Technologies
I Played All the Switch 2 Games: What to Look Forward To After April 24 Preorders
I spent a day with the upcoming console. Here’s what to expect.

The Nintendo Switch 2 now has a US preorder date of April 24, and despite earlier tariff-related concerns, the price is holding steady at $450. Once you get into the queue for a new console of your own, the next question is which games and accessories to get. After playing all the new titles at a special media event, I was surprised not just by the new offerings, but with new ways of interacting with them.
For example, pushing my hands around a fabric-covered table while holding two mouse controllers is surprisingly tiring. I was playing Drag x Drive, a new wheelchair sports game coming for the Nintendo Switch 2 that uses one of the console’s new features: Joy-Cons, which work like computer mice. I felt vibrations under my hands as though I was spinning my wheels. But I wondered: Who will play the Switch 2 while seated at a table? I realized later that you can also rub them on your pants legs to make them work. So I did that, too. It was a little less tiring.
This was just one weird part of a long day playing the Nintendo Switch 2, the $450 sequel to one of Nintendo’s most popular game consoles ever, arriving June 5, with preorders opening April 24. I’ve loved playing games on the Switch, like many people. However, the Switch 2, while being a new console, feels a lot like an updated version of a system many people already own.
Much like the PlayStation 5 or the Xbox Series X, it’s betting that playing games that look a little better matters enough to upgrade. But Nintendo’s also laying down some side bets on new features that could make a difference: in-game voice chat with friends at the press of a button, a plug-in camera that can work with wacky party games and, yeah, new controllers that double as mice.
So here’s the question: Is this more fun than the existing Switch and its games? I’d say the Switch 2 is a better piece of hardware, no doubt, but the upgrade proposition feels pretty uncertain until Nintendo shows many more games that make it worth it.
That being said, the Switch 2, as a bigger, better version of the existing Switch, could make a lot of sense for those who can afford it, especially because there’s still nothing quite like it out there. At $450 (£395, AU$699), plus $70 or $80 for its two biggest launch-window games, Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, this is an expensive proposition for any family right now. A CNET survey recently found that affordability is the top concern for US gamers considering the purchase. Then again, as a handheld game console with its own included dock that can also play games in 4K on a TV, it’s actually competitively priced versus the Steam Deck and Windows gaming handhelds.
I played Mario Kart World. I played Donkey Kong Bananza. I played remastered versions of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, and Kirby and the Forgotten Land. I played Cyberpunk 2077 and Split Fiction. And I played Mario Party Jamboree with new mouse-Joy-Con and camera-optional modes that projected me onto the TV. It was all fun and the Switch 2 is the handheld I’d prefer to play my library of Switch games on. But I don’t think it’s a necessary upgrade for anyone right now. That said, your kids will probably ask for Mario Kart World and a Switch 2.
Hands-on with the handheld: Nice screen, larger feel, similar buttons
The Switch 2 is big and feels dense. It’s not that much bigger than the Switch OLED, to me, but that larger 7.9-inch screen feels welcome. I play on a large Steam Deck a lot lately and the Switch 2 feels sort of like that but actually thinner. It’s about the same thickness as the Switch in casual holding-and-looking comparisons.
The Switch 2 has an LCD, not OLED, like the last iteration of the Switch, which went on sale in 2021. But honestly, it looked great to me in the hours I tried it. The 1080p resolution, HDR capabilities and refresh rate that can go up to 120Hz, depending on the game, stood out while playing. I’d take this over the Switch OLED display right now.
The larger Joy-Cons now magnetically snap in and out but have little release buttons on the back. They snap in smoothly and then you eject them with the trigger release and remove them. It’s a smooth action and a lot easier than pressing that small button on the current Switch Joy-Cons. The controllers, although feeling sturdy, have a surprisingly similar feel. The analog sticks felt like existing Joy-Cons and the buttons clicked similarly. I’m bummed that there’s no analog rear trigger.
Instead, these triggers click just like the older Switch — something that the Switch 2’s producers and directors, in a roundtable chat during my New York demo day, said was decided upon because they offer a more immediate response in games. I think it’s a miss because every other console I’ve played has analog triggers and they work well. Putting analog triggers on a Switch 2 would have made previous Switch games feel different on the Switch 2, though, and maybe that’s where the challenge lay.
