Ultimate Guide to Arcade Stick Parts UK (Joystick, Buttons, PCB & More)

If you’re building, repairing, or upgrading a fightstick, choosing the right arcade stick parts in the UK can feel overwhelming. Between Sanwa, Crown, Seimitsu, levers, buttons, PCBs, and cases, it’s easy to get lost.

This guide simplifies everything so you can buy compatible parts with confidence.

In this guide you’ll learn

What each part actually does
Which brands are best for beginners vs. competitive players
What to upgrade first (for the biggest feel improvement)
How to avoid buying incompatible parts
Where to buy reliable arcade stick parts in the UK

What are “arcade stick parts”?

A typical fightstick is made up of six core components:

Joystick (lever) – controls movement
Buttons – attack inputs
Top (ball/bat/bullet) – what your hand grips
PCB / encoder – makes the stick work on console/PC
Wiring (harness) – connects everything
Case / enclosure – the body of the stick

You can replace or upgrade all of these — that’s what makes arcade sticks so popular.

1) Joysticks (Levers) — the heart of your stick

This is the most important choice you’ll make because it changes how movement feels.

🕹️ 🇯🇵 Japanese levers (best for most beginners)

Sanwa JLF / JLX (most popular worldwide)

Best for: Street Fighter, Guilty Gear, 2D fighters

Why people love it:

Light, smooth movement
Easy for quarter circles and charge inputs
Widely supported in almost every case
Tons of replacement parts available in the UK

Who should buy it?
If you don’t know what you want yet — pick this.

Seimitsu LS-32 / LS-56 — crisp & precise

Best for: players who want more snappiness and precision

Slightly stiffer than Sanwa
Very responsive, with a distinct click feeling
Great for faster 2D games and precision movement

If you like a joystick that feels sharper than Sanwa but still classic Japanese style, the Seimitsu LS-32/56 is an excellent choice.

🕹️ 🇰🇷 Korean levers (best for Tekken players)

Crown 309MJ / Knee Lever

Best for: Tekken and 3D fighters

Why people love it:

Stronger return to centre
More “snappy” movement
Better for wavedashing/KBD movements
More tactile feel

Downside:

Slightly harder to install in some cases
Feels very different from Japanese levers

If you main Tekken, this is often considered an endgame lever.

Sanjuks V7 — modern Korean performance

Best for: players who want a premium Korean feel

Smoother than older Korean levers
Great balance of tactile feel + precision
Increasingly popular for Tekken/3D performance builds

The Sanjuks V7 gives you that Korean style snap with a refined feel — a great upgrade if you’re ready to step beyond the basics.

2) Buttons — the biggest feel upgrade (and the cheapest)

Upgrading buttons is usually the fastest way to transform how your stick feels.

🔘 Sanwa OBSF-30 / 24mm (the gold standard)

Best for:

Speed
Consistency
Competitive play

These are the most common tournament buttons worldwide.

🔘 Crown 202 / 203 buttons

Best for:

Heavier press
More tactile feel
Players who like firm buttons

Crown buttons have a slightly firmer feel than Sanwa, which some players feel gives better “feedback” on presses. They’re known for durability and a satisfying click.

🔘 Qanba Gravity KS — balanced and modern

Best for:

Players who want a middle-ground between super light and super firm
Casual and competitive play

Why players choose these:

A smooth, consistent press
Less spring force than some Crown buttons
Great feel without being too light or too stiff
Excellent reliability

They’re a strong choice if you want versatile performance without committing to one extreme.

🔘 Seimitsu PS-14-GN — snappy, tactile Japanese buttons

Best for:

Players who like a crisper feel than Sanwa
2D and speed-focused players

Why players choose these:

A more immediate snap on press
Slightly firmer feel than Sanwa
Great precision for tight combos

Many players use Seimitsu when they want a button that feels more intentional — especially in faster 2D games.

What size buttons do you need?

Button sizes — what you need to know

30mm — the standard size for face buttons (X/Y/B/A / Square/Triangle/Circle/Cross)
24mm — commonly used for Start/Select/Home or extra function buttons

Always confirm what your stick supports before buying.

