Which controllers work with the Cronus Zen? The official compatibility list, explained

#How does Collective Minds rate compatibility?

The official controller page uses three ratings:

• Yes: tested and working.
• Conditional: works with limitations, explained in the notes.
• No: does not work.

And one important sentence: if a controller is not listed, it has not been tested, which does not mean it will not work. This guide walks through the tables platform by platform, then covers how to think about a controller that is not on them.

#PlayStation 5 controllers

Every Sony DualSense revision is covered, which matters because the internal board changed several times. The Edge works but needs its right-stick curve left at default in a custom profile when used with Zen LINK, as the Zen LINK setup page explains. Two prominent third-party pro controllers are marked No.

#PlayStation 4 controllers

The longest table, reflecting the PS4's role as the crossover platform for years.

• DualShock 4 v2: Yes, USB and Bluetooth. This is the DS4 to have; it also works as an authentication controller and carries audio.
• DualShock 4 v1: Conditional. May have authentication and audio issues. The v1 has no light bar strip on the touchpad.
• Yes, wired: Hori PS4 Mini-Pad, Horipad 4 FPS, Horipad FPS Plus, Mad Catz SFV FightStick TE2+, Nacon Compact, Nacon Revolution Pro v1/v2/v3, Razer Raiju Tournament Edition and Ultimate (wired only), Scuf Vantage and Vantage 2 (wired only).
• Yes, wireless too: Astro C40 TR (with its adapter), Nacon Revolution Unlimited Pro (USB dongle), Scuf Infinity4PS Pro on both DS4 boards, Scuf Impact.
• Conditional: PowerA Fusion Pro, which needs a firmware update.

Note how many entries say "wired only". Third-party PS4 pads frequently lack the Bluetooth path the Zen uses, so plan for a cable.

#PlayStation 3 controllers

Both DualShock 3 revisions work over USB and Bluetooth without audio, and the PlayStation Move motion and navigation controllers pair over Bluetooth. This is niche but it is also how the Zen supports PS3-era racing wheel modes.

#Xbox Series X|S controllers

• Official Microsoft: Xbox One (1537, 1697, 1708), Xbox Series (1914), Elite Series 1 (1698) and Elite Series 2 (1797) are all Yes, over USB, the Xbox Wireless Adapter and, where the controller supports it, Bluetooth.
• GameSir: G7 Pro, G7 Pro 8K and G7HE are Yes; G7 SE is Conditional; Tarantula Pro is No. Firmware 2.3.0 specifically added G7 Pro support.
• Yes: Nacon RIG Pro Compact, PDP Afterglow, PowerA Fusion Pro 2 and 3, Spectra Infinity and Enhanced, Razer Wolverine V2 and V2 Chroma, Scuf Instinct and Instinct Pro, Turtle Beach Recon and React-R, Victrix Gambit Dual Core.

For authentication on Xbox you need one official Microsoft controller (or a licensed pad carrying the security chip) in A1. The others can then be used as the controller you actually hold.

#Xbox One and Xbox 360

Xbox One: every entry is Yes, including early revisions without Bluetooth, the Elite generations, and a long list of licensed wired pads from GameStop, Hori, PowerA, PDP, Razer and Scuf, plus two Razer Atrox fight sticks.

Xbox 360: the wired controller is Yes without audio; the wireless controller is No unless you have the official Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for PC.

#Nintendo Switch controllers

• Joy-Con (L+R) and Switch Pro Controller: Yes, over Bluetooth via the Zen's P2 pairing button.
• Hori D-Pad Controller (L+R): Yes, Bluetooth only.
• Hori Switch Horipad: Yes, USB.
• Gulikit ZEN Pro: Yes, USB and Bluetooth, with Hall-effect sticks.

Remember the console-side setting: Pro Controller Wired Communication must be on. See Switch and PS4 setup.

#How should I read the notes?

• "Wired only" means the controller's wireless path is not supported through the Zen. Not a defect.
• Model numbers matter for Xbox and DualSense because internal boards changed. Check the label on the controller.
• "PC mode" entries refer to controllers that have a PC/console switch; use console mode.
• Polling rate notes on GameSir pads concern how often the controller reports; the Zen handles the standard rate and the 8K model is listed as working.

#What about a controller that isn't listed?

Ask three questions:

1. Is it a licensed console controller? The Zen supports licensed controllers designed for consoles and, per the official PC page, does not support unlicensed pads or PC-only controllers such as the Scuf Envision Pro.
2. Does it have a wired mode? USB is the most reliable path for third-party pads.
3. Does it carry an authentication chip? Only relevant if you want to use it as the Xbox auth controller; otherwise any listed official controller in A1 solves authentication.

If it fails, the OLED may show an E3 error; the official PS4 page says unplugging and replugging the USB cable resets it. Report results in the official Discord so the table can grow.

#A short buying recommendation

For the least friction: a DualSense for PlayStation, an official Xbox Series controller for Xbox, and a Switch Pro Controller for Switch. All are Yes on every relevant table, all pair or wire without notes, and all are what the GamePack authors test against.