The C button on the right Joy-Con launches Game Chat, a new mode that allows four-player audio chats with trusted Switch friends (that can be parent-approved). These chats can also become grainy video chats with an optional plug-in camera that can be used with the Switch when docked. Nintendo sells its own stand-like camera for $50 but you could also use a third-party camera (mileage may vary, according to Nintendo).
I didn’t get to try Game Chat during the demo day but I’m curious about how good the audio quality and noise cancellation are. Nintendo says it’s good enough to filter around room noise while talking from across the room. The Switch 2 has a microphone but the Joy-Cons don’t. A new $80 Switch 2 Pro Controller, which feels similar to the previous Switch Pro Controller with two added rear paddle buttons, does have a headphone jack that can be used to connect a microphone-enabled headset.
The new Switch 2 dock has its own fan system and looks chunky. It’ll sit near a TV so you probably won’t mind but it’s a bigger unit than before and, like several accessories, won’t work with the first-gen Switch. It enables 4K gaming modes on TVs, though, so that’s the reason.
There’s a new Switch 2 kickstand, which tilts at a wider range of angles. But it’s made of plastic and feels a bit flimsier than I expected, although it holds its position well. And there are two USB-C ports now — one on top, one on bottom — but it turns out the top port won’t do video-out. Nintendo’s creative team told me at a developer roundtable that there are no plans to support plug-in display glasses such as the Xreal One, a trick the Steam Deck and Windows handhelds can pull off.
I like the way the Switch 2 feels, though. It seems like it’ll be easier to travel with than Windows handhelds and the Steam Deck, which have bulky side grips that add to the system’s case size needs. The Switch 2 rides somewhat flat, although it’s bigger and longer.
OK, at this point, you’re probably saying, «Scott, please, just talk about the games.» So, I played each game in roughly 20-minute sessions as we were shuttled around different stations in the New York exhibition space that will host the public Switch 2 Experience. It’ll work similarly at other Switch 2 Experience locations, too.
Mario Kart World: Open-world Mario Kart madness
I have no idea how big Mario Kart World is. I drove around freely for a few minutes before a race mode started and I madly rambled from a town to a farm to an arena to mountain roads, jumped on train tracks, hopped on a power line and rode it up in the air, knocked down a lot of fences and found some sinister Bowser-ish castle. The newest Mario Kart game, a Switch 2 exclusive and launch title, is clearly the «game to get.» What I love is the sense that this racing game could be as full of surprises as an open-world Mario game.
It’s Grand Theft Mario or Mario Horizon or whatever you want to call it. This open expanse game’s real estate makes it far vaster than existing Mario Karts. But I played two races, mostly. I don’t even remember exactly what the course looked like because I was so busy navigating against 23 other players. The 24-player gameplay is new and, combined with wider, more expansive-feeling tracks, it’s a lot to take in. There are a lot of new characters to choose from — I picked Luigi with a gondolier outfit and later a hamburger-hatted Toad and Donkey Kong with battle armor. There are bikes, cars and all sorts of other familiar vehicles.
A new knockout tournament mode has players racing across multiple tracks in a world-spanning rally to win. You’re eliminated if you’re in the bottom four. I thought I came in first and got way too excited but I was one lap short of the actual end. I came in 16th. Competitiveness in a field full of this many cars reaches total absurdity.
I want to play more. The game looks great and handles like classic Mario Kart but it’s the extras that make me curious.
Donkey Kong Bananza: Showcase for smashing stuff
Nintendo doesn’t have a new 3D Mario game for the Switch 2 yet but Donkey Kong Bananza looks like a solid replacement. It’s the first open-world (sensing a theme here?) Donkey Kong game in years. It’s also a Switch 2 exclusive, coming July 17. Nobody saw this game coming (well, almost nobody) and I liked what I tried.
The game’s biggest mechanic is digging and destroying nearly everything. Donkey Kong can burrow through walls or the ground and, depending on the level, you can burrow far. I started digging into a wall in my first cave-like level, got lost in my tunneling, then burst out again. Some areas have you digging all the way down to new depths, almost like Tears of the Kingdom (but not really). Where does the madness end?
