The fighting game community continues to evolve inside and outside of matches through their controllers. Standard controllers, popular fight sticks, fight pads, and even the occasional Guitar Hero controller found success in the right hands. More recently, the infamous/famous Hitbox (depending on who you ask) is trending throughout the community for better or worse.

The Hitbox, an all-button version of the standard fight stick, was designed strictly for fighting games. It features an optimized button layout that is arguably more effective than the classic arcade counterpart. Top players like Daigo Umehara, Tokido, and maybe even Punk switched to Hitbox. But how can it be so much better than the controllers that won them championships? Let’s explore a few reasons why Hitbox controllers improve performance.

The Hitbox gives you more control over how you play

Four buttons replace the stick found on traditional fight sticks: Left, down, right, and an up/jump button where your thumb rests. This placement creates more accurate, relaxed, and precise control. Users effectively move, act, and block more on point than ever. You’re able to do whatever you need to do at the push of a button instead of using more force for inputs.

Hitboxes also offer more freedom in execution. For example, players can use either thumb near the up button to make playing more comfortable. Execution errors commonly attributed to a slight mispush of the stick on a controller pad or fight stick are far less likely. 

Examples of the Hitbox’s advantages

Players often struggle with characters like M.O.D.O.K in Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 because their advanced movement options require frame-perfect precision. He actually moved up in the tier list after the Hitbox made his tools much easier to use.

Another example is any charge character. The directional buttons make things like charge partitioning (A mechanic that lets you stop charging a charge move briefly, then start charging again from where you left off) more doable since you can quickly input from back to forward. You also have extra precision when going from down-back to whatever position is necessary to maintain charge or unleash charge moves.

Fundamentals like combo optimization with the Hitbox vary from game to game, but there is almost always a big benefit. If you struggle with a traditional controller, this alternative is probably enough to make a difference. Input shortcuts, easier movement in Tekken, and effortless access to advanced options in anime fighting games are a few of the reasons why many dub it the “Cheatbox.”

Daigo said on stream the controller was an all-around better tool in games like Street Fighter 5 because the additional precision gives players smoother movement and faster access to special moves.

You can win on your favorite controller

Everyone knows the controller doesn’t make the player. We’ve seen champions on a PlayStation One controller and even keyboards but none of them won due to the peripheral alone. No matter what controller you pick you’re going to have to put in the work to win. It’s up to you to decide which gels best with your style. If you take the challenge of mastering the Hitbox, you may have an advantage over the competition.