Hori Fighting Commander Octa - New Fightpad for Xbox Series/One consoles. Review by NihongoGamer Inside.

[THTB]

EDIT 5/20/21 -
Heads up for those with the OCTA, Hori has updated both the Device Manager, as well as added a firmware update (4.0.9). You can update the Device Manager on Windows Store, and the firmware update can be found here: https://stores.horiusa.com/fighting-commander-octa-for-xbox-series-x-s-pc-firmware-update-notification/

The Device Manager update fixes the remapping so that you can properly reconfigure the buttons, and even add multiple instances of a specific button, so getting a classic shoulder button layout is possible now. You can also map the ABXY buttons without their functionality being completely removed on that particular button. The app can also now be navigated via mouse input. You still cannot map the ABXY buttons themselves, however.

They just released a firmware update for the controller, some people were having issues with the d-pad not always registering their inputs

FIGHTING COMMANDER OCTA for Xbox Series X|S・PC Firmware Update Notification

hori.co.uk

Hori's new fightpad, the Fighting Commander Octa, is releasing later this week, and some people have received them a little early to review. NihongoGamer, known for his console peripheral reviews, has a video up that shows off the controller. Honestly, this might be the pad to pick up (along with a converter for PS4/PS5 players.

 

[C-Sword]

Getting mine this friday. Hopefully, the d-pad is more durable than the last model's. I was told by brook not to expect an adapter for the ps5 before next year. Still no 3rd party controllers for the PS5.

 

[Juxtapose]

Hori's new fightpad, the Fighting Commander Octa, is releasing later this week, and some people have received them a little early to review. NihongoGamer, known for his console peripheral reviews, has a video up that shows off the controller. Honestly, this might be the pad to pick up (along with a converter for PS4/PS5 players.

Very cool. When my Hori Fighting Commander for Xbox One bites the dust (and I've suspected it's D-Pad is in decline for a bit now, though very minor still), I figure I'll replace it with this.

I'm just hoping the buttons are remappable like on the current Fighting Commander, as I don't like the 6-button layout, and my "X" and "A" buttons are not used.

 

[THTB]

Very cool. When my Hori Fighting Commander for Xbox One bites the dust (and I've suspected it's D-Pad is in decline for a bit now, though very minor still), I figure I'll replace it with this.

I'm just hoping the buttons are remappable like on the current Fighting Commander, as I don't like the 6-button layout, and my "X" and "A" buttons are not used.

There will be an app that lets you set up 4 controller profiles to use.

 

[Revy]

I'd be more interested if the D-pad & the stick switch places.

 

[Juxtapose]

There will be an app that lets you set up 4 controller profiles to use.

Saw that in the review. Very cool.

 

[THTB]

Just got my pad today! My first impressions:

- D-pad is very accurate for inputs. Probably the cleanest inputs I've ever gotten out of a pad. It also feels like it'll last quite a while. I have noticed a couple instances of diagonals requiring a lot of force, but otherwise it feels great.

- Face buttons have a very short travel, so that might be an issue for some. It's not for me, and they feel very responsive otherwise.

- The analog stick surprises me. It has a lot of resistance, so it feels like it wants to be in neutral, and the range is very short. Combined with the grooves, it feels MADE for fighting games, though that's just me as someone who primarily uses d-pads lol.

- The ergonomics are a welcome departure if you're primarily a normal gripper. If you claw grip, it might be problematic.

- The device manager app could use some more options, as face buttons can't be remapped at all and you can't have duplicate buttons, but other than that, it's great to have customizable profiles.

 

[FungusKong]

- Face buttons have a very short travel

Forgive my ignorance, what exactly do you mean by this?

 

[THTB]

Forgive my ignorance, what exactly do you mean by this?

There's not much distance to press them. This increases responsiveness due to the button activating earlier. It's not for everyone, though.

 

[FungusKong]

There's not much distance to press them. This increases responsiveness due to the button activating earlier. It's not for everyone, though.

Ah, okay. So the buttons respond more like those on a stick. Sounds good. Thanks for the review!

 

[THTB]

So, the issue I outlined where it feels like you have to apply a lot of force to diagonals...seems there was an issue with the d-pad losing inputs during specific movements. From my initial testing, it looks like that's fixed for sure.

EDIT: Yep, issue is fixed! Pad's even better now, and still the best I've ever used atm. Will continue to update as time goes on.

EDIT2: I am absolutely loving this pad. The inputs are UNBELIEVABLY CLEAN. KBDs in Tekken are CRISP with this d-pad.

 

[THTB]

So I've officially got a day's worth of use out of this.

If this pad holds up over time, there's no reason not to own this. Everything related to d-pad execution has literally disappeared for me. I fired up UMK3 to play around with. Every instant air is piss easy (in UMK3, Kitana and Kabal use f,f~u/f and b,b~u/b for their instant air projectiles). These are two things I was NEVER confident with, and I'm able to do them with zero issue.

As I said above, Tekken KBDs were unbelievably easy and crisp, too. I haven't attempted wavedashes LOL, but I will see if this helps me do them.

The pad just DOES. Like...I've never used a fightpad that didn't feel inaccurate in some way. Hori has put out one hell of a product with the Octa. And I will be super sad if durability starts becoming a concern.

 

[Juxtapose]

Just got my pad today! My first impressions:

- D-pad is very accurate for inputs. Probably the cleanest inputs I've ever gotten out of a pad. It also feels like it'll last quite a while. I have noticed a couple instances of diagonals requiring a lot of force, but otherwise it feels great.