Donkey Kong is full of goofy expressions and enemies look dynamic in a way that feels almost like Sony’s Ratchet and Clank games. It’s a loud and fun action adventure but I have no idea how long the game actually is. It did showcase a lot more particles of stuff flying around than the older Switch has pulled off and the graphics kept a crisp frame rate.
Metroid Prime 4 Beyond: A technical showcase for graphics (and the mouse mode)
My 20 minutes or so with Metroid Prime 4 made me realize how good Switch 2 games could look. Running at 1080p and 120Hz on a big TV, it moved extremely smoothly and was as impressive a shooter as I’ve ever seen on a Nintendo console. From landing on a barren planet to firing through waves of creatures, rolling around in ball mode and losing a tough battle against a big ugly boss, it won me over.
I played on TV mode only, using the Joy-Cons in standard controller mode and then a mouse-and-controller mode. You can put one Joy-Con down at any time and make it a mouse for controlling movement, just like on a PC. I loved the fast reaction feel of it and I also liked that I could just lift my hand up and go back to analog stick controls if I changed my mind midstream.
Switch 2 Welcome Tour: Why isn’t this free?
I was expecting a dose of the weird at Nintendo’s Switch 2 event but this wasn’t it. Still, the idea of a Welcome Tour isn’t bad. Much like Valve’s Aperture Desk Job and the PlayStation 5’s Astro’s Playroom (or several tutorial apps for the Meta Quest), this looks like a guided tour of the Switch 2’s features, complete with insights from Nintendo and mini-games. I played a few, some of which were more like glorified demos at best.
I dodged asteroids using a Joy-Con in mouse mode, played the first level of Super Mario Bros. in pixel-accurate mode on a 4K TV setting to show how much screen real estate is available and played a guessing game for what frame rate a bouncing ball was moving at. One «game» showed me HDR on and off while launching fireworks. The problem is, this is a paid digital game, instead of the freebie it clearly should have been. I can’t understand why this probably helpful system tutorial isn’t just included on the Switch 2 and I never will.
Drag x Drive: Nintendo’s wild-card game
Somewhere between Arms and Rocket League, Drag x Drive is a Switch 2 exclusive that uses the Joy-Cons in mouse mode to control wheelchair-using players in an intense hoop-shooting sports game. Moving each wheel requires pushing one Joy-Con forward and backward. It gets intense fast.
The feeling ends up being a bit like rowing and my arms tired out; you have to keep wheeling around and moving your arms rapidly, pretty much nonstop. One neat thing is you can feel rumbling haptic clicks beneath your controllers as you «wheel,» making it feel more convincing. Racing to the ball, hitting other players and shooting baskets felt as chaotic as a game of Rocket League. I’m not sure if I’ll ever find this game fun to play because of its seemingly high exertion requirements but I enjoyed trying it for a while.
Mario Party Jamboree flexes camera, mouse modes
The most wacky stuff I tried were probably the new mini-games for the Switch 2 update of Mario Party Jamboree, which add mini-games that work with the Joy-Cons’ new mouse features and a game mode that uses the optional plug-in camera.
Bridget Carey and I revved little wind-up cars by pulling back on the Joy-Con mouse and releasing it to launch forward, with vibrating haptics to add clicking feedback. We played air hockey by pushing our Mouse-Cons around the table to hit the Koopa shells flying back and forth. And then we screamed and danced and balanced shells on our heads in camera mini-games that made us look like we were transported into Mario Party, popping out of warp pipes.
The camera-based games were flashbacks to the days when the PlayStation had a TV camera and the Xbox had the Kinect, which both did similar things. It was definitely fun and it makes Mario Party Jamboree even better but I don’t know how much I’d feel compelled to play the new modes long-term.
Updated Switch games look better — for a price
I played a handful of games optimized for the Switch 2, which will be sold in Switch 2 Editions at a higher price or existing game owners can buy a digital upgrade. The upgrades can be free in some cases if you have the Nintendo Switch Online Plus membership, while others will cost you extra, regardless.
Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, the Switch’s two epic Zeldas, both have Switch 2 upgrades I briefly played. For sure, they look better, with better frame rates. I’d prefer to play them this way but the difference wasn’t massive. The Switch 2 versions also gain compatibility with a new phone app companion called Zelda Notes that we didn’t get to demo.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land has a new story mode and better-looking graphics on Switch 2. I had fun playing a bit of the new storyline, which involved a lot of freezing-up landscapes. Is it worth the upgrade price? Maybe, because it also has some DLC extras.
GameCube Mode … activated!
Nintendo is adding another bonus to the Switch 2 equation with a Nintendo GameCube virtual console library. It’s part of the Switch Online Plus Expansion Pack subscription but Switch owners cannot play those GameCube games.
There are only a few GameCube games expected at the Switch 2 launch but I gave a few a quick play to remind myself of when I played them back in my own GameCube days: Wind Waker and F-Zero GX. Wind Waker is a classic Zelda and I loved F-Zero GX, which was co-developed by Sega. It still feels ridiculously fast. Nintendo’s selling a GameCube wireless controller, which I also tried out. The buttons and sticks feel just like they used to.
Ports of new third-party games: Are they good enough?
Part of the Switch 2’s appeal to other non-Nintendo gamers is its ability to play games that PC, Xbox and PlayStation folks could play but Switch owners couldn’t. Elden Ring, Madden, Cyberpunk 2077 and Split Fiction are some of the biggest newcomers. The performance, from my quick early plays, was a mixed bag. Split Fiction is a hit co-op game that debuted this year and I love it on the Switch but the split-screen gameplay I tried had less than stellar frame rates and graphics quality. It was fun but didn’t look beautiful.
Cyberpunk 2077 shows off sprawling cityscapes but again, on a big TV, it was clearly not as good as what you could get from a PS5 or Xbox. Madden and Elden Ring weren’t there.
I know what playing games like these feels like on handhelds, though. The Steam Deck already has Elden Ring, Split Fiction and Cyberpunk 2077 support. The Switch 2 looks like a strong competitor to the Steam Deck and current Windows gaming handhelds for a wave of third-party games that’ll finally play decently. Still, I’m not sure how much it’ll convince Steam Deck owners or Windows handheld owners as the whole appeal of those systems is they’ll play PC games you already own.
It shows some promise for the Switch 2 being a step up for playing current-gen games but Nintendo didn’t share any details on how powerful the Nvidia processor onboard is. It’s capable of ray tracing and can upscale game graphics but what are the limits?
Verdict for now: The best Switch, but not yet a necessary one
I wanted more from the Switch 2. More surprises, more wow factor. That being said, it looks like easily the best Switch upgrade since 2017. And yet why do I feel like it’s not a must-buy yet? Because the games, as fun as they were, weren’t doing anything totally new. Because Nintendo raised prices for a lot of things, including more expensive games, Switch 2 Edition modes and even that tutorial game. And because, well, the world’s not in a great economic place right now.
I still want one and want to play Nintendo’s new games, though. Nintendo brings joy and unique experiences. In 2025, it’s the biggest thing gaming has. And the improved Steam Deck-ishness of this Switch 2 is slotting right into my recent handheld gaming habits. I can’t wait to try more when it arrives June 5.
Technologies
Tariff Impacts Are Real: These 13 Companies Have Confirmed Price Hikes
More and more companies are confirming price hikes as President Trump’s tariffs are poised to take effect — most recently, a popular smart lighting brand.
In many cases and for many products in the US, the biggest impacts of President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff plans haven’t hit yet — but they could soon, unless the 90-day pause on some rates is extended. Still, numerous companies have already hiked prices or said that they’ll increase in the near-future — including, most recently, a popular and CNET-approved brand of smart lights.
The fact of the matter is that tariffs — a tax placed on the importing of certain products into a country — will ultimately cause prices to go up, with Walmart characterizing these eventual price hikes as «inevitable» during its earnings call last month. Given Trump’s push to place historically high tariffs on goods from almost every country in the world, you can also expect these price hikes to hit a huge variety of products.
