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- Competitively priced
- Available for PS5 and Xbox
- Sanwa Denshi hardware
- Heavy
- Bulky
If you’re someone that wants to take your fighting game experience to the next level then the Nacon Daija could be what you’ve been waiting for. The latest variant of the long running arcade stick from the French manufacturer features some intelligent quality of life improvements and stellar functionality at a fair price point. For those looking forward to the next major 3D fighter, it can be considered one of the best fight sticks for Tekken 8, but will also be a good fit for the likes of Mortal Kombat 1, Street Fighter 6, and Guilty Gear: Strive, too.
As someone who’s had their hands on many top tier fight sticks, and has been playing fighting games for over 15 years, I’m confident in recommending the Nacon Daija. Let’s deep dive into the specifics of exactly what makes this version of the stick a definitive option for console and PC gamers in 2024.
Nacon Daija review – Price and availability
The Nacon Daija is available worldwide in territories such as the US and the UK for $249.99 / £249.99 respectively. You can pick it up in one of two colorways including white which is for PS5 and PC or black which is officially licensed for Xbox and also natively compatible with PC. That positions this model as one of the mid-range offerings for current-generation systems, being priced a touch more than the Hori Fighting Alpha ($199.99 / £159.99) but still a fair chunk of change cheaper than the Victrix Pro FS ($399.99 / £349.99).
Nacon Daija
Hardware
Sanwa Denshi
Compatibility
Xbox / PS5 / PS4 / PC
Cable length
3m
Nacon Daija review – Design and features
In terms of design, the Nacon Daija is about as conventional as you can get for a pro-grade fight stick made for the modern market. No expense has been spared in terms of its hardware. That’s because this latest revision of the arcade controller features a Sanwa Denshi stick and buttons which are top tier with their accurate feel and satisfying presence.
That same level of build quality extends to the chassis itself. It’s not quite the sleekest stick on the market with its bulkier predominantly plastic box and grips, but it’s a good size when on the lap, even though it does have some meat on its bones. That’s because the Nacon Daija clocks in at a mammoth 7.7lbs which is at the upper end of consumer arcade stick heft.
A neat touch is how each of the eight buttons present on the Daija correspond to their respective console controller input. My review unit was the PS5 variant which includes a touchpad built onto the side along with the standard options and share buttons, as well as the locking functionality. There’s also a slider to tether between PS5, PS4, and PC so you’re well equipped if you play on console or PC, just be sure to opt for the right version for your system of choice.
As expected, the Nacon Daija is a wired fight stick as you need all the immediacy and zero latency for competitive tournaments. A 3m braided cable is included, one that nicely wraps up under the hatch when not in use. That’s right, lift up two sliding latches and you’ll pop the hood to see what’s underneath which gives you easy access to the electronics of the board, a screwdriver, an additional head for the stick, and a cable management solution. If you want to swap out the Sanwa Denshi’s you can go right ahead, the modular nature is certainly worth praising here.
Nacon Daija review – Performance
The Nacon Daija is an incredibly efficient arcade stick in action and certainly one of the best fight sticks I’ve had my hands on in some time. I haven’t used previous Daija iterations before, but I have had my hands on every major competitor over the years so I can say that this one holds up. That’s thanks in large part to the Sanwa Denshi hardware, which you’ll also find on the Hit Box Cross Up and the Victrix Pro FS, too.
Despite the weight of the Nacon Daija, which always felt noticeable, I had full confidence in having the stick on my lap and its grippy textured underside did a good job of preventing any unwanted sliding action. What I immediately noted was the increase in precision when going from my Victrix Pro BFG, which is one of the best PS5 controllers, to the Daija. After a couple of rounds in Mortal Kombat 1, I noticed I was mis-inputting far less frequently when pulling off full combos and was able to special cancel easier. This is due in part to the larger surface area of the stick meaning a wider field of movements could be made.
Where the Nacon Daija really came alive was through playing 3D fighting games such as Tekken 7 and the Tekken 8 demo. It shouldn’t be all too surprising given the endorsement of pro player Kayane that’s known for her prowess in Soulcalibur and Dead or Alive especially. 3D fighters like these are where you can really feel the added precision. Almost immediately, my Dragunov in T7 was far more aggressive and I was able to side step and back dash easier, something I struggle to do as reliably when playing on a controller. Same can be said with T8’s demo as I could rock Jin more effectively, too.
That’s not to say that you’re out of your depth with 2D fighters either. You’re going to have a more authentic experience here with the likes of Guilty Gear: Strive and Street Fighter 6 as well. Just know that a fight stick won’t necessarily make you any better or worse, just give you a little more margin of movement. Given the price point of around the $250 / £250 mark, there’s a lot to love about this fight stick and the Nacon Daija delivers a strong, premium experience for enthusiasts.
Should you buy the Nacon Daija?
If you’re after an authentic arcade quality experience for fighting games and retro titles then the Nacon Daija delivers in all the right areas. It features leading hardware, easily modularity, and a good design that will appease the majority of enthusiasts. What’s more, it’s further bolstered by having versions for both PS5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles with both natively performing on PC.
It’s not the sleekest fight stick I’ve ever used, nor the lightest, but you’re looking at spending considerably more to get a model featuring the same internals in a lighter chassis. I can say with confidence that this is the catch-all option for most people who want to take fighting games seriously. If that’s you, then you’ll like what the Daija can do in 2024.
