I’ve reviewed a number of leverless arcade controllers for the Swap / Swap 2, however I’ve had my eye on the Hit Field Extremely for a short time now. For these unfamiliar, Hit Field is the unique leverless arcade controller; if you wish to contest that, then it’s a minimum of the one which popularised the idea. The Extremely is the corporate’s newest iteration of its core design, including in three of its outstanding ‘C.O.M.B.O. Extension’ buttons whereas making some considerate enhancements to the general design.
Proper off the bat, the Hit Field Extremely has native compatibility with the Swap, Swap 2, PS4, PS5, and PC – there’s no Xbox assist for this one. Having the ability to hook up with the PS5, nonetheless, is a big win because the overwhelming majority of arcade controllers require an extra authenticator to work correctly.
All you want to do is maintain the related button whereas plugging within the system to hyperlink it to your chosen console (verify the guide for the precise button). Alternatively, holding within the small menu button on the far proper permits the Extremely to robotically recognise which console you’re utilizing. Equally, you’ve got acquired a number of SOCD modes obtainable, and you’ll even swap the directional enter to imitate the d-pad, left stick, or proper stick.
By way of design, the Extremely is far slimmer and lighter than its predecessor, coming in at 27mm in top and 1.7 kg / 3.75 lbs in weight. The primary physique is constructed from metal, so it is extremely sturdy and feels very premium, which you’d count on at a worth level of $299.99 / £226. You may discover that, by way of top, it is nonetheless loads thicker than different arcade controllers I’ve checked out, and that’s due to the buttons the Extremely homes in its major physique.
Often with arcade controllers, they’re loaded with Kailh switches which can be then coated with a easy key cap. Not so with the Hit Field. Right here, the C.O.M.B.O. buttons are made up of a number of parts: the properly (which homes Cherry MX low-profile switches), plunger, optimiser, cap, and eventually, the locking ring. So primarily, the properly slots into the controller’s major physique, the optimiser rests snugly inside, the plunger (with the important thing cap connected) sits on prime, and the ring locks all the things in place.
As customary, the Extremely comes with three units of optimisers. These are silicone cushions that sit throughout the button properly and supply two key capabilities: they decrease the journey distance of your button presses whereas virtually utterly silencing them. Twelve Tremendous (1mm) optimisers are pre-installed, when you’re additionally supplied with twelve Basic (1.5mm) and Extremely (0.65) optimisers every, so I encourage you to experiment and see which one suits your play fashion.
Switching them out is simple: you simply maintain down on the button you’re customising, flip the locking ring anti-clockwise, pull it out, raise the plunger up, then scoop the optimiser out and change it with a special one. Alternatively, you may simply depart them out utterly if you need a extra ‘basic’ arcade really feel to your buttons, however simply take into account that they’ll sound louder when pressed.
While you first unbox the Extremely and begin testing out the buttons, they may really feel a bit bizarre; ever-so-slightly spongy, in reality. Nonetheless, once I began unleashing a bunch of combos in Avenue Fighter 6, any reservations I had utterly melted away.
The velocity at which you’ll be able to actuate the button inputs is just unrivalled, and I’ve discovered that the Extremely virtually instantly improved my general efficiency in recreation. Swapping out the Tremendous optimisers for the lower-profile Extremely optimisers helped much more. Finally, a sample you’ll come to note on this assessment is that the Extremely persistently gives up choices. I really like the optimisers, however as talked about earlier, you don’t have to make use of them for those who don’t need to.
After which we come to the C.O.M.B.O. Extensions. You get three with the Extremely, they usually’re primarily two buttons in a single. You’ve acquired the usual C.O.M.B.O. button I’ve already gone by means of, however then an additional button that homes a Kailh PG1425 X microswitch. A number of arcade controllers lately include further inputs embedded within the controller itself, however the advantage of the Extensions is you may rotate them to a selected place, and even customise the structure utterly by swapping it with one other button.
The three pre-installed Extensions are located in the midst of the button structure; form of sitting vertically in a line. This can be a good structure as it’s, however I actually like having a button over on the far left on which to relaxation my pinky finger, even when I don’t even have any inputs mapped to it. It simply feels proper to me.
No matter structure you select, the Extensions are mapped to ‘L3’, ‘R3’, and ‘Seize’ by default (notice: the Seize enter is mapped to ‘Touchpad’ for those who’re utilizing the Extremely on PS4/5). You may swap the inputs to no matter you would like, nonetheless, and we’ll get into how in a bit. Simply be conscious with one thing like Avenue Fighter 6, most tournaments gained’t allow you to map the identical enter to 2 separate buttons.
