This clever transforming controller is great for FPS and fighting games on Xbox — but it’s a different story on PC

by

In 2024, Turtle Beach introduced the Stealth Pivot, a new Xbox controller with a futuristic design that resembles something from a science fiction series.

This unique device features rotating button modules, letting you easily switch between a standard Xbox controller setup and one optimized for 2D fighting games.

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot also boasts impressive features like smooth TMR joysticks, responsive Hall Effect triggers, and a built-in display that allows you to customize button controls instantly. It offers even more to enhance your gaming experience.

After two years, Turtle Beach sent me their Stealth Pivot headset to test. I’m now checking to see if it performs as well as expected, or if it falls short.

Turtle Beach provided us with a sample of this product for review. However, they didn’t have any say in what we wrote and hadn’t seen this review before it was published.

A transforming Xbox controller

I’ve tested a lot of great Xbox controllers, and the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot is definitely one of the most unique and interesting ones I’ve come across.

As a researcher testing this controller, I’ve found it connects seamlessly to Xbox Series X|S consoles using a USB-C connection. It also works with Windows PCs – you can use the included 2.4GHz wireless dongle or a wired USB-C connection. Plus, it easily pairs with mobile devices via Bluetooth. The controller comes with both the dongle and the USB-C cable, which is really convenient.

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot stands out because of its unique rotating side panels, each offering a full set of controls.

The standard controller includes two analog sticks and four buttons. An alternative version replaces the sticks with a D-pad and two buttons, while offering six total buttons – two of which can be customized.

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot also features a variety of controls: two triggers with adjustable stops, two shoulder buttons, Select and Start buttons, an Xbox home button, a Share button, a 3.5mm headset jack, a slider to control headset volume, and two customizable back buttons.

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot also boasts a helpful Command Display. This lets you easily change your audio settings, customize the extra buttons, and see notifications from your friends.

Unconventional but wickedly good

It’s understandable if all these features seem like a lot, but I’m pleased to say they actually work great and are pretty easy to learn. Reading the included instruction manual really helps!

The standard input module functions perfectly as a typical Xbox controller. The Hall Effect analog sticks provide very accurate control for character movement and aiming in games like DOOM: The Dark Ages and Monster Hunter Wilds, and I haven’t experienced any annoying stick drift while playing.

The controller’s buttons and triggers are all very responsive and comfortable to use. A helpful extra feature, trigger locks, lets you fire faster in games like Overwatch 2, giving you an edge over opponents.

The alternative input modules have D-pads and buttons that feel just as good as the ones on the standard module.

I haven’t tested these controls with fighting games like Street Fighter because I’m not skilled at those games. I wouldn’t want to give a fair assessment of either the genre or the controller if I attempted to, given my lack of experience.

I’m pretty skilled at 2D action games like Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons and Ninja Gaiden Ragebound, so I decided to test them on those games instead.

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot is a fantastic, versatile Xbox controller that deserves your attention. It’s great at everything!

I’m happy to confirm the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot’s extra controls work great with those games! The D-Pad is positioned comfortably for 2D games, making it perfect for titles like Hollow Knight: Silksong.

I also appreciated how comfortable this controller feels to hold, thanks to its well-designed shape and smooth grips. It’s really well-built and feels solid, so it can definitely withstand a lot of use – even if you get frustrated and slam it down!

Plus, the controller connects wirelessly to your PC with no noticeable delay, and the battery lasts up to 20 hours. You’ll experience smooth, responsive gameplay without input lag, and you won’t have to constantly recharge it even during long gaming sessions.

PC gamers pay attention

Honestly, I have little to no complaints about this controller other than personal taste.

As a gamer, I’ve found the Hyperkin Competitor’s D-pad to be much better for 2D games. Personally, I don’t need my Xbox to handle social media notifications; I mostly connect with a small circle of close friends and family on the console, so that feature isn’t a priority for me.

The main downside of the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot is its price of $139.99, which might be too expensive for those simply looking for a standard Xbox controller.

Also, as a PC controller, it doesn’t meet current standards because of its slower connection speeds – around 125Hz wirelessly and 165Hz with a wired connection.

Xbox players aren’t likely to notice this problem because their consoles limit controller speeds to 250GHz. However, newer controllers are designed to work at much faster speeds – typically over 500GHz, and sometimes even 1,000GHz.

If you need a PC controller with the quickest response times, the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro or similar options would be a better choice.

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot?

✅You should buy this if …

  • You want a premium-level Xbox controller with swappable and remappable control modules for multiple game genres, responsive controls, and comfy ergonomics.
  • You need a wireless Xbox controller with little to no latency so you don’t have to deal with cable management, and a long-lasting battery life to power it.

❌You should not buy this if …

  • You don’t care for its swappable button module gimmick and just want a standard Xbox controller that won’t cost you over $100.
  • You want a dedicated PC controller because the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot has a limited polling rate, considering its price.

Despite its low polling rates on PC, I still enjoyed using the Turtle Stealth Pivot on Xbox.

This controller is a great value – it combines the functionality of two controllers for $60 less than the Xbox Elite Series 2, which typically costs around $200. Plus, I actually prefer how this one feels!

This Xbox controller is quickly becoming one of my favorites, especially considering its price. It’s well-built, the battery lasts a long time, and the buttons are very responsive – plus, you can customize them to your liking.

If you want a great Xbox controller for the latest games, especially those coming in 2026, I highly recommend the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot. It offers excellent control and can easily adapt to both 3D and 2D game types.

Read More

2026-01-11 18:11