- Face buttons have a very short travel, so that might be an issue for some. It's not for me, and they feel very responsive otherwise.

- The analog stick surprises me. It has a lot of resistance, so it feels like it wants to be in neutral, and the range is very short. Combined with the grooves, it feels MADE for fighting games, though that's just me as someone who primarily uses d-pads lol.

- The ergonomics are a welcome departure if you're primarily a normal gripper. If you claw grip, it might be problematic.

- The device manager app could use some more options, as face buttons can't be remapped at all and you can't have duplicate buttons, but other than that, it's great to have customizable profiles.

So even with the Hori App, you can't change the face buttons? As in I'd be stuck with their six button layout?

 

[Rodney Quillz]

So I've officially got a day's worth of use out of this.

If this pad holds up over time, there's no reason not to own this. Everything related to d-pad execution has literally disappeared for me. I fired up UMK3 to play around with. Every instant air is piss easy (in UMK3, Kitana and Kabal use f,f~u/f and b,b~u/b for their instant air projectiles). These are two things I was NEVER confident with, and I'm able to do them with zero issue.

As I said above, Tekken KBDs were unbelievably easy and crisp, too. I haven't attempted wavedashes LOL, but I will see if this helps me do them.

The pad just DOES. Like...I've never used a fightpad that didn't feel inaccurate in some way. Hori has put out one hell of a product with the Octa. And I will be super sad if durability starts becoming a concern.

Just ordered...you had better be right or I’m sending the green ranger to your house to beat up YOU and REPTILE.

 

[THTB]

Just ordered...you had better be right or I’m sending the green ranger to your house to beat up YOU and REPTILE.

Ay leave Reptile outta this LOL!

So even with the Hori App, you can't change the face buttons? As in I'd be stuck with their six button layout?

To clarify, ABXY can't be changed at all. RB and RT on the face can be, however. The app is a bit buggy, though, and has a tough time properly remapping without moving around buttons, but you can remove total functionality of those two buttons on the front.

 

[C-Sword]

They just released a firmware update for the controller, some people were having issues with the d-pad not always registering their inputs

FIGHTING COMMANDER OCTA for Xbox Series X|S・PC Firmware Update Notification

hori.co.uk

 

[Juxtapose]

Ay leave Reptile outta this LOL!


To clarify, ABXY can't be changed at all. RB and RT on the face can be, however. The app is a bit buggy, though, and has a tough time properly remapping without moving around buttons, but you can remove total functionality of those two buttons on the front.

Thanks for clarifying. If I can't make:

Y = X
B = A
RB = Y
RT = B

Then the Controller would be a no-go for me, sadly.

 

[THTB]

Thanks for clarifying. If I can't make:

Y = X
B = A
RB = Y
RT = B

Then the Controller would be a no-go for me, sadly.

Currently, this is not possible.

I do believe it will be addressed in a future update, though.

 

[Juxtapose]

Currently, this is not possible.

I do believe it will be addressed in a future update, though.

Hopefully so. If not, I could always try this. I've heard good things about it for non-fighting games, but the big thing for me is how the D-Pad is. That's honestly the only reason I get a fightpad: for a superior D-Pad.

 

[THTB]

Bought a Brook converter (Wingman XE) and it arrived today. Can confirm this works with the latest converter firmware. So it is officially usable on PS4!

 

[Rodney Quillz]

I’m gonna be honest...the pad isn’t for me, i don’t know if it’s just a bad batch or what but it feels janky and unresponsive, I noticed a clear difference between when I played matches with it vs the powerA.

I stand by my opinion that if the powera wasn’t the most cheaply made piece of shit it would be the best pad hands down.

 

[THTB]

I’m gonna be honest...the pad isn’t for me, i don’t know if it’s just a bad batch or what but it feels janky and unresponsive, I noticed a clear difference between when I played matches with it vs the powerA.

I stand by my opinion that if the powera wasn’t the most cheaply made piece of shit it would be the best pad hands down.

On the subject of responsiveness, did you apply the firmware update? Or is it just not a good feeling for you?

I agree with you, though, the PowerA pad would've been great if there weren't any durability issues.

 

[Rodney Quillz]

On the subject of responsiveness, did you apply the firmware update? Or is it just not a good feeling for you?

I agree with you, though, the PowerA pad would've been great if there weren't any durability issues.

Yeah I did update, I didn’t notice any difference tbh

 

[THTB]

Heads up for those with the OCTA, Hori has updated both the Device Manager, as well as added a firmware update (4.0.9). You can update the Device Manager on Windows Store, and the firmware update can be found here: https://stores.horiusa.com/fighting-commander-octa-for-xbox-series-x-s-pc-firmware-update-notification/

The Device Manager update fixes the remapping so that you can properly reconfigure the buttons, and even add multiple instances of a specific button, so getting a classic shoulder button layout is possible now. You can also map the ABXY buttons without their functionality being completely removed on that particular button. The app can also now be navigated via mouse input. You still cannot map the ABXY buttons themselves, however. @Juxtapose

Everyone that got the pad, how are you guys feeling about it now if you're still using it? @C-Sword @Rodney Quillz

 

[Juxtapose]

@THTB Thanks for the tag and the update!

Glad to see they're improving the product, but still a pass for me without remappable face buttons.