Once more, the flexibility to rotate your Extensions or swap them with one other button is all about benefiting from the copious choices that the Extremely presents. You simply can’t do that with different controllers, and it permits you to actually make it your individual. You already know the saying: “That is my arcade controller. There are lots of prefer it, however this one is mine”.
Okay, perhaps not…
Up on the highest of the system, you will have 6 menu buttons: from proper to left, these are +, Seize, House, –, R3, and L3. Over on the far left is the ability port, which sits virtually utterly flush with the system. You get a braided cable with the Extremely, and it feels extremely rugged whereas the proprietary design retains it locked in place when connected. My solely concern right here is that if the cable does wind up dying sooner or later, sourcing a substitute gained’t be as simple as discovering a regular USB-C cable (although Hit Field does promote replacements on its official web site). Over on the again, you’ve acquired a non-slip plate to maintain the controller from sliding in all places whereas in use, and it’s really magnetic by design – that is the place the true enjoyable begins.
Eradicating the magnetic plate enables you to get into all of the {hardware} and wiring inside, and that is what you’ll have to entry if you wish to customise the structure of your Extremely and swap out the Extension inputs. Don’t fear if this seems daunting from the photographs, it’s really not as advanced as you may assume.
So let’s say you need to remap your Extensions. You’ll see a small, inexperienced switchboard on the underside proper with three pins poking out. You simply have to unplug the pin you need to remap and plug it into the specified enter. Take note right here that the labelling is for PlayStation, however as long as you seek the advice of your guide and Hit Field’s on-line guides, you’ll have the ability to immediately translate the PlayStation inputs to Swap inputs.
Swapping the structure is a little more advanced, however once more, it’s not too taxing. You simply have to disconnect the 2 wires from the button you want to take away by pulling them out along with your fingers; no instruments required, however you should use pliers if you want. As soon as they’re out, simply push the button by means of from the again, and it’ll come out the entrance.
When you’re eradicating an Extension button, you’ll additionally have to disconnect the skinny, white sign wire from the terminal block on the highest proper. All of the wires are saved neatly along with three velcro strips by default, so that you may have to take away one or two of those to unlock a few of the wiring for customisation.
When you’re trying to customise the structure of your Extremely, I firmly suggest discovering the perfect setup for you after which sticking with it. Eradicating buttons and swapping them round isn’t onerous, however you don’t need to be fiddling round with the wiring each different day – and it really comes with six small screws to utterly lock the magnetic again plate in place when you’re assured you’re completed with any tinkering.
Finally, this isn’t beginner-friendly, so for those who’re utterly new to the world of leverless controllers, this in all probability isn’t the controller you need to begin with. I can’t essentially knock it for that, although, since Hit Field doesn’t – in any method, form, or kind – market the Extremely to novices. This can be a product for these searching for a long-term funding to take to tournaments and actually step up your combating recreation within the skilled area.
Though I wasn’t ready to do that for the assessment, Hit Field does affirm you could mod the Extremely additional with customized art work. You’ll have to buy a separate, clear acrylic prime for the system and take away all buttons to perform this, however it’s an choice for these determined to specific themselves much more. Fortunately, including art work to the buttons is simple, because you simply take away the clear caps and add your round art work beneath. Talking of the acrylic prime, I believe this factor will probably be a magnet for scratches over time; it’s already attracted a bunch of fingerprints, so hold the cleansing material at hand always. Undoubtedly a little bit of a disappointment there.
Lastly, you get a couple of further goodies along with your Extremely. First up are three Extension shields which shield the C.O.M.B.O. Extension buttons when travelling – you simply slide them onto the tip once you need to use them. To maintain the Extensions locked in place for those who’ve discovered the proper rotation angle, you may add Grapplers beneath to stabilise them. These aren’t important and also you’ll in all probability discover the Extensions are fairly steady anyway, however it’s good to have.
And final however not least, Hit Field has included a black, branded carry bag to move your Extremely out and about; a stunning little further that can turn out to be useful for those who attend tournaments incessantly.
Conclusion
Whereas the Hit Field Extremely is not low-cost, maybe greater than some other arcade controller I’ve examined not too long ago, it’s totally a lot a long-term funding geared towards gamers who compete professionally. The extent of button customisation is unparalleled, the metal physique is weighty and sturdy, and native compatibility with Swap, Swap 2, and the PS5 makes it probably the greatest choices on the market for those who’re trying to take your recreation to the following degree.
Changing the proprietary cable if something goes improper does concern me a bit, however just like the controller itself, it is so sturdy and sturdy that I do not count on it to interrupt on me anytime quickly. When you like protecting your controllers in pristine situation, the acrylic prime might trigger points attracting fingerprints and potential scratches. In any other case, it is a really world class controller for combating video games.
Because of Hit Field for offering the pattern used on this assessment.
