How to Choose an Acrylic Fight Stick Case (UAE & GCC Guide)

Updated 2026-09-30

An empty fight stick case is the one part of your stick you will look at every single session. The lever and buttons decide how it plays, but the case decides the layout your hands learn, how the stick sits on your lap or desk, and whether it looks like yours or like everyone else's. This guide walks through how to choose an acrylic fight stick case, what to check before you buy, and how to plan the build around it if you play in the UAE, the wider GCC or Pakistan.

Start with the layout, not the looks

The first decision is how you want to move your character. Everything else — size, parts, artwork — follows from it.

Lever layout. A classic arcade stick: one lever on the left, eight (or more) buttons on the right. This is still the most common choice for Tekken and other 3D fighters, and it is where Korean levers shine.
Hybrid layout. A lever plus extra directional buttons. You keep the lever for movement and feel, and gain buttons for inputs that are easier to press than to rotate. Our Crimson Raven Hybrid Acrylic Case is designed for exactly this: a Korean-lever plus hybrid button layout with six small function-button positions.
All-button / leverless layout. No lever at all — directions are buttons, usually with Up under the thumb. Players who want fast, clean directional inputs often move to leverless. The Scarlet Shift All-Button Acrylic Case is a compact, shallow enclosure built for all-button and leverless builds.

If you are not sure yet, think about which games you actually play and how you hold a controller today. Players coming from a pad often find leverless natural; players who grew up in arcades usually keep the lever. A hybrid case is a good middle ground if you want to experiment without giving up the lever.

Why acrylic?

Acrylic cases are popular with stick builders for a few simple reasons:

Artwork sits under a clear top panel. You print your art, place it under the clear layer, and it is protected from palms and sweat. Both of our acrylic cases have an artwork-ready clear upper panel.
They show off the build. Transparent or tinted layers let you see the wiring and parts inside, which is half the fun of a custom stick. The Scarlet Shift uses transparent crimson-red acrylic; the Crimson Raven pairs a crimson accent layer with a black stacked acrylic body.
Layered construction. Stacked acrylic cases are built from cut layers, which makes it practical to produce different layouts without a factory mould. That is what makes small-batch, made-to-order cases possible.

Wood is the other popular option. A Wooden Arcade Shell gives a warmer, heavier, more traditional feel and a durable finish that works with artwork or a raw wood look. If you want a spacious interior for a full custom build, wood is worth a look; if you want clear-top artwork and a see-through look, acrylic is the natural pick.

Made-to-order vs mass-produced cases

You can find very cheap mass-produced cases online, and they are fine for many people. The trade-off is that you get the layout and look the factory chose. Small-batch, made-to-order cases cost more because they are produced in small numbers, but you get a layout designed around how you play and art that nobody else has.

Arcade Forge cases are designed in the UAE by fighting-game players and made to order. We design layouts that work with Korean levers, and we offer custom artwork for every case. Because they are made to order, check the product page for the current price and message us if you want to confirm timing before you order.

Check what is included

Most "fight stick cases" are just the enclosure. Before you buy, confirm exactly what comes in the box. For our cases:

The Crimson Raven Hybrid and Scarlet Shift are case enclosures only. Lever, buttons, PCB, wiring, USB cable and artwork are not included unless ordered separately.
The Wooden Arcade Shell is the shell only — internal hardware, buttons, levers and artwork are sold separately.
If you would rather not build at all, the Crimson Ronin is a complete custom leverless stick with an acrylic chassis, premium Samducksa buttons and the official Brook Gen-5X board (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch and PC). For a Korean-lever build, see the Crimson Raven Pro or browse all official Brook launch offers.

Product photos of completed builds are customization examples, so read the listing text, not just the pictures.

Plan the parts before you order the case

A case is only as good as the parts you put in it. Make a short parts list first:

Lever (for lever or hybrid cases). Korean levers from Crown/Samducksa are known for a smooth, loose feel that many Tekken players prefer. Compare the options in our Korean lever guide, then look at the MJ309 lever + harness bundle, the low-profile FJ309 bundle or the Knee Lever NEO.
Harness. Korean levers need a 5-pin to 8-pin conversion harness to connect to most fight-stick PCBs. The bundles above include it; it is also sold separately as a 5-pin to 8-pin conversion harness.
Buttons. Match the button sizes to the case layout. Browse arcade push buttons.
PCB and wiring. Pick a control board for the platforms you play on, plus the wiring to connect everything. See PCBs and wiring.
USB cable. Easy to forget, and not included with the cases.

Our Build My Stick configurator lets you pick a lever, buttons, switches, top, PCB, case and harness in one cart, skipping anything you already own.

Custom artwork: plan it early

Artwork is what turns a case into your stick. The Custom Artwork Add-On covers design and print for one Arcade Forge case:

Artwork is prepared for your selected case layout.
You get a digital proof to approve before production.
A printed insert sized for the case is included.

If you want a character from a game, anime or series on your stick, note that licensed character artwork must be supplied or authorised by you. Original designs, your gamer tag, team colours or community logos are all great options too.

Buying in the UAE, GCC and Pakistan

UAE: delivery in 1–3 business days, free over AED 250. Orders placed before 14:00 GST ship the same day.
GCC (KSA, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar): 3–7 days.
Every order ships tracked. Full details are on our shipping and returns page.
Custom orders are non-refundable, so confirm your layout and artwork before production. Defective parts must be reported within 48 hours of delivery.
Pakistan: coming soon. If you are in Pakistan and want a case or parts, contact us on WhatsApp +971 58 596 1922 — it helps us plan local stock.
Elsewhere: message us on WhatsApp or through the contact page before ordering, and we will tell you what is possible.

Quick checklist

Lever, hybrid or leverless — decided?
Case enclosure only, or a complete stick?
Lever, harness, buttons, PCB, wiring and USB cable listed?
Artwork ready (and licensed characters authorised)?
Delivery country covered on the shipping page?

If you want a second opinion on a layout or a parts list, send us a message on WhatsApp — we design and play on these sticks ourselves and are happy to help.