CES 2026: Gaming Controllers Are Going Modular This Yr

Gaming controllers are simply a kind of issues that I really like to gather, however residing in a small New York condo, ultimately sufficient is sufficient. At CES this 12 months, I noticed three new controllers which might be all making an attempt to be the final ones I’ll ever want to purchase (for particular methods, a minimum of). It looks like modularity is in, and all three of those gadgets need to meet all your wants. However, they are not settled on what the most effective method is.

GameSir x Hyperkin X5 Alteron

The GameSir x Hyperkin X5 Alteron might be the cutest controller on this record, particularly in case you grew up enjoying GameCube or Nintendo 64. Essentially, it is a telescopic cellular controller that stretches to suit round your telephone or small pill, however the gimmick is that the entire face buttons and sticks are available in scorching swappable modules, and might be freely mixed-and-matched for a number of configurations.

Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt

You may do a regular Xbox fashion structure. You may go for a structure with symmetrical, PlayStation fashion thumbsticks as an alternative. You may use GameCube or Nintendo 64 fashion face button configurations, which is a novel contact. There are even choices for a six-button arcade fashion structure or a Steam Deck fashion trackpad.

Essentially, play your playing cards proper, and this factor may match any want you may presumably have, as long as you are enjoying on cellular. You may even get bizarre and slot in a GameCube structure on your left hand and a Nintendo 64 structure on your proper hand.

The totally different configurations all pop out and in simply, however do not feel free whenever you’re utilizing the controller. And there are additionally bells and whistles like again paddles and set off stops, for further buttons and faster response instances. The sticks are additionally capacitive, which primarily means they should not drift, but additionally will not trigger magnetic interference like Hall Effect or TMR sticks (different fashionable anti-drift know-how) can.

The catch? While this is not an idea, pricing and availability aren’t set in stone but. GameSir additionally informed me it is nonetheless determining distribution, so it is unclear what number of management modules will include the controller, if you’ll purchase them individually, and the way a lot they’re going to value in case you do. The firm did say it is concentrating on a $100 launch, however that would change, and it is nonetheless determining methods to make {that a} actuality.

The different concern, in fact, is that that is cellular solely, though GameSir mentioned it would make a extra conventional model sooner or later. This is not the primary controller with scorching swappable modules, however others are often pro-level and haven’t got almost as many choices because the X5 Alteron does.

8BitDo Ultimate 3e

8BitDo is one in all my favourite controller firms, particularly for retro fashion controllers. Last 12 months, it already dipped its toes into modularity with the 8BitDo Pro 3. That was a PlayStation-style controller that allowed you to individually swap out any of the principle 4 face buttons to put them in no matter order you needed, which made it simpler to swap between Xbox (ABXY) and Nintendo (BAYX) fashion layouts. Now, the 8BitDo Ultimate 3e is taking that idea and actually operating with it.

Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt

Officially licensed by Xbox but additionally suitable with PC and cellular gadgets, the 8BitDo Ultimate 3e seems to be like a regular Xbox controller at first, however has a detachable face plate that provides you entry to a bunch of choices. Take it off, and you may carry out the sticks, D-Pad, or face buttons to swap them for ones with a unique really feel.

Credit: 8BitDo

Your general management structure will nonetheless be the identical—there is not any mimicking the GameCube, swapping the order of the ABXY buttons, or altering your stick place right here. But you could possibly go for both a four-way or round D-Pad or sticks with totally different lengths or grips, as an illustration. The ABXY button modules additionally are available in each quiet silicone variations or clicky, micro-switch variations.

That’s a whole lot of management, and it comes on high of 8BitDo’s customary Ultimate controller options, just like the included charging dock, further macro buttons, set off stops, a gyroscope, and 1,000hz polling.

8BitDo says the Ultimate 3e controller will value $150 and can include all of your management choices. It’s set to ship later this 12 months.

New fashions for the MCON

When I reviewed the MCON magnetic gaming controller late final 12 months, I needed to like it. It was my favourite product from final CES, however when it got here to market, I had just a few points with it that made me really feel prefer it wasn’t fairly full. Well, they’re nonetheless within the prototype section, however MCON makers OhSnap at the moment are engaged on two new MCON fashions that need to repair just about all of my issues with the unique gadget.

MCON Slim (left) and MCON Lite (proper) connected to Galaxy telephones
Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt

Called the MCON Slim and the MCON Lite, these variations of the gadget are a lot smaller and must be less expensive than the model that is available on the market now, however retain nearly all of its options. There are just a few compromises to make that occur, however in the end, they appear to be strikes in the suitable course.

First, each the MCON Slim and the MCON Lite have handbook sliding mechanisms for his or her controls. That means the controls usually slip tucked away behind your telephone, however might be pulled out like an old-school Android keyboard. I really choose this. The unique MCON as an alternative makes use of a spring-loaded sliding mechanism, and it is fairly violent, and may ship your telephone flying in case you’re not cautious.

Second, once I say these are smaller, I imply it. If the unique MCON felt like attaching a MagSafe battery financial institution to your telephone, these really feel much more like utilizing a MagSafe pockets. I did not thoughts the scale of the unique an excessive amount of, nevertheless it actually is spectacular how a lot the brand new fashions have slimmed down.

Finally, whereas pricing is not finalized but, MCON informed me to count on the brand new fashions to be someplace between 1/third to half the worth of the present one. That’s an enormous markdown on the expensive $150 unique, whilst these repair a few of my issues with it.

To be honest, you do lose out on just a little bit right here, however not a lot. The MCON Slim and MCON Lite nonetheless have a kickstand mode, and nonetheless function a full set of buttons, however they deal with their shoulder buttons and thumbsticks in a different way. Both the Slim and Lite have “inline” shoulder buttons, which suggests the L1/R1 and L2/R2 buttons are subsequent to one another horizontally reasonably than stacked. Not an enormous deal for me, however some individuals might choose a console-like structure. The greater variations come within the thumbsticks.

MCON Slim
Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt

The MCON Slim makes use of 3DS-style circle pads as an alternative of Switch-style thumbsticks, which is the way it’s capable of save a lot area. They aren’t my favourite, however I’ve by no means had any issues making them work. The MCON Lite, then, makes use of dual-trackpads as an alternative of thumbsticks. That makes it even smaller than the Slim, however I’ve by no means had nice luck utilizing trackpads for analog fashion inputs. It could possibly be helpful for video games that want a mouse, although.

MCON Lite
Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt

So, what makes these modular? Well, except for providing you with extra mannequin choices and carrying ahead the detachable kickstand mode from the unique MCON, a part of what permits these fashions to be so skinny is that they use customized backplates designed for sure telephones, whereas the unique mannequin used a bulkier answer that matches all telephones.

The MCON Slim and MCON Lite are probably the most conceptual of the gadgets on this record, however OhSnap assured me that a minimum of one will make its strategy to market, hopefully this 12 months. Apparently, there are nonetheless inner debates about whether or not the mannequin with trackpads is value releasing or not.