How The Journey Began

Hey, I'm Dylan Kelly, and I’ve been passionate about gaming for as long as I can remember. My earliest gaming memories date back to the back room of my family-owned pizza shop, where I spent hours playing Super Nintendo games after renting them from a nearby Goodwill. Over the years, I’ve played and owned almost every major gaming console, except for maybe a Famicom. As the years went on, my passion for gaming only grew, and I got into fighting games like Tekken, particularly during the release of Tekken Revolution on PlayStation (which I played religiously). My journey in Tekken led me to play countless hours, eventually maining characters like Kazuya, Feng, and Marduk.

However, despite my extensive experience, I found myself constantly dropping a specific combo in Tekken that started with DB3 (Down+Back+3), and that’s when I began questioning the tool I was using. Was it the controller? Could I improve my gameplay with a different setup?

I decided to try switching to a fight stick, hoping it would give me more control, but after 20+ years of using console controllers, the transition felt completely alien. I couldn't get comfortable with it and failed to make the change.

Then the Hitbox came out. With its stand-alone, individual directional inputs, I was intrigued. I thought this might be the solution I was looking for. I jumped in and bought what is now known as a "lever-less" hitbox. But even with this new approach, it didn’t feel right. The idea of playing a video game like a piano just didn’t resonate with me, especially after more than two decades of using traditional console controllers.

What I was really trying to escape was the D-pad on console controllers. The D-pad is essentially just one super button that rocks on an axis—hardly more accurate than a joystick. This realization led me to the idea of creating a console hitbox-style controller with standalone directional buttons, including four new diagonal directions.

After building several prototypes, each one getting more compact and refined, I eventually realized: I didn’t just need a better input device—I needed a new kind of console controller. This new controller would combine the benefits of individual directional inputs with the familiar feel of a traditional console controller, bringing a level of precision and accuracy that the current controllers couldn’t match. I knew I was on the path to something special.

I started experimenting with various types of buttons, switches, 3D-printed shells, and wiring with diodes. But it became clear that professional design expertise was essential to bring my vision to life.

That’s where FIGHTPAD INC comes in. I've connected with design companies and manufacturers and am now actively receiving bids to bring this dream to reality. This is the story of how a simple frustration led to a vision that I believe can truly change the way gamers interact with their controllers, especially those who enjoy precision in retro and fighting games.

Why This Matters to Me

For me, this journey has always been about improving the gaming experience. After all these years, I finally realized the gaming controller hadn’t evolved the way I had hoped. The precision, accuracy, and experience just weren't up to par, especially for someone like me who’s spent decades perfecting my gameplay. It’s not just about winning more—it’s about losing less and staying in the game when it counts.

Through countless iterations and prototypes, I’ve created something that I believe has the potential to change the way we interact with video games: the FIGHTPAD CORE. It’s the result of years of personal experience, trial and error, and a deep love for gaming.

Future Applications

Looking ahead, the potential applications for a high-precision controller like the FIGHTPAD CORE extend beyond just fighting games. Imagine a controller that allows game developers to create games that respond to inputs with unmatched accuracy, from platformers to rhythm games, where every precise movement counts. The ability to eliminate dropped combos and miss-hits could fundamentally change how competitive games are played and how they evolve. Additionally, this technology can open up doors for new genres of games that require hyper-accurate controls—pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the gaming world.

Whether you're a competitive gamer or a casual player looking for a more reliable controller, the FIGHTPAD CORE provides the precision you need to play at your best. It’s a new kind of console controller—one built to give you the most reliable, responsive experience possible, whether you’re battling it out in a fighting game or exploring a new world.

At FIGHTPAD INC, we know that a controller won’t magically make you a champion—but it can help you perform at your very best. Our mission is to design high-precision gaming controllers that eliminate hardware limitations, ensuring your inputs are as accurate and reliable as possible. You won't win more than your talent allows, but with our technology, you'll lose less; keeping you in the game when it counts.