Ever since I acquired the Razer Kitsune, I’ve been getting an increasing number of used to leverless controllers. The Kitsune works on PS5 and PC, and I’ve since been seeking to strive extra controllers prefer it. Most manufacturers have been both too costly or had very lengthy lead occasions to ship controllers prefer it. After I found Haute42, the controllers appeared too good to be true for the low asking value. I purchased the Haute42 Board mini and was offered. I made a decision to check out one other controller from the corporate, and went with the T16 which I purchased just a few weeks in the past. I wished one thing sufficiently big to be comfy on my lap, and in addition wished to check out a 16 button controller. Having used it every day since shopping for it, the controller is unbelievably good, however has just a few small points holding it again.
Whereas I wished to check out certainly one of Haute42’s leverless controllers after liking the Board mini, I additionally wished to make use of a 16 button controller to see how a lot of a distinction it made for me in video games like Avenue Fighter 6 or Tekken 8. The Haute42 T16 let me sort out each of these in a single go. Whereas I’ve not discovered myself utilizing each further button, two of them have helped quite a bit, and even made me use the T16 for shmups in a single scenario. This Haute42 T16 will deal with the controller and the way it works on the platforms we cowl: iOS, Change, and Steam Deck, however I can even have a bit about utilizing it on the PS5 and Xbox Collection X to be as thorough as I can primarily based on my expertise with the Haute42 T16. Let’s get into it then.
Haute42 T16 controller options, setup, and firmware
The Haute42 T16 is a leverless controller that has 16 fundamental buttons, a small show to point inputs and mode (which will be custom-made), very low latency, and a turbo perform along with the standard secondary buttons you’d count on in a controller. The buttons use Kailh low profile purple switches, and every of the buttons are the identical measurement (30mm). That is value noting since another leverless controllers use smaller buttons for all the things however the bounce button on the underside.
The controller has a really fascinating design as a result of it’s primarily a board sandwiched between acrylic layers. The layer on prime is clear which permits for including your individual art work under it, whereas the one on the underside has a frosted end. The buttons help RGB lighting, and the Haute42 T16 controller additionally ships with a USB A extension port on the precise along with the USB C port on prime that you just use to attach it to no matter platform you’re utilizing. The extension port is what you’re going to make use of if you wish to use the Haute42 T16 controller on a PS5 or Xbox Collection X, however I’ll get to that in a bit.
The Haute42 T16 makes use of GP2040-CE and helps SOCD cleansing choices. You may customise this and replace the controller utilizing a simple drag and drop course of. Since this was my first Haute42 controller, I used this particular YouTube information for assist. The official Haute42 Discord server can be very helpful for any customization or replace associated issues. This is without doubt one of the simpler controllers to replace and customise as properly. I’m additionally glad I wasn’t compelled to do that on Home windows like I used to be with the Razer Kitsune firmware updater.
Haute42 T16 controller compatibility –
What drew me to the Haute42 T16 controller exterior the curiosity for its high quality given the value, had been its thinness and the 16 buttons. However what about compatibility? The Haute42 T16 formally helps Home windows, Steam Deck, Android, PS3, PS4, Nintendo Change, MiSTer, iPadOS, Linux, and Raspberry Pi as indicated on the official web site. Not supporting the PS5 is certainly a damaging if you wish to use it in locals that run on PS5, or wish to purchase one in your personal PS5.
While you plug your controller in, you must press a particular button (indicated on the bottom) to apply it to Change, PS4, Xinput, Dinput/PS3, or keyboard mode.
Haute42 T16 controller – what’s within the field
The Haute42 T16 ships with the controller itself, a USB cable, an instruction guide, and equipment (an additional swap, a swap puller, button caps, and anti slip pads). The controller is in a padded envelope, and all of that is packed in a cardboard field. As for utilizing a case or storing your Haute42 T16, I like to recommend getting a laptop computer sleeve or discovering a bigger iPad sleeve that matches. I additionally advocate getting your individual braided USB cable to make use of like this one.
Haute42 T16 controller efficiency – buttons and really feel
Having used the Razer Kitsune which I like, I used to be curious to see how the Haute42 T16 buttons would really feel. They really feel glorious. I’m unsure which of them I like extra, however I can safely say that the Haute42 T16 buttons really feel glorious and work completely. I’ve had no hassle with the button measurement or responsiveness throughout any sport. These buttons and switches are simple to swap out as properly should you’d quite get your individual buttons and switches right here.
As for the Haute42 T16 itself, the perimeters are a bit sharp and it creaks generally. These are my solely minor complaints with this. I anticipated a little bit of creaking, however I hope a future revision can resolve this or make it much less of a difficulty. I do know the Haute42 T16 is extra of a DIY controller than the remainder, however these minor points maintain it again.
The buttons I dislike are the secondary ones. The buttons for begin, again, house, and extra on the highest proper should not comfy to make use of. I had the same subject with a few of these within the Kitsune as properly, however that’s higher total for secondary buttons a minimum of proper now. The touchpad and a simple to click on and spot button for the PlayStation enter on a PS5 controller additionally assist.
