6. Mayflash F500 FLAT
The Mayflash F500 FLAT is a leverless installment in the long running F500 series. The controller also has L3 and R3 buttons as action buttons. The start button being recessed makes it harder to press accidentally.
The width of the F500 FLAT makes it comfortable for both lap and desk play. Plus, the controller is big enough with plenty of wrist space. Not only that, the four rubber feet at the bottom also enhance stability.
As for the two turbo speeds, they include 15 times or 25 times per second. For convenience purposes, the F500 FLAT has turbo and mode light indicators.
The F500 FLAT is not too heavy to carry. Its metallic enclosure and base increase security overall. Moreover, there is a headphone port. Next to the port are a mute button and another port for a rumble wrist strap. There is a USB-A port to insert a converter for extended compatibility with more consoles.
Otherwise, the cable comes out of a compartment on the left, and the F500 FLAT also comes with USB-C, micro USB, and OTG USB cables.
If needed, the buttons are easy to replace because of the easily visible bottom screws. Sanwa buttons are compatible too. Furthermore, the F500 FLAT’s interior is color coded and neat. There is a clear acrylic panel, and you can you get custom art to make the controller a mirror image of yourself.
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5. DuelPad Zen
The DuelPad Zen has 16 buttons and comes with extra parts & rubber feet. DuelPad calls the Zen’s layout an ergo-split layout, which is for reducing wrist discomfort.
In essence, you would be tilting your wrists at a slight angle when using the Zen, and the movement buttons are farther apart from the attack buttons than what you might be used to.
The Zen’s buttons are smooth, and they sound less loud than many buttons. Also, they should not come off if you perform advanced techniques like sliding or pianoing.
When you play, the Zen should not slip, even without the installation of the optional feet. The controller is light enough to carry without getting tired, but it has enough weight not to forget it is still in your hand.
The Zen is slim, but it passed a malleability test when deliberately pressing on the top panel. With that being said, the controller contains USB-C ports in the back and on the left. Of course, you can detach the cable if needed.
There is a USB-A port as where you can insert a dongle to make the Zen compatible with additional consoles. There is also a built-in screen that tells you important info like which buttons you pressed.
When it comes to looks, the Zen is an acrylic controller with matte black and crystal editions. The matte black edition uses Ghost switches, and as for the crystal edition, it comes with White Rain switches. The switches are low profile, linear, swift, and quiet, but if you have another preference, the switches can be hot swapped.
The Zen’s aesthetics can be beautified with RGB LED, and there are as many as 35 themes. The buttons and controller light up gorgeously. One last tip: the controller accepts custom art to represent your personality.
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4. GuileKeys GK-21
The GK-21 is an acrylic controller with 21 primary buttons, allowing you to use the directional buttons with your left and right hands in unison, but if you do not need 21 buttons, the GK-16 edition only has 16 buttons.
The buttons of the GK-21 are rimmed, and as for the turbo function, it allows you to press one button and have that one press result in many inputs, requiring less effort from you.
Regarding the RGB button, it refers to the LED that the GK-21 has, which shines around the buttons and through the midsection in an attractive way.
When it comes to the GK-21’s switches, they are Kailh Choc Reds that are hot swappable, so if you have another preference, just change the switches!
Continuing onward, you can find a screen that lets you know valuable intel to boost your experience. For instance, you can watch your button presses. You can also see the GK-21’s current SOCD cleaning mode.
When it comes to connectivity, the GK-21 lets you pick from a USB-C port in the back and another one on the left side. Compatibility-wise, the RP2040 chip runs on the critically acclaimed GP2040-CE firmware with negligible lag.
By the way, if you plan to play on more consoles than the GK-21 supports, there is a USB-A port on the right to boost the controller’s compatibility through an adapter.
To wrap up, here are some freebies your GK-21 order may include:
- Couple of extra keycaps
- Couple of extra switches
- Switch puller
- White USB-C cable
- Black USB extension cord
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3. Haute42 T16
The Haute42 T16 is a controller with larger buttons and Kailh Choc low profile switches for swift pressing. There is another edition with less buttons as well. Fortunately, the latency of the buttons is less than a millisecond.
The T16 is an acrylic controller with chamfered edges for the comfort of your bones. There are non-slip feet to make your controller stay in place during a set.
The SOCD cleaning includes the modes of up priority, neutral, and last input priority, so tournament legality should not be a problem for you. Additionally, the T16’s screen lets you know your inputs, input mode, and SOCD mode.
The T16’s USB port conveniently comes out of the center in the back, and you can find another port on the right, which is where you could insert a dongle for added compatibility options.
LED makes the T16 even more attractive when you press the big buttons. You may also be glad to know that the art of the controller is customizable, so you can have characters from your favorite show displayed on it.
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2. Haute42 R16
The Haute42 R16 has 16 buttons, with one button being for your left pinky to press. The Kailh Crystal low profile switches allow you to press the buttons quite fast. The input latency is less than a millisecond, and you can even make use of turbo for fast inputs with minimal effort.
The USB port conveniently comes out of the R16’s back center, and on the right, there is a port for an adapter to enhance your controller’s compatibility with consoles.
The R16’s onboard screen reveals tidbits that include your inputs, the current SOCD mode, and so on. What you can also get with the controller includes an extra switch, switch puller, and function buttons.
The R16 is a beauty, especially due to the LED when you press the buttons during play. You can get the controller in black too. The controller can also accept custom artwork to make your controller match your preferences.
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1. Haute42 U16
The Haute42 U16 features plexiglass on top and an injection molded bottom. The controller has 16 buttons, which are enough for modern fighting games, and the U12 edition only has 12 buttons if you do not need that many buttons.
The buttons of the U16 have a smooth finish, and the button rings make you feel like you are pressing traditional arcade buttons. For your convenience, the jump button is bigger than the rest, meaning you can press it without needing to be too precise.
The U16’s linear switches are fast and relatively quiet. Another awesome aspect is the size of the wrist resting space you can enjoy with this spacious controller. An additional neat feature is the OLED screen that tells you useful information like whether you are using the directional buttons as a left analog stick or D-pad.
Whether you prefer to play with a controller on a desk or your lap, the U16 has got you covered. You see, the controller has bottom pads so that it does not slide around when you game.
If you would like to place the U16 on your lap, the controller is large enough not to have to squeeze your legs together, and the controller’s lightness makes long gaming sessions comfy. In addition, the controller is thin, and it might even fit into a tablet sleeve you already own.
When you order the U16, do not worry about buying your own cable because Haute42 ships a USB-C to A cable with it, and it is detachable. If you would like to extend the controller’s compatibility, you can insert an adapter into it.
With the U16, you receive an extra switch as well as a switch puller because of the hot swappable switches that allow you to customize how the controller feels. The buttons are swappable as well.
Now, you may be glad to know that the U16 is one of the easier Haute42 controllers to customize the art of to represent your taste. Unscrew the top plexiglass layer, insert your brand new art, and screw the plexiglass back on.
That said, we at The Arcade Stick can provide you custom art for your U16. With a team of dedicated professionals, we have had plenty of experience designing custom art for Haute42 controllers, so please feel free to get in touch with us if you are interested in our custom art service.
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