There’s no denying that Turtle Beach’s Stealth Pivot controller builds on a rather gimmicky concept, yet it’s one that’s remarkably impressive. With a simple flick of two toggles and a twist of two sections, this controller transforms seamlessly, favoring different gaming experiences in a snap.
At first glance, the Stealth Pivot bears a close resemblance to Turtle Beach’s Stealth Ultra, especially with the Connected Command display nestled at the center. This built-in screen is your hub for viewing social notifications from your phone, swapping out profiles for button mapping, and keeping an eye on battery life. While the resolution isn’t as high as the Stealth Ultra’s, it still displays all the essential information you’d need.
The Stealth Pivot comes packed with a range of features you’re likely to expect from a high-end controller. It includes:
– Hall Effect Joysticks: Essential to ward off the dreaded stick drift.
– Trigger Stops (Full and Short): Whether you want the full experience of a trigger pull or prefer a lightning-fast button press.
– 2 Customizable Back Buttons: Situated across the grips and underside for ease of access without compromising your hold on the controller.
There’s a notable heft to the Stealth Pivot, making it feel comfortable in your hands. Although the screen gives it a top-heavy feel, it doesn’t disrupt the balance or become a distraction. The outer grips and the back buttons are textured just enough to ensure a secure grip on an otherwise smooth controller.
Ignoring its name, the Stealth Pivot is a solid contender in the premium controller market, ticking all the boxes of what one would expect. Its wireless capability on PC (though wired on Xbox) makes it an appealing choice for cross-platform gamers. Add a dash of style and ergonomic comfort, and you’ve got yourself a pretty cool controller—albeit with a twist.
By flicking two toggles on the underside and giving the joysticks a spin, you can rotate the front modules of the controller to reveal entirely different layouts. On the left, you’ll find a setup where a D-Pad replaces the joystick, accompanied by an RSB and LSB button. On the right, a twist reveals a module with the traditional XYAB buttons in lieu of a joystick, flanked by P1 and P2 buttons.
With these interchangeable modules, the Stealth Pivot offers four possible configurations, clearly targeting fans of fighting games and retro titles. If you’re navigating a classic side scroller, a second joystick isn’t always necessary, and having a six-button setup at your fingertips can be quite advantageous. For fighting games, the precision of a D-Pad paired with six buttons (catering to high, medium, and low actions) can significantly enhance your gameplay compared to a standard setup.
The versatility it offers lands the Stealth Pivot in a unique niche, intriguing many gamers. Even the option to switch to a “side scroller mode” or “fighting game mode” is attractive, yet entirely optional. As emphasized, the Stealth Pivot stands strong as a premium controller even without engaging its module-swapping capability—being able to pivot is just a cherry on top. Whether this mechanic makes it more appealing over other similarly priced premium controllers will largely depend on your personal preference for modular configurations.
A hallmark of Turtle Beach, the Control Center app opens up a new world of customization. You can tweak RGB lighting, adjust stick dead zones, remap buttons, or even fiddle with audio settings for the headphone jack. If you opt for a layout with extra buttons, you have the freedom to tailor them to your liking.
In my hands-on experience, the module rotation feature is genuinely handy. Switching from a dual-joystick setup needed for a first-person shooter like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 to a precision-driven side scroller like Nine Sols is straightforward. Having two different configurations at your disposal enhances each game experience.
The Stealth Pivot excels at the fundamentals, which is vital for its broader appeal. While subcommunities might find it more appealing than others, Turtle Beach ensures its high-end features aren’t overshadowed by the module gimmick, meaning anyone can see these mod functions as an extra perk. Essentially, it’s like having three controllers in one, each performing exceptionally well.
Overall, the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot aims to set itself apart in the competitive field of customizable controllers by offering this innovative button layout and thumbstick feature. Instead of swapping parts, players switch effortlessly between modes tailored for specific genres. With both wired and wireless capabilities, it provides flexibility for gamers who enjoy freedom of movement or prefer a tethered setup. Now available for pre-order, this device is positioning itself as a game-changing tool for the discerning gamer.
