How does the hitbox micro stack up against this and the other ones? I really like the small form factor but I feel like $250 insane lol…or maybe it’s that good and I should just buy it??
@@llamatarian3913 If you are looking for a mini hitbox, the Snack Box Micro is one of the best options. Otherwise, bigger hitboxes give you more space to work with.
Great video thank you! I’m looking to buy my first fight stick and I definitely want an all button one. So far this is my top pick! Hopefully will be ordering soon!
This review is the greatest one on UA-cam, and I really appreciate it as I'm going to buy this hitbox controller. I only have some questions i didn't understand. Is it PS5 compatible with the current board? If it is not I'm going to buy also the Brook board. Thanks man. Great job!
The fightbox have a version of F1 that works with PS5 and Xbox X|S. It calls Fightbox F1 UFB-UP5. I own it and it works in ps5 game pretty well and on PC too.
I got myself one and I love it. My 2 complains are it doesn't have an anti-slip bottom and the 6 feet don't help much when it's on your lap; and it's difficult to open top pannel for buttons customisation. Other than that it's perfect.
Hi, apologies if it was mentioned somewhere in the video, but I'm curious on how this controller feels when seated on your lap. Is it relatively the same as a standard Hitbox? I know you mentioned that it slides on a lot of surfaces but don't know much else than that.
The lap play is alright; this is a little narrower than the standard HB and (likely) not as heavy if that matters. You may want to get DIY and cut some foam for the bottom to make it a little more comfortable.
Do you know what fighting board is in there ? You can already buy a Brooks for 30 dollars so I wonder why they didn't use that board. Looks very good for beginners but the latency is pretty bad for competitive play. Cheers.
It doesn't appear to be the usual Zero Delay but it's not a Brook (you can see in lab time it's a YunBao 360). There is the option to upgrade. I didn't find the lag to be very significant in comparison to the J500, for example, but the Brook does have just a bit more smoothness/quickness to it.
At 9:57 when it says mode change, is that referring to Analog stick and D-Pad? Like can I change the PC version to emulate a D-Pad (preferably) instead of an analog stick? Because I read somewhere on Reddit that a guy got the PC version and it was reading his inputs as left control stick instead of as D-Pad. Also, it's been 2 months, how's the case holding up? I heard that there was this guy who played on it 1-2 hours a day every day for a month and apparently the case itself started to cave in slightly, almost like it was being deformed due to the cheap material it's made out of.
IIRC the mode switch is more for toggling between PC and other platforms (might be X- and D-Input switching; not sure). As far as the durability issue, I haven't been using it much since completing the review since I've been working on others so I can't speak to that. However, now that you mention it, it might've been nice to have some support posts in the middle.
@thearcadestick8931 Fam I really need to know.. Is the lag difference from a brook board compared to this very noticeable tho? I'm a keyboard player and idk anything about sticks / pads input lag at all. All I know is my keyboard buttons are too deep and too small. Is the brooks board worth the extra money even if I'm still playing on PC?
If you've played on a Brook (or the GP2040 boards out there now) then you get used to just how smooth and quick they feel -- I'm getting setup to do proper MiSTer-based lag testing in future reviews to get more objective numbers here. My not so objective feel is that Brook/GP2040 outpaces this, but not by a huge amount, unlike the J500 I reviewed which felt much slower. If you're just going to play on PC, check out ArcadePCB's Advanced Pico Breakout Board (once it's back in stock).
Dope review, i puchased the pc/ps3 version because thats what i could afford. I dont have a pc i have a ps4, i ordered a raspberry pi pico zero delay usb board encoder board but thats only arriving in 2weeks, im new to this and is it possible to swop boards?
This was a fantastic review, it helped me decide to purchase it. However, like an idiot I threw away my instruction manual figuring I'd never need it. Somehow my cat changed my game mode and I can't figure out how to get it back to default (PC) can you tell me how to switch game modes? I can't find the instructions online. Thank you again!
@@Zevaeros Thank you for responding! I actually held the "home button" (first on the left) for 10 seconds at a time and that seemed to click between modes. It's back to normal now. Thanks again!
I'd like to say there is but there's nothing for them to screw into and there's no way to get a nut in there unless you glue in some (or some other solution). I don't have the unit anymore, however.
If you have tried and enjoyed fightsticks with Sanwa buttons before, then Sanwa hitboxes are the way to go for you. However, if you prefer the feeling of a keyboard, switches may be for you.
Do you think it is easy enough to get the pc version and replace the board for a universal brooks by yourself? I really like the Astro City model of this controller
It's not too hard to get this opened up and replace the board though I'm not sure about the specific mount points for it (there are some standoffs inside but they don't seem arranged to fit the Brook board). You can use adhesive standoffs though (I would get a little 3M VHB double sided tape to really hold it down).
