10. Rana Tadpole
The Rana Tadpole is a mini controller that sports the community’s favorite layout but with an extra button on the upper left. The case and buttons are available in different colors.
The Tadpole is slightly wider than a GameCube controller. The case is 3D printed with an FDM printer, and it has a matte finish. The chassis is comprised of powder-coated CNC aluminum.
With neutral SOCD cleaning and more consistent wavedashing, the Tadpole uses SLS nylon keycaps & Kailh mouse micro switches, with the latter lasting a whopping 60 million presses.
There is an engraved foam pad at the bottom with text and a tadpole mascot. There is also a canvas zipper pouch for the Tadpole. The Digital edition is bigger than the Tadpole.
Order from Etsy
9. 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.
Order from SaveYourGames
8. 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 pronation and ulnar deviation.
The idle stance of your fingers can be in a naturally curled state, improving reaction time, and the tighter distance 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.
Order from WunVzn
7. 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 are easier 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 GameCube controller to the Cubstraption.
The 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. The GCC port’s housing is a nice touch. Finally, you get different color options when ordering the Cubstraption.
Order from Cubs
6. Bubblebox
The Bubblebox was designed to be a more ergonomic option not only for Smash but for Rivals of Aether and Rushdown Revolt as well.
The modified Haybox firmware caters to different games, including non-platform fighters. Also available is a WASD layout for platform fighters. There is a DIY option too.
Going for the WASD layout gives you more buttons that are useful for both Melee and Ultimate players. Regarding the keycaps, you can get different styles, such as bubblegum. There are plenty of colors at your disposal (case included).
The hot swappable switches are light, quiet, and fast. The matte texture provides comfortable wrist resting space. Thanks to the foam underneath, the Bubblebox should not slide around during gameplay, and its size is appropriate for lap & desk play. The Bubblebox is slim, light, and portable yet sturdy.
Order from Etsy: UMS Ultra / Star Light
5. GRAM Slim
The GRAM Slim is a mini controller with a thin chassis, and the case is made of powder coated aluminum. The PBT keycaps are injection molded, and the switches are Kailh Choc Reds.
The button layout of the GRAM Slim includes toggleable WASD/traditional mapping, and the controller runs on the Bubblebox WASD firmware. Included with your order are extra cables.
Order from GRAM Digital 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 your controller to your liking.
The 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.
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 soldering. The keycaps can come off with just your fingers, making things convenient. Moreover, there is LED to add beauty to your Glyph.
Glyphs can have diverse compatibility, depending on your order options, and each Glyph cable has its own stress relief anchor to protect the USB-C port. Haystack built upon the preexisting Haybox firmware, and the Glyph’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.
Order from Satisfye
2. FightBox R1
The FightBox R1 sports the layout that was popularized by the likes of the Frame1 and B0XX. There are a few button colors available, and you can choose to order the R1 with a braided USB-C to GameCube cable.
Made of frosted matte-black acrylic, the R1 was designed for comfort. There are Cherry MX black switches, and hot swapping is possible. The keycaps are 24 mm ABS, the PCB is the Raspberry Pi Pico, and the USB type is C.
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.
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.
Order from 20XX