This was a fun stream, thanks Jeff! I was the button mashing Ryu who jumps around a lot. This stream made me reinstall SF6 and start jumping into anti airs all over again
I made the switch to a leverless stick last year and have been really enjoying it with SF6. I also got the Haute 42, though I think I got the normal version. Really cool to see you enjoying this thing so much Jeff!
As a jaded older gamer (hitting 40 soon) who's been playing fighters for years, leverless made my already big enjoyment of recent fighters spike even further than expected to the point I'm placing in the top 8 in Tekken 8 regularly at my locals and still having a blast
40 isn't an older gamer though, try 70... A ton of people are in their 40s playing games because they started decades ago, and this will only continue to be true as video games are no longer niche or for "nerds".
This is useful. A lot of people like myself are evaluating sticks after EVO. I haven't been using a fight stick for fighting games for a while since most modern games usually play alright with a gamepad and I'm mostly a casual player. But I found that the input processing in classic game collections resulted in me whiffing a lot on fairly simple inputs with a Dualsense D-Pad. I did start looking at the Hitbox after EVO but it's like $400 CDN + import fees. The Razer Kitsune is basically the same price. Which is a lot when I don't even know if I'll like leverless. The thing is I don't really like the layout of a lot of the cheaper leverless controllers. I like the big jump button on the Hitbox in concept. Though it seems like Haute42 also makes another stick that has more of the hitbox layout.
If you’re still looking, check out Mavercade. They’re in Toronto and their stuff, while more expensive than the Haute42 controllers, is still like half the price of a Hitbox and very nicely made with a lot of layout options. They do custom art and stuff too. If you specifically want something with real arcade buttons though (like the Hitbox) rather than keyswitches you may be better off building your own, but that’s definitely a bit of an undertaking.
I've played fighting games most my life but really started to really learn how to play with Street Fighter 4 on the PC and did so using a keyboard of all things. I got used to digital inputs for movement. So when I picked up a stick it was an improvement as there were fewer keys to trip over, but I was definitely clumsy with the stick. Dragon punches were always hit or miss for me with a stick. I eventually modded the stick with WASD keys via an Odin mod. That helped quite a lot but I still found the body of the controller too big and bulky, which these newer leverless controllers solve. I've got a few of these leverless controllers now that they're more affordable and I love them. My favorite is one I got off of etsy called the Slab Mini. Great construction and good weight to it. I actually later bought a 16 key leverless controller, but found I was only tripping over the extra keys. Honestly I still suck at the game, but at least I feel more accurate with the controls.
Jeff, like you, I am an old arcade head playing fighting games on a stick since basically their inception in 1991. It took me several attempts to get on the leverless train because the muscle memory is strong. It's kinda crazy what you can do on it once you get comfortable though. I know it sounds weird, but try using your left hand for left, right, and down, and your right hand for up. I play on an older hitbox currently; I tried the Snackbox Micro and the small form factor just doesn't work for me. Also eyeing the MPress V2 from Paradise Arcade Shop, but it's currently backordered.
I didn't get into fighting games in earnest until the PC version of Street Fighter IV, and playing on a keyboard rather than controller finally made everything make sense to me. I'd be curious to try one of these out!
Hey Jeff, good to see you've picked up leverless controllers now. I was hoping you would give Zangief a go, the leverless makes his 360s ridiculously easy and consistent. Still haven't figured out his level 3 though.
The only things I have trouble with on my leverless box are half circle or greater motion inputs. The standard back-down-forward ones aren't too bad, but the overhead (back-up-forward) inputs playing Goldlewis in GG Strive are demonic. I'm not any good, but I hear good players talk about how leverless is more precise but stiffer than joystick and pad.
The Hitbox UA-cam has a bunch of great tutorials for doing things like 720. Also, use your right hand thumb for up. It might not feel right at first, but it's way better, especially for things like 720, because you can press both the up/punch at the same time more accurately.
A buddy of mine got one of these recently(I think its the same one you have?) and that was the first time I heard of these. I’ve been really interested in the idea since! I love fighting games but I’m not particularly good at them, and I wonder if playing with one of those would help or just be the same. Definitely a fascinating thing regardless 😊
no controller will make you better at a game. that's going to come down to commitment and learning. now if the controller is fun to use? then it may help, but it will not inherently make you better. still gotta do the work.
