| Price | Ultra Arcade |
| Release | April 2025 |
| Compatibility | NS2 / PC |
| Dimensions | 13.4″ x 11.0″ x 1.4″ |
| Weight | 1.98 lbs |
Introduction
The Ultra Arcade Split is the banana split of leverless controllers. It’s divided into two halves, and it should be compatible with future modules by Ultra Arcade—saving you money.
Performance
Sorry, but we’re going to have to start the performance section with a downside of the Split, which is that you can only use your left thumb to press the jump button—unlike leverless controllers that allow you to use either thumb (because the jump button would be in the center).
On the bright side, you get to enjoy the Split’s unique selling proposition, which is that you can place both sides of the controller farther apart than usual.
In other words, the directional buttons are on a separate module than the attack buttons, which are in the legendary Vewlix layout. The attack button module has six function buttons, by the way. Having said that, the Split’s switches are hot swappable for your convenience and can come in these Cherry MX colors:
| Color | Description |
|---|---|
| Blue | Sharp click, tactile feedback |
| Black | Heavy press, durable design |
| Brown | Subtle bump, quiet sound |
| Red | Effortlessly smooth, also quiet |
Hardware
The Split is an acrylic controller that’s light and slim. For extra stability, you can order it with foam padding. In case you were wondering, its modules are connected through a coiled yet detachable USB cable.
You may also be glad to know that the Split’s main USB cable is also detachable (and angled). Apart from that, the controller actually runs on the open source GP2040-CE firmware that’s low in latency and updatable online.
To extend the Split’s compatibility, there exists passthrough support—though you can only insert the Brook Wingman FGC dongle into it for PS5 compatibility (or probably another identical dongle). Otherwise, Ultra Arcade does allow you to order the controller with PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X fighting game compatibility.
Appearance
Can you request image or text laser engraving on this controller? Sure, but peek at the illustration down yonder that our artist Gilbert Han did for a client’s Ultra Arcade controller. He too can illustrate custom art for your Split:
The Split can feature custom art on top and at the bottom, meaning it can have two artworks. You can even request transparent buttons with art showing through them—or just transparent buttons with no art. Not digging either option? No problem, just request opaque buttons in your preferred color.
With that, you can also choose your Split’s acrylic kind—such as matte, opaque, or transparent. If going for matte specifically, below are your four color options:
- Frosted
- Purple
- White
- Black
(For your information, the Split’s main cable is black, whereas its modular cable is black with silver heads.)
Conclusion
Grab the Split and unlock a slew of possibilities that are otherwise impossible, such as manspreading (or womanspreading) more than usual by placing each module on each leg of yours. You can also slant your wrists more than you can usually do.
- Two modules & future compatibility
- Cherry MX hot swappable switches
- Lightweight and also slim
- Foam padding option
- Color choices
- GP2040-CE firmware
- Two detachable cables
- Image or text engraving
- Top, button, and bottom art
- Compatibility extending port
- Matte/opaque/transparent acrylic
- Brook Wingman FGC needed for PS5