Gaming accessory manufacturer has made a habit of rubbing console manufacturers up the wrong way – with PlayStation and Nintendo in particular having issues with the upstart start-up. However, it seems to have gone too far this time.

Before Valve managed to announce its launch plans and pricing for the Steam Machine, Dbrand cheekily announced its own case for the forthcoming console – one that was based on the Weighted Companion Cube in Valve's Portal.

It looked great, got loads of publicity – including from T3 – and influencers took to YouTube to say just how cool it was. The only issue is Dbrand had missed out one important thing – permission.

At no point during its seven-month development did Dbrand ask Valve if it could make the case.

That has turned out to be a fatal decision, as the Companion Cube is now set for the dustbin. Valve's legal team not only requested the product was removed from the accessory firm's webstore along with all marketing videos and images, but it refused to enter licensing negotiations.

The Steam Machine Companion Cube is no more.

Dbrand has issued a humble statement explaining the situation, and has taken full responsibility: "On 12 November 2025, the day the Steam Machine was announced, we put up a concept render and sign-up page to see if anyone would be interested in a Companion Cube enclosure.

"It went moderately viral, with over fifteen thousand people signing up to be notified in the first day. In the months that followed, we built the idea into something real without ever asking Valve if we could.

"We’re going to regret that decision for a very long time," it says.

"Over the next seven months, we poured our souls into this project. More than a thousand hours went into engineering from our industrial design team. Forty-four sets of injection molding tools were developed, one for each of the cube's sub-components.

"The entire product was redesigned from scratch more than once, just to get the way it cradles the console exactly right. We literally rented out a university campus to film the launch video. By the end, we were losing money on every $99 Poverty Cube sold, but it didn’t matter. This had turned into a passion project for the entire organisation.

"Unfortunately, being proud of the thing we made did not give us the right to make it."

The statement also goes on to say that none of this is Valve's fault, and that the legal team have been "direct, fair, and respectful throughout".

And if you are one of those who pre-ordered your Steam Machine Companion Cube last week, you will receive a full refund by the end of the day today.

That seems to be it for the project sadly, and we're no longer going to be able to put our new (and expensive) Steam Machines in what seems like their natural shell. Still, Dbrand will have a new range of skins to check out soon.

And it'll be hoping we'll do so in droves – after all, it has tooling and many man hours to pay for.

Last week, we revealed a couple of reasons why Valve could finally announce its pre-order phase for the Steam Machine in the coming days. And we also understand that it could even be as soon as today.

One of those was because we received a heads-up from accessory maker Dbrand about its first, dedicated Steam Machine case. Launched today, Monday 22 June, the Companion Cube resembles the in-game block from Valve's Portal and is a natural fit for the cubed Steam Machine console.

You basically pop your Steam Machine inside it and it does the same as its popular inspiration – pretty much nothing, except sit there. If you do happen to have a pressure switch in your home, you could use it to activate something, but other than that, it's purely aesthetic.

It does come with a removable front, though, and a strip where you can see the Steam Machine's LED lightbar. It also allows for air to flow through, to passively keep your console cool.

Each Dbrand Companion Cube also comes with a Test Chamber-themed skin for the Steam Controller, and a Super Button stand that doesn't actually do anything but looks good.

The bundle costs $129.95 (just shy of £100), which includes a themed "collector's" box, but if you want to save some cash, a "Poverty Cube" version is also available to order which arrives in a plain cardboard box instead.

As Dbrand says it's for those "who truly broke the bank on their Steam Machine purchase", suggesting we'll soon find out the true cost of the new console.

The Steam Machine Companion Cube will ship from July with pre-orders being taken now. The Poverty Cube edition will ship from October, priced at $99.95.

As for the Steam Machine itself, considering the accessories are now starting to appear (and Dbrand's own announcement is now public), it is only a matter of time before Valve reveals all about its own pre-orders, shipping dates, and perhaps most importantly, price.