Haute42 T16 controller – why 16 buttons make a distinction
A standard leverless controller or Hitbox-style controller makes use of 4 buttons for motion (up, down, left, proper) and eight motion buttons as you’ll be able to see in my Razer Kitsune assessment. The Haute42 T16 controller or different 16 button controllers from Haute42 go for 5 motion buttons and 11 motion buttons. For motion, the fifth button is above the three on the highest left. That is for many who are used to WASD motion on a keyboard. I take advantage of the bounce button right here whereas enjoying shmups or platformers whereas I’ve been utilizing the traditional bounce button on the underside in combating video games.
As for the motion buttons, you’ll be able to map them to various things. As with most issues regarding controllers or setups I’m not used to, I’ve been YouTube and speaking to associates who’ve extra expertise. On this case, I discovered a nice video on how a 16 button format helps with Avenue Fighter 6 and Tekken 8. I haven’t caught to that past testing it out, however did handle to vary just a few issues to suit my wants higher since. At this level, the 16 buttons aren’t important, however they positively assist in particular video games and with comfort.
Haute42 T16 controller customization – art work, keys, and extra
The clear acrylic layer on prime will be eliminated simply to insert your individual artwork within the Haute42 T16. Past that, you’ll be able to customise the buttons and switches within the Haute42 T16 as properly with none hassle. You may even add art work on the underside to be seen from the again, however I like to recommend leaving that be as you get used to what key press is required to change modes.
Haute42 T16 controller issues
Outdoors the creaking and edges, my solely grievance with the Haute42 T16 is the highest acrylic layer scratches simply. It isn’t too noticeable, however I observed fairly just a few small scuffs or scratches on mine after every week with it. These complaints are minor given what you’re getting at a sub $100 value level together with delivery although, however are value highlighting.
Haute 42 T16 controller on PS5 and Xbox Collection X
Because the Haute42 T16 doesn’t work natively on PS5 and Xbox Collection X, you want a dongle or adapter used within the passthrough port. I purchased the Brook Wingman Converter FGC to check out completely different controllers in combating video games on PS5, however I do know there are different choices. My Brook converter for Xbox stopped working since Microsoft retains updating the console to dam it. I’ve stopped bothering with this on the Xbox facet due to that. In case you do plan on shopping for the Haute 42 T16 for PS5, think about the price of the dongle, and remember the fact that this won’t work in each native PS5 sport.
Haute42 T16 controller vs Razer Kitsune
It feels bizarre evaluating a sub $100 controller with a $300 controller, however that’s precisely what I’ve been doing in my head whereas utilizing each of them. The Haute42 T16 does way more than the Kitsune, however it doesn’t do all the things as elegantly. It’s also lacking native PS5 performance, a event lock, and isn’t as comfy on the lap or desk. It does nonetheless have extra buttons, helps a number of platforms along with PC, and is way simpler to customise and mod. They each are clearly tackling completely different sides of the market, and with the T16, I’ve a controller I can advocate to newcomers immediately with its low asking value.
Consolation and issues like which are subjective, and ideally everybody would be capable of check out a number of controllers earlier than shopping for one, however sadly that isn’t attainable for a lot of. The Kitsune is way more comfy on my lap and once I play, and I recognize the quieter buttons. I really feel like Haute42 (AKA COSMOX now) may have resolved just a few of my points with the upcoming M Plus line proven right here.
Proper now, my very best leverless controller could be a Razer Kitsune with 16 buttons like this one. It’s going to be fascinating to see what else we get in 2024 from be aware simply Haute42, but additionally Razer.
Must you purchase the Haute42 T16 controller in 2024?
For its value, it’s onerous to not advocate the Haute42 T16 should you take pleasure in enjoying combating video games and wish to check out an incredible leverless controller on Change, PC, Steam Deck, or PS4. For PS5, think about the price of the adapter. For iOS, I wouldn’t purchase this particular controller simply to play on iPad or iPhone. I used it with Streets of Rage 4 and video games like that, however I wouldn’t purchase the Haute 42 T16 exterior of wanting an incredible controller for PC, Change, or PlayStation proper now.
After I first acquired the controller, I used to be virtually prepared to purchase a second one simply to have a backup as a result of it’s so good. It isn’t one thing I’d advocate to everybody, however in case you are available in the market for a improbable leverless controller, the Haute42 T16 is certainly value contemplating. Simply issue within the creaking/scratching subject and the truth that you must purchase an extra dongle if you wish to use this on PS5.
In case you’d prefer to seize it, the Haute42 T16 controller is normally obtainable for $83 (or so) on Amazon right here. In case you do find yourself shopping for it or already personal one, I’d like to know what you concentrate on it. Tell us within the feedback under, and in addition should you’d prefer to see any particular controller reviewed.
In case you purchase the controllers or gadgets listed and linked above by way of our hyperlinks on Amazon, it helps TouchArcade in a small manner.