I've been using a really old Dualshock 4. It was fine for modern, but I have switched to classic recently, and getting some inputs has been really difficult. The dpad is really mushy. Many times, I'm positive I'm holding down back but still end up getting hit because the controller doesn't register the input as down back, it's really frustrating. I love everything else about the controller, the button placement and the size suits my small hands really well.
Looking around I found some old threads where people were praising xbox controller but then I found this video and now I am not sure, the face buttons also seem really stiff. Other pads like HORI and Razer ones are way too expensive here so either I just buy a new DS4 and hope it'll diminish my issues or buy the xbox controller.
Was the Sega Mega Drive popular in your country? The 6 button controller has the same DPad and is also a good option.
Don't think Sega sold any hardware here officially, I looked up the controller, only results I could find were from foreign websites.
What about access to arcade hardware from Sanwa and Seimitsu? Would need to build a shell and hook up a control board, though.
What online retailers are available to you?
The fighting game community here is tiny and not really connected, so stuff like custom parts for assembling your own stick is not really a thing, what's available here is limited and expensive.
As for retailers, just amazon pretty much, other online retailers don't really offer anything different.
Is there any way for you to import things?
Unless someone physically brings the stuff with them over here it's not an option, the import charges on electronics are extremely high.
Any physical retro game shops around you?
There's a small market here centered around gaming stuff but they mostly just sell pirated stuff and knock off peripherals. There's barely a market for current gen products, no ones buying retro stuff.
Not sure how to help there, especially without knowing which country you're in, although even then, I'm familiar with the US side of things.
Yup, very much doubt knowing will help but I'm in India.
Wow, you're not kidding about price.
Arcade joystick + buttons combo: https://www.amazon.in/Sanwa-JLF-TP-8YT-Joystick-OBSF-30-Button/dp/B01F6QIMX4/
USB encoder: https://www.amazon.in/Joystick-Encoder-Controller-Raspberry-Machine/dp/B098L1DB86/
And even then, that doesn't include a shell.
For a much more affordable solution:
I hear these Logitech controllers are pretty good, but I haven't tried them: https://www.amazon.in/Logitech-F310-Gamepad-Cable-Connection/dp/B003VAHYQY/
Refurbished: https://www.amazon.in/CERTIFIED-REFURBISHED-Logitech-F310-Gamepad/dp/B01DWTIE3A/
Yeah arcade stick is just not a feasible option, and that Logitech might be fine for general purpose but I'd be better off just sticking with my old ds4 instead of buying that. Thanks for looking anyways :)
Right now my only options it seems like are buying a new ds4, Xbox series controller or hori fighting commander switch version. Everything else is either too expensive or worse than my old ds4.
You might have better luck asking around in India-specific gaming forums.