GENERAL:
I purchased the stick when it was on sale here for $65 off the list price and it was worth every penny.
I've used several joysticks (Hori Fighting Stick 2, HRAP3, MadCatz SE (with full Sanwa) and TE Round 1 FightSticks) and the VLX would be my weapon of choice any day. When using it on a table the rubber bottom ensures the stick will not move. The wooden option board is a nice touch as well if you want to mount your stick to it, but I find simply placing the stick on the board works well. Note the stick does not have any protruding rubber feet to potentially interfere with lap use. Lap use may not be as comfortable compared to other sticks due to the weight (12 lbs) but you'll get used to it. In comparison the HRAP3 weighs 5.7 lbs.
LOOKS:
The VLX is the most beautiful mass produced stick I've seen yet. While most of the black parts of the stick are matte the rest provides a nice glossy contrast. The top art is a nice metallic red with some mirror accents and you really need to either see the VLX in person or watch some videos to see how light interacts with the glossy parts.
SOUND:
The sound of the joystick and buttons are much more hollow when used and that's due to the sheer physical size of the housing. Not only is this much wider than the Round 1 TE FightStick but it is taller as well. The hollow sound doesn't bother me though.
USAGE:
Let me start by mentioning one of my favorite features: the angled palm rest. I was afraid I wasn't going to like it since I've been using the Round 1 MadCatz TE Stick with the flat surface, but I was able to make an immediate adjustment to the angled palm rest and love it. Using this stick feels much more natural to me.
The joystick (JLF) and buttons (OBSF) are your typical Sanwa variety and the general consensus on them is they are high quality arcade parts that can take a beating and are great to use. If you've ever used these Sanwa parts or own any variety of a MadCatz TE stick then you'll know what they feel like: the joystick is responsive and the buttons are sensitive.
I've opened the stick to replace the L1 and L2 buttons with the included button plugs and everything inside the stick is cleanly wired and organized. I put the 2 extra buttons in the button holders found inside the stick in case any of my main 6 have issues.
The USB cable storage compartment is large enough for the 3m cable to easily fit. I placed the included cleaning cloth in the back of the storage compartment to clean the surface here and there.
Transporting the stick has been an issue due to the irregular large size and fortunately Hori released a travel bag made to fit the VLX. Unfortunately they're charging a hefty price ($39.99) and since their site is the primary store selling it the shipping cost pushes the bag close to $50. For $50 you could almost get the HRAP3!
CONCLUSION:
To me this is the king of joysticks. It reminds me of the times I spent playing SF4 in Japanese arcades. At the price point this is a joystick for enthusiasts, collectors, and those who aren't hesitant to spend. However if you get this joystick you won't regret it.
Best mass produced arcade joystick on the market!
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2011
I'm an avid joystick collector & enthusiast. With that in mind, I can honestly say this is hands down the best mass produced arcade stick I've ever used (& I've used/owned quite a bit of of them since the early 80's). Quick specs:- Sanwa parts (JLF joystick & OBSF-30 main 8-buttons & one OBSF-24 Start button)- Mostly an all-metal case with white plastic side pieces that's VERY similar (but a few inches shorter) to the real deal Taito Vewlix arcade panel- Foam padding on the bottom panel for lap players though I have no clue why anyone would use it in that position given how heavy it is- 12.1-pounds- Black painted wooden option board for more stability (can be screwed onto bottom plate but not required)- Storage for 3M (9.8-ft) USB cablePrior to the purchase of the original VLX, I was a bit reluctant because I was concerned about the possibility of a cheap hollow feeling & sound everytime I depress a button (this bugged me somewhat with the Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 SA aka HRAP3-SA) however, the feeling & sound on a VLX is a bit different than in a HRAP3-SA. I'm thinking it's due to the thicker top metal panel compared to a HRAP3-SA. Everything about it oozes quality from the (mostly) metal construction to the convenience of opening it up (only 3 screws FTW!). Sometimes I open it just to appreciate & admire the ease & simplicity of this aspect yet at the same time awe in the intricacy of the design. If you've taken apart enough arcade sticks then you'll know what I'm talking about.If factoring in traveling around with an arcade stick (to tournaments, friend's houses, etc.) then I'd choose a V3-SA (or a V3-SA Kai or a V4) due to its size & side handles. Only real complaints (if I had to nitpick) are the included button plugs has a somewhat rough texture (compared to other Sanwa button plugs) & the cloth they supply's rather small but no big deal. Fortunately for me, I was able to buy it at MSRP (three hundered) a few months after it was released. Given the choice, I'd definitely would do it all over again with no regrets. With that in mind, as much as I love arcade sticks (I've used/had quite a few from an NES Advantage to a Capcom Fighter Power Stick to a Namco PS1 to Madcatz Fightsticks to B15SDM's to Voltech VAS-22's to Qanba RAF's & quite a few in-between), there's no way I'd pay $500+ for this item. At that price, might as well consider a B15SDM arcade stick which you can customize down to the smallest detail but that's just my humble opinion...
