I have never played a Street Fighter game before, and I've been looking forward to getting into it with Super Street Fighter IV.  However, as a poor college student, I don't expect to be able to afford a decent fightstick for some time.  Should I even bother picking up the game before getting a stick, or is the 360 controller adequate for a beginner?  Thanks for any and all advice!
 
EDIT:  General discussion glitch strikes again...  Obv supposed to be in the Super Street Fighter IV forum.

Moved to the Super Street Fighter IV forum.

Yes, it is.  I played on the 360 controller for about 6 months and I did fairly well.  If you want to take your game to the next level, you can always buy a fightstick in the future.

I was easily the worst here on pad, no question about it. Anything beyond jump kick sweep was beyond me. It is most definitely possible to be a pad warrior though.

The 360 controller really, really stinks.
 
The PS3 one I find adequate enough, but it still feels awkward for me.

I played SF4 with the fightpads that madcatz had out. Costs considerably less than a fightstick but leagues better than the standard 360 pad, great for MAME too.

" The 360 controller really, really stinks.  The PS3 one I find adequate enough, but it still feels awkward for me. "

Come to a conclusion quickly honestly, if you really get into the game, you do not want to transfer from pad to stick. It fucking sucks. Your skills do not transfer over like you thought they would...it takes hours upon hours to get back to where you were with pad. Worth the patience though.

Definitely. Don't listen to the people who complain that the 360's D-pad isn't good enough; those people are idiots for using the D-pad in the first place. The analogue stick works better than any D-pad could ever hope to. And don't worry about not having enough money for a fightstick. Unless you plan on becoming a high level Street Fighter player you're not going to need one, and since you don't have any experience with fight sticks (or so I assume, since you've never played a Street Fighter game before), you're going to be more comfortable with the 360 controller anyway.

Thanks for the quick replies.  I'm not really looking to get into high-level play right out of the box.  I just have the mentality of, "if you're going to something, might as well do it right."  I'll pick up the game on Tuesday and see if I like it enough to invest in a stick in the future.  Good to know that it's still worth playing with a controller.

" Thanks for the quick replies.  I'm not really looking to get into high-level play right out of the box.  I just have the mentality of, "if you're going to something, might as well do it right."  I'll pick up the game on Tuesday and see if I like it enough to invest in a stick in the future.  Good to know that it's still worth playing with a controller. "

trust me you can pwn with a normal  controller at first I was terrible but then I started whooping A@@ but then I mostly used c.viper and ken those two are easy to use without a stick. 

" @animateria said:

" The 360 controller really, really stinks.  The PS3 one I find adequate enough, but it still feels awkward for me. "

I disagree and find the 360's analog stick works fine. Different strokes for different folks, though.  Definitely worth picking up even if you only have a controller. And since this is your first Street Fighter, I don't imagine you'll be getting into any high level tournament level play anytime soon, so you'll be fine. If you get hooked on the game and want to invest more time/money into it, you can always pick up an arcade stick down the road. "

" Thanks for the quick replies.  I'm not really looking to get into high-level play right out of the box.  I just have the mentality of, "if you're going to something, might as well do it right."  I'll pick up the game on Tuesday and see if I like it enough to invest in a stick in the future.  Good to know that it's still worth playing with a controller. "

 
 
 
theres nothing wrong with using a pad. try using the analogue stick
 
and, dpads are typically better than analogue sticks but with the 360, its just not the case

Personally still play on the pad, and do fairly well.  Didn't make it out of G2 in championship mode (though I doubt that makes much sense to an outsider), but still consider myself an intermediate player.

Playing on the controller/pad shouldn't prevent you from having fun with a great game. :)
 
I've never played an SF game on a fightstick or even the arcades.  I've always played the Street Fighter games on a pad since Street Fighter II on the Super Nintendo.  And it's fine to play the game with a controller and you'll still have tons of fun and you'll still do great.  A lot say it's a lot easier on a fightstick, but as mentioned, it's really a preference.  It's the player and not the type of gear that wins you matches. :)
 
I also play using the d-pad, using the analog stick on the PS3 feels awkward for me when playing fighting games hehe!

I know a lot of people who are in G1 who use pads quite well.
  
Its really just preference.

Huh, I was under the impression that only chumps didn't play with fight sticks.  Maybe I've just been reading posts from elitist tools.

