Street Fighter IV Fightpad Review

From the Vault — originally published February 17, 2009. Some links, videos or prices may be out of date.

I got my hands on one of the new Madcatz Street Fighter IV Fightpads. The version I tested was the PlayStation 3 version and I chose that version because its wireless. The Xbox 360 versions are all wired. I noticed no lag whatsoever. And the range was at least 25 feet. These Fightpads currently cannot be used on backwards compatible PS2 games on the Playstation 3 .I also compared the Fightpad to the acclaimed Sega Saturn Pad, Street Fighter 15th Anniversary pad.

Check the gallery below and read on for the full review.

The new Fightpad is a sure improvement over the older Nuby 15th Anniversary Street Fighter Pads. The d-pad placement on the Fightpads is higher than the 15th anniversary pad. This higher placement I find to be more comfortable and ergonomic. The start, home/guide, and select buttons of the Fightpad are all “sunk” in so its very hard to accidentally press them in a button mashing stint.

The Fightpad is also thinner than the previous model and has a nice weight to it. The PS3 version has a USB dongle for the wireless functionality and it requires no “pairing” its simply plug and play which works well. The power switch and additional switch allows you to use the fightpads d-pad to control the left or right analog sticks if you choose. Nice touch.

The rubber pads on the sides and back are a great touch. It is comfortable to hold.

The fightpad holds up when compared to the Sega Saturn pad though I think Saturn pad still has the better D-pad. The Fightpad D-pad is a bit more raised and “loose” when compared to the Saturn pad but still pretty damn good and an obvious upgrade from the Xbox 360 controller D-pad. The bigger buttons on the Fightpad are an upgrade from the Saturn and 15th anniversary pads but the convex (bulging outward) design of the 15th anniversary pad buttons and the springy-ness (made up word) of the 15h anniversary pad buttons I found better. This is minor and the buttons on the Fightpads are still very good. These pads due to the button layout worked VERY well with the Sega Genesis collection and the layout is like the 6-button genesis controller.

The verdict is that the Street Fighter IV Fightpads get a thumbs up in overall performance. Though the Fightpads currently cannot be used on backwards compatible PS2 games on the Playstation 3 I had a blast using it to play HD Turbo Remix, Bionic Command Rearmed, and various games from the Sonic Sega Genesis collection. If you liked the Saturn, or Nuby Street Fighter 15th anniversary pads there is much to like about these Madcatz pads.