10. Cubstraption
Cubs created a hybrid, the Cubstraption, that has a GameCube controller on the left and half of a box controller on the right. DIs that are impossible on a regular box controller are possible with the Cubstraption, and Firefox angles should be easier for you as well.
The D-pad, stick, left trigger, and start button of the GameCube controller are active, and the rest of the controller is inactive. You would need to attach your own controller to the Cubstraption.
The Cubstraption’s keycaps are injection molded by Rana Labs, using Kailh Box V2 Red switches with hot swap sockets. The buttons are responsive, and thanks to the two 3D printed molds for mounting the GameCube controller, you can choose a straight or more ergonomic angle.
The chassis of the Cubstraption is made of stacked acrylic to separate the buttons from the motherboard. For internal access, the Cubstraption is easy to take apart. Also, the GCC port’s housing is a nice touch. Finally, it is worth noting that you get different color options when ordering the Cubstraption, so you can pick your aesthetic preference.
Order from Cubs
9. GRAM PRI$M
The GRAM PRI$M is an ergonomic controller that is a modular version of the Prism by WunWzn. It is compatible with the HayBox and GP2040-CE firmwares, both of which provide you seamless gameplay. Another difference between the PRI$M and Prism is the USB-C connection, the industry’s favorite type.
Due to the PRI$M’s ergonomic design, your hands should rest on it naturally. Also, it has 20 Chosfox PBT keycaps with Kailh Choc Red Pro switches.
The keycaps of the PRI$M are grippy, preventing your fingers from slipping, and the switches have a light actuation, resulting in fast inputs.
The modular nature of the PRI$M allows you to access layouts like:
- Top row home
- Traditional B0XX
- WASD
The PRI$M is made of quality aluminum and sturdy PLA. With your controller, you should be receiving a USB-C to GCC cable, and you should also be receiving a braided USB-C to A cable. If you need PlayStation 5 compatibility, you can use an appropriate dongle.
Colors like red, orange, and lime are available for the PRI$M. You can even get your controller in a squiggly zebra pattern. As for the keycaps, they are usually white. Finally, the back of the controller features text with the controller’s name, and above that, symbols can be engraved.
Order from GRAM Digital Controllers
8. The Schism
The Schism is an ergonomic controller. When done with a gaming session, you can just fold the controller to close it. The controller’s layout is based on the B0XX, but the locations, angles, and spacing of the right & left action clusters are tweaked. They are distally rotated along the roll axis, eliminating any need for forearm pronation and ulnar deviation.
You can relax your fingers into a naturally curled position with The Schism, improving reaction time too. The close spacing of the keycaps allows your entire thumb to activate the action cluster of five buttons with minimal movement. There is also a resting pad for your left palm.
If you like concave keycaps, then the injection molded bjart keycaps should be your thing. As for the Gateron Clear switches, they are linear, light, and rather smooth.
The Schism is not much of a burden to place on your lap, so you can enjoy a seamless experience when using it. The controller is made of three pieces of metal with stainless steel screws and nylon knobs & washers to protect your controller’s finish, which is available in different colors.
A third party adapter can enhance The Schism’s compatibility, and you can make adjustments to the controller on the fly, thanks to the open frame design of its modules. Basically, each module is secured by magnets. The modules & boards are open source, and replacement just requires a hex key.
On a closing note, maybe WunVzn wanted The Schism to look minimalistic and more of a mechanism or piece of machinery than a colorful Smash controller. If you take it to the next tournament, you may get some looks!
Order from WunVzn
7. Rana Digital
The Rana Digital is a smaller controller with one more button than usual, and you can use that button as a D-pad toggle. This controller was designed specifically for Melee and Ultimate, but you can play other games with it too.
The buttons of the Rana Digital are enforced with Gateron Clear mechanical switches that are fast and responsive. If you have another preference, you can just hot swap the switches.
The Rana Digital’s material is rigid yet smooth. The controller is wide enough to be comfortable on your lap without being so big that your fingers have to travel long distances to pull off important techniques. If needed, you can remap buttons quite easily with this controller to optimize it for your in-game success.
That said, you may be glad to know that the Rana Digital’s USB-C port can be found in the back, which is a good location to prevent the cable from getting in your way at the next Smash tournament. Besides that, your order should come with a USB-C to GCC cable, and you may even get a few extra keycaps in the color of your controller.
You see, you can get the Rana Digital in colors like white or black, and if your vendor of choice carries a wide variety, you can have multiple colors for the case & keycaps, making the controller as colorful as your personality.
Order from Etsy
6. Cross Cut
The Cross Cut can double as a contraption. This controller uses injection molded Rana Labs PBT keycaps that are durable. The keycaps are smooth, and the hot swappable Gateron Clear/White linear switches are quiet, light, and fast.
