« The Last Minute Arcade Stick Buying Guide Day Four Part Two: Custom Sticks »

Pharside Steam Punk stick by B15SDMEVO 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 guys can check out Monday's edition on Mad Catz, Tuesday for Hori and Wednesday for Qanba/Eightarc. As part one of a double header, part one was on Etokki and this edition is more on the custom stick department.

Outside the retail market are people who contribute with their own creations. They are pricier than the retail sticks because of their more accurate building as opposed to mass production. The makers cater to a player's preference such as stick and button types, controller boards, etc. Here are three builders that caught my eye.

Crime In Partner's stick by VoltechVOLTECH

The influence of the Virtua Stick High Grade also spread to modder Voltech. After some original creations, Voltech broke out with his VAS series serving as a homage to the VSHG. Voltech provides multiple options with each differing in art panel types including the VSHG and the TE. All are housed in a steel shell with different coating options such gloss or black carbide texture powder. You can even add carbon fiber! In addition to the existing case, you can also add wood trims on the side featuring different types of woods. Once you have your stick with buttons, levers, controller board and art of your choice, you can also add a special travel case with felt liner inside to help protect the condition.

DJ Huoshen's stick by B15SDMB15SDM Designs

From England is B15SDM who has been a workhorse on making very detailed and stylish arcade sticks for any gamer around the world. Once you see pictures of his latest collection, they look very GDLK with the lights, clear bottom plexi art and so many other subtle things he done. He definitely loves attention to detail. The only thing needed to help make B15SDM perform brilliance is your input on what you want and don't want on the stick.

Viscant's stick by Project GiantSwordProject GiantSword

You guys might have heard of this group of folks from players such as Cl0ckwork, Combofiend and Yipes. These sticks have a specific aesthetic but can still cater to a player's specifications to an extent to make a good looking stick. They offer three different options: Rogue is a DIY case with the core case completed and only requires special art, buttons and stick. The Fighter option adds the convenience of more parts such as stock art, buttons, stick and a USB jack. Legend is the ultimate edition with all the bells and whistles including a multi-console controller board, custom art and custom paint when received.

Overall thoughts

These stick companies along with many others are the best of the best. However you get what you pay for and the prices of these sticks are much higher than mass produced commercial sticks. Another thing to look out for is how long will a stick be completed. If you ever buy a custom stick, don't expect it to be available just in time for EVO unless discussed with the builder. If you don't mind the wait, then you might enjoy your very own custom stick!

All right day four of the guide is over! Tomorrow is the finale with another double header entry which will be about arcade stick part resources as well as custom controller boards and converters.

You can find me being mad salty at Haunts for beating me in VF5FS online on my Twitter @ThePhantomnaut!