| Price | Etsy |
| Release | August 2023 |
| Compatibility | PS5 / PS4 / PS3 / NS / PC |
| Dimensions | 9.7″ x 5.1″ x 0.4″ |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs |
Introduction
The Beastbox by Chocobox Controllers is a Flatbox fork that works with PlayStation 5 fighting games. Its button layout is specifically for (but not limited to) Street Fighter 6, so you can make use of mechanics like the Drive Impact and Drive Parry. The name of the controller seems to be derived from a layout popularized by fighting game legend Daigo “The Beast” Umehara.
Performance
Your Beastbox’s switches will likely be hot-swappable Kailh low profile ones, but Chocobox allows you to pick the type. The Beastbox comes with a paper slip that tells you what the buttons do. Included is a chart that shows you the button functions per major platform as well.
On the PS5, the four option buttons are for:
- Options
- Select
- PS
- Touchpad
If the texture of the keycaps is not your thing, other keycaps should be compatible with the Beastbox’s switches. For stability purposes, there are silicone feet per bottom corner of the Beastbox.
This is a small, slim, and lightweight controller, so the feet are appreciated. Also, because the Beastbox is slightly wider than your average Flatbox, it is a bit more lap-friendly.
Hardware
The Beastbox is 3D printed from PLA or PETG (depending on availability), and it runs on the open source GP2040-CE firmware. With it, you should get a USB C-to-A cable as well. The USB-C port is in the center back.
You can access the internals of the Beastbox by unscrewing nine screws, but the feet are glued over four of them, so if you need to, you might have to:
- Rip off the feet.
- Remove the screws.
- Do what you need with the internals.
- Put the screws back on.
- Glue the feet back onto the screws.
Once you access the internals, which look quite standard for a Flatbox variant, perhaps the main interesting aspect is the usage of tape over one of the components.
Appearance
The Beastbox’s print is smooth and easy on the eyes. You can choose your Beastbox’s case, button, and switch colors. You can even request that the extra button colors are different than the main button colors, for example. The paper slip that comes with the Beastbox prevents the need of potentially unsightly button labels.
Conclusion
With the Beastbox, Chocobox brings you the same Flatbox goodness with added buttons for extra utility.
- PS5 compatibility
- Extra buttons
- Button documentation
- Quality print
- Customization options
- Glued feet
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