| Price | AliExpress & Amazon |
| Release | Q3 2024 |
| Compatibility* | PS5 / NS2 / PC |
| Dimensions | 11.8″ × 6.1″ × 0.5″ |
| Weight | 2.05 lbs |
| Cable | 1.5 m |
Elite Editions
Introduction
While the M16 might have been your favorite weapon back in medieval times when Call of Duty 4 was still a thing, it’s also the name of a brilliant controller by TIKITAKA.
That said, the TIKITAKA M16 is a small yet wide controller with 16 buttons that allow you to use it like a standard leverless controller or even a WASD controller. So, this is a dual layout controller for the price of just one.
There’s also a large edition of the M16 called the M16-Elite, but honestly, that large edition looks more like the TIKITAKA E16, which is not necessarily a bad thing. One good thing about the elite edition is that it also has a split layout.
Side note: The “M” part of the M16’s name probably stands for “metal”.
Unboxing
Your brand new M16 should arrive in a tight box to reduce rattling. The controller is wrapped in plastic and housed in classy black foam. Under the controller should be the included freebies:
- Manual
- Allen key(s)
- Grippy pads
- Extra keycap(s)
- Extra switch(es)
- USB-C tied right-angle cable
Performance
The M16 has 16 full sized buttons made of grippy nylon with low profile Panda Axis switches. Just like the animal they’re named after, the switches have black and white components.
Panda Axis switches are tactile with an early bump and don’t sound clicky. Also, the jump button being bigger than the result allows you to press it with either thumb’s side effortlessly.
Moving on, the M16’s five functions serve as the following (from left to right):
- Home
- Turbo
- Touchpad
- Select
- Start
You may also enjoy the M16’s slight wrist slope. In addition, there’s no need to squeeze your legs together because the controller is wide enough to fit most laps. As for the effective grippy pads, they work well on both laps and desks.
Hardware
Despite being made of CNC aluminum alloy, the M16 is wide yet light and slim enough to fit into a tablet sleeve you may already own. Nine screws can be seen at the bottom.
Essentially, the M16 runs on a Raspberry Pi Pico chip, and thanks to the excellent firmware, you should be able to see on controller’s screen:
- Input mode
- Directional mode
- SOCD cleaning mode
- Animation of your button presses
By the way, if you’re not a Nintendo Switch player, you can grab an M16 with native PlayStation 5 compatibility without needing to spend on an adapter.
Appearance
The M16’s electric purple option looks so nice and even reminiscent of the legendary Victrix Pro FS. In any case, you can grab the controller in obsidian black as well.
One heuristic you can use to decide on the M16’s color is that the purple option will likely have function button labels, while the black option will probably have no such labels. Here’s the breakdown:
- Function button labels make your life easier.
- Labels make a controller look less minimalistic, though.
Anyhow, both colors of the M16 look elegant, and you can make the controller’s color look even more appealing when the dozens of RGB LED presets bring the buttons and sides to life with some cool lights. The presets can even be chosen through a phone app. With this controller, the surprises are endless!
Conclusion
The TIKITAKA M16 is a mini controller that still gives you full sized buttons, ample width, metal hardware, and more.
- 16 grippy nylon buttons
- Effective bottom pads
- Quick switches
- Dual layout
- Solid firmware
- Right-angle cable
- Wide yet light and slim
- Aluminum alloy hardware
- Standard or elite edition
- PS5 or Switch version
- Purple or black
- Bright LED
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