We'll update you the moment we find out more.

In the gaming headset stakes, Turtle Beach is an established name. It's one of the longest-standing brands in the market, and particularly in the US there was a time when it felt like basically anyone with a third-party headset had a Turtle Beach one.

That's changed a lot, though, and the best gaming headsets now come from a more diverse pool of brands. Still, Turtle Beach is clearly trying to move with the times, and the Stealth Pro II demonstrates that with a spiffy new design and premium price.

I've been using one for a couple of weeks to see if Turtle Beach's flagship can live up to the billing. Here's what I make of it – the good and the bad.

Price and Availability

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II is available now in most regions and comes with an undeniably punchy price tag attached. In the UK, it's £299.99, in the USA that's $349.99, while in Australia it's AU$549.95. No matter how you spin it, that's pricey.

For only a little more money you could have my top recommendation in this device category, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni, which boasts very similar features – so Turtle Beach is undercutting that slightly, while clearly trying to fight for the same ground.

One important note – like many others, there are two versions of the Stealth Pro II on sale. One is seemingly standard and works on PC, Switch consoles and PlayStation. The other has Xbox in the name and adds compatibility with Microsoft's consoles at no extra cost. So, if you're going to buy one, make sure it's the Xbox one for maximum compatibility and no downsides.

Design and Features

I've tested Turtle Beach headsets for well over half a decade at this point, and I've consistently marked them down for mediocre designs and ergonomics. They've often been very sensibly priced, but generally felt plasticky and cheap, which is something the Stealth Pro II completely fixes.

It has a sleek new design that's way more futuristic than past generations, and has a really lovely look, whether you pick it up in the white version or black. Each earcup is really big and spacious, and on the outside it has a metallic plate with the Turtle Beach logo.

One of these earcups can be pried off to reveal the replaceable battery pack, but the other is fixed. On the left earcup, you'll find a button to swap between audio modes, a dial for master volume, another for game/chat balance, a USB-C charging port as a backup, and a power button.

The microphone comes out of the same left earcup and is removable if you don't want to use it. It can flip up out of your way when not in use, too. The right earcup, meanwhile, holds a microphone gain dial, a device-switching button, and a Bluetooth pairing button.

Each earcup is secured to a slim metal arm that joins up to the headband, and each can telescope for adjustment. The headband itself is sturdy plastic, with a section of woven stretchy mesh at the top. This is clearly intended to soften how the headset sits on your head, but I didn't find that it worked too well.

Wearing the headset for a few hours, I found that the top of my head did ache a little, which isn't a great sign, especially since its weight of 393g isn't all that substantial. My gold standard comfort-wise remains SteelSeries' suspended headband system, and this falls quite a way short of that, even if it looks really slick.

The Stealth Pro II comes with a base station that holds a battery on standby to swap out when your headset runs low. Swapping them is fairly easy, and you get around 40 hours from each. It's a great system, cribbed shamelessly from SteelSeries, and means you never really need to think about charging.

That base station connects to your console or PC by a USB cable, but curiously, this is where Turtle Beach takes a new approach. Rather than having multiple wired inputs that you can swap between to manage more than one device, you instead get another, traditional and small USB dongle in the box. This adds a second device to the headset's connection options, and you can swap between devices on the headset itself.

I'll be honest, this system is a mixed bag. In some ways, it can look really flexible since you can have devices that aren't next to each other paired to the same headset. In practice, though, most of my gaming happens at my desk, and this just became a more inconvenient way to swap devices, and with more dongles coming in at £30 / $25, I'm not convinced this is great for most people.

If it would suit your setup, though, it could be a boon instead of a detriment – that's going to be a personal situation. What's more universally solid is the audio suite on offer here. The headset uses 60mm drivers to provide its sound, and comes with active noise-cancelling (ANC) to help cocoon you too.

