downright-fierce

I am really intrigued by the new Hit Box controllers. Basically, it’s a joystick, without a joystick. In its place, are buttons used for directions.

The makers claim that:

By replacing the joystick with 4 directional buttons controlled by 4 fingers, you gain:
- Increased input speed (fastest dragon punch).
- Consistent inputs yield fewer mistakes.
- Exclusive control over your movement
- Sanwa buttons have little-to-no travel time.
- Instant high/low blocking.
- Button techniques apply to movement and special inputs (p-linking, piano roll, double tap).
- Game-specific features such as SSFIV input shortcuts (323 DPM) are at your disposal.
- Fewer match-pressure mistakes, such as lost horizon and accidental jumps from hard joystick motions.
- No arm/wrist motion.
- Stays put in your lap.

Very interesting indeed. Watching videos on their youtube channel, I think that Hit Boxes might be viable for fighting games, after you get used to them of course. The price tag ($159) isn’t so bad for a nice joystick, but it is hard to swallow when I have so many joysticks and gamepads that I am used to using.

Anybody out there used one of these bad boys before? I’m interested in seeing testimonials from real people and not the manufacturer. I might just bite the bullet and buy one just to test it out. I got to admit, they do look pretty cool and you would probably freak some people out just by bringing one of these to a tournament.

(source)