REVIEW – There’s no shortage of gaming controller options on the market, with some designed specifically for certain consoles while others try to target both Windows and Xbox or Playstation consoles. Rarely do I see one trying to do as much as the PowerA MOGA XP-ULTRA Multi-Platform Wireless Controller though, with support for wireless and wired game control for Xbox Series S/X, Windows 10/11, and Android platforms all at once. Even crazier is the fact that the Xbox Series S/X wireless support is first party, the first non-Microsoft controller to be licensed to use this protocol as far as I know. Throw in four different configurations for the controller (standard/mini both with/without a phone holder) and you’ve got a product that’s definitely trying to be a jack-of-all-trades. But will PowerA succeed at this, or is the PowerA MOGA XP-ULTRA Multi-Platform Wireless Controller attempting to do too much all at once?
What is it?
The PowerA MOGA XP-ULTRA Multi-Platform Wireless Controller is a wireless controller compatible with Xbox Series S/X, Windows 10/11, and Android (as well as some supported Smart TVs). It can also be used in wired mode with its USB-C connection, and it has four configurations including a phone mount and a tiny more portable mode with the hand grips removed.
What’s in the box?
- PowerA MOGA XP-ULTRA Multi-Platform Wireless Controller (with ergonomic rumble grip attached)
- Detachable phone clip
- Quickstart guide (with QR code for digital manual, less waste)
- 1 month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate free trial
Hardware specs
- Battery: up to 60 hours playtime (40 with Bluetooth), 2000 mAh
- Compatibility: Xbox Series X/S licensed first-party wireless, Bluetooth on Windows 10/11 and Android, as well as compatible Smart TVs
- USB-C port for charging and/or wired connectivity
- Weight: 300 grams with ergonomic grip, 180 without
Design and features
The full setup of the PowerA MOGA XP-ULTRA Multi-Platform Wireless Controller involves the core mini controller, the detachable ergonomic grip, and the detachable phone clip, shown all together above. The resulting package feels very similar to the first party Xbox Series remotes in both shape and button layout (with the added bonus of that phone clip option). The thumbsticks have more texture in the center, and there’s an additional battery status button and the release slider for the ergonomic grip.
With the ergonomic grip detached, you’re left with a more portable mini pad that retains all of the core functionality (minus the rumble motors and two back programmable buttons). You can see the pin interface in the pictures above and below. Without the ergonomic grip, I found the mini gamepad setup to be far too cramped for anything but the shortest of gaming sessions, unless I could rest my hands on a surface like a desk while using it. This is definitely more portable though!
The controller is nicely textured and feels premium. The plastic body doesn’t have that cheap light plastic feeling that the inexpensive third party gamepads of the 90s always had.
Up top, you can see the USB-C charging/data port, shoulder triggers, and bumpers, and the connection button (for Xbox and Bluetooth connections).
On the bottom of the controller is a standard 3.5mm combination headphone/microphone jack, just like on regular/elite Xbox Series X/S controllers. Any 3.5mm headset should be compatible (including those old wired earbuds in your drawers that modern cellphones have abandoned). I tested with some nice AKG wired earbuds from an old Samsung flagship phone from a few years ago, and both sound and microphone worked perfectly, great for voice chat while gaming or just watching things without the sound bothering other people.
On the backside of the controller, you can see the programmable back buttons. These can be mapped to any other button – for example I mapped the left-D-pad arrow to one of these to toggle riding a horse in Diablo IV, which is much easier to use than reaching a thumb across the front of the gamepad (if you’re already moving using your left thumb).
Above is another shot of the bumper and trigger buttons. The bumpers are on/off quick switches that click with a satisfying tactile feedback, while the triggers are smooth and analog, allowing you to apply different amounts of force (for example different levels of throttle for racing games). Again, both are very similar to the experience with the first party Microsoft Xbox Series controllers I’m used to.
The D-pad looks pretty similar to the Xbox version, but pressing any direction is a bit more clicky than Xbox’s. This isn’t a bad thing, it will be up to personal preference.
The XYBA buttons are standard Xbox layout, as you’d expect. They’re just a bit more clicky to my fingers than the Xbox standard controllers, which again some people may prefer.
The detachable phone grip clips into the back of the controller and is easy to install and remove. If you have a large heavy phone, it will instantly feel top heavy so you’ll want to play somewhere where you can rest your hands and support that weight if you’re playing more than a few minutes. I do like how it can bring the phone a few inches closer to your face, every bit helps when playing on a small screen. There are two pivot points that can be adjusted and locked into place, and the clamping jaws extend fairly far, though not far enough to accommodate my Google Pixel Fold unfolded (it worked great with it in the folded normal phone configuration).
Setup
Setup is as simple as charging the PowerA MOGA XP-ULTRA Multi-Platform Wireless Controller and then attaching or detaching the ergonomic grip and/or the phone clamp.
Connecting to an Xbox involves simply holding the Xbox connection button on the console until it’s blinking, and then holding the small connection button on top of the Moga controller until it also is blinking and they pair.
For Bluetooth, you’ll hold the connection button on the Moga controller, then add a Bluetooth device on your Windows computer or Android device.
Performance
I tested the PowerA MOGA XP-ULTRA Multi-Platform Wireless Controller with an Xbox Series X, multiple Windows 11 gaming computers, and multiple Android phones. On the Xbox, it works exactly like a first party Xbox controller, with the only difference to my standard controllers being the programmable back buttons.
Windows 11 and Android was a different story, and definitely a mixed bag. Multiple times I connected the device, and then either had no input working in a game (despite the device showing as a Bluetooth gaming gamepad), or limited controls – like the X direction working to move left and right but no other buttons responding. Turning the device on and off usually fixed this issue, but if you’re paying as much as PowerA is asking for a controller like this, I think you expect no finicky issues. Other Bluetooth gaming controllers I’ve previously tested with have had no issues like this.
When you got a good working session, it worked great. Here’s a video showing some Android gameplay (with Diablo Immortal), note that I switch to mini-gamepad configuration at the 0:30 mark:
I am already an Xbox Games Pass Ultimate subscriber, so I tested out some cloud gaming with the PowerA MOGA XP-ULTRA Multi-Platform Wireless Controller as well, and it worked as well as any other Bluetooth controller. On a fast internet connection, you really can play modern triple-A games from the cloud on a phone or tablet with very little input lag (I rarely notice any hiccups).
What I like
- Good Xbox Series X/S performance and compatibility
- Options to work with Windows and Android gaming
What I’d change
- Flaky Bluetooth experience on Windows and Android
- The tiny gamepad configuration is uncomfortable for anything but the shortest gaming sessions
- I prefer the grip-style phone options instead of the phone suspended above the controller, but it’s better than nothing
Final thoughts
If you’re looking for a single controller that you’re going to use both on your Xbox Series X/S and on the go with a mobile phone, the PowerA MOGA XP-ULTRA Multi-Platform Wireless Controller might be a perfect match for you. If you’re just considering other alternatives to the first party Xbox controllers, I wouldn’t recommend this over a standard or Elite Xbox controller: for Xbox-only play it doesn’t justify the price tag, for me (unless 2 reprogrammable buttons or the smaller gamepad option is appealing to you – but the Xbox Elite controller is just a bit more and is widely regarded as fantastic).
Price: $129.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by PowerA