Ofcourse , theres nothing outside of buttons inside so even taping it on the bottom would work nicely . Don't pay the stupid expensive price for the hitbox of 250 $ . This thing costs around 100 and it's a banger .
I didn't test a Brook-equipped box; you could directly wire the buttons into their respective terminals to accomplish this (though that's not the most user-friendly way).
Hey, just got my first arcade controller which is this one and I found ur video about it, when I plugged it onto my computer the steam recognized it as an xbox controller eventhough I bought a ps3/ps4 brook board. does it occur often or is it just my own?
This should be normal behavior. With latest firmware you might get something different -- my UFBs are reporting as some generic thing nowadays in Windows. You may want to make sure PS support is enabled in Steam for good measure though: Settings > Controller > Enable Steam Input for Playstation controllers
@@Zevaeros I'm new to this so I don't know how ufb or upb stacks up to industry standards... Is that combo known to have pretty decent feed back or does and noticable delay?
If you mean the CPT-compliant button box SOCD rules: Yes and no -- if you get the base model, then it won't be. Any of the Brook-equipped ones should be as long as they have a corresponding tournament firmware.
It is. They have a firmware update if you bought it around April. If you purchased after, hold mode, start, and press down, left or right to toggle between socd modes
Any idea if the standard PC version compatible with the Switch? I would mostly only use PC but I would like to try playing SF3/DBZ on my Switch with it if it's possible
@@unkotempest did u get the pc only version (without the brook fighting board) or the ps4 version with the brook fighting board? is ur problem still occurring? cos im planning to buy this box with the ps4 version
I can't find a way to remove the acrylic clear front to customize it... I wanted to put stickers from all my events and local wins into it. But I can't seem to find a way to remove the screws that have no holes in them to take them off. Does anyone know how this works or what I have to do to remove it?
It should be similar to popping the top as demonstrated in the internals section. Remove the feet, then use the now exposed holes to push them out with a flathead screwdriver or other tool.
Sure, it still works - I didn't really experience problems with it other than what's already mentioned in the video. You may want to have a look at the Fightbox B1 though if you have a little more money and it fits your preferences - I'll have the video for that up soon.
@@Zevaeros I saw a video review by blendoo and he was double tapping on the buttons on his B1, and one of the buttons was popping out a few times, which is concerning. I'll definitely check out your review for your B1.
Mine DOES NOT connect to my ps4 anymore, tried restarting multiple times and it just won't work. Under the rare circumstances that it does connect to my ps4 I usually get kicked out within 30 minutes of playing.
@@Zevaeros thankyou for the reply. i tried it and nothing worked idk why my pc isnt detecting it anymore. i opened it up and everything looked fine, even tried a new usb cord
They are changeable; just do it while the unit is unplugged. You'll have to open it up as shown in the internals section. My tutorial on buttons will help you remove and add buttons: ua-cam.com/video/5ib5nL9W8Uc/v-deo.html
BEWARE: This controller has a disconnect issue that myself and a few other people have gotten. Customer service is not so great on aliexpress so if this happens 15 days after arrival you are now stuck with a controller thats usable half of the time.
i bought this in the beginning of last year and i love it, it feels great for my first leverless controller and i only want to keep using. im not sure if anyone here can help me but im going to my first local in a couple of months but i have the white only PC version and heard they use ps5's now for tournaments so i wanted to ask does anyone know if this works with the Brook wingman fgc converter? because if not then i might just have to get a whole new hitbox which i don think it will arrive in time ;-; and hes right the fact that it comes saying its a fightbox and not the RAC-J800B it gets a little confusing because i was having trouble finding this controller online again since it doesnt appear alone in fightbox's website. or is there anything that could perhaps me use this on a ps5/ps4? please and thank you.
The Fightbox F1 and RAC J800B are essentially the same product. I know the Wingman FGC supports any Brook board but not sure about the PC board in this; if you're confident in your DIY skills you could get a Brook UFB Fusion and wiring kits then change that out.
Article thearcadestick.com/rac-j800b/
How does the hitbox micro stack up against this and the other ones? I really like the small form factor but I feel like $250 insane lol…or maybe it’s that good and I should just buy it??
@@llamatarian3913 If you are looking for a mini hitbox, the Snack Box Micro is one of the best options. Otherwise, bigger hitboxes give you more space to work with.
thank you for taking the time to make this. I jst got one of these and this is the ONLY tutorial i could find on how to open it up
Great review, idk if I want to spend 270+ on a hitbox right away so this looks like a great pick to get into the game.
