10. Mayflash F700 FLAT Elite
9. Razer Kitsune
Justin Wong is one of the pro players who gave feedback during the Razer Kitsune’s development. Its low profile Razer linear optical switches have a shorter actuation distance, resulting in a fast response time. The jump button is bigger than the rest, so you can hit it with the side of either one of your thumbs.
The Kitsune is a light & medium sized controller, and its slimness may remind you of a tablet device. Also, SOCD cleaning makes it legal while competing at tournaments. Speaking of tournaments, the controller has a tournament lock to prevent you from being disqualified by unintentionally pausing a match.
Licensed by Sony, the Kitsune has native PS5 compatibility, so you do not have to worry about getting an additional adapter, and the Sony license means that the controller will likely work on future PlayStation consoles too. This means you can save money and invest it in the stock market.
Onwards, the Kitsune has ample space for your wrists to rest, and its slimness spares you from tilting up your wrists to use it. In addition, the anti-slipping pad provides you stability. Not only that, the braided cable is detachable, and the port can be locked.
The Kitsune is a minimalistic beauty that is powered by Razer Chroma RGB, and the light shines through the controller’s sides. The button labels are colored in a way that does not diminish the controller’s beauty, but they are still visible enough for you to see them.
In addition to the black edition, the Kitsune can come in Cammy, Chun-Li, and more editions. Because the controller has an aluminum top panel, you can add custom vinyl art, ending up with a controller that represents your aesthetic taste while also performing well.
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8. Victrix Pro KO
As for the Pro KO’s mounting posts, they allow for a handle or shoulder strap, letting you carry the controller with little tiredness. Your order should also come with a protective sleeve and switch puller.
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7. DuelPad Zen
The DuelPad Zen has 16 buttons, and it comes with some freebies that include extra parts & rubber feet. DuelPad calls the Zen’s layout an ergo-split layout, a layout for reducing your odds of wrist pain.
Essentially, 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 the average.
The Zen’s buttons are smooth, and they sound quieter than your run-of-the-mill buttons. Also, they should not pop off if you perform pro techniques like pianoing or sliding.
When you play, the Zen should not slide around, even without installing the optional feet. On a side note, the controller’s size may remind you of a tablet device. It is light enough to carry without getting tired but has enough weight not to forget that it is still in your hand.
The Zen is slim, but it passed a malleability test when deliberately pressing on the top panel to check for any warping. That said, you might be glad to know that the controller has USB-C ports in the back and on the left. Needless to say, the cable is detachable.
There is a USB-A port as well where you can insert a converter like the BOOTER 5 to make the Zen compatible with the PS5. There is also a screen that tells you important information like which buttons you successfully pressed.
Aesthetically speaking, the Zen is an acrylic controller with matte black and crystal options. The matte black edition uses Ghost switches, and the crystal edition uses White Rain switches. Both switches are low profile, linear, swift, and quiet, but if you have another preference, the switches are hot swappable.
The beauty of your Zen can be enhanced with RGB LED, and there are a whopping 35 themes! The buttons and the controller both light up. You might also be glad to know that the controller accepts custom art.
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6. GuileKeys GK-21
The GK-21 is an acrylic controller with 21 primary buttons, allowing you to use the directional buttons with both your left and right hands. That said, if you do not need 21 buttons, the GK-16 edition only has 16 buttons.
The buttons of the GK-21 have surrounding rims. The turbo function allows you to press one button and have that one press result in rapid inputs, requiring less effort from you.
As for the RGB button, it refers to the LED that the GK-21 has, which shines around its buttons and through its midsection beautifully.
Regarding the GK-21’s switches, they are Kailh Choc Reds, and you may be glad to know that they are hot swappable, so if you have another preference, you can change the switches.
Moving on, you can find a screen that lets you know valuable info to boost your gaming experience. For instance, you can see your button presses on the screen. You can also see which SOCD cleaning mode the GK-21 is currently in.
When it comes to connectivity, the GK-21 lets you pick from two USB-C ports: a back one and a left one. Compatibility-wise, there is an RP2040 chip, running on the GP2040-CE firmware that is known for its almost nonexistent input lag less than a millisecond.
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 like the BOOTER 5. So, you get to enjoy this 21 button controller with more consoles.
Finally, here are some freebies your GK-21 may arrive with:
- Couple of extra keycaps
- Couple of extra switches
- Switch puller
- White USB-C cable
- Black USB extension cord
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5. Haute42 T16
The Haute42 T16 is a controller with larger buttons and Kailh Choc low profile switches for speedy presses. There is another edition with less buttons if you like. The input lag of the buttons is less than a millisecond, which is fantastic.
