| Price | CounterHit Customs |
| Release | April 18, 2025 |
| Compatibility | NS / PC |
| Dimensions | 9.8″ x 4.9″ x 0.7″ |
| Weight | 0.85 lbs |
| Cable | 1.83 m |
Other Controllers
Introduction
The CounterHit Compact is a small leverless controller with plenty of customization possibilities. This innovative controller debuted at Sakura-Con.
CounterHit Customs is based in Seattle. Its founder, Ben, started making controllers as a fighting game enthusiast with an engineering background, and he was looking for a career change. As an avid participant in the Pacific Northwest fighting game community, he proudly presents you the CounterHit Compact with the CounterHit Nano!
There is a loop in one of the Compact’s corners where you can attach the Nano like a keychain. The Nano is a tiny controller you can order in leverless or D-pad format. With that being said, let us dive into the details of the Compact.
Unboxing
CounterHit Customs provides you the following freebies with your order of a brand new Compact:
- Black cable
- Switch/keycap puller
- Extra 24 mm keycap
Performance
The Compact’s 24 mm buttons use a dozen Kailh Choc V2 switches of the Wind Engine type. These switches are low profile with enough travel distance to avoid accidental presses, thanks to the medium resistance too.
Not a fan of Wind Engine switches? No problem, the Compact’s switches are hot swappable with other switches for your convenience, including Kailh Choc V1 switches.
As for the Compact’s function buttons, there are six of them:
- Three on the top panel
- Three in the back
The top function buttons are for share, PS, and options. Their location is inspired by the Xbox controller, and they are soft to touch. As for the back function buttons, they are for L3, R3, and touchpad. These buttons are tactile.
Hardware
The Compact is smooth, slim, and weighs less than a pound. An advantage of the light weight is being able to carry the controller easily from tournament to tournament. Regarding stability, there is a full coverage pad at the bottom to increase grip whether you are a desk or lap player. The pad feels rubbery.
As for the firmware, the Compact runs on the acclaimed GP2040-CE. This firmware is open source, updateable online, decently compatible, and practically lag-free.
CounterHit Customs chose a flush mounted USB-C connection for the Compact, which comes out of its center back. There is even a retention clip for the cable to increase durability.
Now, in case you are concerned that the Compact is not compatible with modern consoles, you may be glad to know that the controller has a USB-A port in the back where you can insert a compatibility boosting adapter.
Appearance
Here are two great things about the Compact’s looks:
- It supports RGB LED.
- You can customize its art with vinyl.
If you are willing to have your Compact’s art printed on vinyl, we at The Arcade Stick would be glad to provide you the design through our service. Here are is a sample by our artist Budi Kurniawan for this controller:
Additionally, you can enjoy a different colored keycaps to go on your Compact, and you can choose the enclosure’s color as well.
When it comes to the LED, there are 72 programmable LEDs, specifically six LEDs per button. The possible animations include rainbow chase, rainbow cycle, static, static color, and custom theme.
Conclusion
If you want to invest in a mini controller that can be combined with an even smaller one, check out the Compact!
- Hot swappable switches
- Puller included for free
- Loop for keychains
- Cable retention clip
- Bottom grip pad
- Portable size
- Lightweight
- Slim case
- Smooth material
- Quality firmware
- Extendable compatibility
- Color options
- Dozens of LEDs
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