Hautepad C-AS Arcade Stick Review: Eye-Catching Design, But Still Rough Around the Edges

Cosmox Gaming, best known for its leverless arcade controllers, has stepped into traditional fight stick territory with the Hautepad C-AS — a dedicated arcade stick built for Nintendo Switch 1 and 2.

The C-AS brings two standout features to the table. First, it borrows the adjustable button height system from Cosmox's own C-AT controller, letting players raise or lower each input to match their grip and comfort preferences. Second, it includes modular LS and RS buttons that can be swapped out for analogue sticks — meaning the C-AS can pull double duty beyond fighting games, similar to how the SWORL and the Hautepad X handle multi-genre use.

Cosmox has been carving out a niche with unconventional controller designs, and the C-AS continues that trend. The adjustable button system in particular is a feature rarely seen on fight sticks at any price point, and the modular analogue stick option gives it flexibility that pure fighting game peripherals typically skip.

The review verdict lands on the positive side of cautious — the C-AS is unique and eye-catching, but the full article flags that improvements are still needed before it can be called a complete package.