Premium all-in-one arcade stick or cheap DIY controller kit?

Display

Neither product includes a display or screen, so there is no real winner here. If you are comparing them as arcade controller solutions, the relevant “display” equivalent is how clearly and reliably inputs are communicated to the game. The MAYFLASH F500 Elite wins that practical test because it is a polished, integrated controller designed for consistent use across consoles and PC. The EG STARTS kit depends entirely on the quality of the cabinet, wiring, and buttons you install it into, so the end result can vary widely.

Winner: MAYFLASH F500 Elite

Performance

The MAYFLASH F500 Elite wins decisively on performance for most buyers. It comes with Sanwa buttons and a Sanwa joystick, which are widely regarded as the standard for responsive, precise arcade controls. That matters especially for fighting games, shmups, and anything where clean diagonals and fast button actuation matter. It also supports a long list of platforms, including Xbox Series S/X, Xbox One, PS4, PS3, Switch/Switch 2, Android, Windows, and macOS, making it far more versatile.

The EG STARTS Zero Delay USB Encoder is functional, but it is a basic DIY input board paired with a generic red joystick and 10 LED buttons. “Zero delay” sounds appealing, but in practice the overall performance depends on the quality of the parts and build. It is fine for MAME and Raspberry Pi projects, but it is not in the same league as a premium prebuilt stick with Sanwa components.

Winner: MAYFLASH F500 Elite

Build quality and design

This is another clear win for MAYFLASH. The F500 Elite is a finished product with a known chassis, integrated layout, and higher-end parts. It is designed to be used immediately without soldering, custom mounting, or troubleshooting loose wires. The Sanwa joystick and buttons are a major quality advantage, and the whole unit is intended to feel like a serious arcade controller rather than a hobby project.

The EG STARTS bundle is best thought of as parts, not a product in the same sense. You get a zero-delay encoder, a red joystick, and 10 illuminated buttons, which is enough to start a DIY build, but the final build quality depends on your enclosure, wiring, and assembly skill. If you want something robust and clean right away, MAYFLASH is the better-designed option. If you enjoy building your own cabinet or control panel, EG STARTS gives you raw materials at a low price.

Winner: MAYFLASH F500 Elite

Battery life

Neither product is battery powered, so battery life is not a meaningful comparison. Both are wired arcade control solutions. If anything, this category favors simplicity: the MAYFLASH is a plug-and-play controller, while the EG STARTS kit is a wired DIY setup that may require additional power considerations for the LEDs depending on the build.

Winner: Tie

Price and value for money

This is the one category where EG STARTS has a major advantage. At £24.99, it is £84.01 cheaper than the MAYFLASH F500 Elite at £109.00. If your goal is to build a low-cost arcade project for PC or Raspberry Pi, the EG STARTS kit offers strong entry-level value. It can be a smart buy for tinkerers who already have a cabinet, tools, and the desire to assemble their own setup.

But value is not just about price; it is about what you get for the money. The MAYFLASH costs more because it delivers a complete premium controller with Sanwa parts and much broader compatibility. For someone who wants to play immediately on modern consoles and PC, the extra cost buys convenience, quality, and flexibility. For most players, that makes MAYFLASH the better overall value despite the higher price.

Winner: MAYFLASH F500 Elite

Game library/features

The MAYFLASH F500 Elite wins easily on features and supported ecosystems. It works across a huge range of systems, from current-gen Xbox and Switch to PS4, PS3, Android, Windows, and macOS. That means one purchase can cover fighting games on console, emulation on PC, and casual play on multiple devices. The elite version also adds the appeal of Sanwa components, which are a feature in themselves for serious arcade fans.

The EG STARTS kit is much narrower in scope. Its title emphasizes PC games, MAME, and Raspberry Pi 2/3/3B, which makes it clearly aimed at DIY retro arcade projects. It does include 10 LED illuminated buttons, which can be attractive for a custom cabinet, but it lacks the broad plug-and-play platform support and polished feature set of the MAYFLASH. If you want the widest possible game compatibility, MAYFLASH is the clear winner.

Winner: MAYFLASH F500 Elite

Overall user experience

The MAYFLASH F500 Elite delivers the better user experience by a wide margin. You buy it, connect it, and start playing on a large range of platforms with minimal hassle. The 4.4/5 rating across 1,605 reviews suggests strong real-world satisfaction and a mature product with broad adoption. It is the safer choice for anyone who wants dependable performance without DIY headaches.

The EG STARTS kit has a slightly higher 4.5/5 rating, but that comes from 404 reviews and reflects satisfaction among a more self-selecting audience of builders. If you enjoy wiring, modding, and custom arcade projects, it can be a fun and economical path. If you just want the best controller experience, it is not comparable to the convenience and polish of the MAYFLASH.

Overall summary: MAYFLASH F500 Elite is the clear winner for almost everyone. It offers superior controls, much better build quality, and dramatically broader platform support. EG STARTS only wins if your main priority is the lowest possible price for a DIY PC/Raspberry Pi arcade build. For a definitive purchase recommendation, buy the MAYFLASH unless you specifically want a budget project kit.