It's a big year for fighting games thanks to Street Fighter 6 and Mortal Kombat 1. Hardcore fighting game fans will be the first to tell you that the purest way to experience the genre of one-on-one combat is with an arcade-inspired fight stick. There's a good reason for that, as the majority of modern fighting games still have gameplay mechanics within them that are inherited from the days when titles such as Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and Killer Instinct ruled the arcades.

There's something that's undeniably satisfying about having a peripheral that contains a large joystick, massive face buttons, and space to store a few quarters on so that you call dibs on the next turn. Modern fight sticks also look great and boast a degree of officially endorsed customization that can make them perform even better in the competitive scene.

We've had a look at what the market has to offer in this space, so if you're looking to add some retro flavor to your gaming setup, these fight sticks will have you ready to rumble in no time. With a number of arcade classics also available on various platforms these days, you can even extra use out of these fight sticks when you dip into your classic library of games. Our list of the best fight sticks is in no particular order, but you'll find budget and high-end options here.