If you play across different ecosystems, you probably know this pain by heart: one device says A means confirm, another says B, and suddenly your thumb is making the wrong choice again.
That is exactly the problem the new EasySMX M20 is trying to tackle. The mobile controller has gone up for pre-order, and while it includes the kind of premium features you would expect in a higher-end pad, its most interesting idea is much simpler: swappable face buttons.
The concept matters because Xbox and Nintendo-style layouts have been clashing for years. According to GamesRadar, this has been an annoyance for 24 years, with the A, B, X, and Y arrangement causing constant mix-ups, especially for players using one device to emulate different systems. The M20 does not magically retrain your muscle memory, but it does let you physically change the button setup so it better matches what you are playing.
For mobile gamers, that is a genuinely practical feature.
The EasySMX M20 is a wraparound controller that connects to Android devices and newer iPhones through USB-C. It is coming from the same brand behind the EasySMX X10, which GamesRadar says is one of the best PC controllers it has tested so far. On the hardware side, the M20 also packs in trigger locks, Hall effect thumbsticks, mechanical buttons, and dual grip motors with 10 levels of haptic intensity.
That gives it a decent pitch beyond just the button gimmick. It is clearly being positioned as a serious mobile controller, not a cheap accessory for the occasional commute.
Pre-orders are live on EasySMX’s own site. The controller launches at $69.99, and GamesRadar says using the promo code M20 Controller drops it to $62.99 in the US. The listed UK price after discount is £47.70, with shipping expected to begin from mid-April.
For readers in Malaysia and the wider SEA region, this hits a sweet spot that is easy to understand. Mobile gaming is already massive here, and plenty of players use their phones or tablets for more than just standard app store titles. Some are streaming through Xbox Game Pass, others are revisiting older games through emulation, and many are doing both on the same device. That is where mixed button layouts become extra annoying, because you are constantly switching mental modes.
The M20’s approach is also arriving at a useful time. GamesRadar notes that RAM shortages are pushing up prices on many gaming handhelds, which makes phone-based gaming setups look more attractive. If a player already has a capable smartphone, adding a controller can be a much cheaper route than buying a dedicated handheld.
The M20 is not the only company exploring flexible control layouts either. GamesRadar also points to a modular controller from GameSir and Hyperkin shown at CES, with swappable modules inspired by systems like the N64 and GameCube. That one sounds more heavily aimed at emulator enthusiasts, while the EasySMX M20 seems more focused on everyday layout switching between Nintendo-style games and Xbox-style play.
For SEA players, that makes the M20 easy to understand: it is a controller built for the very normal modern habit of playing a bit of everything on one screen. If it delivers well in actual use, it could become a very appealing option for retro fans, cloud gaming users, and anyone tired of pressing the wrong face button after switching games.
Source: GamesRadar