This truth has begun to sink in for a lot of Americans. About 38% of consumers feel pressured to make certain purchases before tariffs cause their price to go up, according to a recent survey conducted by CNET. About 10% of respondents said they’d already made certain purchases in hopes of avoiding future price hikes, while 27% said they’d delayed purchases of products costing more than $500. Overall, these concerns about prices were felt the most around popular tech pieces such as smartphones, laptops and home appliances.
To help you keep score, I’ve put together a list of all the companies that have either confirmed or warned of price hikes due to Trump’s tariffs. As other companies make such announcements, you can expect new names to be added here.
Continue on for all those details, and for more, find out why it’s best if you wait on buying a new iPhone.
One item you won’t find on this list yet? The original Nintendo Switch, which will see a currently unspecified price hike on Aug. 1, but only in Canada for the time being. If that increase makes its way south of the border, we’ll let you know.
Best Buy
Without getting into specifics, Best Buy CEO Corie Barry told the Wall Street Journal late last month that it has already raised prices on certain products as part of its response to the tariffs.
e.l.f.
Known as an affordable option in the beauty world, e.l.f. announced in late May that it would be implementing a $1 price hike across its product line in response to the tariffs. CEO Tarang Amin claimed that the reaction from customers was positive, on account of the company’s transparency.
«We’re not trying to pull anything over on anyone,» Amin told Fortune. «This is exactly what we’re facing, and they understand.»
Macy’s
Speaking to CNBC in late May, Macy’s CEO Tony Spring said that price hikes will be implemented on some products due to tariffs, while also emphasizing that other tactics — like discontinuing certain products altogether — will also be a response to rising costs.
Mattel
Known for brands like Barbie and Hot Wheels, Mattel sounded the alarm over likely price increases during an early May earnings call. While it’s unclear how much the toymaker’s prices have increased since then, the company told investors that it would be, «where necessary, taking pricing action in its US business,» or to put it plainly, raising prices for consumers to mitigate the impact of tariffs.
Nikon
Camera-maker Nikon will introduce price hikes in response to Trump’s tariffs, effective June 23. This move will only target lenses and accessories the company makes and sells, so the cameras themselves are safe for now.
«We will be carefully monitoring any tariff developments and may adjust pricing as necessary to reflect the evolving market conditions,» a statement from Nikon explained. «We wish to thank our customers for their understanding and know that we are taking every possible step to minimize the impact on our community.»
Philips Hue
Parent company Signify announced that prices for its popular and highly regarded Philips Hue brand of smart lights will see price hikes effective July 1. The company also confirmed that this decision was made «as a direct result of tariffs.»
«Signify reserves the right to modify prices based on new or additional tariffs becoming effective in the future,» the company’s official statement explained.
Ralph Lauren
Sales at the luxury goods retailer Ralph Lauren have apparently remained steady amid recent uncertainty, but the company is still forging ahead with a plan to combat tariff impacts by raising prices more than it had already intended to, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Shein and Temu
Trump’s tariffs have made a notable target of China, hitting the country with a 30% rate only after initially hiking it all the way to 145%. Online retailers like Shein and Temu rely on direct shipments from markets like China in order to offer the rock-bottom prices that made them famous, so it’s little surprise now that they’ve had to raise prices.
The Trump administration has furthered the issues faced by these companies by doing away with a rule known as the «de minimus» exception, which used to exclude smaller purchases under $800 from import taxes. With that rule gone, Trump’s China tariffs will now apply to both bulk orders of industrial building materials and those shoes you’ve been looking to buy from Shein.
Subaru
Subaru has hiked prices across almost its entire line. The increase ranged from $750 to $2,055, depending on the model, with only the EV Solterra avoiding any change.
As has become a trend with some companies, Subaru avoided attributing the price hikes to Trump’s tariffs, citing only the common refrain of «market conditions.» Trump has notably disparaged companies that explicitly lay the blame for price hikes on his policies.
«The changes were made to offset increased costs while maintaining a solid value proposition for the customer. Subaru pricing is not based on the country of origin of its products,» a Subaru spokesperson said in a statement to Car & Driver.
