UFB Fusion

How to Flash Brook UFB-Fusion for Native PS5 Mode (Step-by-Step)

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Himura
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The Brook UFB-Fusion is a premier fight stick PCB that supports multiple platforms and, importantly, offers native PlayStation 5 mode for the latest games. Essentially, it’s Brook’s Universal Fighting Board combined with the PS5 “UP5” module on one board. If you’ve installed a UFB-Fusion in your arcade stick (or you have a stick that comes with one pre-installed), updating its firmware is crucial to ensure compatibility with new console updates and games like Street Fighter 6.

In this guide, we’ll walk through flashing the UFB-Fusion firmware step by step. We’ll also cover precautions for first-time modders (like anti-static handling and jumper settings), how to backup or restore firmware, and troubleshooting a bad flash. By the end, your board will run in true PS5 mode – meaning no 8-minute timeouts and full stability in PS5 games.

Why Update? Native PS5 Compatibility

Sony has tightened controller security on PS5 games – using a PS4-mode arcade stick on PS5 can lead to disconnections (often a timed 8-minute shutdown for unrecognized devices). Brook combats this by continually updating the UFB series firmware so the board identifies as a PS5-compatible controller. After the SF6 (Street Fighter 6) era, these updates became essential; many tournaments and players moved to PS5, and native support is now the gold standard.

In short, flashing your UFB-Fusion to the latest firmware ensures your stick works seamlessly on PS5 with no time limit or compatibility issues, and it keeps input lag to the absolute minimum (Brook’s boards are known for extremely low latency, around 1ms). Now, let’s get your board updated!

What You’ll Need

Brook UFB-Fusion board installed in your fight stick. (These steps also apply if you have the older Brook UFB + the separate UP5 attachment – the process is similar, but here we assume the all-in-one Fusion board.)

PC running Windows (Windows 10/11 recommended). Brook’s update software is Windows-based. If you only have a Mac, you may need Boot Camp or a Windows VM.

Micro USB cable (or USB type-B, depending on the UFB-Fusion’s port) to connect the fight stick to your PC. The UFB-Fusion has an onboard USB port for firmware updates. Use a quality data cable – a charge-only cable will not work.

Firmware update file and Brook update program from Brook’s official website. The UFB-Fusion’s latest firmware can be downloaded from Brook’s “Support > Download” page. It usually comes as a ZIP containing a flashing utility (.exe) and a firmware file.

A pin or small screwdriver (optional): Some installations have a little “bootloader” button on the board or a pair of pads to short to enter update mode. You might press this if required.

Anti-static precautions: an anti-static wrist strap or simply touching a grounded metal object before handling the PCB. This will protect the board from electrostatic discharge while you plug/unplug things.

Step 1: Download the Firmware and Software

Go to the Brook Gaming official site and navigate to the Downloads section for Fighting Board series. Find the entry for UFB-Fusion – it will list the latest firmware version (e.g., “20231110 – V4.0.1” or newer). Download the firmware update pack, which should include:

  • The Brook firmware updater program (EXE).
  • The firmware file (often with extension .dfu or similar).
  • A PDF guide or README (Brook provides a firmware update guide – it’s wise to read it, and we’ll cover the key points here).

Pro Tip: Before updating, check the current firmware version of your board. If you previously updated it, you might see the version printed in Brook’s updater when connected. If your board is on a very old version, updating will not only add PS5 mode but also include all prior fixes (such as removal of PS4 8-minute timeout issues in earlier updates).

Lastly, consider downloading a backup of the previous firmware (if available on Brook’s site) in case you need to revert. Brook sometimes provides older firmware on the site or in forums. While you cannot “extract” the firmware from the board, having the last known good version on hand is useful just in case the newest update has any unforeseen issues.

