PowerA MOGA XP-ULTRA (Hardware)
Official GBAtemp Review
Product Information:
It’s been a long time coming but we’re finally here. Microsoft has licensed its First Party connectivity protocol to a third-party hardware manufacturer to enable wireless controller connectivity on its Xbox consoles. PowerA is that company and has recently launched the MOGA XP-ULTRA controller for seamless wireless connection with Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles. Let’s see what it has to offer.
Contents and specs
Currently retailing for $130, the PowerA MOGA XP-ULTRA controller package comes with the following items:
- PowerA MOGA XP-ULTRA controller
- 3m braided USB-C to USB-A controller/charge cable
- Mobile gaming clip
- 1-month free trial for new Game Pass Ultimate subscribers
Specs of the controller can be found below:
- Platform: Android Phones, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
- Connectivity: Wireless, Wired
- Battery: 2000 mAh Rechargeable Battery
- Ports: 3.5 mm Audio Port, USB-C port
Taking a step further with the Xbox controller hardware
If you’ve used an official Xbox Series X|S controller before, then the build of the PowerA MOGA XP-ULTRA will be familiar. In addition to the buttons layout, they pack a similar finish that feels adequate for gaming. However, the XP-ULTRA is slightly heavier than the official controller; but not overwhelmingly so and the additional weight is easily accustomed to.
While the build is sturdy, I wish that PowerA would have included rubberised grips on the XP-ULTRA. Even if the handgrips on the controller are textured, a rubber finish would have added better support and overall feel. Other welcome deviations from the strict Xbox-styled controller would have been a traditional D-pad and swappable thumbsticks.
That said, having a rubberised padding could be possible in the future as the MOGA XP-ULTRA is modular. The hand grips are detachable, meaning PowerA could develop an ecosystem around it to feature additional types of grips/add-ons whether it’s for form or function.
With its modular aspect, the controller can turn from a full-sized one to a compact and more portable one by simply toggling a switch on the underside of the device. It's an effective mechanism that holds the controller and grips securely together while also enabling them to be separated easily on demand.
In the compact, mini-gamepad mode, you can make use of all traditional features of a regular controller (the mini-pad features built-in rumble motors as does the detachable grip). The only missing feature that the full-sized mode offers that isn’t available in the mini-pad mode are the two mappable back buttons.
PowerA also includes a clip add-on that attaches to the top of the gamepad (whether in full or mini mode). This lets you slide in your phone for mobile gaming and there’s even a 1-month free trial for new Game Pass Ultimate subscribers included in the package for you to try cloud gaming. While I personally prefer telescopic controllers that attach to the sides of my phone for mobile gaming, this dedicated mobile gaming feature of the MOGA XP-ULTRA is a welcome one.
An Xbox controller with versatile use
Pairing the PowerA MOGA XP-ULTRA to an Xbox console, PC or Android device is an easy affair. It’s also fairly easy to switch between modes to pair the controller on different systems based on your gaming needs. Once paired, the device offers a stable and reliable connection with responsive controls.
One of my must-have features of controllers is mappable back buttons. These can really help make some keys more easy to access such as LB/RB but most official controllers don’t feature such buttons. In most cases you’ll need to purchase the ‘pro’ model or an add-on. Luckily, PowerA included two mappable back buttons on the MOGA XP-ULTRA that are easily reachable with the middle or ring finger. To these, you can assign one of the A/B/X/Y/LT/RT/LB/RB keys on-the-fly, without needing a companion app (there’s a dedicated hardware key for the mapping process). What’s more, the controller includes an onboard memory to store the assigned buttons even after it is disconnected. This takes the hassle away of needing to reassign buttons each time.
There are still improvements that could be undertaken on this front though. Most notably, not all buttons are mappable to the back shortcut keys. In other controllers that do permit it, I found that mapping L3/R3 to be also very convenient to access on a back button/paddle. Also, having more than two back buttons would be welcome but having even two goes a long way to increasing gameplay convenience.
With its 2000 mAh built-in battery, you can safely game for dozens of hours before worrying about charging. Depending on the mode you’re using, the controller can easily last for at least 30 hours on a single charge (PowerA estimates up to 40 hours in Bluetooth mode and up to 60 hours on Xbox connectivity).
One downside of the built-in battery is that it is non-replaceable. Here I wish that PowerA was closer to the original Xbox controller with swappable battery packs.
When it’s time to charge the device, you can use the included handy, braided USB-C cable. It is of a decent length of 3m that can be used for charging as well as for wired gaming.
The versatility that this controller delivers compared to its first-party counterpart is really a standout feature. It really allows you to play with a freedom of possibilities that aren’t natively supported with the official Xbox controller. Moreover, the modular aspect can expand its potential.
One downside of the modularity that I found is with the mini-pad mode. While I welcome its compact form factor for easier storage during travels, I wouldn’t recommend using it for extended periods of time. This is because this mode can get your hands to feel crampy over time. Also, the LB/RB buttons are harder to reach and the lack of back buttons to alleviate this issue means you’ll have to resort to the actual LB/RB buttons. However, with the potentials of its modular aspect, PowerA could release a more compact grip with back buttons for mobile gaming.
Overall, the PowerA MOGA XP-ULTRA takes it further than what the original Xbox controller offers. While there are some features that would be welcome changes from its source of inspiration, the modularity and additional back buttons makes this alternative a more versatile one. It’s an easy recommendation to replace your Xbox controller if you need one. Indeed, it’s become my main controller to use on my Xbox Series S.
Now with Microsoft partnering with third-parties to make Xbox-compatible wireless controllers, we might see more of such options on the market. As for PowerA, I hope that they develop an enticing ecosystem of add-ons for its already great MOGA XP-ULTRA to stand out from its competitors.
Verdict
- First officially licensed Xbox wireless controller
- Mappable back buttons with on-board memory
- Modular, versatile use
- Decent battery life
- No swappable battery pack
- More mappable buttons options would be welcome
- Mini gamepad mode can get uncomfortable over time
