Mortal Kombat X Wired Fight Pad by PDP

  • Manufacturer: PDP
  • Console: PlayStation 4/PlayStation 3
  • MSRP: $49.99

Mortal Kombat X is almost here and PDP has released a new multi-console controller specifically for fighting games called the: Mortal Kombat X Official Wired Fight Pad.

First let’s go over the differences between the Fight Pad and the DualShock 3 and 4. Since this controller was designed for use with fighting games there are no analog sticks, just a D-Pad. The buttons are laid out in the traditional arcade fighter six-button layout. The square, triangle and L1 buttons line the top while the x, circle and R1 buttons are on the bottom row. The L2 and R2 buttons can still be found at the top of the controller. The standard PlayStation Button is still in the middle but is positioned higher up. Near the  bottom of the face on the controller is the multi-console switch. This allows you to use the same Fight Pad for both the PS3 and the PS4 which is a feature I really like. The Options and Share Buttons (Start and Select on PS3) are located at the top of the controller next to the R2 Button. For PS4 owners that use the mic that came with the system for chat, there is no headphone jack on the Wired Fight Pad. The shape of the controller is pretty comfortable and puts your left thumb in the perfect position to reach the face buttons.

Since as of this writing I was not able to test the Fight Pad  with Mortal Kombat X, I will update the review with my impressions with that game at a later date. I did however spend two weeks testing the Fight Pad with:

  • Mortal Kombat Arcade Collection (PS3)
  • Mortal Kombat (2011, PS3)
  • Guilty Gear Xrd – SIGN (PS4)
  • Injustice Gods Among Us: Ultimate Edition (PS4)

The MKX Wired Fight Pad worked well in all cases. Having been a fighting game junkie back when you could find an arcade on every other corner, it didn’t take me long to adjust from playing with Dualshocks to using the fight pad. I was also reminded of the six button controller that was created for the Sega Genesis during the glory days of fighting games so I was right at home. I played a lot of Mortal Kombat to prepare myself for using the Fight Pad with Mortal Kombat X. While I do have a Mortal Kombat arcade stick, I primarily play using the Dualshock 3 so I had to adjust to the six button layout due to being so used to the four button setup. I played without reassigning any of the buttons and about midway through my first arcade ladder, I was pulling off all of my favorite combos with ease. The D-Pad is really precise so pulling off Fatalities and combos was not a problem. The buttons feel and even sound like you are battling it out in the arcade instead of your bed/living room.

The one thing I was concerned with when I first learned that PDP was developing this was the fact that it was wired. Fortunately the cord is actually nice and long and I was still able to play from my usual spot. My only gripe (because I have to have at least one right?) is that I wish the placement of the Share Button was the same as on the Dualshock 4. While it is actually very easy to access the button where it is especially mid-fight, muscle memory had me reaching for it in its original place while trying to save screenshots. It is just a matter of personal preference however and not a real issue.

While I am surprised that PDP elected to make a Fight Pad for Mortal Kombat X there is no lack of quality here. Playing the massive amount of open-world games and RPGs that I have become addicted to in recent years has toned down the amount of fighting games I have been playing. The reveal of a new Mortal Kombat game has renewed my love and addiction for the genre and the MKX Fight Pad brought back all of the memories I had from traveling to the arcade with friends and brushing up on my moves on the SNES and Genesis. I will be using the Fight Pad during our Mortal Kombat X Launch Day Livestream if you want to see it in action. If you are a fighting game connoisseur or just plan on picking up Mortal Kombat X on the 14th, I recommend picking up one of these Fight Pads for yourself.

Final Score: 9.0/10