" @Pox22 said:

" Thanks for the quick replies.  I'm not really looking to get into high-level play right out of the box.  I just have the mentality of, "if you're going to something, might as well do it right."  I'll pick up the game on Tuesday and see if I like it enough to invest in a stick in the future.  Good to know that it's still worth playing with a controller. "

You might find this somewhat encouraging:  
http://www.giantbomb.com/super-street-fighter-iv/61-28437/which-control-method-do-you-use/35-408119/#34
 
 According to this poll that I posted, nearly 43% of GiantBomb players use standard controllers.  
 
Other than using the analogue stick over the d-pad, my main suggestion would be to try to find some players of equal skill level.  You won't find them in basic matchmaking, so it would probably be best to get a friend to play with you, or look around the forum for someone else who is new to the entire series.  Aside from that, just try not to get discouraged, and do your best to learn from your mistakes.  If you have trouble with another player's move that always hits you, go into practice mode and see how you can counter it.  When someone beats you, try to understand why and slowly adopt some of their techniques.  I'm guessing that the fight replay feature will help a lot with this.

"

Why would you want to buy a $120 replacement for a perfectly good controller?

" @SpaceInsomniac said:

" @Pox22 said:

" Thanks for the quick replies.  I'm not really looking to get into high-level play right out of the box.  I just have the mentality of, "if you're going to something, might as well do it right."  I'll pick up the game on Tuesday and see if I like it enough to invest in a stick in the future.  Good to know that it's still worth playing with a controller. "

You might find this somewhat encouraging:  
http://www.giantbomb.com/super-street-fighter-iv/61-28437/which-control-method-do-you-use/35-408119/#34
 
 According to this poll that I posted, nearly 43% of GiantBomb players use standard controllers.  
 
Other than using the analogue stick over the d-pad, my main suggestion would be to try to find some players of equal skill level.  You won't find them in basic matchmaking, so it would probably be best to get a friend to play with you, or look around the forum for someone else who is new to the entire series.  Aside from that, just try not to get discouraged, and do your best to learn from your mistakes.  If you have trouble with another player's move that always hits you, go into practice mode and see how you can counter it.  When someone beats you, try to understand why and slowly adopt some of their techniques.  I'm guessing that the fight replay feature will help a lot with this.

"

Playing people equaly skilled is not as beneficial as getting your ass trounced in my opinion. People at your own level may have extremely bad habits....your play style will begin to incorporate equally shitty habits because of what you are being exposed to. Dunno if that makes any sense to you.    I will happily trounce any of you though :)   IT IS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD. "

" @SpaceInsomniac said:

" @Pox22 said:

" Thanks for the quick replies.  I'm not really looking to get into high-level play right out of the box.  I just have the mentality of, "if you're going to something, might as well do it right."  I'll pick up the game on Tuesday and see if I like it enough to invest in a stick in the future.  Good to know that it's still worth playing with a controller. "

Other than using the analogue stick over the d-pad, my main suggestion would be to try to find some players of equal skill level.  You won't find them in basic matchmaking, so it would probably be best to get a friend to play with you, or look around the forum for someone else who is new to the entire series.  Aside from that, just try not to get discouraged, and do your best to learn from your mistakes.  If you have trouble with another player's move that always hits you, go into practice mode and see how you can counter it.  When someone beats you, try to understand why and slowly adopt some of their techniques.  I'm guessing that the fight replay feature will help a lot with this.

"

Playing people equaly skilled is not as beneficial as getting your ass trounced in my opinion. People at your own level may have extremely bad habits....your play style will begin to incorporate equally shitty habits because of what you are being exposed to. Dunno if that makes any sense to you.    I will happily trounce any of you though :)   IT IS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD. "

Ah, I did not read all the posts. I have damn near 800 hours logged with IV, so fun and playing well are synonymous at this point. Losing does not bother me, poor execution does though.

" @Stang said:

" @SpaceInsomniac said:

" @Pox22 said:

" Thanks for the quick replies.  I'm not really looking to get into high-level play right out of the box.  I just have the mentality of, "if you're going to something, might as well do it right."  I'll pick up the game on Tuesday and see if I like it enough to invest in a stick in the future.  Good to know that it's still worth playing with a controller. "

Other than using the analogue stick over the d-pad, my main suggestion would be to try to find some players of equal skill level.  You won't find them in basic matchmaking, so it would probably be best to get a friend to play with you, or look around the forum for someone else who is new to the entire series.  Aside from that, just try not to get discouraged, and do your best to learn from your mistakes.  If you have trouble with another player's move that always hits you, go into practice mode and see how you can counter it.  When someone beats you, try to understand why and slowly adopt some of their techniques.  I'm guessing that the fight replay feature will help a lot with this.