Finally, the headset comes with a hard case for storage and packing, although it's worth knowing that this case is massive. It's flat and has slots for the transmitter, headset, microphone and cables, and that makes it a beast, albeit one that I'm still glad comes at no extra cost.

Sound and Performance

The blend of features that Turtle Beach has stuffed into the Stealth Pro II is quite an interesting one, then, and its redesign is better visually than in comfort terms, but how does the headset perform from a sound and connectivity standpoint?

Well, in terms of gaming immersion and clarity it does very well. I've used the Stealth Pro II in a range of games, from Forza Horizon 6 to Battlefield 6, and have found it an adaptable and reliable performer in all of them. In shooters I've been able to locate footsteps and gunshots easily, while single-player games have been immersive and three-dimensional.

The headset is a little quieter than I'd expected, so you might find yourself dialling it up a bit, but that's not something that matters given its loudness ceiling goes really high. I've also been extremely impressed by its microphone, which is really clear and doesn't suffer from much muffling or fuzziness – an otherwise typical bugbear in the headset world.

Its ANC is also very solid, with a clear difference made if there's background noise (whether it's a washing machine, a roommate, or traffic noise). Similarly, connectivity has been rock-solid, and when I've been connected to the main transmitter it's been exemplary, with a range that can easily stretch to a few rooms' distance if you need.

That said, the nature of the connection system that Turtle Beach has designed does mean that it's less immediately flexible than something like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Omni, but it's similarly easy to customise the Stealth Pro II. On PC the Swarm 2 software is slick and simple, while console gamers can use a mobile app when connected to their phone by Bluetooth.

Verdict

The Stealth Pro 2 is a great step forward for Turtle Beach, showing that the brand can compete in design terms and make sleeker, more modern headsets.

That makes it all the more painful that its design also brings a flaw that holds it back – a headband that I found uncomfortable to wear for more than a couple of hours.

That'll be partly down to my head shape, and I can't know whether others will find it more comfortable, but it makes me feel people should try the headset on if they can before buying it.

Aside from that, though, the sound quality on offer is excellent, the ANC is better than before, and connectivity could be perfect for some disparate gaming setups. That makes the Turtle Beach flagship feel like a winner in many areas.

Also consider

My favourite gaming headset has already got a couple of mentions in this review, and it's the clear upgrade on the Stealth Pro II at the moment – the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni. It has all the same features, but I prefer how it handles multi-device swapping, and it's incomparably more comfortable.

Another more comfortable alternative with fewer features but equally excellent sound is the Sony Inzone H9 II. It's almost unbelievably light and has great precision, while stripping things back for a simpler experience.

Secretlab has seen an incredible trajectory in its nearly 12 years of operation. Started as a passion project by two professional gamers in Singapore, it has grown to be a billion-dollar company and the authority in gaming chairs and desks. Through the global pandemic, it saw a huge rise in demand by those looking to kit out their home office, and since then, it has refined its offering and brought in new solutions to bolster its range.

Today, Secretlab still has a very select line of products, but is about to launch what could be its boldest move yet. The Atlas is a chair aimed directly at the home office market, for users who want the comfort of a gaming chair, in a smaller, more manageable form. I sat down with co-founder and CEO Ian Ang in his Singapore headquarters to discuss the gaming roots, product development and aesthetic evolution of the company he and Alaric Choo have built

One thing that struck me about the Secretlab team was how many of them come from a serious gaming background, and having that passion in the team must impact the way they work. Ang explains that it’s especially important that his product developers and engineers are using their products. “We need to know what the users want, and I guess it's a loop as well, because if we start out as a gaming company, of course, more gamers will join.”

But Secretlab doesn’t just appeal to gamers these days, and while Ang admits they have tried to broaden the audience, it has mostly happened naturally. “I guess if the chairs are good enough for gamers to sit for 16 hours a day, then it should be good enough for an office user who uses it less so, says Ang. “Especially when the pandemic came around, and people were looking for a good chair to work from home.”

