I used arcade buttons with my Vci arcade, and they are great, I was in your situation, mf or launchpad? I pick up a launchpad, because 64 buttons are a lot more buttons, and for effects I didn't need rapid fire like extreme cue jugglin
Anyway at the end I sell the launchpad for an x1
In midi mode I have the gratification mapping, plus knobs and native mode.
So, if you are willing to use effects, and have 2 or 4 mf always ready go for the launchpad. ( is also cheaper, but it looks like a disco light with all that colors)