Mad Catz is diving deep into the fighting game community (FGC) with their latest peripheral. They've announced the N.E.K.O., a new all-button arcade controller. Designed in close collaboration with FGC pro gamers and fans in the Japanese community, the N.E.K.O. aims to deliver a competitive edge through performance and ergonomic design.
The N.E.K.O. features an ergonomically positioned faceplate, programmable inputs, an enhanced non-slip base, and precision-engineered buttons for smooth transitions and effortless combos. It offers flexible firmware options that are easily configured for standard use (enabling turbo, macros, remapping) or a competition-ready mode compliant with international FGC standards.
Customisation is a key focus for the N.E.K.O. Users can swap out the low-profile Kailh mechanical switches to get the right feel and extend the device's longevity. Panel artwork is easily customisable for a personalised look, and commands can be reassigned to the programmable buttons. It also supports custom macros of up to 16 commands and offers three different SOCD modes for additional flexibility.
The N.E.K.O. is compatible with PC, PS4, and Switch. While general pricing and regional availability details have not yet been announced, Mad Catz has confirmed that the N.E.K.O. will be exhibited and available for sale at their booth at EVO Japan 2025, held at Tokyo Big Sight on May 9th.
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KitGuru says: Designed with direct input from the FGC and packed with customisation options, the Mad Catz N.E.K.O. all-button controller looks like a serious contender for players seeking a competitive edge, assuming you can adapt to it.