🥊 FlexStrike: PlayStation’s First Wireless Fight Stick Gets Official Reveal Ahead of Evo 2025

With Evo 2025 kicking off this weekend in Las Vegas, the hype around fighting games is reaching a fever pitch. But even before the tournament gets underway, PlayStation dropped a surprise announcement that’s going to send shockwaves through the FGC (Fighting Game Community): Project Defiant now officially has a name — introducing the FlexStrike wireless fight stick.

Not only is this PlayStation’s first-ever official fight stick, but it's also shaping up to be one of the most forward-thinking arcade controllers ever made — with wireless capabilities, modular parts, and audio integration built right in.

We’ve combed through every detail, and here’s everything you need to know about FlexStrike, why it matters, and what makes it a standout in a market already filled with arcade-style controllers.

🎮 Designed By PlayStation, Built for the FGC

Let’s start with what sets the FlexStrike apart: this isn’t just another third-party accessory. This is a first-party device developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, and that means deep integration with the PlayStation 5 ecosystem.

Unlike most traditional fight sticks that rely solely on USB connections, FlexStrike is designed to connect to your PS5 or PC via PlayStation Link, Sony’s proprietary ultra-low latency wireless protocol that debuted with the Pulse Elite and Pulse Explore headsets.

That means:

No cable clutter during your sets
Reliable wireless performance designed specifically for games where input lag is everything
A cleaner, sleeker way to compete — especially at home or on the go

🧰 Customization at the Core: Swappable Restrictor Gates

In a move that’ll please both arcade purists and modders, FlexStrike comes equipped with mechanical switch buttons and toolless swappable restrictor gates.

What does that mean in plain English?

If you’re playing Street Fighter and want clean, quarter-circle motion inputs, you might go with the square restrictor gate. Prefer the feel of Tekken-style diagonals or smoother rotations? Swap in the circle or octagon gate instead — all without needing a screwdriver.

Even better: FlexStrike includes built-in storage compartments for those gates — so you won’t lose them in your gear bag.

🎒 Ready to Travel: A Fight Stick Built for the Road

Whether you’re headed to Evo, a local tournament, or just a friend’s house for fight night, FlexStrike is built with travel in mind.

Inside the box, players get:

A sling carry case
Built-in USB-C cable
PS Link USB adapter for wireless PC/PS5 connection
Internal storage for swappable gates and small accessories
Rechargeable battery for all-day (and night) sessions

No more throwing your stick in a backpack and hoping for the best — PlayStation clearly understands that fighting game players travel with their gear, and they’ve made it easier than ever to do so.

🔊 Integrated Audio via PlayStation Link

FlexStrike isn’t just about physical control — it also introduces audio functionality, a first for any fight stick.

Using PlayStation Link, players can:

Simultaneously connect their FlexStrike fight stick and Pulse Elite or Pulse Explore audio devices to a single USB adapter
Experience ultra-low latency audio and voice chat during online battles
Avoid the usual mess of adapters, audio splitters, or dual connections

It’s a small but significant touch, especially for players who want total immersion without giving up chat or situational audio.

🧠 Smart Dual Controller Support

One of the more thoughtful features: you can keep your DualSense controller connected at the same time as FlexStrike.

Why does this matter?

If you're navigating the PS5 UI between fights, or you're trying to launch games, check messages, or tweak system settings, it's a pain to do all that with an arcade stick. With FlexStrike, your DualSense stays live — no controller juggling required.

🕹️ Precision Fighting Features – No Gimmicks, All Function

Let’s talk fight stick basics. FlexStrike checks all the right boxes:

✅ Mechanical Buttons

Responsive and reliable — every button feels like it’s made for high-pressure tournament play.

✅ Custom-Designed Digital Stick

This isn’t a Sanwa clone — it’s custom built, and early impressions suggest it’s both precise and durable.

✅ Lever Mode Switch

Flip between D-pad and analog stick input, depending on your preferred setup or game.

✅ Touchpad Support

Yes, it even includes the PS5 touchpad — which many games still rely on for shortcuts and navigation.

✅ Lock Button

Eliminate accidental inputs during a match by locking out your unused buttons — a competitive must-have.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Dual FlexStrike Support for Couch Co-Op or Competition

With most wireless controllers, having two identical devices connected at once can cause pairing headaches.

Not here.

On PS5, you can connect two FlexStrike fight sticks using a single PlayStation Link USB adapter, making couch versus matches seamless and tournament setups far more streamlined.

This is a massive win for local FGC events, house tournaments, or friends just trying to run sets on the couch.

🖼️ First Public Showcase at Evo 2025

If you’re in Las Vegas this weekend, you’ll get a chance to see the FlexStrike in person for the first time.

Where to find it:

🎮 Fight Stick Museum
🕹️ Arc System Works Booth

Note: The display units may not represent the final retail design, but this is the first public viewing of FlexStrike’s form factor and included gear.

📅 Release Date and Where to Sign Up

While FlexStrike won’t ship until 2026, you can already sign up for email updates at PlayStation.com/FlexStrike. Expect more details, including:

Pre-order windows
Final retail design
Regional availability
Full spec sheet

🔚 Final Thoughts: A Promising New Era for Console Fight Sticks

Let’s be honest: PlayStation has been surprisingly quiet in the world of competitive fighting game hardware — until now. With FlexStrike, they're not just dipping their toes in the water. They're jumping straight into the deep end, with a feature-packed controller aimed squarely at the FGC elite.

Everything about this stick screams thoughtful engineering:
✔️ Real mechanical buttons
✔️ Wireless play via PlayStation Link
✔️ Audio and chat support
✔️ Travel-ready design
✔️ Modular customization
✔️ Dual-stick pairing

FlexStrike might not just be PlayStation’s first fight stick — it could very well be the gold standard for modern console arcade controllers.

Expect to see this stick make waves throughout Evo weekend — and don’t be surprised if it becomes a staple of competitive setups come 2026.

📌 Are you planning to pick up the FlexStrike fight stick when it launches? What games are you training for? Let us know in the comments below!