Mad Catz Street Fighter V Arcade FightStick: Tournament Edition S+ vs. 2+ Compared

Mad Catz released two premium arcade sticks for Street Fighter V, the Tournament Edition S+ (TES+) and the Tournament Edition 2+ (TE2+). While both peripherals offer high-quality components and official PlayStation compatibility, they are aimed at slightly different users. The primary distinctions lie in their physical construction, connectivity, and, most significantly, their approach to user customization and modding. The TE2+ was positioned as the more expensive option, while the TES+ offered a similar core gameplay experience at a lower price point.

Physical Design and Build

The most immediate difference between the two fight sticks is their size and weight. The Tournament Edition 2+ is the larger and heavier of the pair, weighing approximately 7.7 pounds with dimensions of 15.5 inches by 12 inches by 2.5 inches. In contrast, the Tournament Edition S+ weighs around 6.1 pounds and measures 15.5 inches by 10 inches by 2.5 inches. Both sticks share the same length and height, but the TE2+ is two inches wider. This extra width provides more surface area for players to rest their wrists and palms, a feature many find more comfortable during long play sessions.

The added weight of the TE2+ also contributes to its stability. A heavier base is less likely to shift on a player’s lap or slide across a table during intense gameplay, which is a critical consideration in competitive fighting games. Both sticks, however, are built for stability. Each features a durable metal base and non-slip foam padding on the bottom, ensuring a solid feel and secure placement regardless of the surface.

Components and Connectivity

Internally, both the TES+ and TE2+ use the same high-quality Japanese arcade components from manufacturer Sanwa Denshi, which is widely regarded as the industry standard. Both sticks are equipped with a Sanwa JLF ball-top joystick and eight OBSF-30 30mm action buttons. These are the same parts found in many authentic Japanese arcade cabinets, known for their precision, responsiveness, and durability.

A key difference is the connection cable. Both sticks use a 9.8-foot wired USB cable, providing ample length for most gaming setups. The TES+ comes with a standard USB cable. The TE2+, however, utilizes a ProCable with a locking mechanism. This design prevents the cable from being accidentally detached from the fight stick’s housing, a small but important feature that can prevent a match-losing disconnection in a tournament or high-stakes online game.

Neither the TES+ nor the TE2+ includes a headset port for audio or voice chat. Players needing to use a headset must connect it through an alternative method, such as directly to the console via a separate controller or a USB audio adapter. This omission can be an inconvenience for those who frequently play online and communicate with other players.

Platform Support and Controls

Both arcade sticks were designed primarily for the PlayStation 4 and are also compatible with the PlayStation 3. A physical switch on the control panel allows users to toggle between PS4 and PS3 modes. For PC players, the sticks are also compatible. Mad Catz released updated drivers that added native X-Input support, the modern standard for PC game controllers. This eliminated the earlier need for workarounds involving D-Input wrappers. To use the sticks on a PC, the console switch must be set to the PS4 position.

Both models feature a full suite of system-level buttons for PlayStation navigation, including a PS button, a clickable touch pad, and dedicated L3 and R3 buttons. Within Street Fighter V, these controls have specific functions. The touch pad can be used to hide or display battle information, as well as reposition characters in training mode. The L3 button resets the training dummy to its last setting, while the R3 button cycles through the dummy’s status during practice.

To prevent accidental inputs during a match, both sticks include a lock function that can disable the PS, Start/Options, Select/Share, and other utility buttons. They also feature an LS/DP/RS switch, which allows the joystick’s input to be assigned to the D-pad, left analog stick, or right analog stick. This enhances compatibility with a wider range of games that may not use the D-pad by default for character movement.

Customization and Modding

The most significant divergence between the TES+ and TE2+ is in their design philosophy toward customization. The Tournament Edition 2+ was built from the ground up to be easily modified by the user. It features a hinged chassis that opens with the press of a button, providing immediate access to the internal components. Mad Catz even included a small screwdriver tool with interchangeable hex and flat heads to facilitate modifications. This design makes it simple to swap out the bezel, clear top panel, and underlying artwork. The TE2+ is compatible with most joystick levers from Sanwa and Seimitsu, as well as standard 30mm action buttons and 24mm utility buttons. Bezels, side panels, and metal button panels could also be swapped.

The Tournament Edition S+ is far less accessible. While it uses the same mod-friendly Sanwa parts, opening the case requires a 3mm hex key, which is not included. The process is more involved and less convenient than on the TE2+. It is compatible with some legacy parts, such as TE FightStick Side Panels. However, swapping the bezel is more complicated, as the control module and bezel are a single piece on the S+, requiring separation before a legacy bezel can be installed. On both models, Mad Catz stated that modifying the internal PCBs, such as the LED board, would void the product’s warranty.