Stanley Black & Decker
In an earnings report published April 30, toolmaker Stanley Black & Decker addressed «Price Actions in Response to US Tariffs,» stating that it had «implemented an initial price increase in April and notified our customers that further price action is required,» and was also looking into ways to shift its supply lines to minimize the impact of tariffs.
Volvo
The price impact of tariffs at Swedish automaker Volvo are confined, for now, to just one model: the electric EX30. Initially it was set to start at $34,950 in the US — a competitive price for an EV — but tariffs targeted at imported cars forced the company to raise the price to $46,195, a 32% bump.
Walmart
The biggest grocery chain in the US, Walmart is perhaps the most prominent company yet to announce imminent price hikes due to Trump’s tariffs. During the company’s earnings call in May, CEO Doug McMillan said price hikes would begin by the end of May and impact things like food, electronics and toys.
For more, see why buying refurbished tech helps you dodge tariffs and helps the planet.
Technologies
This Unique Controller Is Cool but Pointless for Most Gamers
The Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot has a unique 2-in-1 feature, but most people will never use it.

Pro-level game controllers have been becoming more mainstream over the past several years, offering gamers a host of new features not found on the controllers that came with their systems. These features include extra mappable buttons, swappable gamepads and other customizability options.
However, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a controller that offers two dedicated button layouts within the same device. The Stealth Pivot from Turtle Beach lets you physically rotate the gamepads to reveal a whole new, previously hidden, button layout — all without having to remove anything. It’s a unique take on what a controller can be and I’m here for it.
What I like about the Stealth Pivot
I’ve been impressed with Turtle Beach controllers for a while now, and the Stealth Pivot continues continues the company’s streak of great hardware. The buttons are clicky and responsive and the whole thing feels wonderful to hold. The design is nearly identical to Microsoft’s own Xbox controllers, which is a good thing.
The Stealth Pivot keeps many of the same pro features as its Stealth Ultra controller (and many other pro-level controllers), including adjustable triggers and four additional, remappable buttons. The Connected Command Display is carried over as well, although it’s much smaller than the Ultra’s 1.5″ screen. Amazingly, it keeps all the same features , including being able to adjust buttons and social media notifications.
On the connectivity side, you’ve got a wired connection for Xbox (there’s no wireless support), a 2.4GHz dongle for PC and Bluetooth for mobile devices and compatible smart TVs. There’s a headphone jack at the bottom and the USB-C port for charging or Xbox connection is up top. You can play and charge at the same time, which is a nice bonus.
Two controllers for the price of one
The biggest feature of the Stealth Pivot by far is its rotating gamepads. Basically, you twist down the two joysticks, unlock the gamepads, then literally rotate them 180 degrees to reveal the other set. This second set has a layout typical of controllers designed for fighting games, or really, any game where additional buttons are valuable. So instead of joysticks, there’s a D-Pad on the top left flanked by two two buttons. On the right side, the ABXY cluster shifts downward to make room for two additional, mappable buttons.
So now, instead of having to buy multiple controllers or remove and swap out gamepads (like PDP Victrix Pro controllers), in just a few seconds you can switch from snapping headshots in Call of Duty to beating up bad guys in Mortal Kombat or Tekken. It’s certainly not something I’ve ever seen on any other controller and it works surprisingly well. You can even save up to five digital profiles on the controller so you can have different layouts for each game.
I was impressed by just how good the buttons and everything are on the Stealth Pivot, even with having to cram double the amount of most everything into the same space. Granted, the controller is a bit thicker than most other controllers, but it’s not that noticeable. The hardware and engineering that went into this controller is remarkable.
What I don’t like about the Stealth Pivot
There are some compromises that come with this quick-switch capability, however. The first is that Turtle Beach wasn’t able to include its microswitch buttons, which personally I prefer over the more standard buttons on the Pivot. The joysticks are still Hall Effect, which is nice, but the rest of the buttons are standard. The buttons aren’t bad, they just aren’t as good as on the company’s other pro controller.
