Thank you TristanX. Thanks to you, I found myself an arcade stick in Sungai Wang.

I bought the PS3 Hori Soul Calibur IV stick aka Fighting Stick 3, even though I don't own a PS3, after visiting about 7 shops in Sungai Wang and then immediately doing extensive research online at a cyber cafe.

There are many reports that this particularly stick, often abbreviated as HFS3, doesn't work with WinXP.

I'm proud to announce that it worked flawlessly for me.

WinXP identifies the unit as FIGHTING STICK 3, but the X-Y Axis is recognised as a POV Hat.

Some emulators would not recognise POV Hats as a input method, but MAME does. I have yet to test the HFS3 on the GGPO emulator.

There is at least 4 units of HFS3 (with one without the Soul Calibur sticker) in the various shops around Sungai Wang.

I bought mine for RM280, after a lot of haggling. If you get it cheaper, good for you.


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Note: The Xbox360 equivalent of HFS3 is the HEX2 (or is it HEX3?). Many forums, including shoryuken.com, teaches you how to make it work for PC. But beware, its not 100% guaranteed.

Guys. Cheap sticks are pretty shitty. I bought one from Topway, called the "Tekken 2" with KOF + Samurai Showdown stickers on it. Its really really bad and the sticker really 'sore-hi'

I have took apart the cheap stick and trying to source parts because the housing is pretty good. Anyone knows where to get arcade parts in Malaysia?

Now, my HFS3/SCIV stick is pretty good, but shoryuken.com people will tell you that it won't last very long with heavy playing (I play SFIII3S everyday since I bought it 1 month ago, still ok).

HFS3 sticks uses MADE-IN-CHINA Hori joystick + buttons. the Hori Real Arcade Pro (HRAP) uses Sanwa (very reputable) joystick + Hori MIC buttons.

HFS3 is not difficult to mod into high quality parts, but sourcing parts in Malaysia is NOT EASY. I'm still trying and talking to arcade shop owners/electricians for leads. No luck.

In all, I would highly recommend the Sega Virtua Stick High Grade which Tristan X has. Sanwa buttons and stick. Price varies from RM350 - RM500 in local shops and are very very very rare.

Tristan X: You lucky *******!

MINI ANNOUNCEMENT: If anyone wants to group-buy Sega Virtua Stick High Grade, I know one guy who might do it for us in Sungai Wang. He didn't seem interested when I was the only person asking for it.

If I can find 2 or more people who wants to bulk buy Sanwa parts from USA, please PM me.

If anyone wants to mod their joysticks visit shoryuken.com.

those who want to mod their HFS3 visit: http://forums.shoryuken.com/showthread.php?t=136372

Hatred____: Go to the '6th floor' of Sungai Wang. The shop called GAMERS HIDEOUT or something like that (only 2 shops on that floor selling games) should have ready stock of HFS3 (Soul Calibur IV). He will try to sell you at RM330, try to ask him reduce to AT LEAST RM280 (which I paid at another shop). Warning: May not work on computer.