| Price | AliExpress & Amazon |
| Release | April 2025 |
| Compatibility* | PS5 / NS / PC |
| Dimensions | 11.8″ × 7.9″ × 0.5″ |
| Weight | 2.43 lbs |
Introduction
The TIKITAKA M3 has not 16 but 17 buttons! The 17th button is a start button that can be found on the top panel’s upper left. Also, this controller features a dual layout, so you can use it like a WASD controller instead if you want.
With that being said, the “M” part of the controller’s name probably stands for “metal”. That said, let’s dive into the unboxing of this controller before going into its performance and so on.
Unboxing
Your M3 should arrive with the included freebies:
- USB-C cable
- Allen key(s)
- Anti-slip pads
- Extra keycap(s)
- Extra switch(es)
- Instructional manual (in Japanese)
The manual is in Japanese because TIKITAKA is a Chinese company targeting the Japanese market, but it can still ship worldwide. It’s now time to dive into the M3’s performance.
Performance
The M3 has 17 full sized buttons with low profile Gateron Kasumi switches that were purportedly customized for TIKITAKA to result in an ultra-short stroke. Not only that, the jump button being bigger than the result allows you to press it with either thumb’s side effortlessly.
Nylon keycaps were more common with the first batch of TIKITAKA controllers, while the M3 uses ABS keycaps—a newer offering that provides you a similar grip to nylon due to the matte surface. These injection molded buttons are quite reminiscent of Punk Workshop buttons.
Ergonomically, you may enjoy the M3’s slight wrist slope. In addition, there’s no need to squeeze your legs together because the controller is wide enough to fit on most laps. The effective anti-slip pads work well on both legs and desks.
Let’s wrap up the performance portion of this M3 review with what TIKITAKA controllers’ function buttons usually do:
- Start
- Select
- Home
- Turbo
- Touchpad
Hardware
Made of spray painted aluminum alloy with acrylic on top and a frosted bottom, the M3 is large yet light and slim enough to fit into a sleeve you may already own. Moreover, you should be able to know from the controller’s screen:
- Current input mode
- Current directional mode
- Current SOCD cleaning mode
- Visual representation of button presses
(By the way, you can grab an M3 with native PlayStation 5 compatibility without needing to spend on a converter.)
Appearance
The M3 looks elegant in its all-black look, but you can also grab it in different colors, and in any case, you can have the controller showcase custom art—which you can hire us to design for you here at The Arcade Stick through our art service. When the LED shines through the buttons and bottom of the controller too, its art can look even cooler!
Conclusion
17 button controllers were rare around the time of its release, and the M3 is way more than just a 17 button controller.
- 17 buttons
- WASD or leverless
- Textured ABS keycaps
- Fast switches
- Switch or PS5 compatibility
- Aluminum/acrylic hardware
- Large yet light and slim
- Frosted bottom
- Color options
- Custom art
- Shiny LED
- Free accessories
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