I've had one of these for about a year and can say this pretty spot on. Those hexagons on the back are screw posts for the inside. Solid review :)
Thanks for the intel and kind words!
Did you use it heavily? Did it start to become deformed due to the weight of your hands and pressure? I heard the case material is weak.
@@thejedioutcast804 the 2 top panels are bowed slightly where my wrists would lay, though I wouldn't have noticed if without looking for it.
@@championslug5049 Alright made my decision. lol I play FG's pretty heavily, that shit would cave in on me in less than a year.
@@thejedioutcast804 Wouldn't bowed panels mean that the controller has ergonomically adapted to your wrists?
Thank you for this review. By far the best on YT.
Thanks for this in depth overview. Just put in my Amazon order!
Thank you for the review! Very informative.
Well thanks! This video helps in my purchasing decision.
Great video thank you! I’m looking to buy my first fight stick and I definitely want an all button one. So far this is my top pick! Hopefully will be ordering soon!
This review is the greatest one on UA-cam, and I really appreciate it as I'm going to buy this hitbox controller.
I only have some questions i didn't understand.
Is it PS5 compatible with the current board?
If it is not I'm going to buy also the Brook board.
Thanks man. Great job!
No, it isn't PS5 compatible out of the box.
It will technically work on PS5 but ONLY with PS4 games
The fightbox have a version of F1 that works with PS5 and Xbox X|S. It calls Fightbox F1 UFB-UP5. I own it and it works in ps5 game pretty well and on PC too.
There’s one now with PS5 native game compatibility.
I got myself one and I love it. My 2 complains are it doesn't have an anti-slip bottom and the 6 feet don't help much when it's on your lap; and it's difficult to open top pannel for buttons customisation. Other than that it's perfect.
amazing video
Hi, apologies if it was mentioned somewhere in the video, but I'm curious on how this controller feels when seated on your lap. Is it relatively the same as a standard Hitbox? I know you mentioned that it slides on a lot of surfaces but don't know much else than that.
The lap play is alright; this is a little narrower than the standard HB and (likely) not as heavy if that matters. You may want to get DIY and cut some foam for the bottom to make it a little more comfortable.
Do you know what fighting board is in there ? You can already buy a Brooks for 30 dollars so I wonder why they didn't use that board. Looks very good for beginners but the latency is pretty bad for competitive play. Cheers.
It doesn't appear to be the usual Zero Delay but it's not a Brook (you can see in lab time it's a YunBao 360). There is the option to upgrade. I didn't find the lag to be very significant in comparison to the J500, for example, but the Brook does have just a bit more smoothness/quickness to it.
At 9:57 when it says mode change, is that referring to Analog stick and D-Pad? Like can I change the PC version to emulate a D-Pad (preferably) instead of an analog stick? Because I read somewhere on Reddit that a guy got the PC version and it was reading his inputs as left control stick instead of as D-Pad.
Also, it's been 2 months, how's the case holding up? I heard that there was this guy who played on it 1-2 hours a day every day for a month and apparently the case itself started to cave in slightly, almost like it was being deformed due to the cheap material it's made out of.
IIRC the mode switch is more for toggling between PC and other platforms (might be X- and D-Input switching; not sure). As far as the durability issue, I haven't been using it much since completing the review since I've been working on others so I can't speak to that. However, now that you mention it, it might've been nice to have some support posts in the middle.
@thearcadestick8931 Fam I really need to know.. Is the lag difference from a brook board compared to this very noticeable tho? I'm a keyboard player and idk anything about sticks / pads input lag at all. All I know is my keyboard buttons are too deep and too small. Is the brooks board worth the extra money even if I'm still playing on PC?
If you've played on a Brook (or the GP2040 boards out there now) then you get used to just how smooth and quick they feel -- I'm getting setup to do proper MiSTer-based lag testing in future reviews to get more objective numbers here. My not so objective feel is that Brook/GP2040 outpaces this, but not by a huge amount, unlike the J500 I reviewed which felt much slower.
If you're just going to play on PC, check out ArcadePCB's Advanced Pico Breakout Board (once it's back in stock).
Great video I wanted to ask if there is a software to assign buttons or change buttons ?
Not included with it, but an external program like the Xbox 360 Controller Emulator might work.
When you press Left + Right + Down together do you get a down or a neutral input? Cause I saw a review saying the SOCD wasn't working as expected.
L+R+D produces down. U+D produces up, as expected. L+R produces neutral. Not sure there's a way to toggle this.
