Actual arcade stick for entry level priceI grew up on an arcade stick, but It took me so long to get one. Why? Mainly the price I guess, but Monoprice put up a sub $100 stick with all the features I need, so I decided to bite.About this stick:This is based on the OEM of MadCatz ego used in PRO fighting tournaments, so its been road tested.The Sanwa JLF lever is amazing. For any premium arcade cabinet, these are standard out in the arcades. Performing a difficult 360 degree Zangief pile-driver was done the first time and every time. i found this nearly impossible on the Sony d-pad, even harder on the analog sticks.Jumping and diagonal downward Kamehameha fireball motion is so easy in one swift motion.Outside of fighting games, I tested lots of 2d brawlers, the retro games I grew up with. The light clicking sound is actually fun feedback to use, and definitely not loud. With headphones on and no sound, you can no longer hear it, the feel is great! The gate is a 4 way, which I thought would be harder for 360 movements but I find this thing so easy as mentioned I don't know If I want to switch to an 8 way.One thing about me is I have oily, not sweaty hands and the ball can get slippery, but thats something I can fix, more below.As for the buttonsThese are Sanwa, in the Viewlix layout, which is similar but slightly different than the Namco design. Overall you adjust to this layout fine and is far superior than a straight layout (unless you re a robot).At first I bottomed out the buttons, which I thought were long action and fatiguing, but later realized that the actuation is actually halfway down or level with the button rings. I'm like why don't these click with feedback like the stick?After I went with a lighter touch, all was good. So I was doing it wrong!the buttons are quite fast if you press them lightly, rapidly and halfway down. I still think I'll buy some aftermarket mechanical buttons for the feedback click, but only if they are quiet. The Sanwa buttons are very quiet which unlike other sticks won't disturb everyone in the house. Because this is Sanwa, I know they will stand the abuse, the mashing for many years so its not something I'm eager to change out of necessity, more for preference.. Speaking of whichModding:The great thing about this stick is that its a modding platform. As I mentioned, Sanwa lever might get slippery for some but a new ball top with more grip can be screwed out and those are cheap. The buttons are standard size 30mm and can be swapped out for whatever concave, convex, mechanical, long throw, short throw , click feedback or color that you want. There's something I crave for the clicky buttons so I may swap in the future.. The top part you can change out art and there's a good standard site for it called "focus attack" , google that, it happens to share the OEM with Madcatz EGO. I'll surely get a couple inserts and store them in a portfolio for my stick.Weight and base:Not too heavy not too light. Perfect size. With other sticks in the same tier or lower u will get a smaller base that doesn't have the ability to stay upright on your lap and may get flipped on your desk , depending how light it is. There's also a couple of sticks out there that have no business being so heavy.This isn't a problem with this stick and is just right for weight and size.Other:Sound. The buttons are quieter than most keyboards and the stick has a nice click but won't disturb anyone. Pretty quiet overall!PS5 compatibility can be added through an add on stick for $50 at Monoprice.Overall play-ability:If you grew up in the arcades, this is a no brainer. If you never used a stick before, well try to go through the learning curve before tossing it. Be sure to pay attention to how many days you have on your refund policy if it isn't for you. I did a lot of different tests for reaction time and despite the stick looking like it has a longer travel time than a d pad,.I found it just as fast when doing blocks compared to a D pad. The buttons you will need to get used to using all 4 of your main fingers and thumb, you will be too slow if you rely onl you index finger and try to travel all the way to the right side buttons. For me, this is an advantage, not a handicap.Conclusions and comparisonsI think its difficult to fault this stick for anything at this price point.Can't say there's much cons for the money. I mean i could list what features it doesn't,but not right when those sticks cost 3x as much.For example yea it doesn't have the quick hinge to open the whole unit like Hori Alpha, but that is 250 usd. Hori buttons and lever arerivals to Sanwa and Hayabusa. For the same price, we can compare this to the 8bitDo stick, the Monoprice Dark Matter doesn't have wireless capability and 100% compatibility like 8bitDO which I considered, but that stick sacrifices going for generic and cheaper sticks and buttons, which don't have the feel and control of the 3 big dogs. You also are getting a small base and much lighter, which has its pros and cons. The moddability is much more difficult and very few levers are compatible with some buttons too big and long for it.The final point is that this stick has all the ergonomic needs of an arcade fight stick, it may lack convenience features but you still can do everything on it, even fully mod it and decorate the artwork, and get it to be compatible. I think if you end up not enjoying it, then sticks aren't for you. I have used MONOPRICE since 20 years now, they have become my favorite brand.Games testedDragonball FighterzTekken 7Soul CaliburRiver City GirlsUnder Night IN Birththe Punisher arcadethe Simpsons arcadeTMNT the arcade gameFinal FightStreet Fighter vs X-menStreet Fighter 3Marvel Vs. CapcomMortal Kombat 3