"

Playing people equaly skilled is not as beneficial as getting your ass trounced in my opinion. People at your own level may have extremely bad habits....your play style will begin to incorporate equally shitty habits because of what you are being exposed to. Dunno if that makes any sense to you.    I will happily trounce any of you though :)   IT IS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD. "

I see what you're getting at, but we're talking about someone who hasn't even played a fighting game before.  If you're just learning how to use fireball and charge attack motions, you don't go fighting players who can FADC into ultra.  First he needs to have some fun with friends and stay off ranked game modes.  Once he knows some basics, then he can learn how to improve.
 
The most important thing isn't to become a great player.  The most important thing is to have fun.  People don't have to be that good at Street Fighter to enjoy it.  Just look at these guys: 

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Watch it again?

• QOTW: 04/04/10
• Super Street Fighter IV: Hakan vs. Juri
• Super Street Fighter IV: Here's Hakan

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"

SFIV was the first game I ever used the stick with and I have to say I love it but I do have a friend who can only use a pad.  He detest the stick so to each his own.  
 
SSFIV Fightpads
 
SSFIV Fightstick
 
As you can see, the original Madcatz Fightsticks have come down to around $50 so it isn't to expensive of an experiment to find out if your better with a pad or a stick.  Those Fightpads are pretty nice.  Moving the buttons off of the shoulder is what makes them better than a standard controller. 

As you can see, the original Madcatz Fightsticks have come down to around $50 so it isn't to expensive of an experiment to find out if your better with a pad or a stick.  Those Fightpads are pretty nice.  Moving the buttons off of the shoulder is what makes them better than a standard controller.  "

Are the trials still impossible with a regular controller? 
 
I need to know this

" Are the trials still impossible with a regular controller?   I need to know this "

" Are the trials still impossible with a regular controller?   I need to know this "

Controllers are generally considered less accurate than a proper stick but I don't have to many problems with it. I will admit though I am not what you would call an expert when it comes to fighting games, but still, a controller is always fine in my experience. I guess it's just a preference thing. That's and how hardcore you are, I suppose.

Its definitely doable. Heck, I'm the opposite of most people where when Street Fighter was for the SNES I couldn't even pull of a shoryuken right but once I used a regular control stick on a controller I did fine. It's all about what works for you. I'm completely lost when it comes to using a fight pad.

I am gonna get a fight pad for my PS3 when I get the game tonight. Any one like the fight pad?  
 
Can someone who uses a fight stick please message me? 

"I am gonna get a fight pad for my PS3 when I get the game tonight. Any one like the fight pad?"

" @The_Laughing_Man said:

"I am gonna get a fight pad for my PS3 when I get the game tonight. Any one like the fight pad?"

I used a fight pad on PS3 and found I played better with it than the standard controller. Not much difference though really. "

" @mubress said:

" @The_Laughing_Man said:

"I am gonna get a fight pad for my PS3 when I get the game tonight. Any one like the fight pad?"

I used a fight pad on PS3 and found I played better with it than the standard controller. Not much difference though really. "

I found a great deal on a official fight stick at gamestop. Might get that instead.  "

I did alright with the regular 360 pad, but i decided to upgrade to a street fighter gamepad instead. Thats now my weapon of choice. 

It completely depends on how well you use a pad. Some of us that played 2d fighters on Saturn and Neo Geo got very good at using the thumb to hit multiple buttons and the like. Frankly I am so used to a 6 button pad for fighting games that using an arcade stick just feels wrong. However, if you are not great at a pad for fighting games to begin with you may want to start on the stick. Its all down to preference, honestly you can play at the same skill level with either option.

Well I have to use a pad because I just can't spend the money for a joystick.  If I could afford to have a joystick I totally would, but this game is good enough to enjoy on a pad regardless.

The problem is that I use both the D-Pad and analogue sticks in a fight.

" The problem is that I use both the D-Pad and analogue sticks in a fight. "