Dope review, i puchased the pc/ps3 version because thats what i could afford. I dont have a pc i have a ps4, i ordered a raspberry pi pico zero delay usb board encoder board but thats only arriving in 2weeks, im new to this and is it possible to swop boards?
Yes, though I can't say how the rewiring process will be for you (it likely won't be 1:1 with the existing board).
@@Zevaeros the raspberry pi pico ive ordered with all cables and a little lcd so i will have to rewire it myself. Thats ok as long as it works
This was a fantastic review, it helped me decide to purchase it. However, like an idiot I threw away my instruction manual figuring I'd never need it. Somehow my cat changed my game mode and I can't figure out how to get it back to default (PC) can you tell me how to switch game modes? I can't find the instructions online. Thank you again!
Use the mode button that's second from the left on the front (I think you need to hold it for 3 seconds IIRC).
@@Zevaeros Thank you for responding! I actually held the "home button" (first on the left) for 10 seconds at a time and that seemed to click between modes. It's back to normal now. Thanks again!
do you know if those plastic nails can be replaces by screws?
I'd like to say there is but there's nothing for them to screw into and there's no way to get a nut in there unless you glue in some (or some other solution). I don't have the unit anymore, however.
What is better the Sanwa button or switches. I’m new to try leverless and don’t know what option to choose.
I do use arcade sticks
If you have tried and enjoyed fightsticks with Sanwa buttons before, then Sanwa hitboxes are the way to go for you. However, if you prefer the feeling of a keyboard, switches may be for you.
Do you think it is easy enough to get the pc version and replace the board for a universal brooks by yourself?
I really like the Astro City model of this controller
It's not too hard to get this opened up and replace the board though I'm not sure about the specific mount points for it (there are some standoffs inside but they don't seem arranged to fit the Brook board). You can use adhesive standoffs though (I would get a little 3M VHB double sided tape to really hold it down).
Ofcourse , theres nothing outside of buttons inside so even taping it on the bottom would work nicely . Don't pay the stupid expensive price for the hitbox of 250 $ . This thing costs around 100 and it's a banger .
Is the Brook board only available for the PS4/PS5 verision? Doesn’t advertise it for PC
The PC version probably does not come with a Brook board.
all other options than just, PC come with the Brook Board. So might as well get the PS or XB version.
If ordered the F8 which has two up and two down buttons, can I remap those buttons myself to left and right? if so, how would you do that?
I didn't test a Brook-equipped box; you could directly wire the buttons into their respective terminals to accomplish this (though that's not the most user-friendly way).
Hey, just got my first arcade controller which is this one and I found ur video about it, when I plugged it onto my computer the steam recognized it as an xbox controller eventhough I bought a ps3/ps4 brook board. does it occur often or is it just my own?
This should be normal behavior. With latest firmware you might get something different -- my UFBs are reporting as some generic thing nowadays in Windows.
You may want to make sure PS support is enabled in Steam for good measure though: Settings > Controller > Enable Steam Input for Playstation controllers
Does the PS5 version of the RAC-J800B have zero delay like the pc version. the one that is currently like 250 usd
I don't know that any of the ZD boards support PS5, so it's likely a UFB+UP5 combo in there.
@@Zevaeros I'm new to this so I don't know how ufb or upb stacks up to industry standards... Is that combo known to have pretty decent feed back or does and noticable delay?
@@mmafox1018 The Brook UFB + UP5 has to be the combo out there!
Do you know if this hitbox is compatible with the newest SOCD firmare update for Street Fighter 6? I have the same one, but can't find info :/
If you mean the CPT-compliant button box SOCD rules: Yes and no -- if you get the base model, then it won't be. Any of the Brook-equipped ones should be as long as they have a corresponding tournament firmware.
It is. They have a firmware update if you bought it around April. If you purchased after, hold mode, start, and press down, left or right to toggle between socd modes
Any idea if the standard PC version compatible with the Switch? I would mostly only use PC but I would like to try playing SF3/DBZ on my Switch with it if it's possible
Probably not, but you can reach out to David: retroarcadecrafts2018@gmail.com
Hi, the cheapest 'hitbox' controller with brook pcb and sanwa buttons ?!? Help plx
Have you referred to our top hitboxes list?
i just got mine a few weeks ago and it constantly disconnects during online matches, i dont know what the problem is.
I had the problem to just lay is on a flat surface and then it good
@@VEXF0R did you figure out the root of the problem?
@@unkotempest did u get the pc only version (without the brook fighting board) or the ps4 version with the brook fighting board? is ur problem still occurring? cos im planning to buy this box with the ps4 version
@@mangotar0 ps4. and it still has problems.
edit: i opened it and it looked fine. could it be the usb?