3) Tops — change the feel instantly

You don’t need a new lever to change how your stick feels — swapping the top can be enough.

Ball top (standard)

Best for:

Beginners
Precision play

Bat top

Best for:

Tekken players
Strong directional control

Bullet top

Best for:

Smaller hands
Faster wrist movement

These are cheap upgrades that can make a big difference.

4) PCBs & encoders — what makes your stick work

If you’re building a custom stick, you’ll need a PCB/encoder for console/PC compatibility.

Brook PCB Universal Fighting Board (best in class)

Works on PS5, PS4, PC, Switch, Xbox (varies by model)

Very reliable
Low input lag
Used in many high-end custom sticks

If you want plug-and-play compatibility, Brook is the safest bet.

Raspberry Pi Pico (budget DIY option)

Great if you:

Like DIY projects
Want a cheap custom build
Don’t need official console compatibility

Works great on PC but can be trickier for consoles.

5) Wiring — don’t overlook this

Most beginners forget wiring, then get stuck mid-build.

You’ll usually need:

A button harness
A joystick 5-pin cable (for Sanwa levers)
A ground daisy chain for buttons

If you buy a full kit from a UK supplier, wiring is often included.

6) Cases (enclosures) — where everything lives

You have three main options:

Prebuilt case (easiest)

Examples:

Mayflash F500 case
Hori Alpha shell
3D printed cases

Good if you want to mod without cutting metal.

Custom metal case

Best for:

Serious builds
Tournament players
Aesthetic designs

These are heavier, sturdier, and feel premium.

What should you upgrade first?

If you already own a fightstick, follow this order:

Step 1 — Buttons

Swap stock buttons for premium options (Sanwa, Crown, Qanba, etc.).

Step 2 — Joystick (lever)

Upgrade to:

Sanwa JLF/JLX (general use)
Seimitsu LS-32/56 (tighter feel than Sanwa)
Crown 309 / Knee Lever (Tekken focus)

Step 3 — Top

Experiment with ball vs bat.

Step 4 — PCB (optional)

Only if you need better console support.

Compatibility checklist (avoid expensive mistakes)

Before you buy anything, check:

Does your case support the lever you want?
Are your buttons 30mm or 24mm?
Does your PCB support your console?
Do you need a 5-pin cable?
Does your lever need mounting plate support?

If in doubt, buy from a UK specialist who clearly labels compatibility.

Where to buy arcade stick parts in the UK

Look for suppliers that offer:

UK stock (faster shipping)
Clear compatibility info
Beginner bundles
Replacement parts
Support for modders

At ArcadeStickLabs we focus specifically on this:

Curated beginner kits
Genuine Sanwa & Crown parts
UK shipping
Educational resources for new modders

This makes it easier than ordering from Japan or the US.

Custom vs off-the-shelf — which should you pick?

Buy prebuilt if:

You’re new
You want plug-and-play
You don’t want to solder

Build custom if:

You love DIY
You want exact parts
You care about aesthetics
You want tournament-grade performance

Most players start prebuilt, then build custom later.

Best beginner parts setup (UK starter kit)

If you were building your first stick today, here’s a safe setup:

Lever: Sanwa JLF/JLX
Buttons: Sanwa OBSF-30 × 8
Top: Ball top (switch later if needed)
PCB: Brook Universal Fighting Board
Case: Mayflash F500 or metal case

This works for almost every fighting game.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best arcade stick parts in the UK?

For most players: Sanwa JLF/JLX + Sanwa OBSF or Qanba Gravity KS buttons.
For Tekken: Korean levers (Crown 309/Knee Lever/Myoungshin Fanta) + Crown 202 buttons.

Can I mix Sanwa and Crown parts?

Yes — many players do. It’s mainly preference (feel and playstyle).

Are cheap arcade parts worth it?

Usually no — you’ll replace them quickly, and inconsistency can feel worse than stock parts.

Do I need soldering?

Not always. Many modern builds are plug-and-play, depending on your PCB and harness setup.

Want to go deeper?

If you’re brand new, check out:

These pair perfectly with this article.