Image: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo Life
I’ve reviewed a number of leverless arcade controllers for the Switch / Switch 2, however I’ve had my eye on the Hit Box Ultra for a short time now. For these unfamiliar, Hit Box is the unique leverless arcade controller; if you wish to contest that, then it’s at the very least the one which popularised the idea. The Ultra is the corporate’s newest iteration of its core design, including in three of its exceptional ‘C.O.M.B.O. Extension’ buttons whereas making some considerate enhancements to the general design.
Right off the bat, the Hit Box Ultra has native compatibility with the Switch, Switch 2, PS4, PS5, and PC – there’s no Xbox assist for this one. Being in a position to hook up with the PS5, nevertheless, is a enormous win because the overwhelming majority of arcade controllers require an extra authenticator to work correctly.
All it is advisable to do is maintain the related button whereas plugging within the system to hyperlink it to your chosen console (examine the guide for the precise button). Alternatively, holding within the small menu button on the far proper permits the Ultra to mechanically recognise which console you’re utilizing. Similarly, you’ve got acquired a number of SOCD modes accessible, and you may even swap the directional enter to imitate the d-pad, left stick, or proper stick.
Images: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo Life
In phrases of design, the Ultra is way slimmer and lighter than its predecessor, coming in at 27mm in peak and 1.7 kg / 3.75 lbs in weight. The important physique is constructed from metal, so it is extremely sturdy and feels very premium, which you’d count on at a value level of $299.99 / £226. You may discover that, by way of peak, it is nonetheless quite a bit thicker than different arcade controllers I’ve checked out, and that’s due to the buttons the Ultra homes in its important physique.
Usually with arcade controllers, they’re loaded with Kailh switches which are then lined with a easy key cap. Not so with the Hit Box. Here, the C.O.M.B.O. buttons are made up of a number of elements: the nicely (which homes Cherry MX low-profile switches), plunger, optimiser, cap, and eventually, the locking ring. So basically, the nicely slots into the controller’s important physique, the optimiser rests snugly inside, the plunger (with the important thing cap connected) sits on high, and the ring locks every thing in place.
Images: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo Life
As normal, the Ultra comes with three units of optimisers. These are silicone cushions that sit throughout the button nicely and supply two key capabilities: they decrease the journey distance of your button presses whereas nearly fully silencing them. Twelve Super (1mm) optimisers are pre-put in, whilst you’re additionally supplied with twelve Classic (1.5mm) and Ultra (0.65) optimisers every, so I encourage you to experiment and see which one suits your play type.
Switching them out is simple: you simply maintain down on the button you’re customising, flip the locking ring anti-clockwise, pull it out, raise the plunger up, then scoop the optimiser out and change it with a unique one. Alternatively, you possibly can simply go away them out fully if you would like a extra ‘classic’ arcade really feel to your buttons, however simply needless to say they’ll sound louder when pressed.
Image: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo Life
When you first unbox the Ultra and begin testing out the buttons, they could really feel a bit bizarre; ever-so-barely spongy, actually. However, once I began unleashing a bunch of combos in Street Fighter 6, any reservations I had fully melted away.
The velocity at which you’ll be able to actuate the button inputs is just unrivalled, and I’ve discovered that the Ultra nearly instantly improved my general efficiency in recreation. Swapping out the Super optimisers for the decrease-profile Ultra optimisers helped much more. Ultimately, a sample you’ll come to note on this overview is that the Ultra constantly presents up choices. I like the optimisers, however as talked about earlier, you don’t have to make use of them should you don’t need to.
And then we come to the C.O.M.B.O. Extensions. You get three with the Ultra, they usually’re basically two buttons in a single. You’ve acquired the usual C.O.M.B.O. button I’ve already gone via, however then an additional button that homes a Kailh PG1425 X microswitch. Lots of arcade controllers as of late include extra inputs embedded within the controller itself, however the advantage of the Extensions is you possibly can rotate them to a selected place, and even customise the structure fully by swapping it with one other button.
Default structure (left) and my customized structure (proper) — Images: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo Life
The three pre-put in Extensions are located in the midst of the button structure; form of sitting vertically in a line. This is a pleasant structure as it’s, however I actually like having a button over on the far left on which to relaxation my pinky finger, even when I don’t even have any inputs mapped to it. It simply feels proper to me.
Whatever structure you select, the Extensions are mapped to ‘L3’, ‘R3’, and ‘Capture’ by default (be aware: the Capture enter is mapped to ‘Touchpad’ should you’re utilizing the Ultra on PS4/5). You can swap the inputs to no matter you would like, nevertheless, and we’ll get into how in a bit. Just be conscious with one thing like Street Fighter 6, most tournaments gained’t allow you to map the identical enter to 2 separate buttons.
Again, the power to rotate your Extensions or swap them with one other button is all about taking advantage of the copious choices that the Ultra presents. You simply can’t do that with different controllers, and it permits you to actually make it your individual. You know the saying: “This is my arcade controller. There are many like it, but this one is mine”.