@@unkotempest u should contact the seller
I can't find a way to remove the acrylic clear front to customize it... I wanted to put stickers from all my events and local wins into it. But I can't seem to find a way to remove the screws that have no holes in them to take them off. Does anyone know how this works or what I have to do to remove it?
It should be similar to popping the top as demonstrated in the internals section. Remove the feet, then use the now exposed holes to push them out with a flathead screwdriver or other tool.
Is your hitbox (RAX-J800B) still functioning well? Did u experience any problems? Because Im planning to get one
Sure, it still works - I didn't really experience problems with it other than what's already mentioned in the video.
You may want to have a look at the Fightbox B1 though if you have a little more money and it fits your preferences - I'll have the video for that up soon.
@@Zevaeros I saw a video review by blendoo and he was double tapping on the buttons on his B1, and one of the buttons was popping out a few times, which is concerning. I'll definitely check out your review for your B1.
@@mangotar0 I played with the B1 for a lot longer and never experienced the button pop off issue.
Mine DOES NOT connect to my ps4 anymore, tried restarting multiple times and it just won't work. Under the rare circumstances that it does connect to my ps4 I usually get kicked out within 30 minutes of playing.
@@0mniRa The PS4 model should be using a Brook board - have you updated the firmware on it?
Hi, is the Ps version also usable for pc as well,i want a brook fighting board and only th eps version has it,would appreciate your help on this.
It should work.
@@TheArcadeStick Thank you
Every time he tries to do a combo it legit just sounds like button mashing and I giggle
That is the result of using buttons for movement inputs as well! 🤣
Oh no, my secret technique discovered!😆
how do i switch it back to pc mode? it just disconnected and doesn’t work anymore and idk what to do i think the mode may have been switched
Use the mode button that's second from the left on the front (I think you need to hold it for 3 seconds IIRC).
@@Zevaeros thankyou for the reply. i tried it and nothing worked idk why my pc isnt detecting it anymore. i opened it up and everything looked fine, even tried a new usb cord
@@Newlins A reply below mentioned holding it for 10 seconds instead; try that.
how would i swap out the buttons. they dont seem hot swappable
They are changeable; just do it while the unit is unplugged. You'll have to open it up as shown in the internals section. My tutorial on buttons will help you remove and add buttons: ua-cam.com/video/5ib5nL9W8Uc/v-deo.html
@@Zevaeros you’re the best man I love you
Does this Controller has any Bad Input Delay? I'm confused when you show 21.264ms in Red. That's a lot!!
This one doesn't feel that bad, and you can step up to the Brook models to eliminate it. The J500 felt noticeably longer.
BEWARE: This controller has a disconnect issue that myself and a few other people have gotten. Customer service is not so great on aliexpress so if this happens 15 days after arrival you are now stuck with a controller thats usable half of the time.
Have you tried contacting RetroArcadeCrafts directly?
On pc?
20 ms input delay is bad or playable?
20 ms are a lot, but the RAC-J800B should do better than that.
But in their video theres only a 1.xx MS delay. Maybe they updated it?
ua-cam.com/video/uQiP5SuKyS8/v-deo.html
@@iTechN9ne92i hope so. i ordered RAC-J800B
@@iTechN9ne92i That latency seems more reasonable.
@@iTechN9ne92i is it a brook fighting board version?
i bought this in the beginning of last year and i love it, it feels great for my first leverless controller and i only want to keep using. im not sure if anyone here can help me but im going to my first local in a couple of months but i have the white only PC version and heard they use ps5's now for tournaments so i wanted to ask does anyone know if this works with the Brook wingman fgc converter? because if not then i might just have to get a whole new hitbox which i don think it will arrive in time ;-; and hes right the fact that it comes saying its a fightbox and not the RAC-J800B it gets a little confusing because i was having trouble finding this controller online again since it doesnt appear alone in fightbox's website. or is there anything that could perhaps me use this on a ps5/ps4? please and thank you.
The Fightbox F1 and RAC J800B are essentially the same product. I know the Wingman FGC supports any Brook board but not sure about the PC board in this; if you're confident in your DIY skills you could get a Brook UFB Fusion and wiring kits then change that out.
@@Zevaeros definitely not confident enough to do it myself;-; I would pay someone to do it for me but then I minus well pay to make a new hitbox
Excuse me, does anyone have a wire diagram?
Not handy, sorry
Can it be used on Xbox series x
Consider one the FightBox variants that have at least a Brook Universal Fighting Board.
I need a ps 5 and pc version
fightboxarcade.com/products/fightbox-f1-ps5-arcade-game-controller-for-ps5-ps4-ps4-pc