Junk Food Arcades, a company most known for its custom arcade sticks and arcade-style controllers, released the 'Snack Box Micro,' an ultra-thin, keyboard-style fightstick for retro game and fighting game players. This fightstick is only a few centimeters tall, making it shorter than most keyboards, and significantly thinner than the majority of its competitors. While most fightsticks are weighted and bulky to prevent shaking while operating the joystick, the Snack Box Micro replaces the joystick with four directional buttons, so it does not need the stability of larger fightsticks.
The Snack Box Micro is available in regular and XL sizes in a variety of colorways. These include a clear, customizable frame, a plain white frame, a plain black frame, and a frame inspired and licensed by the EVO fighting game tournament. Additionally, this fightstick is moddable with replaceable buttons and functions.
Image Credit: Junk Food Arcades
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Ultra-thin Controllers
- There is opportunity for disruptive innovation in designing ultra-thin controllers as seen in the Snack Box Micro, to enhance portability and ease of use for gamers.
- Directional Button Controller
- The Snack Box Micro's replacement of the joystick with four directional buttons provides an opportunity for disruptive innovation in designing controllers that cater to this feature, for retro game and fighting game players.
- Customizable Controllers
- Junk Food Arcades' customizable Snack Box Micro provides opportunities for disruptive innovation in designing custom controllers catered towards customers' personal preferences and interests.
Where This Applies
- Gaming Industry
- The Snack Box Micro's design presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in the gaming industry by designing more portable, customizable, and ergonomic controllers.
- Consumer Electronics Industry
- Designing ultra-thin, moddable, and customizable controllers for gamers can provide opportunities for disruptive innovation in the consumer electronics industry.
- Recreational Products Industry
- The Snack Box Micro and similar products provide opportunities for disruptive innovation in the recreational products industry by designing portable and versatile gaming controllers for outdoor activities and events.
