Highlights
- PowerA's MOGA XP-Ultra controller offers customization with remappable buttons, but lacks features like app remapping and trigger stops.
- The controller's design includes comfortable grips and detachable handles, making it intuitive for various gaming experiences.
- Connectivity with Xbox, PC, and Android is smooth, but the controller may disconnect during long gaming sessions, impacting overall performance.
PowerA has been on a roll with Xbox-compatible devices, having recently released their newest RGB controller powered by Lumectra, and having announced a new guitar controller for Fortnite Festival fans. The fan-favorite company usually has hit after hit, so is this new MOGA controller a repeat show?
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PowerA’s MOGA line of controllers has, so far, stuck with expanding mobile gaming options, with a little PC compatibility thrown in here and there. With the MOGA XP-Ultra, PowerA not only serves console gamers but directly caters to wireless controller fans who have been largely left out to dry by Microsoft’s decision to crack down on third-party alternatives. After testing the controller over a few weeks on several titles, the verdict is in for the MOGA XP-Ultra.
What’s in the Box?
The premium packaging is a bit overkill, though many will see it as a nice touch. The folded, business card-like instruction manual offers the barest minimum of information.
Customizability
As mentioned above, PowerA’s MOGA XP-Ultra controller comes with two remappable buttons. It’s a breeze to customize these buttons, as the center back button just needs to be held down to choose an input to map to one of them. All of this is included on the handles, meaning that players using only the mini-pad won’t be able to reprogram their controller.
One big missed opportunity is the ability to remap the controller through PowerA’s customization app. For whatever reason, that’s just not an option on the app. On the bright side, players can adjust the trigger dead zones, though PowerA provides no information about this and forces testing to happen in another tab. Players will definitely need to do some quick research before messing with the trigger customizations. Given the fact that there’s not much else available to customize in the app, it may not be worth the effort of looking up.
At the same time, this controller isn’t advertised as very customizable, so any strides it makes here are just icing on the cake. While players who love to make their controllers their own won’t be impressed by the XP-Ultra, other players will appreciate the extra functionality, however minor.
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Design & Comfort
The elongated body of the MOGA XP-Ultra feels foreign at first, though a rough texture wrapped around each handle makes the grip comfortable overall. After a few matches in Fortnite, the controller feels pretty natural with the attached handle, which is ridiculously easy to remove and reattach on the fly.
The handle isn’t just a clip-on though. The two programmable buttons are kept on the back of the handle, as is the standard for most controllers. These too are incredibly easy to manipulate, with a simple program button on the back that activates with a shortly held press.
The phone clip is similarly a cinch to use, with a silicon-padded holster able to extend up to 3.25 inches, wider than both the iPhone 15 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. The adjustable holder arm has a strong grip, and if too much pressure is applied, it loosens up rather than just snapping or breaking. Dials on the side allow players to tighten the holder's arm so that it can be very stable even through rigorous movement, like getting bumped into on the subway or even dropping the controller. It’s a smart design choice by PowerA to prioritize the controller’s grip on the phone over its grip on the angle the phone is being held as this protects the phone from being flung and sustaining more serious fall damage.
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Even when separated from the handle, the unusual-looking XP-Ultra is completely intuitive against all odds. The ABXY buttons are shallow, which isn’t everyone’s favorite thing to hear about a controller, but this does give them a somewhat shorter actuation point, so they're able to respond faster to a gamer’s input. The other buttons on the face of the controller are similarly more shallow than normal, but this is far less noticeable.
The D-pad is fairly standard, and the circular shape is well-executed with deep indents between directions and a slightly matte finish that adds some texture. The best texture is found on the joysticks, which have rough thumbstick rims and a raised texture over the center that can really be felt, unlike with some other options.
The triggers and bumpers are just as well-made, though they do have some notable differences. The bumpers have a very short actuation point, similar to the ABXY buttons, and they don’t have any texture on them. The triggers, however, have a nice textured top, but it would have been nice if there were trigger stops included, as the triggers get the full range of motion expected of a standard Xbox controller.
The controller isn’t as light as one would think, but it’s far from heavy, even with the handles attached. The wide shape is ideal for any kind of gaming, while the mini-pad is perfect for gaming during commutes or getting a retro feel for fighting games or arcade titles. Regardless of which form a player chooses, the MOGA XP-Ultra is surprisingly comfortable and intuitive.
