| Price | Amazon |
| Release | December 12, 2024 |
| Compatibility | PS5 / XSX / NS / PC |
| Dimensions | 16″ x 7″ x 1″ |
| Weight | 3.75 lbs |
| Cable | 3 m |
Introduction
The original Hit Box started a trend in the fighting game community in which using buttons as directional inputs became preferred over a joystick.
Eventually, the Hit Box was no longer compatible with modern consoles. Also, it only had 12 buttons. This is where the Hit Box Ultra comes in: on top of upgraded compatibility, this controller has 15 inputs instead of just 12.
Unboxing
With your order of the Ultra, you should also get:
- Sling bag
- Microfiber cloth
- Three extra C.O.M.B.O. Extensions
- Three C.O.M.B.O. Extension protectors
- Three sets of a dozen optimizers for silencing and changing travel distance
Performance
The C.O.M.B.O. Extensions are what allow the Ultra to have 15 inputs instead of the usual 12. The three extra keys are for touchpad, L3, and R3.
Not only does the Ultra use C.O.M.B.O. Extensions, even the buttons are C.O.M.B.O. Buttons, and the spacing between them feels nice. They utilize low profile Cherry MX Speed Silver switches with 0.3 mm activation and 1 mm of travel. They are smooth and fast.
Back to the C.O.M.B.O. Extensions, they feature the short and light Kailh PG1425 X switches. This time around, they have 1.5 mm activation with 2 mm of travel.
What is cool about the C.O.M.B.O. Extensions is that you can rotate them to optimize their positioning to your preference. There is also anti-slip foam to keep the Ultra in place while you go on winning streaks online.
Moving on, the Ultra’s SOCD cleaning modes include:
- Natural
- True neutral
- Last input priority
- Hit Box standard SOCD
That last mode makes left and right equal up. Also, down and up result in just up. Needless to say, there is a tournament mode to lock the function buttons found in the Ultra’s back, a location that you may or may not like.
Hardware
The Ultra is made of steel with thick acrylic on top. As an innovative attempt, Hit Box Arcade strived to simplify rewiring with this controller.
You see, there are solder-free pinch terminal blocks and plugs to help rewire the C.O.M.B.O. Extensions to different inputs, including directions. The Ultra’s button wiring is traditional with quick disconnects and standard terminals.
Something you can do is reinstall the C.O.M.B.O. Extensions to other button holes to create your own unique layout. To clean and change accessories, the button rims unlock from the top. As for the bottom of the Ultra, it is magnetically removable to make your life easier.
For connectivity, the Ultra uses a USB-A cable that is detachable. The connection is the quick-release style, and the USB port is flush with the enclosure.
Appearance
The Ultra is elegantly minimalistic. There is an aesthetic synergy between the black enclosure, light colored buttons & keys, and red part of the Hit Box logo. If you want, you can swap out the buttons for other colors you may prefer. Note that, because the enclosure is slim, not every button type may fit.
Before you go, we would just like to let you know that, if you would like to customize your controller’s art, we can help you with that through our custom art service here at The Arcade Stick. For example, below is Ultra art our Felipe Fernandez designed before, and he can do the same for your controller:
Conclusion
The Hit Box Ultra gave us the improvements we wanted over the original Hit Box (and more).
- C.O.M.B.O. Extensions
- Cherry MX & Kailh switches
- Diverse compatibility
- Slim build
- Steel plus acrylic
- Anti-slip foam
- Magnetic opening
- Detachable cable
- Simpler wiring
- Tournament mode
- Customizable art
- Many freebies
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