| Price | Amazon |
| Release | December 23, 2024 |
| Compatibility | NS / PC / RPi / Android |
| Dimensions | 7.7″ x 4.9″ x 0.5″ |
| Weight | ~1 lb |
Introduction
No, this is not the Haute42 S16… This is the LBER 2040-R16!
That’s correct: while the R16 looks heavy inspired by Haute42’s bestselling controllers, you have to read on to find out if there is enough nuance for you to consider it during your next shopping spree.
The fact of the matter is the R16 is a compact controller, but despite its compact size, it still packs a whopping 16 main buttons—including a dual layout.
Simply put, you can use the R16 like a standard leverless controller or a WASD controller if you come from a PC background. There is even a 13 button edition if 16 buttons are too much for you. That aside, let us take a brief look at the unboxing.
Unboxing
When you buy the R16, you should also be getting the following for free:
- Couple of extra function buttons
- Couple of extra main buttons
- Couple of extra switches
- Switch puller
- Eight grip feet
- USB-C cable
- Manual
Performance
The R16’s main buttons feature fast red switches that—if you have another preference—you can simply hot swap with other switches. As for the function buttons, they include:
- Turbo
- Touch
- Home
- Select
- Start
Now, you may have noticed a little screen on the R16’s top panel. It shows your button presses live. It also lets you know which SOCD, input, and directional modes you are in.
A recommendation would be to play with the R16 on your desk because—if you place it on your lap—its compact size may require that you squeeze your legs too closely together.
Hardware
The R16 is an acrylic sandwich—a design we at The Arcade Stick have grown to love. It is held together by six screws. This multilayered design does not mean the controller is thick. It is in fact quite thin. Its size also makes it portable.
That said, the R16 has two ports: a USB-C port near the center back and a USB-A port on the right. The USB-A port is where you can insert a converter to boost the controller’s compatibility, giving you more connectivity options.
The modus operandi of the R16 is the GP2040-CE firmware: updateable, open source, and critically acclaimed (with less than a millisecond of input delay).
Appearance
Grab your R16 in black or white. An alternative would be to grab the black edition for yourself and the white edition for someone you know. To make the controller even lovelier: enjoy the custom RGB LED with adjustable colors and effects.
Still not convinced that the R16 is a beauty? We at The Arcade Stick can provide you our artwork service by designing custom art for your controller. Just marvel at these artworks by our Milford Peynado for a similarly sized controller:
Conclusion
Despite being compact, the LBER 2040-R16 comes with 16 main buttons, five function buttons, and a dual layout.
- 16 or 13 buttons
- Swappable switches
- Dual layout
- Portable size
- Thin build
- Acrylic sandwich
- Color options
- Customizable art
- Custom RGB LED
- Useful screen
- Extendable compatibility
- Comes with freebies
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