Note: This is being reviewed as an Xbox 360 arcade stick, even though it was not built to be one. It is actually a PS3 stick and requires XCM’s Cross Fire Converter and one wired Xbox 360 controller to work on the 360. It should most likely work fine on PS3 games as well since it was built for them, though I, the author, cannot personally verify this since I don’t have a PS3 handy.

Depending on what genres you play, arcade sticks are either a necessity or an expensive ’toy.’ Most tournament-level fighting game fans consider them a requirement, and it’s common for them to either go with Hori sticks for Japanese style controls, or to build their own from Happ parts for American style controls. XCM’s Rumble Joystick tries to fill a niche between these two styles, and it mostly succeeds. Its major features are eight large, flat face buttons, independent turbo control for each button, and a larger than normal ball-top stick on that feels like a Japanese square gate where you’ll definitely notice the edges and corners as you move the stick.

While it’s a little larger than most Japanese sticks, the Rumble Joystick is very light; light enough that I was able to hold it in one hand with ease while getting everything hooked up to the Xbox 360. I had to hook up the XCM Cross Fire converter, then plug a normal 360 wired controller into that, then plug the Rumble Joystick in afterward. After that, it works just like a 360 controller and I didn’t notice any converter-induced lag. This process takes about ten seconds, though you will have to do it each time you turn the system on and want to use this stick.