GuileKeys GM-16 Review

GuileKeys GM-16
PriceAmazon
ReleaseNovember 3, 2025
CompatibilityNS2 / PC
Dimensions8.3″ x 7.7″ x 0.6″
Weight1.87 lbs
Cable2 m

Introduction

The city of Wuhan, China brings these historical events to mind:

  • The outbreak in 2019
  • GuileKeys’ launch in 2024

In fact, GuileKeys debuted with a whopping 21 button controller, taking the fightstick industry by storm! Now, we’ve got the GM-16, which is its most different controller yet.

Unboxing

Your GM-16 should arrive in a snug box with black foam housing for the controller. Nearby, you can also find:

  • USB-C right angle cable
  • Keycap/switch puller
  • 26 mm spare keycap
  • 21 mm spare keycap
  • Two spare switches
  • Two spare switch covers
  • Two blank art sheets
  • Four preset art sheets
  • Suction cup

Performance

Let’s first talk about the GM-16’s layout. You probably know what the standard 12 buttons do, but the four extra buttons are to be used by your:

  • Left middle finger
  • Right index finger
  • Left thumb
  • Right thumb

The GM-16’s right thumb button is closer to the attack button cluster, and the left middle finger button unlocks a WASD layout. So far, the layout is pretty similar to other excellent leverless controllers, right?

Sure, but in addition to the buttons being rimmed, something rare about the GM-16’s layout is that it features 21 mm buttons with a 26 mm jump button.

Usually, layouts have 24 mm buttons with a 30 mm jump button, so the GM-16’s smaller buttons make it unique, but if you have bigger hands, don’t fret! The gaps between the buttons are long enough to make the controller usable for you.

Hardware

The GM-16 is made of plastic. Its Kailh Saker Mini switches have 37 g of actuation force, a 0.8 mm actuation point, and 1.8 mm of total travel. In any case, these fast, moderately sounding switches are hot swappable with MX-style switches.

The switch & button performance is boosted by a sloped wrist rest, and the GM-16’s width makes it lap playable. That said, the function buttons are for:

  • Turbo
  • Home
  • Select
  • Start

The GM-16 also has two toggles:

  1. Light switch
  2. Lock switch

And the GM-16’s screen, which you can control through a rotating and pressable menu knob, shows you the following:

  • Turbo rate
  • Input mode
  • Directional mode
  • SOCD cleaning mode
  • Button press animation

You can even save profiles on the GM-16. Having said that, this controller has more than one USB port:

  • Left USB-C port
  • Back USB-C port
  • Back USB-A port

The USB-A port is specifically to insert a dongle you own that can make the GM-16 compatible with more consoles. This controller runs on the popular RP2040 chip and open source GP2040-CE firmware.

Appearance

The GM-16’s plastic is matte black, and the controller’s shape is reminiscent of the Haute42 C16. Although the acrylic panel has five fasteners, it’s actually magnetic, and you can just remove it with the included suction cup.

That way, you can customize the GM-16’s art, and we invite you to reach out to us here at The Arcade Stick for our custom art service—if you would like a design other than the preset ones.

Make your GM-16 showcase a character you like, and later, you can look at your controller with pride. Here’s an example of art by our designer Felipe Fernandez that we also printed:

Yasuo, Doom, and Strider
Felipe Fernandez

The GM-16’s looks are further enhanced by RGB LED glowing around the buttons and through the controller’s sides. You can adjust the brightness, animation, and so on.

By the way, the GM-16 has been spotted with both white and black cables. See if you can request a black cable from GuileKeys because, frankly, it matches the controller’s color scheme more.

Conclusion

Aside from the GM-16’s great aspects shared by other top controllers, the two most unique selling points are:

  1. The controller has smaller buttons than usual.
  2. Its acrylic panel can be removed magnetically.

If you like the above points, and if you like having a slim, light, and multiplatform controller with 16 buttons—including a dual layout—then we encourage you to add the GM-16 to your cart.

  • 16 unique buttons
  • Swappable switches
  • Optional WASD layout
  • Easy art customization
  • Preset art options
  • Sloped wrist rest
  • Six anti-slip feet
  • Lap playable
  • RGB LED
  • Useful screen
  • Three USB ports
  • Excellent firmware
  • Extendable compatibility

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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