@@Wartooth91 i agree no controller inherently makes you better, but the right input method can definitely make the work to get good a lot more appealing. i hated play fighting games on pad and stick always seemed intimidating but getting leverless (haute 42 m16 which is like jeff's jsut a bit smaller) was like a big easy to use keyboard which was something i was already super used too. i love mine and wouldn't have gotten into fighting games like i have without it.
@@jordanschmitt9412 That’s kinda what I was thinking about the potential of these types of controllers. Perhaps the “work” would be more enjoyable to certain people with a different input style 😁 Or it would click with them differently
Jeff, surely there is room in your career to get better at fighting games if you really want to. You could do a stream a week with the premise that you want to improve and I bet it'd be super popular.
Bind the thumb button to down and the top buttons like wasd and play shoot em ups. Thank me later. The level of precision is much welcomed as a shmup player!
The messed-up thing is that I took it out back and beat it with a stick last week to at least partially clean it and it still looks like this. Maybe after using it for... I don't know, 12 years or something it's time to retire it.
"I pushed all the buttons to make it come" - Jeff Gerstmann, 2024
Wasn't just me then
Always a good time when Jeff plays fighting games
This was a fun stream, thanks Jeff!
I was the button mashing Ryu who jumps around a lot. This stream made me reinstall SF6 and start jumping into anti airs all over again
Holy shit that Jeff vs Jeff was amazing.
time to finally perfect those vf akira combos.
You should customize this thing with some filthy Garfield on Jon action.
I made the switch to a leverless stick last year and have been really enjoying it with SF6. I also got the Haute 42, though I think I got the normal version. Really cool to see you enjoying this thing so much Jeff!
As a jaded older gamer (hitting 40 soon) who's been playing fighters for years, leverless made my already big enjoyment of recent fighters spike even further than expected to the point I'm placing in the top 8 in Tekken 8 regularly at my locals and still having a blast
40 isn't an older gamer though, try 70... A ton of people are in their 40s playing games because they started decades ago, and this will only continue to be true as video games are no longer niche or for "nerds".
EVO 2025, look out. Gerstmann’s coming for the Pit Fighter title.
Please, Pit Fighter money matches is more like it.
thank you for sharing this find!!
Finally the AliExpress x Gerstmann crossover I've been waiting for
This is useful. A lot of people like myself are evaluating sticks after EVO. I haven't been using a fight stick for fighting games for a while since most modern games usually play alright with a gamepad and I'm mostly a casual player. But I found that the input processing in classic game collections resulted in me whiffing a lot on fairly simple inputs with a Dualsense D-Pad.
I did start looking at the Hitbox after EVO but it's like $400 CDN + import fees. The Razer Kitsune is basically the same price. Which is a lot when I don't even know if I'll like leverless. The thing is I don't really like the layout of a lot of the cheaper leverless controllers. I like the big jump button on the Hitbox in concept. Though it seems like Haute42 also makes another stick that has more of the hitbox layout.
If you’re still looking, check out Mavercade. They’re in Toronto and their stuff, while more expensive than the Haute42 controllers, is still like half the price of a Hitbox and very nicely made with a lot of layout options. They do custom art and stuff too.
If you specifically want something with real arcade buttons though (like the Hitbox) rather than keyswitches you may be better off building your own, but that’s definitely a bit of an undertaking.
Take the phrase "Button Mashing" to a whole new level ,Thanks Jeff 👍
Man you almost have me convinced on this thing, especially since I’m considering moving to pc for all my fighting games.
I've played fighting games most my life but really started to really learn how to play with Street Fighter 4 on the PC and did so using a keyboard of all things. I got used to digital inputs for movement. So when I picked up a stick it was an improvement as there were fewer keys to trip over, but I was definitely clumsy with the stick. Dragon punches were always hit or miss for me with a stick. I eventually modded the stick with WASD keys via an Odin mod. That helped quite a lot but I still found the body of the controller too big and bulky, which these newer leverless controllers solve.
I've got a few of these leverless controllers now that they're more affordable and I love them. My favorite is one I got off of etsy called the Slab Mini. Great construction and good weight to it. I actually later bought a 16 key leverless controller, but found I was only tripping over the extra keys.
Honestly I still suck at the game, but at least I feel more accurate with the controls.
Wow, Jeff's taking his Thorsten play to another level with this thing.
Jeff, like you, I am an old arcade head playing fighting games on a stick since basically their inception in 1991. It took me several attempts to get on the leverless train because the muscle memory is strong. It's kinda crazy what you can do on it once you get comfortable though. I know it sounds weird, but try using your left hand for left, right, and down, and your right hand for up. I play on an older hitbox currently; I tried the Snackbox Micro and the small form factor just doesn't work for me. Also eyeing the MPress V2 from Paradise Arcade Shop, but it's currently backordered.