Okay, perhaps not…
Images: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo Life
Up on the highest of the system, you’ve 6 menu buttons: from proper to left, these are +, Capture, Home, –, R3, and L3. Over on the far left is the ability port, which sits nearly fully flush with the system. You get a braided cable with the Ultra, and it feels extremely rugged whereas the proprietary design retains it locked in place when connected. My solely concern right here is that if the cable does wind up dying sooner or later, sourcing a alternative gained’t be as straightforward as discovering a typical USB-C cable (although Hit Box does promote replacements on its official web site). Over on the again, you’ve acquired a non-slip plate to maintain the controller from sliding in every single place whereas in use, and it’s really magnetic by design – that is the place the actual enjoyable begins.
Removing the magnetic plate helps you to get into all of the {hardware} and wiring inside, and that is what you’ll have to entry if you wish to customise the structure of your Ultra and swap out the Extension inputs. Don’t fear if this seems daunting from the pictures, it’s really not as complicated as you may assume.
Images: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo Life
So let’s say you need to remap your Extensions. You’ll see a small, inexperienced switchboard on the underside proper with three pins poking out. You simply have to unplug the pin you need to remap and plug it into the specified enter. Keep in thoughts right here that the labelling is for PlayStation, however as long as you seek the advice of your guide and Hit Box’s on-line guides, you’ll have the ability to immediately translate the PlayStation inputs to Switch inputs.
Swapping the structure is a little more complicated, however once more, it’s not too taxing. You simply have to disconnect the 2 wires from the button you want to take away by pulling them out along with your fingers; no instruments required, however you should utilize pliers if you want. Once they’re out, simply push the button via from the again, and it’ll come out the entrance.
If you’re eradicating an Extension button, you’ll additionally have to disconnect the skinny, white sign wire from the terminal block on the highest proper. All the wires are saved neatly along with three velcro strips by default, so that you may have to take away one or two of those to unencumber among the wiring for customisation.
Images: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo Life
Image: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo Life
If you’re seeking to customise the structure of your Ultra, I firmly advocate discovering the perfect setup for you after which sticking with it. Removing buttons and swapping them round isn’t arduous, however you don’t need to be fiddling round with the wiring each different day – and it really comes with six small screws to fully lock the magnetic again plate in place when you’re assured you’re accomplished with any tinkering.
Ultimately, this isn’t newbie-pleasant, so should you’re fully new to the world of leverless controllers, this in all probability isn’t the controller you need to begin with. I can’t essentially knock it for that, although, since Hit Box doesn’t – in any approach, form, or kind – market the Ultra to newcomers. This is a product for these on the lookout for a protracted-time period funding to take to tournaments and actually step up your preventing recreation within the skilled area.
Although I wasn’t in a position to do that for the overview, Hit Box does affirm that you would be able to mod the Ultra additional with customized art work. You’ll have to buy a separate, clear acrylic high for the system and take away all buttons to perform this, however it’s an choice for these determined to specific themselves much more. Thankfully, including art work to the buttons is simple, because you simply take away the clear caps and add your round art work beneath. Speaking of the acrylic high, I believe this factor can be a magnet for scratches over time; it’s already attracted a bunch of fingerprints, so maintain the cleansing material at hand always. Definitely a little bit of a disappointment there.
Images: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo Life
Finally, you get a couple of additional goodies along with your Ultra. First up are three Extension shields which defend the C.O.M.B.O. Extension buttons when travelling – you simply slide them onto the top while you need to use them. To maintain the Extensions locked in place should you’ve discovered the right rotation angle, you possibly can add Grapplers beneath to stabilise them. These aren’t important and also you’ll in all probability discover the Extensions are fairly steady anyway, however it’s good to have.
And final however not least, Hit Box has included a black, branded carry bag to move your Ultra out and about; a beautiful little additional that may come in useful should you attend tournaments continuously.
Conclusion
While the Hit Box Ultra is not low cost, maybe greater than another arcade controller I’ve examined not too long ago, it is very a lot a protracted-time period funding geared towards gamers who compete professionally. The stage of button customisation is unparalleled, the metal physique is weighty and sturdy, and native compatibility with Switch, Switch 2, and the PS5 makes it the most effective choices on the market should you’re seeking to take your recreation to the subsequent stage.
Replacing the proprietary cable if something goes incorrect does concern me a bit, however just like the controller itself, it is so robust and sturdy that I do not count on it to interrupt on me anytime quickly. If you want preserving your controllers in pristine situation, the acrylic high could trigger points attracting fingerprints and potential scratches. Otherwise, it is a actually world class controller for preventing video games.
- Weighty and sturdy metal physique
- Highly customisable buttons
- Native compatibility with Switch, Switch 2, PS4/5, and PC
- Lots of additional goodies, together with a carry bag
- Access to the inner {hardware} helps you to remap and alter the structure
- Acrylic high will appeal to fingerprints and potential scratches
- If the proprietary cable dies, discovering a alternative may show difficult
Excellent 9/10
Thanks to Hit Box for offering the pattern used on this overview.