Step 2: Prepare the Board for Flashing

  1. Open your fight stick (if needed) to access the UFB-Fusion board. In many cases, you don’t need to fully remove it – you just need to ensure the USB cable from the board can connect to your PC. Some custom sticks have a USB jack wired to the board; you can use that. Others might require plugging a micro USB directly into the PCB. Adjust your approach based on your setup.
  2. Set any necessary jumpers or switches: The UFB-Fusion has various jumpers for features (e.g., SOCD cleaning modes, stick LS/DP/RS mode). For flashing, there’s no special jumper that needs changing – the board will enter update mode via a button combo or the bootloader button. However, ensure your stick’s LS/DP/RS switch (if external) is set to DPAD for consistency. If your board has no physical switch, it defaults to DPAD via internal jumpers. (This isn’t usually critical for flashing, but a good practice when testing inputs later.)
  3. Anti-static safety: Touch a grounded metal object or wear a grounding strap. Handle the PCB by its edges and avoid shuffling your feet on carpet, etc. While Brook boards are robust, a static zap can potentially damage the microcontroller.
  4. Connect the USB cable: Plug one end into the UFB-Fusion’s USB port (or your stick’s USB output) and leave the other end ready to plug into your PC. Don’t connect to the PC just yet for certain update modes – see next step.

Step 3: Enter Firmware Update Mode (Bootloader)

To flash the firmware, the UFB-Fusion must be in bootloader (update) mode, where it presents itself to the PC as a special device (called “HID Transfer”). There are two common ways to trigger this mode:

Method A: Button Combination

On many Brook boards, holding down P1 (Square) and P4 (Triangle) or Start and Select/Share while plugging the USB into PC will put it in update mode. (Brook sometimes uses “PS+Options” on newer boards – check the documentation that came with your board.) Essentially, you hold the buttons before or right as you plug in the USB to PC.

Method B: Onboard Bootloader Button

Some installations (or Brook’s EZ mod boards for certain sticks) have a tiny push-button on the PCB labeled “Boot” or similar. Press and hold that, then plug the USB into the PC. Once the PC recognizes the device, you can release the button.

You can use either method, but not both. If using the combo on your fight stick, have a friend help if needed: e.g., hold down the buttons on the stick, and then plug in the USB cable to the PC. If using the onboard button, you might need to have the case open to press it.

Verify update mode

Once plugged in, your Windows PC should detect a device. Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers (or Device Manager). You should see a device like “HID Transfer” or similar. This indicates the UFB-Fusion is in the correct state to accept new firmware. If you only see it as a generic controller, it’s not in update mode – retry the procedure. (Unplug, hold buttons or boot switch, and plug in again.)

Step 4: Run the Firmware Flashing Program

Now run the Brook update program (the .exe you downloaded). Run it as Administrator (right-click -> Run as Administrator) to avoid any permission issues. You should see the program window open, and it will likely say “Waiting for device” or show the device as connected in update mode.

In the Brook updater:

  1. If there’s a drop-down menu or device list, select the UFB-Fusion. Sometimes it auto-selects if only one device is in bootloader mode.
  2. Click on “Update” or “Flash” (the exact wording may vary). It will prompt you to locate the firmware file (often a .dat or .bin file included in the download).
  3. Choose the firmware file corresponding to UFB-Fusion (for example, Brook_UFB_Fusion_Vx.x.x.dat). Double-check you have the correct file for the Fusion, not a different board.
  4. Start the update and do not disconnect or power off during the process. You’ll usually see a progress bar. The update only takes a few seconds to a minute.

If all goes well, you’ll get a success message. The program might say update completed, or the device might disconnect and reconnect.

Step 5: Verify the Update

After flashing, unplug the USB cable and then plug the stick back in normally (no buttons held). The board should exit bootloader mode and enumerate as a standard controller again (e.g., as “Arcade Stick” or similar). Here’s how to verify everything:

On PC

In Devices and Printers, the fight stick should appear as an XInput device or DInput depending on mode. You can press buttons and see if they register in the Windows game controller test. This ensures the board is functioning after the flash.

On PS5 with a PS5 game

The ultimate test – connect your stick to a PS5 and launch a PS5-native game (like Street Fighter 6). The console should recognize the controller without any additional adapters. Play for more than 8 minutes to confirm there are no timeouts. If the firmware is updated correctly, the stick will operate just like an official PS5 controller (except you won’t get the DualSense features – but for fight sticks, that’s not needed).

Check the Brook firmware version (optional)

Brook’s updater tool often displays the firmware version of the connected device. You could reconnect in update mode just to see the version number. Alternatively, Brook might have a controller combo that reports version via player LEDs (some boards do this). Consult Brook’s docs if curious.