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Performance & Connectivity
This MOGA controller is one of the few multi-platform wireless controllers that are compatible with Xbox, PC, and Android (OS 6.0 or later) devices. Using a 4.2 Bluetooth low-energy connection, the XP-Ultra easily pairs with any of the three compatible platforms.
PowerA is well known for its reliable products, and the XP-Ultra continues that trend through its excellent button responsiveness. One pain point stood out though, and that was the fact that the controller disconnected from the Xbox it was connected to on multiple occasions. This seemed to be a problem only when playing for long sessions and only with the handle attached, but it’s still extremely annoying.
When the connection wasn’t interrupted, the controller performed very well. There was no noticeable latency. When playing arcade games like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge, fast inputs were picked up perfectly. It’s clear that the controller, especially the mini-pad, is ideal for games that call for fast button combos, such as Street Fighter 6 or Fortnite Festival.
The controller can also be connected to a PC and Xbox using the charging cord that comes with it. This doesn’t seem to cause any differences in the connectivity but ultimately serves as a convenient way to keep playing while the controller charges. The first time the controller is charged is also the longest charging time players will have to deal with. Typically, the controller is charged within about two hours. However, annoyingly, the controller won’t charge through the Xbox if the console is turned off. One overnight “charge” will only lead to a frustratingly low battery the next day, unless a proper outlet adapter is used instead of the Xbox. It’s a sorely missed function, as most gamers are used to being able to charge their controllers on powered-down consoles, especially if they have previous experience with the Xbox core controller and the Microsoft charging pack.
However, once the controller is charged, it does have an incredible battery life of up to 60 hours, or up to 40 hours on Bluetooth alone. That spec seemed accurate during testing, and the light indicator for the battery was a nifty bonus that was surprisingly helpful.
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Overall Impression
In general, the controller performed about as well as anyone would expect, but those disconnections and the inability to charge it while the console is off are major disappointments. While the connectivity is certainly a problem that many gamers won’t be able to overlook, for fans of fighting gamepads, there aren’t many other options for the Xbox Series X.
The other aspects of the controller are pretty attractive, too. The excellent texture around the handles, triggers, and joysticks provide a stable, breathable grip, while the compact mini-pad is shockingly comfortable. The phone clip is intelligently designed, with an emphasis on protecting the phone rather than the clip itself, which is, of course, much cheaper to replace.
The battery life is greater than the core Xbox controller when used with the console more often than with a phone, and the charge time isn’t bad at all. As for responsiveness, there’s no room for complaints, especially considering the short actuation of the ABXY buttons and bumpers. Even the programmable buttons attached to the handle have no noticeable latency.
The steep $130 asking price is made only slightly better with frequent sales taking the controller down to just $100, which is an acceptable price for many gamers. Is the MOGA XP-Ultra really worth $130? For most gamers, the answer is no. The $30 discount currently available on the controller makes it more palatable, especially given its unique place as one of the few third-party wireless controllers available for the Xbox under $150. Players who want a great wireless fightpad for their Xbox Series X|S, retro gamers, and players who switch between their Xbox and their mobile device will find a lot to love about the MOGA XP-Ultra, regardless of the price. Plus, it should be noted that PowerA has created a wireless controller that can change its shape fluidly, a feature that hardly any controllers, for any platform, offer players.
Similar Products
The MOGA XP-Ultra has a niche audience that will adore its design, but for everyone else, there are lots of alternatives ready to meet their needs.
Alternative Need | Alternative Product |
|---|---|
More Customizable | |
Better Mobile Controller | |
More Premium |
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FAQ
Q: What is a MOGA controller compatible with?
PowerA has four different MOGA controllers, each one compatible with a different set of devices. The MOGA XP-Ultra is compatible with PC, Xbox, and Android.
Q: How do I connect my MOGA controller to my phone?
Players can connect their MOGA controller to their phone by turning on Bluetooth, pressing the sync button at the top of the controller, and selecting it from the list of available devices on their phone's Bluetooth menu.
Q: Can I use my MOGA controller on Xbox?
Yes, the MOGA XP-Ultra is compatible with the Xbox Series X|S and the Xbox One. Other MOGA controllers are not compatible with Xbox.