Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 General

I would never spend more than $40 on a controller. I really dont see the real appeal to a stick.

If i get a stick i will get the cheapest one around.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PS3-PS2-PC-Street-Fi...294wt_1165

I dont care about artwork because i wont be staring at my controller beauty when i'm playing.

The reason people spend so much on sticks is because ones with proper parts last practically forever. The Madcatz TEs have Sanwa joysticks and buttons in them, which were designed to withstand the wear and tear of arcade use, where people don't have to treat things nicely as they don't own it. You'll almost never have to replace Sanwa parts. Things like the Madcatz SE, with Madcatz's own buttons in them typically last a month or two before they start to die out and you have to replace things.

Then there's the fact that you have access to up to 5 buttons at once, one finger for each, whereas on a pad, you have to claw the controller to get all 4 face buttons, and that still leaves the triggers you'll have to use. In addition to that, it's far easier to do things like plinking in Street Fighter and double tapping in other fighters on a stick. Inputs are generally just easier to (except I've always found tiger-kneeing specials [doing an air special just barely off the ground] to be easier on pad).