On the test bench a new handcuffs from the American PowerA (of which we have already presented the MOGA XP7-X and Advantage Lumectra) with a model close to the standard Xboxbut who must have a big ball as he tries to place him on many chairs at once: the MOGA XP-ULTRA. A model wireless designed to play on PC, console or mobile, all with the choice of format as you can quickly see in the video presentation that follows.
Presentation
PowerA is a company aimed entirely at gamers, with arm-mounted controllers and matching audio headphones in the catalog. With the model presented here, the manufacturer targets the truly invested player who will be able to enjoy it at home on PC or console, as well as outdoors on mobile devices. Only available in black and without any real frills, except its design which leaves no stone unturned.
In terms of format, we are undeniably on an Xbox model, right down to the color coding of the buttons, but with an aesthetic that departs from it due to the modularity of the device, which we will develop later. As it stands, you will have in hand a machine measuring 160 x 110 x 57 mm for a mass of 395 g, so we are beyond a standard wireless model from Microsoft which is 153 x 102 x 61 as a reference. mm and 280 g. The device comes with a long braided cable which will allow you to play with it or recharge it, a battery gauge being present on the front and activated by a simple press of the small button located below.
The device could, however, be reduced by its handles (and in the process two haptic motors) to become a smaller controller that is easy to slip into your pocket, even if its thickness remains substantial compared to what one might expect from it. a model intended for mobile gaming.
Detail
As we told you previously, design denotes habits and this will be a matter of taste. Difficult to do modular without modifying the codes. As you can see in the following image carousel, these changes are not without improvements, even if the aesthetic is not the most worked on in this case.
2 more (programmable) buttons at the back, a central button for configuring the machine and the rest is pretty standard. The discerning eye will have noticed particular notches on the top and bottom and they will further be used to attach a smartphone clamp which is delivered in bundle. Since we're talking about mobile games, let's look at the beast without its legs.
Previous
Following
We lose grip2 buttons and 2 haptic motors, but we keep the essentials of a real gamepad while reducing the format accordingly. A definite advantage for little hands, who will be able to ask questions, but will certainly find their audience.
In use, the gamepad fits well in the hand and the very fine grained texture of the handles will jobalthough we would advise trying before adopting for the most sensitive. The positioning on the controller is fairly standard in full format, once the handles are removed, however, you will have to hold it a little more, which could be tiring over (too) long gaming sessions.
On the connectivity side, we have a USB Type-C port on the top for connecting to a PC or recharging and a 3.5 mm jack at the bottom for a possible headset with microphone. A simple copy, but modular and completely complete.
Software – PowerA Gamer HQ
As we have seen for other models from the manufacturer, it is the PowerA Gamer HQ which will allow you to fully exploit the peripheral, by having to go through the Microsoft Store to do so.
If we leave aside the typical interface of software designed for the Microsoft Store, the PowerA Gamer HQ presents everything you need and in a fairly simple manner. It's marked Gamer, but other than that everything will be done without difficulty. We launch the software and if there is an update to be made it offers it directly. Subsequently, no need to navigate between 200 menus, a home screen or just a column on the right to discover 6 different pages allowing you to adjust everything that needs to be adjusted. Keys, vibrations, trigger dead zones and joystickseverything is there.
Version mobile
As said previously, the creature can also accompany your desire to play nomad. A clamp to slide, two screws to adjust and off we go. Be careful however with the smartphone used, the Pixel 3A here is pinched at the volume adjustment buttons, which remains feasible but is not not the most practical.
In use, it is a fairly functional solution and allows you not to lean your head too much towards the screen, unlike models pinching the smartphone from the sides. However, this is not the most stable option, even if the adjustment screws hold well once tightened. Once this clip is added, however, the device becomes much less transportable; slipping it into your pocket without dismantling is not possible, even without a smartphone on it.
Disassembly
Once inside and despite a reduced volume, the assembly is quite qualitative. Well-placed connectors, clean solders, 2000 mAh battery accessible and easy to replace (count around €12 for an equivalent model), it's a fairly well thought-out copy. The interface between the main module and the handles is via a simple connector and a spring retention system. In the handles, the haptic motors are well seated and can also be replaced if necessary.
Despite the complex aspect of modularity, we have a simple and effective implementation. We could always hope for better materials and ask for more, but as it stands the whole thing is convincing.
Analyse
As with each controller test, a short pass through the web API (Gamepad API for the curious, simple HTML5 tool) to analyze the responsiveness and regularity of the commands. Detected like an Xbox controller, the MOGA XP-ULTRA responds to all our requests equally on the buttons and triggers. The LT and RT, with Hall effect, are very linear and allow you to increment quite precisely (in steps of 1 or 2). On the joystick side, this is a fairly expected finding with well-defined diagonals. You like it or not, but some people don't like having to go all the way to activate them. No dead zone to notice, although you can configure one via the Control Hub if necessary.
In-game, the controller did the job without issue. The two rear triggers can be of interest in titles where activating the directional cross can be impactful (preventing you from moving since your thumb would move from the directional joystick to the cross). In the mobile version, the disappearance of the latter (and the haptic engines) should not be a handicap, unless like yours truly you are streaming from your PC.
Let's talk about prices now. Priced at $99.99 on the manufacturer's official website, it arrived in our region for around €92. This places it exactly at the price of the MOGA XP7-X+ from the same manufacturer and just below products very oriented towards mobile gaming such as the Backbone One, Gamesir Galileo G8 or even Razer Kishi Ultra. We are sailing between 110 and 160 € for all these little people, however, only oriented towards mobile gaming. Once the smartphone is removed, and even if it is possible, use on PC or console will be less comfortable than with a “real” controller. The MOGA XP-ULTRA stands out by offering full format. But it is also a question when for 15 to 20 € you can offer yourself an adaptable pliers allowing you to transform any gamepad bluetooth in a small portable console. It is then the possibility of removing its handles which will make it unique compared to the competition, will this be enough to spend at least €30 more? This is a question that only you have the answer to!
Conclusion
PowerA delivers with its MOGA XP-ULTRA wireless controller a product that is perfect for gaming on PC, Xbox console and mobile. Modular, qualitative in assembly and the options presented, accompanied by software to configure it, it is a gamepad interesting since it does not seem to make any concessions in each mode of use. Wanting to play in all areas, however, has limits and competition is tough when you become a generalist in too many areas. Available at €92 on the French market at the time of writing these lines, in our opinion it will take a real crush to be interested in it. The product is good, but divisive due to its positioning. Are you the type to put all your eggs in one basket, opt for different producers or replace them with bananas in your cakes?
