8BitDo Arcade Stick: Upgrading Your Run N Guns and Beat 'Em Ups for 2025

The 8BitDo Arcade Stick Switch Edition is often marketed toward fighting game fans, but how well does it recreate that classic arcade style experience for run and gun games and beat ’em ups? In this review, I break down whether the 8BitDo Arcade Stick is worth picking up if you’re not grinding competitive fighters nonstop. Covering Bluetooth and Wireless compatibility with the Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, Mega Sg (Sega Genesis), Super Nt (Super Nintendo), and the Analogue Pocket Dock, I go over what the 8BitDo Arcade Stick can provide. To create this review, I tested the arcade stick extensively with retro and modern run and gun classics like Contra, Metal Slug, Shock Troopers, CT Special Forces, Terminator 2D, and more. In addition, I tested the stick with retro and modern beat ’em ups including Spiderman and Venom: Maximum Carnage and Marvel Cosmic Invasion. I compare the experience of the 8BitDo Arcade Stick to Joy-Cons and explain why arcade controls feel more natural for these genres. On top of that, I took the 8BitDo Arcade Stick apart and upgraded it with the following: • A Seimitsu joystick • Octagonal restrictor plate • Sanwa Denshi silent buttons Doing so, I answer whether upgrading is worth the extra cost, or is the stock setup good enough for casual players For anyone looking for a good upgrade guide, head to Briar Rabbit's page as he handled the business in an easy-to-follow manner: How To Mod A 8Bitdo Arcade Stick Easy with Sanwa Joystick and Buttons:    • How To Mod A 8Bitdo Arcade Stick Easy with...   #8BitDo #ArcadeStick #RetroGaming #BeatEmUps #RunAndGun