During gamescom, I was intrigued by the arcade stick presented on Nacon's business stand. Even if the press officer knew how to sell his product, we hadn't really had time to be able to test, being limited to a single small fight that was quickly lost. So when the brand offered me to receive this new, entirely revisited iteration of its Daija, I didn't hesitate. It comes in two versions: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series (PC compatible). I for my part opted for the second without hesitation, always preferring to play on my computer.
Contrary to usual, I will not dwell on the packaging. The version that I receive is not in its final box, the official release being planned only today (November 8). It is therefore inside a very ordinary brown cardboard that I find the arcade stick, with its two interchangeable fronts. Of course, when the opportunity is given to me to take something apart, I don't wait. Especially since a small screwdriver comes with it, it's an incentive to crime. Eight screws hold the plastic protection on top. Without forgetting the ball which, if it is not unscrewed, prevents from removing the whole. This is done with the help of another tool, a kind of metal tab, also provided. By the way, about the ball, this pommel can take an elongated shape, a second tip being provided (you can see them both at the top of the photo below). Namely that the official site offers a template in order to be able to create its own facade patterns.
Other manipulations can be done inside the arcade stick, access being facilitated by hinges, which make it a kind of small box. I didn't go so far as to have fun fiddling around with the cables. This product is only lent to me so I don't want to return something completely out of order that would be unusable for the next journalist.
At the level of the buttons, we find those present on any controller of the Microsoft console, but arranged differently, in order to optimize efficiency in fighting games. The left hand finds its joystick, on a round or elongated pommel. Next, the four large X/Y (top) and A/B (bottom) buttons. Then the usual buttons which are usually at the level of the trigger, RB and LB on the upper line, RT and LT on the lower line. The buttons are big, huge and therefore very hard to miss. But they are also very responsive, to avoid any latency between the command and the action on the screen. If you know, the technology comes from the SANWA brand, well known to arcades.
In order to avoid using a second more classic controller to launch your game, we find all the other controls, even the non-essential ones for fighting games. The Xbox button to return to the main menu, for example, is placed in the middle at the top. You will notice a "lock" next to it, which locks to prevent any mishandling. You will have to look on the left side to find the menu and options buttons. This is also where, for example, the configuration between Xbox and PC is changed. There's even a 3.5 jack to connect headphones to the front.
The set is heavy. Surprisingly heavy, even. Count well four to five kilos. The wire is long, three meters, enough to settle comfortably, at a good distance from your screen or your television. Large non-slip strips allow the stick to be placed on a table without the risk of throwing it off. Otherwise, on the official photos of the press kit provided by Nacon, the players put the stick on their knees, even if I admit that I find the whole thing a little too heavy for it to be really comfortable (but I'm not a professional player). And then I'm a bit small, so I would need a small stool so that my feet are higher and the stick is straight. Otherwise, on the raised knees, on a sofa, it's not bad!
Offering an excellent grip, I can only recommend the Nacon Arcade Stick. Its only "flaw" is actually its price. As a result, the arcade stick will mainly interest players who make fighting games their priority. Which possibly aim for some sort of classification. Or those nostalgic for arcades, who will want to find the touch so specific, perfectly well transcribed. If you want to crack, you will have to pay 270€ to acquire this little gem created by Nacon. Available from today on the official website (Xbox or PlayStation), or from authorized retailers.
