Which Cronus Zen to buy
There is no Zen 2. The choice is the Zen, the Zen plus Zen LINK sold as the PS5 Ultimate Edition, or a used CronusMAX Plus for old consoles. Which one for which console, and what to check on a used unit.
Lura Editorial · Sep 25, 2026 · Updated Sep 27, 2026 · 2 min read
People searching for a "Cronus Zen 2" are trying to work out which of three products to buy. There is no Zen 2. There is the Cronus Zen, the Zen LINK module, and the two sold together as the PS5 Ultimate Edition. The older CronusMAX Plus still turns up second-hand.
By console
| You play on | Buy | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X or S, Xbox One | Zen | An official Xbox pad on A1 does the rest; no module |
| PC | Zen | Windows sees a controller; no module, no licence check |
| PS5, or PS5 plus anything | Zen, or the PS5 Ultimate Edition | The Zen alone uses the free bypass on every boot; Zen LINK does it for you |
| PS4 | Zen, or a used CronusMAX Plus | Both work; the Zen has current support |
| Switch | Zen | All models incl. the Lite; Nintendo pads by Bluetooth |
| Not sure yet | Zen; add Zen LINK later | The module attaches to any Zen |
The three products
Cronus Zen. The current device: USB-C at the back, an OLED screen, three front USB-A ports, a PROG port, eight script slots. Native support for Xbox Series, Xbox One, PS4, Switch and PC. On PS5, with the module or the free bypass.
Zen LINK. A Wi-Fi module that plugs into the Zen's A1 port and connects to the PS5 over your network, using the console's Remote Play feature, so there is no bypass to repeat. It also allows wireless programming. Needs 2.2.x firmware. PS5 setup.
PS5 Ultimate Edition. The Zen and Zen LINK in one box, cheaper than the two apart. Same hardware; only the price differs.
CronusMAX Plus. The previous generation. No native PS5 or Xbox Series. Smaller memory; modern scripts often need edits or will not compile. Used only, and only for the consoles it was built for.
Buying used
| Check | Why |
|---|---|
| OLED works | A failing panel is a warranty item you no longer have |
| Firmware version in Zen Studio | 0.0.0 means a five-minute reflash, not a fault |
| Zen LINK included | Without it, PS5 means the bypass on every boot |
| USB ports grip a cable | Worn ports cause drops |
| Listing charges extra for a "bypass" | The bypass is free; do not pay for it |
| Slots full of someone else's scripts | Harmless; reprogram |
The first thing to do with any used unit is the firmware update; firmware update guide.
What none of them change
All three sit between the controller and the console and rewrite the input. None sees the game, none modifies the console, and the choice between them is a compatibility choice. Once you have the device, what you need before buying a script is the next list.
Questions
- Is there a Cronus Zen 2?
- No. As of September 2026 Cronus sells the Zen, the Zen LINK module, and the two together as the PS5 Ultimate Edition.
- Which one do I need for PS5?
- Either. The Zen alone works with the free PS5 bypass, redone after every console restart. The Zen plus Zen LINK, which the PS5 Ultimate Edition bundles, connects by itself on every boot and is Cronus's supported method.
- Which one for Xbox or PC?
- The Zen on its own. No module. You can add Zen LINK later if PS5 ever enters the picture.
- Is a used Zen safe to buy?
- Yes if the screen works and it reflashes. The bypass is free, so do not pay extra for a listing that sells one; check whether Zen LINK is included if you want it.
- Does the CronusMAX Plus work on PS5 or Xbox Series?
- No. It targets PS4, Xbox One, older consoles and PC. Buy it used, cheaply, and only for those.