BODY: Japanese peripheral maker Elecom is wading deeper into the PC gaming controller market, announcing two new wireless gamepad families that promise to give Western players another option beyond the usual Xbox and PlayStation suspects.
On May 12, 2026, Elecom revealed that its GP50 and GP40 series wireless gamepads will hit Japanese retail shelves in mid-May. Both lines support XInput and DirectInput, making them compatible with virtually any modern PC game, and both come in two distinct stick configurations: a "straight type" with symmetrically aligned analog sticks (PlayStation-style) and a "cross type" with asymmetric sticks (Xbox-style).
The GP50 series is positioned as the higher-end option, with Elecom specifically marketing it toward FPS players—a notable pivot for a brand more often associated with mice, keyboards, and office accessories than competitive gaming gear. The GP40 series, meanwhile, targets casual players and budget-conscious buyers looking for a no-fuss wireless solution.
By covering both stick layouts in each tier, Elecom is essentially hedging against the eternal Xbox-vs-PlayStation muscle-memory debate that splits PC gamers. It's a pragmatic, very Japanese approach: rather than picking a side, offer both and let the customer decide.
The insider take
Elecom occupies an interesting niche in Japan—a trusted, ubiquitous brand you'll find in every BIC Camera and Yodobashi, but rarely the first name mentioned in hardcore gaming circles, where Hori and 8BitDo dominate. Pushing an FPS-branded controller is a clear attempt to climb upmarket, and the timing makes sense: with Tokyo's competitive FPS scene growing around titles like VALORANT and Apex Legends, domestic demand for affordable, locally-supported gamepads is real. Whether the GP50 can punch above its price point against Hori's Fighting Commander lineage remains the open question.
Originally reported by 4Gamer.net − 最新記事 (Japanese).