Premium PS5 stick or budget DIY kit: which arcade setup wins?

Display

Neither product includes a display or screen, so there is no direct winner on image quality, panel type, or resolution. However, the overall display experience depends on the platform each product is typically used with. The Hori PS5 Fighting Stick is designed as an input device for a modern console setup, which usually means pairing it with a TV or monitor and getting a cleaner, simpler living-room experience. The EG STARTS kit is aimed at DIY arcade builds for PC, MAME, and Raspberry Pi, which can be paired with almost any screen but depends heavily on the quality of the user’s own cabinet or monitor. Winner: tie, because neither product includes display hardware.

Performance

The Hori PS5 Fighting Stick wins decisively here. As a purpose-built fighting stick from Hori, it is made for responsive, consistent inputs with a console-ready connection and an established reputation in fighting game circles. Its 4.6/5 rating from 818 reviews suggests strong real-world satisfaction and fewer compromises in latency, reliability, and competitive feel. The EG STARTS kit can perform well, but performance depends on the quality of the user’s assembly, wiring, and chosen buttons/joystick components. Its 4.2/5 rating from 823 reviews is solid, but it reflects a broader range of outcomes because DIY kits inherently vary more from build to build. Winner: Product A.

Build quality and design

Again, Product A is the clear winner. Hori is known for making polished, durable arcade-style controllers, and the PS5 Fighting Stick is a finished product with a cohesive design, proper ergonomics, and predictable parts quality. You are paying for a commercial-grade, out-of-the-box experience. Product B is a parts bundle: USB encoder, joystick, 8-way sticker, chrome LED illuminated push buttons, and coin buttons. That makes it flexible, but the final build quality depends on your enclosure, tools, wiring skill, and how carefully you install everything. For users who want a neat, reliable, long-term device, Hori’s finished design is much stronger. Winner: Product A.

Battery life

Neither product is meaningfully battery-powered in the way a wireless controller would be, so battery life is not a major differentiator. The Hori PS5 Fighting Stick is a wired controller, which means no charging downtime and no battery degradation concerns. The EG STARTS kit is also typically wired through a USB encoder, so it likewise avoids battery issues. Since both are essentially plug-in solutions, this category is a tie. Winner: tie.

Price and value for money

Product B wins on pure price by a huge margin. At £42.88, it is £147.06 cheaper than the Hori PS5 Fighting Stick at £189.94. That makes the EG STARTS kit far more accessible if your goal is to build a low-cost arcade cabinet, a custom MAME control panel, or a Raspberry Pi gaming setup. But value is not just about the sticker price: the Hori’s premium cost buys a refined, ready-to-use controller with much less hassle and likely better long-term satisfaction for serious fighting game players. If you want the cheapest route to playable arcade controls, B wins. If you want the strongest total value for a dedicated player who wants quality and convenience, A justifies its price better. Winner: Product B on budget; Product A on overall value for premium buyers.

Game library/features

This category depends on your platform, and that changes the outcome. The Hori PS5 Fighting Stick is primarily about PS5 fighting games and console play, with the advantage of instant compatibility and a polished experience on supported systems. It is the better choice if your library centers on modern fighting games and console titles. The EG STARTS kit is broader in a different way: it is designed for PC, MAME, and Raspberry Pi 2/3/3B games, which gives it access to a huge retro and emulation library. It also includes a second-player setup, coin buttons, and LED illuminated buttons, which are especially appealing for arcade cabinets. If your goal is maximum retro flexibility and cabinet-style features, B wins. If your goal is premium PS5-focused play, A wins. Overall winner: tie, because each is better for a different library.

Overall user experience

The Hori PS5 Fighting Stick delivers the best overall user experience for most people who want a straightforward purchase. You open the box, plug it in, and start playing with minimal setup and maximum confidence in the hardware. The 4.6/5 rating across 818 reviews supports that it is a well-liked, dependable product. The EG STARTS kit is more of a project than a product: rewarding if you enjoy building, but time-consuming and potentially frustrating if you just want to play. Its 4.2/5 rating across 823 reviews is good, but the DIY nature means more variability in final results. For convenience, polish, and consistency, Product A is the winner.

Overall summary: The Hori PS5 Fighting Stick is the better buy for most shoppers because it is the more polished, higher-rated, ready-to-play controller with stronger performance and build quality. The EG STARTS DIY kit is only the better choice if your priority is saving money, building a custom arcade setup, or supporting PC/MAME/Raspberry Pi projects. If you want the best all-around experience, buy the Hori.