Secondly, making room for those rotating gamepads means space had to come from somewhere and the most obvious place was the battery. Turtle Beach says the Pivot gets about 20 hours of battery life, which is probably a bit optimistic. I wouldn’t say it’s terrible, but it’s not great. This is somewhat mitigated by the fact that you have to be physically plugged into your Xbox anyway, and you can play while charging — but PC users may want to keep a cable handy.
Also, while you can use the company’s Control Center II app to customize the controller on Windows, Xbox, iOS and Android, the app itself is not very good. The UI is basic and there are some annoying bugs including the inability to rename profiles on the Xbox version. It’s also hard to tell if anything saves after you make changes. There’s no indicator or save button anywhere, and while it does save things in real-time, it would be nice if it let you know it’s happening.
Lastly, it’s disappointing that you can’t connect wirelessly to the Xbox. Wired is fine, and it avoids battery issues, but wireless is obviously more convenient.
Should you buy the Stealth Pivot?
The Stealth Pivot is a really solid controller even without the dual personalities. Personally, I’m not really into fighting games so I don’t need the second set of controls. And super hard-core, e-sport-level gamers would probably want something like a Fight Stick or a more dedicated fighting game controller.
However, if you’re a more casual gamer who enjoys fighting/button heavy games alongside games that use joysticks — and wants to level up your fighting style — the Stealth Pivot might be worth a look, especially since it’s only $130. That is more expensive than a standard controller, but for everything you get with it, that’s a hard price to beat.
Technologies
I Loved Using This Keyboard, but There Was One Thing I Just Couldn’t Get Used To
The Turtle Beach Vulcan II Mini Air is a great gaming keyboard, but it won’t replace my current one.

Gaming keyboards are everywhere these days, and with a plethora of options available it’s not hard to find a good one. They can also be expensive, so it can be difficult to know if the investment is worth the money. It’s with that in mind I got in the new the new Vulcan II Mini Air from Turtle Beach. I have some thoughts.
Turtle Beach bought the company behind these keyboards, Roccat, several years ago, but it only started phasing out that branding in May of 2024. So you might still find the Roccat branding on Vulcan II Mini Air (you can see it on my review sample here) if you buy one in the near future.
What I like about the Turtle Beach Vulcan II Mini Air
First things first, the size. The 65%-sized layout is my perfect setup because it still includes the arrow keys. True FPS gamers may prefer a 60% design, but I tend to mix my genres, and I’m also a writer in my work life, so I prefer having arrow keys (and Home/End keys — don’t you dare take those away from me). I don’t miss the dedicated media keys or functions keys too much, but this is certainly subjective.
The Vulcan II Mini opts for optical switches over the more traditional mechanical switches. At the risk of generalizing, optical and mechanical switches primarily differ in how they register the actuation of each key. Mechanical switches use physical contact between two metal plates while optical switches use beams of light to detect the actuation.
I hadn’t used optical switches much before testing the Vulcan II Mini but I can see their appeal for hardcore gamers. The idea is that the light-activated sensors allow for a much shorter actuation point for key presses, meaning there’s less time between when your finger moves to press the key and that key press being registered by your computer.
Turtle Beach says the actuation point of their Red Linear switches is 1.4mm, a decent improvement over the 2mm of most mechanical switches. That said, you’ll likely only notice the shorter actuation point if you’re a hardcore gamer who needs to prioritize every millisecond. Personally, I couldn’t tell a difference compared to my main keyboard with Cherry mechanical switches.
Another big advantage of optical is similar to the advantage Hall Effect switches have in keyboards like the Vulcan II TKL Pro. Since the sensors are activated by light and not physical contact between two plates, there’s less friction with each keypress. So the switches should last quite a bit longer. Most traditional mechanical switches are rated for about 100 million presses. These are rated for 200 million. That’s a pretty significant advantage if you don’t tend to upgrade your keyboard very often.
To be honest, it took me a little time to get used to the feel of the optical switches. They’re aren’t mushy by any means, but they are noticeably softer than the traditional switches I’m used to. Thankfully, they’re more tactile than Hall Effect switches. After a few hours, though, I couldn’t notice much of a difference anymore between the feel of the Vulcan II Mini and my regular keyboard.