I have this same stick on the way. It's such a great value.
I didn't get into fighting games in earnest until the PC version of Street Fighter IV, and playing on a keyboard rather than controller finally made everything make sense to me. I'd be curious to try one of these out!
Eventually this will just become a full keyboard lol
@@initial_kd yeah, i know 0 about all that stuff. It just looks like a ton of buttons to me lol
I think that’s how it started actually
Hell yeah! These controllers feel so nice!
Title should be an 80s movie with Kim Basinger as the leverless joystick.
Jeff sold me on this thing and I barely play fighting games anymore
Hey Jeff, good to see you've picked up leverless controllers now. I was hoping you would give Zangief a go, the leverless makes his 360s ridiculously easy and consistent. Still haven't figured out his level 3 though.
Looking forward to seeing Jeff battling through the Ranma 1/2 money matches at Evo 2025 with his hitbox.
I bought a Razer Kitsune and put a vinyl skin of my cat on it. It's collecting dust sitting on top of my JVC X'eye.
The only things I have trouble with on my leverless box are half circle or greater motion inputs. The standard back-down-forward ones aren't too bad, but the overhead (back-up-forward) inputs playing Goldlewis in GG Strive are demonic. I'm not any good, but I hear good players talk about how leverless is more precise but stiffer than joystick and pad.
We need an iconic theme for these game days.
It has been amusing seeing the counter strike community just now face the SOCD dilemma after already hearing them for years in the fgc
going to the trouble of embedding real-time transcription on the stream and then not making the font at all accessible
Between you and Hush my Sweet I think I might have to get one of these.
Goddamnit Jeff, I’ve ordered one
I have one of these controllers and they are super cool.
The Hitbox UA-cam has a bunch of great tutorials for doing things like 720. Also, use your right hand thumb for up. It might not feel right at first, but it's way better, especially for things like 720, because you can press both the up/punch at the same time more accurately.
It's about time for another karaoke joint.
What buttons do you press to make it come?
Brother, I've been asking that for years and haven't figured it out yet.
This shit rules
I might be first and I don't know what to do. Hug an animal!
Living Leverless is the only way to live
The arcade stick and mouse experience for SF6 single player was not great but with buttons I figure that would be fine to good to great.
hey jeff guilty gear strive feels AMAZING on leverless. also do not try MK1 with it lol
A buddy of mine got one of these recently(I think its the same one you have?) and that was the first time I heard of these. I’ve been really interested in the idea since! I love fighting games but I’m not particularly good at them, and I wonder if playing with one of those would help or just be the same. Definitely a fascinating thing regardless 😊
no controller will make you better at a game. that's going to come down to commitment and learning. now if the controller is fun to use? then it may help, but it will not inherently make you better. still gotta do the work.
@@Wartooth91 i agree no controller inherently makes you better, but the right input method can definitely make the work to get good a lot more appealing. i hated play fighting games on pad and stick always seemed intimidating but getting leverless (haute 42 m16 which is like jeff's jsut a bit smaller) was like a big easy to use keyboard which was something i was already super used too. i love mine and wouldn't have gotten into fighting games like i have without it.
@@jordanschmitt9412 That’s kinda what I was thinking about the potential of these types of controllers. Perhaps the “work” would be more enjoyable to certain people with a different input style 😁 Or it would click with them differently
Jeff, surely there is room in your career to get better at fighting games if you really want to. You could do a stream a week with the premise that you want to improve and I bet it'd be super popular.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I LOVE AWOOGAS
Buffer the 720 while lping to not jump
I presume those can be modded, and if so, Sanwa or Seimitsu?
Bind the thumb button to down and the top buttons like wasd and play shoot em ups. Thank me later. The level of precision is much welcomed as a shmup player!
I took the plunge because my movement sucks in Tekken
Leverless joystick...So basically a keyboard.
Good lord Jeff the amount of filth on that mousepad.. What even is that blunt ashes?
The messed-up thing is that I took it out back and beat it with a stick last week to at least partially clean it and it still looks like this. Maybe after using it for... I don't know, 12 years or something it's time to retire it.
Gerstmann's gone leverless!!! welcome to the tribe!!!
hi jeff
I really hate that the phrase "leverless" is the one that stuck. Don't call it what it isn't, call it what it is.
Jeff rlz