That said, the Cross Cut’s width is suitable for lap play, especially because the controller is light in a way that should not fatigue your legs.
As for the Cross Cut’s wrist resting space, the upper portions of your palms can rest on the controller. Interestingly, the controller features rumble support with some of the major Smash games.
About Rectangle Corner’s own firmware, it works well. One thing you can do is remap your way to making certain combos easier when using the Cross Cut.
An interesting hardware component of the Cross Cut is the screen in the middle. The screen is helpful because it provides you information like which buttons you are pressing as well as which input mode you are in and which platform you are on.
That said, USB-C to GCC and USB-C to A cables should be included with your order of the Cross Cut. If you need an extra USB-C to GCC cable, Rectangle Corner may be able to provide it for you.
Now, the GCC port in the back center lets you use the Cross Cut like a contraption, which means you can use a GameCube controller alongside the Cross Cut.
If you pop open the Cross Cut, you may be surprised to find a compatibility enhancing dongle already inserted. Back to the bottom, there is actually some grip there.
One of the Cross Cut’s customization features is the keycap color. You can choose between black or white, depending on your taste. Other than that, the appearance of the controller is quite minimalistic.
Order from Rectangle Corner
5. Orca Analog
The Orca Analog’s name is based on its inclusion of variable-press analog switches. This controller allows you access to one-button tilt angles as well as two-button wavedash angles.
Add to that a two-stage spring system for physical notch emulation, and if you like micromanaging angled inputs without modifiers, then the Orca Analog may be for you. Oh, and the controller features true neutral additive SOCD.
With that said, the Orca Analog is an acrylic controller with an aluminum switch-plate. It features a combination of low profile Kailh Choc V2 switches, digital Kailh Speed Silver switches, and analog Lekker Linear45 V2 switches. The USB adapter mode is native, and a USB-C to GCC adapter should be included with your order as well.
For compatibility reasons, the Orca Analog runs on an RP2040 processor. The controller allows for easy software updates, making your life easier as a result.
Order from Orca Analog Controllers
4. Superslab
The Superslab is a layered acrylic controller. It is lightweight in a way that makes it convenient for you to travel without sacrificing stability during play. Included is a bottom grip pad, foam key dampeners, and a couple of cables. Also included is a clear art layer to customize the controller to your liking.
The Superslab’s custom polycarbonate keycaps utilize Kailh Choc Red Pro switches with sub-millisecond latency, so you do not have to worry about input delay.
You can express yourself with LED per button. There are dozens of patterns, including a motion sensing mode and unlimited combinations to suit your taste when using the Superslab.
Order from Prong
3. Limit Labs Glyph
The Glyph is a controller with many buttons because the primary layout is meant to fit different layouts in one, and because this is a modular controller, you can decrease the number of buttons within minutes if you like.
This Limit Labs controller has PBT keycaps and Gateron linear switches known for light actuation, a short stroke, and lube for smooth inputs.
MX compatible switches are also viable without needing soldering from you. The keycaps can come off with just your fingers, making the process convenient. Moreover, there is LED to add beauty to your Glyph.
Glyphs can have diverse compatibility, depending on your order options, and each cable has its own stress relief anchor to protect the USB-C port. Haystack built upon the preexisting Haybox firmware, and the controller’s firmware remembers your preferences per console.
Color options include arctic white and anodized gold. You can pick the colors of other parts of the Glyph as well. We at The Arcade Stick can provide you custom artwork to streamline the customization process.
Order from Satisfye
2. FightBox R1
The FightBox R1 sports the community favorite layout that was popularized by the likes of the Frame1 and B0XX. There are different button colors available, and you can order the controller with a braided USB-C to GameCube cable.
Made of frosted matte-black acrylic, the R1 was designed for your comfort. There are Cherry MX Black switches, and hot swapping is possible for your convenience.
The R1’s ABS keycaps have a light press to them. The PCB is the Raspberry Pi Pico, and the USB type is C, which is the type the fighting game community prefers.
Order from AliExpress
1. B0XX
Tournament legal at Melee events from Genesis to The Big House, the B0XX comes with twenty Sanwa buttons. This predecessor of the Frame1 is latency free and up to a frame faster than other box controllers. It allows you to piano aerials, wave dashes, and multi shines with two fingers instead of just one.
The B0XX is thin, portable, and comfortable for your wrists. The two additional buttons improve light shielding, and you can master angling recovery moves like Firefox within minutes.
You can choose from three profiles using a side toggle to simultaneously activate multiple layouts, and attached is designer software for you to freely map the B0XX’s buttons.
With your B0XX, no Wii U adapter is necessary, and the included USB-C cables allow for GameCube, Nintendo 64, and PC connectivity. The Wii Nunchuk is compatible as well. Also, no switches are needed from you: functionality is automatically swapped based on the game being played.
Order from 20XX