What is your preferred input method for fighting games?

[A Viltrumite of Sorts]

So I'm slowly getting back into fighting games and am just curious. Is it safe to say most people use a standard PlayStation / Xbox / Switch Pro controller? Are there benefits to using other input methods? Which input method do you personally use and why?

[SoldierScar]

Didn't play such games for years, but i'd just use my X One controller.

[Illusion of Progress]

Don't really play any regularly or even at all right now, but if I played them, this would be one of the rare times I'd greatly prefer a gamepad (controller). Usually, I prefer keyboard and mouse for most stuff, or am at least happy with either, but fighting games and certain types of platformers/sidescrollers come to mind as candidates where a gamepad is preferred for me.

[Morphic]

Generally, I prefer PlayStation gamepad, but I don't mind Switch Pro Controller.

I have some friends that swear by using a Fight Stick. While I grew up with those due to cabinet machines, I can't say they will determine matches.(since some ppl like claiming a fight stick is vastly superior) IMO, whatever you are most comfortable with is the biggest factor.

Though, depending on the fighting game, doing some of the "circle inputs" can be easier on other controllers. E.g. I tend to press so hard on the D-pad doing quick Z or triple circle inputs that it wears it out faster than using a stick. Yet, if I try to use a Joystick on a controller I feel like I can't be as precise cardinally without using a D-pad. I tried flicking between the two but I started feeling the delay in competitive matches.

[UserNotFound]

Fighting games like Mortal Combat, DMC and the like, definitely a controller. I have a Logitech F710 W/L controller for my HTPC, and a wired X-Box One controller for my main rig for those rare times I play such games.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Xbox One / Core
or Logitech

As most PC games only will show the XYAB on-screen button layouts.

[Autumn_]

I'm not big into fighting games anymore, ones I did used to play were on the PS2/PS3. The ones I play now are on Nintendo Switch, and I use a clone-ish Switch Pro controller with the sticks in PS layout (superior for comfort, more natural position.)

But, if I had a choice, I would get an actual PS3 controller again, it was great.
Light, comfortable, minimal button wobble, no issues with stick drift, had brilliant latency (very low, one of the lowest latency wireless controllers), very durable, buttons had analog capability (not triggers, the buttons, x, o, triangle, and square.)
My only complaint with it was, as someone with larger hands, a slightly scaled up version would be nicer.

Please, before anyone comments about ergonomics, Xbox controllers feel like ♥♥♥♥ to me, the exact opposite of comfort, and I think more about how to hold the controller than just playing the game. The stick position is wrong and clunky (visually unappealing too, for what it's worth.)

[rawWwRrr]

Yelling at the screen until the character learns to do what I'm wanting it do when I want it to.

[Illusion of Progress]

Autumn_ の投稿を引用：

I'm not big into fighting games anymore, ones I did used to play were on the PS2/PS3. The ones I play now are on Nintendo Switch, and I use a clone-ish Switch Pro controller with the sticks in PS layout (superior for comfort, more natural position.)

But, if I had a choice, I would get an actual PS3 controller again, it was great.
Light, comfortable, minimal button wobble, no issues with stick drift, had brilliant latency (very low, one of the lowest latency wireless controllers), very durable, buttons had analog capability (not triggers, the buttons, x, o, triangle, and square.)
My only complaint with it was, as someone with larger hands, a slightly scaled up version would be nicer.

Please, before anyone comments about ergonomics, Xbox controllers feel like ♥♥♥♥ to me, the exact opposite of comfort, and I think more about how to hold the controller than just playing the game. The stick position is wrong and clunky (visually unappealing too, for what it's worth.)

Yeah, I always preferred the PlayStation layout, but maybe it's because I mostly grew up on those in my later teenage years (Nintendo/Super Nintendo before that, and I also liked the SNES gamepad). Although I've only ever used the PlayStation 1/2 models, as my console gaming ended there, so I'm not personally aware of Dual Shock 3 or newer. I also sort of prefer wired controllers anyway (though I've though of getting the F710 for the better aesthetics over the F310/F510, but then I read about the issues with the dingle under Windows 10).

And yeah, a slightly (emphasis on slightly) scaled up Dual Shock 2 with X-Input would be my perfect gamepad, but even the existing size is fine. I use a cheap Logitech F310, as it's basically that, but the D-pad is something awful (and it's not as nice looking or feeling as the PlayStation gamepads were). Thankfully I barely use it. I had a brighter/lighter PlayStation 1 gamepad, almost White (as opposed to the normal medium Grey) and I swear the handles felt softer for whatever reason, and to this day, that is the best gamepad I ever used.

[Wisman]

A nice PS4 controller.

[Nasu Stefan]

nice