You now have native PS5 mode enabled. This means your UFB-Fusion presents itself with the proper identifiers to fully work on PS5 without relying on legacy mode. Enjoy playing SF6, Tekken 8, and future titles with one less worry!

Troubleshooting a Bad Flash or Issues

Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here are common issues and how to address them:

Board not entering update mode

If the Brook updater doesn’t detect a “HID Transfer” device, ensure you used the right button combo or bootloader button. Different Brook boards use different combos; for UFB and Fusion, it’s often Start+Select or similar. Also try another USB cable or port on your PC. USB 2.0 ports tend to be more reliable for flashing than USB 3.x in some cases.

Updater can’t find the board

If Windows sees HID Transfer but the Brook program doesn’t, try running the program as admin, and disable any antivirus that might block it. Also make sure you unzipped all files – the updater EXE and firmware file should be in the same folder.

Error during flash or program freezes

Don’t panic. Unplug the USB, reboot your PC, and try again. You can always re-enter bootloader mode (the Brook bootloader is quite robust). If repeated attempts fail at a certain percentage, re-download the firmware file – it might be corrupted.

Inconsistent recognition

If after updating, the stick sometimes isn’t recognized on PS5 or other devices, make sure you have the latest firmware – Brook occasionally fixes bugs (like connectivity optimization in v4.0.2 etc.). Also verify the USB connection – a loose USB cable can cause dropouts.

No response at all (bricked)

It’s exceedingly rare for a Brook board to brick. If the board doesn’t show up even as HID Transfer, try a different PC and cable. As a last resort, Brook’s support might provide a special recovery procedure. But typically, simply reflashing in bootloader mode will revive it.

Brook provides a list of troubleshooting tips which echo much of the above: try different USB ports, disable antivirus, run as admin, or even use a different computer. One noteworthy tip: if you previously installed any ZeroPlus driver (from older Brook devices), remove it – Brook devices don’t need special drivers, they use built-in HID drivers.

Additional Tips (Jumper Settings, Safety, Backups)

Jumper Settings

The UFB-Fusion, like its predecessor, has jumpers for features like SOCD modes (J2_1, J2_2 pins). These aren’t directly related to firmware flashing, but after update, ensure your preferred mode is set (e.g., for SOCD cleaning, short or open the jumper as needed per Brook’s instructions). Also, if your stick doesn’t have a physical LS-DP-RS switch and you want to change it, Brook’s documentation shows how to short specific pins to set the stick lever mode – though for most fighting games you’ll use DPAD mode.

ESD Safety

Always handle the PCB with care. Before touching it or connecting to your PC, discharge static. This is especially important in dry environments. The board’s components, including the USB controller that goes into bootloader mode, can be sensitive.

Firmware Backup/Restore

As mentioned, you cannot directly backup the firmware from the board. However, you can keep copies of Brook’s firmware files. If a new update had an unforeseen issue (rare, but suppose a bug slipped in), you can re-flash an older stable version. Brook’s site or community forums (like r/fightsticks) often have archives of previous firmware. It’s a good idea to archive the last known good firmware before updating, just in case.

Sourcing Tips for UFB-Fusion

If you don’t yet have a UFB-Fusion and are reading this preemptively, ensure you buy from an authorized retailer (Brook’s site lists distributors). There are fake/counterfeit PCBs out there – those won’t have firmware support. Genuine Brook boards have a serial and Brook logo. The UFB-Fusion is a bit pricey, but it replaces the need for any adapters and has top-notch performance (Brook advertises it as having the lowest input lag and widest compatibility among fight board PCBs, and community tests show ~0.8ms latency which is virtually one of the best).

Post-Update: Enjoying PS5 Mode

With native PS5 support, your stick will work on all PS5 fighting games as if it were a licensed controller. This also future-proofs you for new titles and updates. No more worry about whether a game supports “legacy controller” modes – your UFB-Fusion makes the console see an authentic PS5 arcade controller. This is particularly important for competitive play; you can plug into any setup and get right to playing.

By following this guide, you’ve successfully flashed your Brook UFB-Fusion and unlocked its full potential on PS5. Now you can focus on training and execution, knowing your controller PCB is up-to-date and tournament-ready. Good games!

To go further about arcade joysticks, make sure to read our thorough top fight sticks comparison.

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