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

Back in 2024, gaming peripheral manufacturer Turtle Beach unveiled a new Xbox controller that looked like it was ripped out of a sci-fi TV Show, the Stealth Pivot.

It's an innovative device whose main gimmick is two revolving button modules that allow it to swap between a traditional Xbox controller layout and a button layout designed for 2D fighting games.

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot has other notable features, including TMR joysticks, Hall Effect triggers, a built-in command display that lets you remap buttons on the fly, and even more.

Two years later, Turtle Beach has sent a sample of the Stealth Pivot, and I've been given the honor of seeing if it lives up to lofty ambitions or crumbles under its own weight.

A transforming Xbox controller

I have used my fair share of the best Xbox controllers over the years, but the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot is one of the wildest ones I've used yet.

It's compatible with Xbox Series X|S via USB-C, Windows PC via a 2.4GHz wireless dongle or cable (both the dongle and USB-C cable are included with the controller), and mobile devices via Bluetooth.

As mentioned before, the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot's main feature is its two revolving input modules, each with its own set of controls.

The default modules consist of two Hall Effect analog sticks, four face buttons, whereas the alternate modules consist of a D-Pad with two buttons that function like the analog stick buttons, and six face buttons (two of which can be remapped).

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot's other controls include two triggers with trigger stops, two shoulder buttons, Select and Start buttons, an Xbox home button (a.k.a. Nexus button), a "Share" button, a 3.5mm audio jack port for gaming headsets, a slider for adjusting headset audio levels, and two remappable extra back buttons.

Another standout feature of the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot is the built-in Command Display that allows you adjust your audio levels, remap the extra buttons, and check social notifications from your friends.

Unconventional but wickedly good

All these features sound overwhelming. However, I'm happy to report that they all work extremely well and are easy to use once you get the hang of them, especially so if you actually read the instruction manual included with the controller.

The default input module works well as a traditional Xbox controller. Its Hall Effect analog sticks are extremely precise when moving my character and aiming guns in DOOM: The Dark Ages and Monster Hunter Wilds, with no stick-drift felt at all during gameplay.

Its D-Pad, face buttons, shoulder buttons, and triggers are all incredibly responsive as well and feel good to use, plus the Trigger Locks are a nice bonus feature to help you fire the trigger faster when dominating the competition in games like Overwatch 2.

As for the alternative input modules, their D-Pad and face buttons are just as solid as the face buttons on the default input module.

Granted, I haven't tested these controls out with fighting games like Street Fighter, as I am absolutely terrible at them, and I feel I would be doing the genre and this controller an injustice if I tried to do so.

However, I am quite good at 2D action games like Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons, and Ninja Gaiden Ragebound, so I tested them on them instead.

I can gladly confirm that the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot's alternative input module controls work splendidly with those games, especially with the D-Pad being positioned in a more natural place on the controller for 2D games, so you can happily use it for titles like Hollow Knight: Silksong.

Other aspects about this controller I liked are that it's comfortable to hold with an ergonomic design and smooth grips, and that it has a hefty and strong build that can endure a fair amount of use (and rage-quitting abuse).

On top of that, there's zero latency when playing it wirelessly on PC, and it has a long battery life of up to 20 hours. This means you won't suffer any annoying input lag while playing wirelessly, and you don't have to worry about your controller dying quickly during a day-long gaming session.

PC gamers pay attention

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

For instance, I prefer the Hyperkin Competitor's segmented D-Pad more for 2D games, and I don't particularly care about being able to check social notifications, as I don't talk to people on my Xbox aside from a few close friends and family.

The only objectionable drawbacks I can see for the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot are its MSRP of $139.99 being too rich for people's blood who just want a regular Xbox controller.

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Plus, as a PC controller, it's lacking in modern standards as its polling rate comes in at about 125GHz wireless and 165GHz wired.

While this isn't too much of an issue for Xbox players, as the Xbox consoles are capped at 250GHz, modern controllers are generally expected to reach much higher polling rates above 500GHz or even 1,000GHz.

So, if you're looking for a PC controller with the fastest inputs possible, you're better off with something else like the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro.

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.

It's a cool device that's essentially two controllers in one that costs $60 less than an Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller (MSRP $199.99), which doesn't feel as good as the Turtle Stealth Pivot in my opinion.

With its sturdy build, long battery life, and responsive, remappable controls, this has quickly shot to be one of my favorite Xbox controllers in the premium price range.

If you're looking for a top-notch Xbox controller to conquer 2026's upcoming Xbox games with sublime controls that can literally transform to suit either 3D or 2D games, then I strongly recommend the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot.

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