6. BoogieBoard
HOBORG from BorgTech presents the BoogieBoard, which is made out of a case by Hardwood Arcade. The buttons are Crown/Samducksa SDB-202 MX with Cherry MX Speed Silver switches, and the BoogieBoard runs on the Raspberry Pi Pico PCB with firmware by Arte. Needless to say, Crown and Cherry MX are state-of-the-art brands with parts known for their responsivity and excellent travel distance/actuation.
The Hardwood Arcade case is generally made of oak with 24 mm button holes and four corner screws to provide support while keeping it easy to access the interior. Keith from Hardwood Arcade often smooths out the hardwood grain to prevent jagged edges.
Available to order from BorgTech
5. TypeCaster
BorgTech brings you the TypeCaster, a box controller that is handmade. As this controller is custom made, the parts may very depending on your preference. The controllers often come in a dark mahogany or gunstock finish with keycap colors that include:
- Blue
- Gray
- Pink
- Red
- White
- Yellow
This button layout is currently the preferred layout for the Smash rectangle controller community. As for the switches, they can be Kailh Speed Bronze for low actuation distance and tactile clicky feedback or Gateron Silver Pro switches.
Available to order from BorgTech
4. Prism MK6
The Prism is an ergonomic 3D-printed case with a reinterpretation of the Smash community’s favorite layout that eliminates the need for forearm prontation and ulnar deviation.
The idle stance of your fingers can be in a naturally curled state, improving reaction time, and the tighter distance between the keys allows you to use your whole thumb to trigger the five-button action cluster with minimum movement.
The case is made of laser-cut cast acrylic or aluminum bottom panels with a grip pad for stability purposes while placing the Prism on your lap.
Available to order from WunVzn
3. Fake1
The Fake1 is a budget option for those who would rather not shell out the bucks for a Frame1. You can order it DIY or preassembled, even in the Smash Box layout if you like. The switch type is up to you, whether it is tactile or linear.
Now, if you order the premade edition, it will be 3D printed, assembled, and programmed on your behalf. USB-C would be optional. There is another available model with bolts instead of welds, and the Big Dog 3D Print Shop aims for smoothly textured finishes on its chassis.
You also have the chassis-only version, which fits the Open Frame1 PCB, and it includes the plastic parts required to safely enclose that PCB.
Available to order from Etsy
2. SYG Kraken
The Kraken is 3D-printed, customizable, and available in different colors. It features the Smash community’s favorite button layout. The cherry on top is the Cherry switches. The weight of the Kraken is probably around two pounds. You are also able to choose the colors of the buttons, cable, and so on.
Available to order from SaveYourGames
Superslab
The Superslab is a layered acrylic controller that is lightweight in a way that makes it convenient to travel with without sacrificing stability while set on a desk. Included is a bottom grip pad, foam key dampeners, and two cables:
- USB-C to USB-A
- USB-C to GC
Also included is a clear layer for art, and if you would like custom art for your Superslab, we at The Arcade Stick can help you with that via our custom art service.
You can express yourself with high-frequency LED under every button, and you may have noticed that the Superslab has an extra button on the bottom left compared to similar controllers. There are at least 30 LED different patterns, including a unique motion-sensing mode and parameter tweaking for unlimited combinations.
Here are more technical details:
- 20 custom Prong Choc purple 35 g linear switches
- 6 soft touch tactile secondary buttons
- 1000 Hz polling for sub-millisecond latency
- Gyroscope motion controls
Available to preorder from Prong
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. With a thickness of 1.4 inches and weight of 3.8 lbs, the B0XX is thin, portable, and comfortable for the wrists. The two additional buttons improve light shielding, and angling recovery moves like Firefox can be mastered within minutes.
There are three profiles to be chosen from using a side toggle to simultaneously activate multiple layouts, and attached is designer software to freely map the buttons. No Wii U adapter is necessary, and the included USB-C cables allow GameCube, Nintendo 64, and PC connectivity. The Wii Nunchuk is compatible as well. Also, no switches are needed: functionality is automatically swapped based on the game being played.
Available to order from 20XX
| Rank | Full Article | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B0XX | Price |
| 2 | SYG Kraken | Price |
| 3 | Fake1 | Price |
| 4 | Prism MK6 | Price |
| 5 | TypeCaster | Price |
| 6 | BoogieBoard | Price |
| Preorder | Superslab | Price |