edition 2 does that other arcade sticks don’t do is allow for easy swapping of the top panel art without having to remove the buttons. This should be good news to anyone who’s ever cut their fingers trying to pry off the .110 quick disconnects on the Sanwa buttons.
Additionally, for those who want to swap their buttons, doing so is now more painless than ever. The .110 quick disconnects that Mad Catz uses have special tabs that folks can simply pull on to release them. This is much better than the traditional method of prying them off with a flathead screwdriver.
Tabs on the .110 QDs allow for painless disconnection.
One issue that has been carried over from the original Tournament Edition is the fact that it’s still nearly impossible (at least without some modification) to use a screw-in X button due to the spacing of the stick putting the edge of the button right by the mounting bracket. The fact that this hasn’t been addressed is quite an oversight.
Another possible issue is the fact that, unlike the Razer Atrox, the Tournament Edition 2 does not have any easy PCB mounting options. This means that mounting PCBs for dual modding will be more difficult, but the problem can be alleviated somewhat by the casing’s modular nature, as emoving either the cable compartment or button holder modules allows access to the screw holes they use.
Modularity seems to be a running theme in the Tournament Edition 2. Aside from the cable and button compartments, the side wings can also be removed, allowing folks to change the defaults (translucent black on the Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- model) with any other official color or even third party parts should the option ever become available.
And, while the Xrd version lacks the LEDs seen in the original Killer Instinct model, the mounting points for the board are still present. Interested players can either buy the necessary parts from Mad Catz or even a more fully featured third-party board, such as the LVT3 from Paradise Arcade Shop.
Performance
Aside from the ease of customization, the biggest draw for the Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- Tournament Edition 2 is the fact that it can switch between Sony’s two most recent consoles. This makes a ton of sense for Xrd, considering that the game is out on both PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, and also makes sense for Ultra Street Fighter IV with the game’s upcoming PlayStation 4 port. Allowing this feature is a brilliant move from Sony, as it allows a natural upgrade path for players on the the older console to move on to the newer one.
The switching itself is pretty straightforward, requiring a simple toggle of the selector switch before plugging the Tournament Edition 2 in.
The stick also works on PC despite not being advertised as such, giving players of games such as Skullgirls Encore , Yatagarasu Attack n Cataclysm, and even the Steam port of Ultra Street Fighter IV another controller option. Some games that specifically look for an Xbox 360 peripheral, such as King of Fighters XIII STEAM EDITION, will unfortunately not recognize the stick.
As for how the Tournament Edition 2 compares with other PlayStation 4 arcade sticks, namely HORI’s Real Arcade Pro 4 from HORI, we unfortunately did not have access to one for testing at this time. On its own, based on our own playtime with it, this stick performs admirably with no noticeable issues or delay.
Value
Now here comes the tough part. As a premium stick with features normally found on peripherals of the same caliber, the Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- Tournament Edition 2 (and its Ultra Street Fighter IV and Persona 4 Arena Ultimax siblings) comes with a hefty $199.99 USD price tag. The only other stick in the market at the moment with the same ease of customization, the Razer Atrox, goes for a similar price.
That said, many players will be looking into these models as a way to have an arcade stick for both current fighters and upcoming titles coming out for PlayStation 4. With this in mind, the Tournament Edition 2 faces some tough competition in the form of HORI’s Real Arcade Pro 4, even moreso when an updated version with touch pad support is coming later this year at a much lower price.
The question, then, is whether or not all the features the Tournament Edition 2 has over the HRAP.V4, most notably the easy open top cover, simple art swapping, and modular construction, are worth the premium price.
Conclusion
As with the original Arcade FightStick Tournament Edition that came before it, the updated Tournament Edition 2 is a solid stick that should satisfy most players, and Mad Catz’ addressing of the issues with the original Xbox One version help make it a stronger product overall.
But it’s far from perfect. While changing the aesthetics of the Tournament Edition 2 are easier, in terms of advanced mods (such as PCB additions and replacements), it still falls a bit short of the Razer Atrox for Xbox 360 and Xbox One.
The biggest issue we can see is the price–as a premium stick, the Tournament Edition 2 does carry a premium price tag. While this cost can easily be justified by all the features, players simply looking for a PlayStation 4 arcade stick do have a more affordable option in the HORI Real Arcade Pro 4.
That said, I’d happily recommend the Mad Catz’ Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- Arcade FightStick Tournament 2 (along with its similarly updated versions) to anyone looking for a full featured, premium arcade stick for their PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4.
Pros
Easy open top panel allows for quick access to the internals.
Very sturdy construction.
Updated top panel acrylic cover now fits better than with the original version.
Release tab on the .110 quick disconnects allows for much easier button swaps.
Modular construction allows for easy customization via official MadCatz or third party accessories.
PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 compatibility.
Also works on PC (some games only).
Battop and screwdriver included in the box.
Flush-mounted fasteners mean no screw heads to irritate palms.
Cons
No easy PCB mounting options.
Price.
All versions of the Mad Catz Arcade FightStick Tournament Edition 2, including the Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- version reviewed here, are currently available through Mad Catz’ online store. Already own one? Share your thoughts in the comments below!