Veteran controller manufacturer HORI has opened pre-orders on a new arcade stick that seems brilliantly suited to the myriad inputs of retro arcade emulation. The HORI Arcade Classic Pro is compatible with PC and Nintendo Switch 2, and features swappable components adaptable for various classic coin-ops.

An officially licenced Nintendo product, the HORI Arcade Classic Pro is endorsed by Hamster Arcade Archive, with the expectation that it will be used to play the publisher's huge line of coin-op classics on Nintendo Switch 2.

With a hefty beast of a body - 19.5"W x 4.3"H, with a 4 lb weight - The ACP sports replaceable panels on the left and right, which can be swapped out for modules including an 8-way, ball-top arcade lever, a rotating loop lever, a Pong-style dial paddle, and even the classic trackball - the dedicated controller of choice for Missile Command and Goalie Ghost players everywhere.

Each controller module can be fitted on either the left or right slot, making the stick an excellent choice for ambidextrous players. The centre panel features eight standard-sized arcade buttons, with fully programmable input and adjustable turbo-and-auto fire speeds. A three-metre cable features USB-A connectivity.

It seems PlatinumGames co-founder Hideki Kamiya is sold, at the very least.

The HORI Arcade Classic Pro is also compatible with PC, which should make it an optimal all-in-one choice for arcade emulation fans. Of course, with its array of modular components, the ACP is hardly the cheapest stick on the market, retailing at ¥39,980 (around 225 / $260) not including shipping or any requisite customs tax. But, as a HORI product, potential buyers should (theoretically) feel confident in the stick's responsiveness and robust durability.

The HORI Arcade Classic Pro is now available to pre-order, ahead of its expected Spring 2027 release date. The pre-order window closes on October 2.