Best fight stick for Mortal Kombat 1

Best fight stick for Mortal Kombat 1
Rosa Fryer Updated on by

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With the best fight stick for Mortal Kombat 1, you can enjoy and play the game like it is meant to be played.

Fight sticks and Mortal Kombat are like a match made in heaven. After all, these arcade sticks are literally made for fighting games like Mortal Kombat 1. So, if you want the most authentic Mortal Kombat experience with adrenaline-pumping action, fight sticks are the way to go. 

They offer a level of precision and flexibility that no keyboard or controller can match. The long joystick is your ticket to quick, precise movements, and the classic six- or eight-button layout brings those crucial punches, kicks, and combos to your fingertips.

If you have previously played Mortal Kombat, then you know every move counts. And there’s no denying that the right fight stick can make all the difference. That’s why, to help you out, we have rounded up the best fight sticks for Mortal Kombat 1. We have factored in budget, performance, compatibility, layout, and several other features to make sure our recommendations fit your needs the most.

Best fight stick for MK1 at a glance

8Bitdo Arcade Stick 

A game controller with red buttons and a white background from 8Bitdo Arcade Stick.

Compatibility

Windows, Switch

Connectivity

Wired, wireless

Controller type

Ball-top with 8-button layout

Mayflash F300 Arcade Fight Stick

A Mayflash F300 Arcade Fight Stick featuring blue buttons.

Compatibility

Windows, Steam Deck, Switch, Xbox Series S|X, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3, macOS, NeoGeo Mini, Android, SEGA MEGA DRIVE, SEGA GENESIS

Connectivity

Wired

Controller type

Ball-top with 8-button layout

NACON Daija Arcade Fight Stick

A black gaming controller with two buttons on it, called the NACON Daija Arcade Fight Stick.

Compatibility

Windows, PS5, PS4

Connectivity

Wired

Controller type

Ball/Bat-top with Sanwa 8-button layout

If you’re building your perfect set-up to play Mortal Kombat 1 or just wanting an upgrade, then you’re in the right place. Whether you’re looking for the best monitor for MK 1, the best GPU for MK 1 or even the best gaming laptop for MK 1, we’ve got you covered. In addition to finding the best controller for Mortal Kombat 1, we’ve even found the best MK 1 controller settings and the best MK 1 graphic settings, so you enter the fight with technique, skill and aesthetic on your side.

The best fight stick for MK1

8Bitdo Arcade Stick 

A game controller with red buttons and a white background from 8Bitdo Arcade Stick.

Compatibility

Windows, Switch

Connectivity

Wired, wireless

Controller type

Ball-top with 8-button layout

Pros
  • 2.4GHz wireless connectivity
  • Excellent performance
  • Long-lasting battery
Cons
  • Modding is not beginner-friendly

If you are looking for the best fight stick for Mortal Kombat 1, the 8Bitdo Arcade Stick is for you. What makes this fight stick significantly better than the competition is its excellent connectivity. Not only can it be used with a Type-C cable or wirelessly, but in wireless mode, you can use it both via Bluetooth and via 2.4GHz receiver. This means that you get just as good of a performance wirelessly as you would in the wired mode.

Now, you might be worried that a 2.4Ghz wireless connection would hurt the battery life, but that’s not the case at all. The arcade stick will give you a solid 40-hour gameplay before needing a recharge, which is very impressive. Apart from its connectivity, the performance aspect of the 8Bitdo Arcade Stick is just as good. You can easily switch between Nintendo and PC mode. Plus, both the joystick and the buttons have a high-quality feel with great response time.

Although not very beginner-friendly, the 8Bitdo Arcade Stick also has excellent modding support. You get a universal mounting plate that supports Sanwa arcade sticks. Similarly, you can also re-map the buttons, create macros, and save profiles. Overall, if you simply want the best fight stick for Mortal Kombat 1, the 8Bitdo Arcade Stick has got you covered. It even has a retro design that takes you right down memory lane.

The best budget fight stick for MK1

Mayflash F300 Arcade Fight Stick

A Mayflash F300 Arcade Fight Stick featuring blue buttons.

Compatibility

Windows, Steam Deck, Switch, Xbox Series S|X, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3, macOS, NeoGeo Mini, Android, SEGA MEGA DRIVE, SEGA GENESIS

Connectivity

Wired

Controller type

Ball-top with 8-button layout

Pros
  • Very affordable
  • Wide compatibility
  • Supports XINPUT and DINPUT for PC
Cons
  • Stock parts are not the best

The best budget fight stick for Mortal Kombat 1 is the Mayflash F300 Arcade Fight. It does not cost nearly as much as other high-end fight sticks on the market, but it still offers just enough features to be an excellent choice for budget gamers. For instance, the stock buttons are not Sanwa, but they still feel and register quite well for a budget fight stick. Plus, if you really want it, then you can swap them out for Sanwa buttons. The customizability is really impressive, with color-coded insides. 

The Mayflash F300 also has two Turbo modes. The first one repeats the assigned button at a slower rate, while the other one does the job at a faster rate, so you can assign special combos to them. But you should keep in mind that using Turbo is not allowed in most tournaments.

While the arcade stick has an average weight to be used on your lap, you can also place it on a desk and not worry about any stability or wiggling issues. There are four rubber feet that make sure the fight stick remains firm at your table. All things considered, if you don’t want to spend top-dollar on a fight stick for Mortal Komat 1, the Mayflash F300 is a great choice.

The best fight stick for MK1 on PlayStation and PC

NACON Daija Arcade Fight Stick

A black gaming controller with two buttons on it, called the NACON Daija Arcade Fight Stick.

Compatibility

Windows, PS5, PS4

Connectivity

Wired

Controller type

Ball/Bat-top with Sanwa 8-button layout

Pros
  • Sanwa joystick and buttons
  • Palm rest
  • Full button mapping
Cons
  • Expensive

The best fight stick for Mortal Kombat 1 on PlayStation and PC has to be the NACON Daija Arcade Fight. NACON has gone above and beyond to rig this arcade stick with the best performance. First up, it features Sanwa buttons and joysticks, which are known for their high-quality design and responsiveness. Plus, you get both ball-top and bat-top sticks, so you can use the one that suits you the most.

If you have played Mortal Kombat with a fight stick before, you know how sweaty things can get after long gaming hours. Well, the NACON Daija is equipped with a built-in palm rest, ensuring optimal comfort for long gaming sessions.

If you are into customization, then you will be pleased to know that you can easily configure all the buttons using the stick’s software. You can even create game profiles to save your settings. All in all, if you don’t want to compromise on performance and want the best fight stick for Mortal Kombat 1 on PlayStation and PC, the NACON Daija Arcade Fight is a no-brainer. Don’t forget to check out the best gaming monitor for MK 1 to avoid feeding your opponent.

Can you play Mortal Kombat 1 with a fight stick?

Yes, you can definitely play Mortal Kombat with a fight stick. Thanks to the long joystick and button layout, it is a brilliant way to enjoy the game. 

How do you pick a fight stick?

There are several factors to consider before picking a fight stick. You should mainly focus on the quality of parts, compatibility, customization, and layout.