| Price | AliExpress |
| Release | Circa March 2026 |
| Compatibility | NS2 / PC / Android |
| Dimensions | 11.9″ x 7.5″ x 4.6″ |
| Weight | 2.05 lbs |
Introduction
Didn’t you see it coming too?
Since Haute42 has been on a journey to make a controller with every leverless variation known to humankind, it was inevitable for it to eventually come up with an ergonomic controller: the HauteBox Zero.
Performance
With 14 main buttons, the Zero has four directional buttons on the left and eight attack buttons on the right. Pretty standard, but on the right, you also have these two buttons:
- Index button as the left stick
- Thumb button as the right stick
And in the Zero’s front, you can see function buttons labeled:
- –
- Back
- Start
- Home
Admittedly, it’s a bold move by Haute42 to place the Zero’s function buttons on the front panel. Accidental presses (with your body) are possible. It’s also puzzling why there aren’t more than 14 main buttons, given that there is space.
Since this Evo award-winning brand often releases new versions of its controllers, Haute42 might eventually make a new Zero with, say, 16 main buttons, and the function buttons would hopefully be placed elsewhere.
Hey, at least give us a tournament lock!
On the bright side, your favorite Wind Engine switches make a comeback for the Zero. These low profile switches are made of POM, and they’re quite snappy—triggering fast.
Moreover, Wind Engine switches are minimally audible with no noticeable bump or click. Not only that, the Zero’s switches are expected to last you a whopping 50 million presses!
With that, let’s wrap up this section with the Zero’s actual switch specs:
| Switch Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Pre-travel | 1.2 mm |
| Full travel | 2.8 mm |
| Operating force | 40 gf |
Hardware
Made of metal yet still light, you can see eight screws atop the Zero and three screws on its left & right sides (meaning six side screws total). Something interesting is that the bottom of the controller’s back is raised.
Maybe that can unlock new ergonomic benefits…
In the back, you can find a couple of USB-C ports, and in the middle is a USB-A port. Why a USB-A port? This way, you can insert a dongle like the BOOTER 5 to make the Zero compatible with additional modern consoles.
In classic Haute42 fashion, the Zero runs on the open source GP2040-CE firmware that’s low in latency. It’s got SOCD cleaning and the whole nine yards.
Appearance
Aesthetically, someone actually compared the Zero to the Tesla Cybertruck. You see, the controller is silver with black buttons, so the comparison kind of makes sense here.
Other than that, the Zero is a simple looking controller that appeals to minimalists, so we won’t bore you with too much fluff in this section…
Conclusion
Does the Zero achieve its mission of being ergonomic for your wrists? Absolutely, even though your palms may hang off the edges a little bit, and it’s impressive how the controller remains light despite being metallic. So, you can travel with it without worrying too much about damaging it.
Do consider the Zero as the next new way to play your favorite fighting game while your hands rest in a natural position, potentially making you win more matches than before—and in comfort. Just be mindful of the function buttons upfront! Finally, in case you were wondering, RetroPlus is an Haute42 subsidiary.
- 14 main buttons
- Wind Engine switches
- Three USB ports
- Extendable compatibility
- Light metallic construction
- Ergonomic for the wrists
- Function buttons upfront
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