So I’m really into arcade fight sticks lately. I’ve moved on from the traditional game pad usage to Arcade style controllers. It was a tough challenge at first. My years of game play experience wanted to do nothing more than quit the annoying joystick. I couldn’t fire off my HADOUKEN or counter with a cool SHORYUKEN! But with diligence and some stubbornness, I was able to conquer that learning curve. Now I’m pretty good at using them. I’ve become a better player as well.

So here I am purchasing my new controllers and then I find out that everyone is customizing them. Putting in better arcade parts if needed or using plexi glass to cover their own art. I was so amazed! So it got me thinking, hmmm what can a cool guy like me do?

Custom Madcatz Standard Edition Project

The first stick I customized was a MADCATZ STANDARD EDITION controller. It lacked official japanese arcade buttons and joystick. So I ordered them to match my design and went to Kinkos to order a LAMI-LABEL print of my design. Then I went home and 3.5 hours later. VIOLA!!!

I tried to sell it on ebay. My sister wanted to get a cool stick and wanted to buy it. I’m happy that it’s in good hands. I do miss it though. DAN is THA MAN!!

Custom Madcatz Tournament Edition Project

I went to a pawn shop looking for a used fightstick. Low and behold, I found one. It was only 15 bucks! But it was painted  blue all around the the buttons & balltop was painted red. The original casing was black, the ball top use to be yellow, the stick use to be black and the buttons were yellow and some white. The gorgeous cover was tortured with a sticky blue paint. This thing was UGLY! But I knew I could turn this guy around.

So here is my plan. Keep the casing the blue that it is. Make an akuma template cause his gi is already dark blue. Buy new buttons and ball top.

Here is my design idea.

I used screenshots of the game to help me with colors and style. I added the purplish flames to the floor and his back just like the game. I put akumas symbol in the background too. I took out the SSFIV logo and placed in the MvC3 logo.

Cutting the template was a hard task when I made the DAN stick. My circles where terrible and I was lucky the buttons covered them. So I do some research on youtube looking for circle cutters. Then I found this Martha Stewart circle cutter.

It is an awesome tool! I used it and made perfect circle cut outs. Martha is a very smart lady. I used thick and thin paper to practice on first. It feels a little funny when you first start. Try not to push too hard down on it. The blade is already sharp enough. Just a little pressure will do the trick.

I used and EXACTO knife to cut out the edges and the small rectangle on the upper left corner. I was very pleased with my work. I thought it looked clean.

Well, I’m waiting for my PLEXI GLASS cover to come in from TEK INNOVATIONS. It takes 14 days just to receive a confirmation that the product will get shipped. That is HALF A MONTH!!! C’mon guys, I’m sure somehow, someway you can improve your turn around time. Oh well. I need them and will consider them regardless if the plexi turns out marvelous.

So I’ll end with my final picture that I just took. The fightstick without plexi.

What do you think?

I am doing custom templates and accepting donations.

If you like my work enough, donate some cash to the cause.