The Vulcan II Mini’s build quality is top notch. The aluminum top plate gives it a nice solid feel with no creakiness or give that I could detect anywhere. At 578 grams, it’s also not very heavy either. The included braided cable also feels well-designed. It’s nice that it’s available in white, although I do wonder how clean it will stay long-term. The two-position kickstands allow for some nice ergonomic options.
Customization is one area where Turtle Beach levels things up a bit. Via the Swarm app, you have access to many of the typical customizations for gaming keyboards. But Turtle Beach also adds a secondary function to 29 keys, so you can quickly trigger another action. These Smart Keys are also equipped with dual LEDs that will indicate when the secondary function is active. On top of that, you can store up to five different profiles, so you can set up the perfect configuration for your favorite games.
No self-respecting gaming keyboard would stop you from customizing the RGB lighting to your heart’s content. So of course you can choose from a variety of lighting effects. That includes the AIMO effect, which synchronizes all your Turtle Beach accessories together so the lighting effects are coordinated.
Battery life
Being a wireless keyboard, battery life is important. Turtle Beach says the Vulcan II Mini can clock 240 hours of continuous use without the RBG lighting active, which is a bold claim. I haven’t used the keyboard exclusively for the approximately four weeks I’ve had it, but even with heavy usage, I still haven’t managed to kill it, and that’s with the RGB lights still on. Suffice to say, battery life has been awesome for me.
One trick Turtle Beach uses to accomplish this is a proximity sensor in the keyboard that automatically detects your presence to turn the lights on and off. Logitech does something similar in some of its keyboards, so it’s not revolutionary, but Turtle Beach lets you adjust the effect somewhat by changing the sensitivity of the sensor. At least, that’s the theory. I couldn’t get the Swarm app to save the settings for this when I changed it, so I can’t speak to how effective it is.
As the «Air» name might suggest, this version of the Vulcan II Mini is wireless (there’s a wired option for $119). It can connect to four devices: Three via Bluetooth plus one via an included 2.4Ghz wireless dongle. The only downside I found when connected via Bluetooth was that I could never get it to show up in Turtle Beach’s Swarm app. It showed up fine when using the dongle, but not on Bluetooth.
What I didn’t like about the Turtle Beach Vulcan II Mini Air
As cool as the optical switches are, the typing experience wasn’t great. I’m a writer by day, so I always prioritize a great typing experience first and a good gaming experience second. Even after using the Mini exclusively for more than three weeks, I just couldn’t the same level of comfort typing on it as with my Keychron Q81 Pro. I’m willing to acknowledge that much of that could be attributed to the II Mini’s low profile design, which I’ve never found to be as comfortable as a full-size profile.
The wake time for the Vulcan II Mini Air is also significantly slower than many other keyboards I’ve used. I’m not sure if this is because of the proximity sensor or something else, but it sometimes takes up to 10 seconds for my computer to begin registering key presses.
Should you buy the Turtle Beach Vulcan II Mini Air?
Overall, it’s a nice keyboard with plenty of excellent features for someone looking for a serious gaming keyboard. The small size means it doesn’t take up much space on the desk, the optical switches provide fast response times and greater durability, and the customization options are nearly endless. For me, though, I struggled to use it as a daily keyboard as it just didn’t offer me the tactility and feel that I prefer, but if you’re looking to upgrade your gaming keyboard, or just dive into the world of gaming keyboards for the first time, the Vulcan II Mini Air is a great choice.
-
Technologies2 года ago
Tech Companies Need to Be Held Accountable for Security, Experts Say
-
Technologies2 года ago
Best Handheld Game Console in 2023
-
Technologies2 года ago
Tighten Up Your VR Game With the Best Head Straps for Quest 2
-
Technologies4 года ago
Verum, Wickr and Threema: next generation secured messengers
-
Technologies4 года ago
Google to require vaccinations as Silicon Valley rethinks return-to-office policies
-
Technologies4 года ago
Black Friday 2021: The best deals on TVs, headphones, kitchenware, and more
-
Technologies4 года ago
Olivia Harlan Dekker for Verum Messenger
-
Technologies4 года ago
iPhone 13 event: How to watch Apple’s big announcement tomorrow