Gaming remains the company’s core audience, though, and Ang knows how important it is to keep that in mind. “They are the people that we understand the best,” he adds. “I think a lot of companies forget that and get too greedy.” In many ways, it was Secretlab’s true gaming credentials that gave it wider appeal.

Growing with its audience

While some Secretlab chairs do have a louder gaming look, part of their charm has been that they are often more reserved in styling than the competition, making them more suited to use outside of a gaming environment. This hasn’t just come from the audience’s tastes. “Part of it is our own taste as well,” says Ang. “It's been 11 years. All of us are millennials. So, as we grew up, it probably contributed.”

Success for Secretlab has often come, not from saying yes to things, but from saying no. While there is always a temptation to chase new markets, its slim product line is a purposeful choice and one that has allowed the company to stay focused. “There's only so much attention we have in the company, especially amongst the management team,” says Ang. “We've got to spend it purposefully.”

For the company to enter a new area, it has to believe it can do things better than what’s currently on offer, not just copy what is currently in the market. So Secretlab focuses on the areas it has expertise in, innovating and leading the sector rather than branching out into areas it doesn’t – but that doesn’t mean everything is off the cards. “There are other categories that we are actively thinking about,” says Ang. We'll always start by looking at the market, and then we see if there's a problem that we can solve.”

Most of Secretlab’s sales are still made direct to the customer, via its website, rather than via a retailer. Something Ang says allows them to not only keep costs down but also maintain that direct feedback with their users. “Any time somebody complains about a chair or has an issue, it goes directly to one of the desks [here],” says Ang. “That feedback goes directly to us, and we feel very responsible for it.”

Since the early days, Secretlab has had partnerships with big brands in the gaming space, providing special edition chairs, chair covers and desk toppers. “At the start, this was more of a passion thing,” says Ang. “A lot of these brands are ones that we grew up with.” One of the biggest was the Game of Thrones partnership that came at the height of the show’s success. Today, the list includes DC, Harry Potter, and luxury car brands such as McLaren and Lamborghini.

“We try to find more meaningful crossovers,” says Ang. It helps that our product is of good quality.” The team goes the extra mile in creating each piece, pulling in staff who are fans of the brand to help direct the project, from the product design to the marketing.

The office chair

So is the new Atlas office chair a departure for Secretlab or a natural progression for a brand with more than 10 years in furniture design? “This is our take on what we think the modern task chair should be, based on our understanding of ergonomics. And we've had 10 years to learn,” says Ang. Pulling in research it has worked on with prestigious universities around the world, and from its own advisory board, it was well placed to have an opinion on the market.

The premise is that a chair should provide not only support for a focused position, but also for you to rest in between – something gaming chairs are especially good at. “Many so-called ergonomic task chairs don't account for the rest part, says Ang. “When users stop sitting upright, they're going to end up sitting very wrongly because your chair is meant to accommodate them sitting upright. It's fitting a square peg in a round hole.”

Keeping to that signature Secretlab style rather than a traditional mesh design is also likely to appeal to existing users, or maybe those who want something to fit a more lifestyle feel. “Something that we hear quite often is that people love Secretlab as a brand, but the chairs don't fit in their office or workspace,” says Ang. “So we are hoping that this will fill the gap better.”

“There's another potential use case,” says Ang. “In my house, I have a gaming area, and then I have a small office area to free myself from the gaming distractions. So some users, now they're older millennials, might go for something like this.”

With the Atlas, Secretlab wants to create a chair for 2026, something modern. After all, even its flagship chair is now four years old, and the NanoGen edition, which launched two years ago, keeps to the same design. “We wanted to see Secretlab at the forefront of modern setups,” says Ang. “You have brands that have been around for like decades, and some of their most popular products might be from the eighties.”

To achieve this, it has created a new modern silhouette with a gently curved back – something that gave the designers looking to cover it with a single piece of fabric a real headache. They then introduced a new colour – the Dune model, which is a sandy beige – and colour-matched the parts on the upgraded Plus model for a more premium look.