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2011
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 15, 2010
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 21, 2011
- Sanwa parts (JLF joystick & OBSF-30 main 8-buttons & one OBSF-24 Start button)
- Mostly an all-metal case with white plastic side pieces that's VERY similar (but a few inches shorter) to the real deal Taito Vewlix arcade panel
- Foam padding on the bottom panel for lap players though I have no clue why anyone would use it in that position given how heavy it is
- 12.1-pounds
- Black painted wooden option board for more stability (can be screwed onto bottom plate but not required)
- Storage for 3M (9.8-ft) USB cable
Prior to the purchase of the original VLX, I was a bit reluctant because I was concerned about the possibility of a cheap hollow feeling & sound everytime I depress a button (this bugged me somewhat with the Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 SA aka HRAP3-SA) however, the feeling & sound on a VLX is a bit different than in a HRAP3-SA. I'm thinking it's due to the thicker top metal panel compared to a HRAP3-SA. Everything about it oozes quality from the (mostly) metal construction to the convenience of opening it up (only 3 screws FTW!). Sometimes I open it just to appreciate & admire the ease & simplicity of this aspect yet at the same time awe in the intricacy of the design. If you've taken apart enough arcade sticks then you'll know what I'm talking about.
If factoring in traveling around with an arcade stick (to tournaments, friend's houses, etc.) then I'd choose a V3-SA (or a V3-SA Kai or a V4) due to its size & side handles. Only real complaints (if I had to nitpick) are the included button plugs has a somewhat rough texture (compared to other Sanwa button plugs) & the cloth they supply's rather small but no big deal. Fortunately for me, I was able to buy it at MSRP (three hundered) a few months after it was released. Given the choice, I'd definitely would do it all over again with no regrets. With that in mind, as much as I love arcade sticks (I've used/had quite a few from an NES Advantage to a Capcom Fighter Power Stick to a Namco PS1 to Madcatz Fightsticks to B15SDM's to Voltech VAS-22's to Qanba RAF's & quite a few in-between), there's no way I'd pay $500+ for this item. At that price, might as well consider a B15SDM arcade stick which you can customize down to the smallest detail but that's just my humble opinion...
Best mass produced arcade joystick on the market!
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 21, 2011
I'm an avid joystick collector & enthusiast. With that in mind, I can honestly say this is hands down the best mass produced arcade stick I've ever used (& I've used/owned quite a bit of of them since the early 80's). Quick specs:Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 21, 2011
- Sanwa parts (JLF joystick & OBSF-30 main 8-buttons & one OBSF-24 Start button)
- Mostly an all-metal case with white plastic side pieces that's VERY similar (but a few inches shorter) to the real deal Taito Vewlix arcade panel
- Foam padding on the bottom panel for lap players though I have no clue why anyone would use it in that position given how heavy it is
- 12.1-pounds
- Black painted wooden option board for more stability (can be screwed onto bottom plate but not required)
- Storage for 3M (9.8-ft) USB cable
Prior to the purchase of the original VLX, I was a bit reluctant because I was concerned about the possibility of a cheap hollow feeling & sound everytime I depress a button (this bugged me somewhat with the Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 SA aka HRAP3-SA) however, the feeling & sound on a VLX is a bit different than in a HRAP3-SA. I'm thinking it's due to the thicker top metal panel compared to a HRAP3-SA. Everything about it oozes quality from the (mostly) metal construction to the convenience of opening it up (only 3 screws FTW!). Sometimes I open it just to appreciate & admire the ease & simplicity of this aspect yet at the same time awe in the intricacy of the design. If you've taken apart enough arcade sticks then you'll know what I'm talking about.
If factoring in traveling around with an arcade stick (to tournaments, friend's houses, etc.) then I'd choose a V3-SA (or a V3-SA Kai or a V4) due to its size & side handles. Only real complaints (if I had to nitpick) are the included button plugs has a somewhat rough texture (compared to other Sanwa button plugs) & the cloth they supply's rather small but no big deal. Fortunately for me, I was able to buy it at MSRP (three hundered) a few months after it was released. Given the choice, I'd definitely would do it all over again with no regrets. With that in mind, as much as I love arcade sticks (I've used/had quite a few from an NES Advantage to a Capcom Fighter Power Stick to a Namco PS1 to Madcatz Fightsticks to B15SDM's to Voltech VAS-22's to Qanba RAF's & quite a few in-between), there's no way I'd pay $500+ for this item. At that price, might as well consider a B15SDM arcade stick which you can customize down to the smallest detail but that's just my humble opinion...
Images in this review
