So, I got a Nintendo Switch for Father’s Day and I couldn’t be happier. As part of the gift package, I also received a copy of Ultra Street Fighter II, which is pretty awesome… except playing Street Fighter on the Joy-Cons is kind of terrible. And with no fight stick here just yet, I have a hard time justifying the expense of a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. Thankfully, the far more affordable HORIPAD is on the way.

Perhaps best known (at least to me) for their series of HRAP fight sticks, Hori is responsible for a wide abundance of gaming accessories. They’re the ones with the Switch stand that still lets you charge the darn thing while playing, for example. With the HORIPAD, you get a wired controller that’s on par with the official Pro Controller, but at half the price.

This isn’t some cheap third-party knockoff kind of deal either, since the HORIPAD is officially licensed by Nintendo. It is wired, which can be perceived as both a pro or a con, depending on your perspective. What is a definite pro, though, is the detachable D-pad adapter. Plop it on and you’ve got the traditional “plus” pattern. Take it off (and stow it on the back) to get the four buttons for each of the four directions.

Other key features include the precision offset analog sticks, the turbo functions, and the fast-action trigger shoulder buttons. That all sounds pretty perfect for Street Fighter if you ask me. The HORIPAD is available for pre-order for $29.99 right now with the launch date scheduled for July 31.

Want a fight stick? HORI’s got more good news for you, because they’re also releasing the Nintendo Switch Real Arcade Pro V Hayabusa Fight Stick, also officially licensed by Nintendo for the Switch, on the same July 31 launch date. Set to retail for $149.99, the HRO RAP Hayabusa for Nintendo Switch is also compatible with Windows and Mac via Xinput. You get original Hayabusa buttons and joystick, as well as a professional grade steel base.

Suddenly fighting games are way more viable on the Switch, wouldn’t you say?

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