Hori Real Arcade Pro EX-SE Arcade Stick

Available now (currently sold out)
Xbox 360 (Japan only)
13500円 (Horistore.com)


With the release of Street Fighter 4 just days away now I was in the market for an arcade stick for the 360. The 360 controller is one of the best I have ever used but when it comes to fighting games and extended use of the D-pad it is awful, games become virtually unplayable. Unfortunately, the 360 has only one option this side of the pacific - the Hori EX2 Fighting Stick. Hori is a well respected maker of console peripherals and sticks but after seeing the EX2 in action I didn't feel comfortable laying down almost $70AUD on what is a rather smallish, plastic stick. After some searching I found the link to Hori's online direct store and discovered the EX-SE, a stick made from all-arcade Seimitsu components. According to the site the production run was limited and shortly after I ordered mine the website sold out. A lucky thing considering how much it would cost to purchase one of the Madcatz fighting sticks from Hong Kong.

The first thing you notice about the EX-SE is the build quality - Hori weren't joking in their press releases, it feels like it belongs in an arcade. The buttons are responsive and sharp while the stick is bouncy inside its square-gate. The shell itself is metal on the top and bottom surrounded by high grade molded plastic. The total weight comes to 2.6kgs. That said, after playing Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD for about an hour in my lap I didn't feel too much discomfort (strange as that sounds). The stick uses a square-gate (common to Japan) which takes some getting used to at first. I'm not a professional gamer but I have been playing fighting games since Street Fighter 2 on the SNES and this is my first arcade stick in nearly 10 years - lets just say I need a lot of practice. Using this stick makes you realise why arcade games are a world unto themselves - controllers simply cannot recreate the feeling of a perfectly executed Super finish.

If you have the opportunity to purchase this stick outside of Japan I wholly recommend it. It is built strong with authentic arcade parts and it feels like the real deal. Size is a concern but the stick has rubber feet so you can rest it on a table without scratching it. For Japanese 360 gamers it's the only realistic choice beyond the EX2. My only complaint about it is unlike the Madcatz SF4 Tournament Edition stick there is no place to house your cable when not in use. A small gripe though. The big question though is whether this controller is suitable for casual gamers. The short answer is yes and no. Yes because as far as arcade sticks go you won't find better. No in that price and size are a factor. If I hadn't been so concerned about the future availability of this stick I probably would have bought the EX2. All said and done, if you like fighting games or shoot-em-ups, want a quality controller that you'll be able to pass down to your grandchildren and have the luck to find one at a reasonable price then the Hori Real Arcade Pro EX-SE is for you.

Buy At Any Cost
Buy
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*The Hori Real Arcade Pro is also available for the 360 but can only currently be ordered online. It is the same as the EX-SE except that it uses Hori's buttons instead of Seimitsu's. Generally a well received stick, you can read a review of it at IGN