Turtle Beach has introduced its Stealth Pivot controller, and you can bet there’s a bit of showmanship involved. But it’s a trick that works remarkably well in practice. With just a couple of toggles and twists, this controller can seamlessly shift from one gameplay style to another, making it a versatile companion for various gaming genres.
At first glance, the Stealth Pivot bears resemblance to Turtle Beach’s Stealth Ultra model, particularly with its central Connected Command display. From this onboard screen, users can conveniently keep an eye on phone notifications, switch button mapping profiles, and monitor battery life. While the resolution might fall short of the Stealth Ultra, it still does a commendable job of providing pertinent information.
The Stealth Pivot is packed with essential premium features that gamers often seek. Firstly, there are Hall Effect Joysticks, aimed at tackling the notorious issue of stick drift. Additionally, the controller offers Trigger Stops (both full and short), catering to those who prefer a full trigger pull as well as those who envisage it merely as an instant button press. Then there are the two customizable back buttons, strategically covering part of the grips and the controller’s underside, which are perfectly positioned for easy access without losing grip.
In terms of feel, the Stealth Pivot boasts a comforting heft. While the screen does make it somewhat top-heavy, it isn’t bothersome or unsettling. There’s a slight textured finish on the grips and back buttons, ensuring the controller remains secure in your palms despite its smooth exterior.
Without its transformative capability, the Stealth Pivot already stands as a robust premium controller. Its wireless feature works flawlessly on PC and has wired connectivity on Xbox, making it an excellent choice for players across platforms. Appearance-wise, it flaunts a dash of style and fits comfortably in the hands. However, it’s the innovative transformability that sets it apart.
To switch things up, simply flick a couple of toggles and twist the joysticks, and voilà—two control/button modules at the front switch to reveal fresh layouts. The left module, upon rotation, unveils a D-Pad and RSB/LSB buttons, while on the right, the module exposes XYAB buttons, with P1 and P2 buttons above.
These modular options translate into four potential setups, effectively targeting the fighting game enthusiasts and retro gamers. For example, side scrollers don’t necessitate dual joysticks, so having six buttons at your fingertips becomes advantageous. Similarly, in fighting games, the precision of a D-Pad paired with six readily accessible buttons is greatly sought after compared to a standard controller setup.
The Stealth Pivot’s flexibility makes it a curious candidate for gaming enthusiasts. The ability to toggle into “side scroller mode” or “fighting game mode” is enticing, yet entirely discretionary. As highlighted, the controller is already exceptional without swapping modules; the ability to pivot is just the cherry on top. Whether it’s a worthy contender against other high-end controllers depends on how much you value the swapping mechanism.
Like many Turtle Beach controllers, the Control Center app is your go-to for tailoring features, such as RGB lighting, adjusting stick deadzones, remapping buttons, or tweaking audio settings via the headphone jack. If you’re going to embrace those extra buttons, it’s fantastic to set them to suit your preference.
During my hands-on time with the Stealth Pivot, the module rotation proved to be quite beneficial. Seamlessly shifting from a shooter like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, where dual joysticks are critical, to a side scroller like Nine Sols that benefits from a distinct layout, was effortless. Tailoring configurations to match different games truly enhanced the gaming experience.
Conclusively, the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot nails the fundamentals, which broadens its appeal. While certain niche audiences might find it more attractive, the assurance that Turtle Beach hasn’t compromised on premium features or overly focused on modules reassures gamers that these unique functions are delightful bonuses. Essentially, it’s like having multiple controllers conveniently packed into one versatile device.
The Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot controller is currently up for pre-order, and Turtle Beach kindly provided a unit for this review.
