Let’s get this out of the way. The Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot controller is innovative. It attempts something no one else has. It makes me ridiculously happy to see this type of competition forcing others to innovate as well. Does it hold up to the Stealth Ultra controller? Is it great for gaming? We test it out and give you the answers you are looking for. Let’s dive in.
First Impressions
The Stealth Pivot controller is the most fun I’ve had testing a device in a long time. Why? It’s different and it is fresh. The Pivot is a controller that allows me to flip the gamepad around without taking out screws etc. It’s like a modular controller, except you don’t actually have to take anything out or replace anything. Instead, I simply unlock the game pads using switches on the back of the device and twisting the thumb sticks down. Then I “pivot” or rotate the game pads around (into the controller) and use the new D-pad and buttons on the other side. To see it in action check out our unboxing video below.
It basically goes from a normal controller to a fight pad (think Street Fighter) when I spin the pads. This thing is crazy cool. Naturally, this controller is a tad thicker in order to accommodate for the pivot. It’s also a tad on the heavier side.
Gameplay
I basically look at the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot Controller as having two distinct modes. It has a core or traditional mode for FPS games, action games, sports etc. Then, it has a fighter mode or perhaps “fight pad” mode. This mode is great for nostalgia and modern fighting games. If you dropped hundreds of dollars into a Street Fighter II machine, this controller is for you. It allows the Stealth Pivot to transform into a retro style controller. It has mappable buttons like RSB and LSB as well as a P1 and P2 button.
Overall, the controller is just ridiculously fun to use. I only ran into one issue while using it. For some crazy reason, while playing Rocket League, the A button had trouble registering a double tap leaving my car to float into a forward flip instead of boost me forward into a flip. Every single other game I play the A button responds just fine. This leads me to believe that the issue lies more with Rocket League.
The controller is compatible with Xbox, PC, and Android devices. It includes a USB dongle for a 2.4GHz wireless PC connection. It connects to Android wirelessly, but for some strange reason it has to be used with a cable (included) for Xbox. Hopefully, future iterations will have a wireless adapter for Xbox. I personally hate wires.
Built for fun
The Stealth Pivot is now the controller my kids fight over when we hang out. This is due to the power of its transformation. We often trade as it can get a bit heavy for their hands in longer sessions. The included LCD screen is fun to toy with. I don’t need the app to make tweaks which is a HUGE win. Instead, I can customize the buttons on the fly with it, and I can store up to five profiles for different loadouts. Additionally, Turtle Beach includes quick adjustments to audio on the fly via the screen as well.
This means I can use the controller itself to increase audio levels or the oft included Superhuman hearing that Turtle Beach makes famous. This works with headsets plugged directly into the controller via a 3.5mm jack. Finally, lockable triggers are a must nowadays, and the Stealth Pivot doesn’t skip here. I can lock my triggers to a short press as every second matters while I’m being gunned down in Apex or Fortnite.
The membrane buttons aren’t quite as clicky as the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra controller. This bums me out. I love the feel of the Pro’s buttons and the response I feel like I get out of them. Either way though, the buttons feel good and similar to a Microsoft controller. Thankfully, anti-drift is once again built into the thumb sticks, because honestly, Microsoft controllers suck for that. I won’t ever buy one a standard Microsoft controller again unless they change things up. I will however continue to support a company like Turtle Beach that tries to improve upon what isn’t working.
Wrapping it up
It’s the Holiday season. Sure, that’s a famous line to a carol, but it’s also a great reminder that shopping is around the corner. Time to stock up on gifts for gamers. The Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot controller is a phenomenal reminder of why innovation in gaming matters. We can thank companies like TB for mixing things up once in a while and creating some childlike wonder and nostalgia. This controller makes for a great daily option and a blast of a gift for yourself or the gamer in your life.
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