The charm of PvP fighting games never seems to fade, right from the 80s craze for Karate Champ and Street Fighter to the graphics evolution of the Mortal Kombat and Tekken in the 90s, which I swore by. The control input for these highly addictive titles all these years has had the Joystick + 6 buttons, or a 5-button layout, as the preferred gamepads.
Even though the modern DualShock 4 controller suffices the need of PvP gamers, the hitbox gamepads, sans any joystick (replaced by directional buttons) have really caught the attention of pro gamers. 8BitDo Arcade controller being one of those gamepads tailored for modern fighting titles like Tekken 8, Street Fighter 6, or MultiVersus. Now, Sony Interactive Entertainment believes the retro-modern styled gamepad is here to stay and wants to give its community of gamers the right tool to enjoy their PvP gaming frenzy.
Designer: Sony Interactive Entertainment
PlayStation has just announced its arcade-style fighting stick controller, which is codenamed Project Defiant. Ideal for indulging yourself in the upcoming Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection, the gamepad was teased at the State of Play event. The controller will pair wirelessly with PS5 or PC courtesy of the PlayStation Link technology, which is an ultra-low latency connectivity tech for precise button input response time and stick movement. For gamers who still prefer the wired connection, it can be hooked up to the gaming console using a USB-C cable. The controller has an eight-button layout with a joystick and a Lever Mode Switch to toggle how the stick functions. Thankfully, the gamepad also has a dedicated PS Button to wake up your PS5 from sleep mode.
Customization is at the core of the controller as the digital stick has toolless interchangeable restrictor gates (square, circle, and octagon). It comes with buttons having mechanical switches and a touchpad that reminds me of the DualSense wireless controller. All the restrictor gates, switches and PS Link USB adapter can be stored in the dedicated compartment in the gamepad, making it ideal for gamers who are always on the move. Talking of which, the controller has its dedicated sling carry case that comes with a lever gap to store the digital stick.
According to Sony, Project Defiant will feature a “sturdy, ergonomic design for a comfortable feel during intense fight sessions.” That we can vouch for, as PlayStation controllers of the past have exhibited this trait without fail. Sony promises to reveal more details about the Project Defiant controller in the coming months. At that time, we should have a set release date, which we assume to be around the holiday time or early 2026. The price and the real name of the gamepad will also be revealed at that time, so keep tuned in. We are excited for the first-ever PlayStation fight stick peripheral, and we’re sure you are as well!
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