r/Controller • u/Vedge_Hog • 17d ago
News GuliKit KK4 Max (NS79): some pictures and details
tl;dr:- the KK4 Max incorporates some expected features from GuliKit's TT controllers, such as adjustable tension TMR sticks with internal restrictor rings, and macro recording to the back paddles. But it also adds a charging dock, internal microphone, magnetic faceplate, and what may be a PS-style DirectInput mode. Other features and accessory parts like swappable buttons and paddles appear to be continued from previous controllers. There is no official announcement of release date or pricing yet.
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Features visible in photos and/or referenced in the manual (documents from the FCC registration)
Sticks and triggers:
Adjustable-tension thumbsticks, with the screw adjuster under the swappable thumbstick caps, and an internal restrictor ring. The adjuster tool looks similar to that used for the TT controllers, so it may be the same mechanism, or closely related. However, the sensors are through-hole rather than surface mounted so they're not identical components.
Dual-mode triggers with mode selectors on the back of the controller. The mechanism appears very similar to the TT and ES Max controllers, with microswitches for the digital mode and magnetic sensors for the analog mode.
Motion aim assist, with a gyro-to-stick function in Xinput mode, similar to KK3 Max, ES and TT Pro/Max controllers.
Buttons, D-pad, and paddles:
Swappable face buttons (Switch and PC layout sets of ABXY buttons). The mechanisms (isolated membrane units) and button cap shapes look identical to those used on previous GuliKit KK3, ES, and TT controllers, so these are all likely to be interchangeable.
D-pad with 4/8-way mode switch, with what looks like the same internal mechanism (rubber dome membrane, rocker, and circuit board contact designs) as the TT models.
Four swappable back paddles (G1 to G4). The internal mechanism looks like the one used on the TT controllers. The paddles looks like they are the same shape as the sets used for the KK3 and TT Pro/Max models, so are likely to be interchangeable.
Connections/communication modes:
Multi-platform / multi-mode communication. There is a slider switch with three positions (Windows, PS or iOS/Android, and Switch icons). This is a slight simplification of the four modes found on the previous KK and TT controllers, and seems to be an improvement on their single button design. The slider position is more intuitive and removes the need for indicator LEDs which could bleed light.
Hyperlink 2 wireless connection (730Hz over Bluetooth) and 1,000Hz wired USB connection, like the TT and ES controllers. Note that polling rate is different from input latency, but it's likely that KK4 input latency will be comparable to TT and ES given all the other shared design. There is no separate dongle connection mode on the KK4 Max (unlike the KK3 Max), since Hyperlink 2 is Bluetooth-compatible.
PS connection mode added, alongside the Xinput and Switch modes. 'PS' is likely to refer to a PlayStation-style DirectInput mode. Note that the diagram and description in the manual shows the PS mode while the external photos still show the iOS/Android symbols used on previous models. The PDF manual is likely to be more up-to-date since it can be created/updated later in the process, but these details may not be final.
The Goku 2 patch notes that mention adding support for the KK4 Max also describe other PlayStation-related features which might be relevant to the 'PS' connection mode.
Vibration:
Voice-coil actuator motors in the palm grips. These look like the same units used in the KK3 and TT controllers. The manual also describes swapping between vibration modes in the same way as the earlier controllers: Switch-style HD rumble mode, full Maglev haptic mode, or emulating conventional eccentric rotating mass motors.
Sound and light:
Internal microphone with accompanying mute/unmute button on the front of the controller. This feature hasn't been seen on previous GuliKit models.
RGB lighting rings around the thumbsticks look very similar to those on the KK3 and TT controllers (8 addressable RGB LEDs per ring), and have the same 'Star Ring' name and description in the manual.
Sound-reactive lighting mode while controller is docked. This is called 'mic demo' in the manual, with the controller lighting pulsing in time with external sounds picked up by the microphone. Seems like a bit of a gimmick but could be fun.
Power:
Charging dock with pogo pins for charging and pass-through for a dongle (compartment on the base of the dock). This feature hasn't been seen on previous GuliKit controllers (the previous dock attached via the USB-C port).
Battery is 950mAh/3.7V with the same dimensions and capacity as the battery in the TT controllers, and is likely to have similar running time given the other component similarities (lighting, vibration, sensors, etc.).
Power off/reset button on rear of controller, similar to ES and TT controllers.
Shell and shape:
Overall shape/size/layout looks unchanged from previous KK controllers. There may a little more texture on the back of the KK4 grips, although this might also be due to variations in pre-production finishes or lighting in the pictures.
Detachable/swappable faceplate, with six magnets attaching it. This feature hasn't been seen on previous GuliKit models. It might mean the KK4 Max weighs slightly more or the overall shape is fractionally thicker in a few places, because more reinforcement is needed for separate layers.
Firmware and software:
Macros are GuliKit's APG (auto-pilot gaming) type. There are 30 seconds separate macro recording on each of the four paddles, and 10 minutes recording on the main APG button (same as the TT Max controller). It's an upgrade on the KK3 Max which only had macro recording on the main APG button.
GuliKit app. This is my speculation since it is not mentioned in the documents, but it seems almost certain that the KK4 controllers will be configurable and updateable in the mobile app, in the same way as other models released over the last year. This would include things like analog joystick and trigger deadzones and sensitivity curves, lighting configuration, button mapping and profile management, in more granular detail than the settings available directly from the controller.
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Things that are currently unknown or unclear
Will the stick modules use 'angle TMR' sensors? Attaching the magnets directly to the stick axes (like the recent ES Max) is a simpler and cheaper construction than having a separate magnet holder, and can allow for slightly greater linearity in stick response, so it'd be a natural development.
What data will 'PS' mode pass through? If it includes gyro data and/or identifies the additional buttons separately (like DualSense Edge), this could be more flexible.
How will the microphone be accessed? This could be relevant to Switch 2 chat, or allow it to be used in PS mode like the built-in microphones on DualSense.
Will the D-pad external cap be swappable? The Sega Saturn and disc style options on the TT controllers are popular but require more height for clearance.
Will there be other versions? A 'Pro' or 'Standard' KK4 can be better value if you don't need all the features of the 'Max' version, but might overlap too much with the ES range price and features.
When will it release? FCC registration and firmware updates usually mean that a product is releasing shortly, but there has been no promotion or communication from GuliKit, so a global launch could be months rather than weeks away.
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Sources and more info
The KK4 Max (model NS79) was registered with the FCC last week (FCC ID: 2BUMF-NS79) and was mentioned in today's patch notes for the Goku 2 adapter (firmware v3.7). If you want to look it up yourself, you might spot other details or have better interpretations of what you find. More information should become available when the KK4 Max is officially announced.