The T16 is an acrylic controller with chamfered edges for the comfort of your palms. There are non-slip feet to make your controller stay in place during a set of matches.
The T16’s USB port conveniently comes out of the center back, and you can find another port on the right, which is where you would insert the BOOTER 5 dongle for PS5 compatibility.
The T16’s SOCD cleaning includes the usual modes of up priority, neutral, and last input priority, so tournament legality should not be a problem for you. The screen keeps you informed about your inputs, input mode, and SOCD mode.
RGB LED makes the T16 even more stunning when you press its buttons. You may also be glad to know that the art of the controller is customizable, so you can have your favorite characters displayed on it.
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4. Haute42 R16
The Haute42 R16 has 16 buttons, with one button on the left being for your pinky. The Kailh Crystal low profile switches allow you to press the buttons rapidly. The input latency is less than a millisecond, which is awesome. You can even make use of turbo for fast inputs with little effort.
The R16’s onboard screen reveals aspects that range from your inputs to the current SOCD mode you are in. What you can also get with the controller includes an extra switch, switch puller, and function buttons.
The USB port conveniently comes out of the R16’s center back, and on the right, there is a port for an adapter to enhance the controller’s compatibility, such as the BOOTER 5 for PS5 support.
The R16 is a beauty, especially due to the RGB LED when you press its buttons. The controller can also accept custom artwork to make your controller your style. A black edition is available as well.
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3. Haute42 M16 Plus
The Haute42 M16 Plus is a sturdy metallic controller that is slim. There is an edition with 12 buttons as well. Otherwise, this masterpiece can come in a black or silver color. With custom RGB LED, the controller’s beauty is boosted further.
The M16 Plus has less than a millisecond of input delay, so you can enjoy responsive gameplay. Also, there are multiple SOCD cleaning modes to fit your fighting game needs, keeping the controller tournament legal.
The M16 Plus has an info screen, so you can see your inputs in real time, and you can also know which input & SOCD modes you are currently in.
For your convenience, there is built-in web configuration so you can adjust your M16 Plus online to your liking. As for the useful EXT port, it allows you to insert a dongle such as the BOOTER 5 for compatibility with the PS5. An additional thing you can do is add custom artwork to the controller to make it reflect your interests.
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2. Haute42 U16
The Haute42 U16 combines the best of both worlds: it has a plexiglass 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.
The buttons of the U16 have a satisfyingly smooth texture, and the button rings make you feel like you are pressing true arcade buttons. For your convenience, the jump button is bigger than the rest, letting you press it without needing to be too precise.
The U16’s Crystal linear switches are fast and fairly quiet. Another awesome aspect is the size of the wrist resting area you can enjoy when using this spacious controller. An additionally neat feature is the screen that tells you useful information like whether you are using the directional buttons as a left analog stick or D-pad.
Whether you like to play with your controller on a desk or your lap, the U16 has got you covered. You see, the controller has 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 big enough not to have to squeeze your legs together, and the controller’s lightness makes long gaming sessions more comfortable. In addition, the controller is slim, and it might even fit into a laptop or tablet sleeve you already own.
When you order the U16, you do not have to worry about buying your own cable because Haute42 ships a detachable USB-C to A cable with it. For PS5 compatibility, you can insert the BOOTER 5 adapter into the USB-A port.
With the U16, you also get an extra switch as well as a switch puller because of the hot swappable switches that allow you to customize the controller’s feel. Even the buttons are swappable.
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 interests. Just unscrew the top plexiglass layer, insert your brand new art, and put the plexiglass back on.
That said, we at The Arcade Stick would love to provide custom art for your U16. We have a team of dedicated professionals who are ready to serve you, and we have had plenty of experience designing art for Haute42 controllers, so please feel free to get in touch with us if you are interested in our custom artwork service!
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1. Haute42 X1
The Haute42 X1 has a modular design with the following primary modules:
- Upper directional buttons
- Lower directional buttons
- Attack buttons
You can switch out these individual modules for other modules you may prefer, such as analog sticks near the bottom of the top panel. As for the WASD buttons, you can switch them out with keys instead.
You can also rotate the WASD module to find the most ergonomic angle (about 15° to 20° of rotation). Instead of WASD, documentation shows there are modules containing buttons without rims too.
Do note that the X1 is a machined aluminum controller plus a plastic bottom. It is a black controller that has golden buttons with rim, and the controller comes with a zipper case (also black).
The X1 features LED, such as in the button labels as well as what looks like light underneath the controller when set on a desk or your lap. The screen is also back, showing your the input, direction, and SOCD modes etc.
Haute42 fans and newcomers alike should definitely consider the X1 that adds a new layer of customization to the reputable company’s controllers. Just do not forget the BOOTER 5 for PS5 compatibility!
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