Having covered so many multi-platform controllers, I have yet to see a third-party controller that supports wireless connectivity with the latest Xbox consoles. That is until I came across the MOGA XP-ULTRA Multi-Platform Wireless Controller by PowerA. The MOGA XP-Ultra is the first licensed wireless controller for the Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. It also sports compatibility with Windows and Android platforms through wired or Bluetooth connections. Completing its versatility, the controller is also modular, making it physically ready for any gaming scenario.
Let’s dive into the MOGA XP-ULTRA Multi-Platform Wireless Controller by PowerA to see what $129.99 gets you.
The MOGA XP-Ultra controller comes with detachable handles, a detachable phone grip, a USB-A to USB-C cable, and a free 1-month pass of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Build and Comfort
The MOGA XP-Ultra sports the same traditional control layout and button placement as your standard Xbox One controller. Beyond that, you have a button for checking the controller’s battery level, two rear programmable handle buttons, a MOGA program button, and a 3.5mm jack on the bottom.
The pairing button on the top of the controller is used to connect with either your Xbox, PC or Android device. You also have the option of using the included USB-A to USB-C cable to play wired with either your Xbox or PC. This also allows you to charge your controller’s battery as you continue to play.
Near the bottom, you have a switch for disconnecting the removable handles. This allows the MOGA XP-Ultra to sport a more compact build, making it easier to take with you on-the-go.
Near the top of the controller’s rear, you have a slot for connecting the removable phone grip. The phone grip has two adjustable hinges, which you can loosen and tighten as you set up your preferred mobile viewing angle. Once the hinges are tightened, the unit as a whole becomes a sturdy mobile gaming setup. The phone grip can be used with the MOGA XP-Ultra both with and without the removable handles, giving you some usage flexibility.
The phone grip itself is very reliable, being able to maintain a solid grasp on even your larger mobile devices. It can handle 6.8-inch devices like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the TCL Stylus 5G, shown here. It can also grasp thicker devices, like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 in its folded state, also show here. For each scenario, we were able to use the grip on these devices without issue, even with their protective phone cases still on.
As far as handling goes, the MOGA XP-Ultra handles quite well as a complete unit. When the handles are attached, the MOGA XP-Ultra feels slightly larger than a standard Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S controller. So, there was a very brief adjustment period for me before I got fully used to the controller’s size. Nevertheless, the controller still felt great. The analog sticks had a respectable amount of resistance. The D-pad and face buttons felt snappy and responsive while the bumpers and triggers felt satisfying to press.
When discussing comfort, the comfort levels of the MOGA XP-Ultra felt as interchangeable as the controller itself. When the handles were connected, the MOGA XP-Ultra felt as comfortable as a controller could get. This was regardless of whether a phone was attached or not, as the handles let you easily manage the added weight of a phone.
When the handles were removed, and the MOGA XP-Ultra was in its smaller form factor, I felt the comfort vary by game genre. Side scrollers, fighters, and various platformers still felt fine with the smaller controller setup. However, playing first or third person shooters had a different feel. These shooters were still plenty playable. It was just that games where dual analog usage was the focus felt like they encouraged a claw grip, which I was not used to.
Reaching for that lower right analog stick without the handles for grip support just felt a little awkward. Otherwise, the smaller form factor felt fine in most game types, even with a phone connected.
Performance
Starting off with gaming on the Xbox Series X, I felt right at home with the MOGA XP-Ultra, especially with the handles connected. In first person shooters, the resistance of the analog sticks coupled with their accuracy allowed me to play at the kind of levels that I was accustomed with. Whether it was Apex Legends or Destiny 2 Trials of Osiris runs, the MOGA XP-Ultra simply got the job done. Of course, in Trials of Osiris, I was sure to wait until after the crafting glitch was somewhat patched, on Monday before I bothered to try a run.
The D-Pad on this controller is a refreshing delight to use in fighting games. While I do play Street Fighter 6, I use 6-button fight pads. So, I purposely stuck with 4-button fighters when using the MOGA XP-Ultra. On Android, I tried various fighting games such as Street Fighter IV Championship Edition and The King of Fighters ’98. All command inputs were easy to execute, allowing me to feel right at home with each game.
I then pushed the envelope and booted up King of Fighters XV on my PC, except I played it from a local bar via Steam Link on Android. Despite playing the game off of my PC at home while connected to wifi at a bar, the MOGA XP-Ultra still allowed me to feel right at home. I was able to get accustomed with the tolerable stream delay and enjoy the game’s solo-player content without a hitch. The controls felt both accurate and responsive, which was all that I needed.
The MOGA XP-Ultra’s modular design coupled with my phone’s foldable display really allowed me to explore this controller’s versatility. When at home, I was able to enjoy both wired and wireless play with my Xbox Series X and PC. While at the bar, I had the option of enjoying classic gaming in a compact form factor.
When I wanted a larger display, I disconnected the phone grip, unfolded my Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 and played on countertop setup. Through Xbox Game Pass, I was able to play some Starfield outdoors while still enjoying the traditional feel of an Xbox controller.
Final Thoughts
The MOGA XP-Ultra, at $129, is probably the most complete all-in-one Xbox gaming controller out now. There are plenty of Xbox controllers out in the wild that offer both Xbox Series X|S, PC and mobile compatibility. However, this is the only one that offers wireless play with your Xbox console, while being both portable and modular. Best of all, the controller feels and handles great. The MOGA XP-ULTRA Multi-Platform Wireless Controller by PowerA is simply a homerun.
If you are interested in checking out the MOGA XP-ULTRA Multi-Platform Wireless Controller for yourself, you can do so by clicking here.
† There are no affiliate links contained within this post. We were provided with a PowerA MOGA XP-ULTRA Multi-Platform Wireless Controller for review purposes and were not compensated for this review.
