« The Last Minute Arcade Stick Buying Guide Day Three: Qanba and Eightarc »

EVO is in a couple of weeks and you registered for your games of choices. There is a problem! Maybe you play on Xbox 360 but EVO is a PlayStation 3-specified event. Maybe your PlayStation 3 stick is broken. Maybe you don't have a stick and want to get one before the big event or for other future meetups. Well here is a last minute guide on various sticks available in the market today. You can check out Monday's post on Mad Catz and Tuesday on Hori. For Wednesday, it's about a stick company Qanba and its US distributor Eightarc.

Based in Taiwan, Qanba are sort of like the Mad Catz or Hori of their region with their own sticks. They have been making different models for a while but it was their Q4 RAF (Real Arcade Fighting) models that have been creating a scene in the fighting game community for solving the ultimate problem for competitors by having multi-console compatibility out of the box.

Qanba Q4 RAF/Eightarc Fusion (Multi-console - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC)

This stick series is the answer to all the issues of players going to tournaments or local sessions that might have different console specifications. No more buying an Xbox 360 stick and a PlayStation 3 stick, the Q4 RAF is all-in-one. Convenience in a box. All you need to do is flip a switch and plug your stick in the console. In addition to the compatibility benefit, there are also authentic Japanese parts from Sanwa or Seimitsu (depending on the model) in a case that looks pretty sleek. The front panel allows art customization for those who want a specific look. Another addition is the cable compartment to house the USB cable. A neat feature in every Q4 RAF/Fusion is a special bottom covered by felt material so the stick won't be slipping all around your jeans. The differences between the Q4 RAF and the Fusion are that they have different artwork between versions and that the Q4 RAF has a start button on the front panel while the Fusion doesn't.

I have tried out the Q4 RAF and the Fusion on multiple occasions and they play just as good as their compatibility. I am able to perform moves as easily if I was just using a regular stick without any noticeable dropped inputs. People said about weird specific timing inconsistencies and if true, I don't think it affects the overall game to a necessary extent. Every time I go to any tournament, there are always a couple of folks carrying a Q4 RAF/Fusion. If they haven't been having problems, others wouldn't. My specific gripes about the stick is that its height makes it feel overwhelming and bigger than it is when actually playing. Another minor issue is that the cable compartment on the side looks awkward especially when it's open and the cable is out.

Overall thoughts

If you go to tournaments with different console requirements and you don't have the skills to dual-mod or in some cases money to spend on, the Qanba Q4 RAF/Eightarc Fusion is a good solution. If you don't mind the start button on the side or need to save some cash, the regular Q4 RAF models go for $150 USD (the transparent cases go for $180). If you want less flash on your stick or afraid you might hit start during a match, the Fusion is the way to go for $185. You can buy the sticks directly from Eightarc's official website and you can follow them on their Twitter @Eightarc. Arcade Shock is also selling some exclusive models so check them out as well.

In regards to models such as the Q3/ISO models, you will have to find used copies on Shoryuken's Trading Outlet, your local Craigslist listing or eBay since they are officially unavailable at the moment. Those models are not multi-console out of the box.

Thanks for checking out day three of the five day long guide! Thursday will be a double header as I will examine more independent arcade stick groups and look at some custom sticks!

I can be found talking about sadness and happiness on my Twitter @ThePhantomnaut.