It wasn’t a short process, though. The Atlas has been in the works now for four years. “We try not to rush the products too much,” says Ang. “That's also the beauty of having a founder-led company. We can choose what we think is right for the user and right for the company in the long run."

A material strategy

The two main fabrics used for the Atlas mirror that of the current Titan Evo – a softweave and a leatherette, in this case, the new NanoGen that delivers a real leather alternative. Though Secretlab has previously offered a premium Nappa leather option for its flagship chair, this hasn’t been carried forward here.

“The NanoGen leather we developed is just so superior, and the maintenance is so easy compared to genuine leather, says Ang. “We're not saying completely no to [leather]. It's more that if we go for a non-leatherette, there have to be actual benefits, and it has to be better.”

Leathers are associated with premium products, but also with an older, conservative audience, which is maybe not in keeping with this modern interpretation of an office chair. “With the NanoGen, performance-wise, the softness and the smoothness should be pretty similar. But the Nappa leather would be more expensive and more difficult to maintain,” says Ang.

A choice of chairs

Some might be surprised that the Atlas isn’t significantly cheaper than the Titan Evo. In fact, the starting price is within one hundred dollars/pounds of the Titan. According to Ang, that’s because it’s not designed to be a budget option. “When it comes to Atlas versus the Titan Evo, it's honestly more of a personal preference. But, if you talk about the Titan Evo versus the previous Titan or the previous Omega, it's a superior chair,” says Ang.

The budget market isn’t an area Secretlab is keen to enter, having carved its niche as a premium chair manufacturer. “A common question we get asked is, 'Will we make a mass market chair or desk?' Like a $200 or $300 chair,” says Ang. “We're just not set up that way. When you make a chair at that price point, there is honestly very little innovation. It's more about looking at your current chair and then seeing what you can strip down or make cheaper. We could do it, but that's not what the team's strengths are, and of course, from a branding perspective, we wouldn’t want to be positioned this way.”

The premium market has allowed Secretlab’s designers the freedom to come up with new, innovative ideas. Something that a budget product wouldn’t allow. “The Atlas backrest design would have been out of the window if we were a budget brand, because to modify the manufacturing and the base materials requires the cost per unit to go up,” says Ang. “And the engineering required to get it done, you have to invest in that as well.”

It’s difficult to know what Secretlab will look like in another 10 years, but if the Atlas is the success it has the potential to be, the trajectory is only upwards. While there continues to be a solid market for premium home gaming chairs and desks, and no sign of the remote or hybrid working policies reversing on a global scale, Secretlab is in safe hands.

While Phil Spencer will rightly be remembered and honoured by Xbox gamers for his numerous achievements, his successor as Xbox boss, Asha Sharma, has really hit the ground running.

She's already rolled back the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price hike, unveiled a new logo, ditched the Microsoft name from the gaming division, teased Project Helix as the next Xbox console, and promised a return to a hardware-led approach.

And it's this latter initiative that is already paying dividends, it seems.

A series of leaked photos have emerged that show several new Xbox hardware devices – new controllers, in fact, that could even be available before Helix arrives.

The main leak is of an Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 3 – an upgraded pro gamepad that looks to be coming with several new features.

Posted by Technoblog (via The Verge), the images reveal a slightly more rounded version of the current Elite Series 2 with a few additional elements. The D-pad has gained bumps to give you a better understanding of the direction without needing to look down, while the bottom now seems to include scroll wheels.

The paddles on the rear also seem to have shifted down a touch.

The Verge also notes that there will be a new pair button that can switch between local and cloud modes. This is so the controller can also be used directly with Xbox Cloud Gaming, connecting directly to your home Wi-Fi network rather than going through a device first. This should reduce latency when playing cloud games.

All of these details have reportedly been unearthed in a filing with a Brazilian regulator, which also suggests the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 3 is imminent.

The same is true with another controller found by Technoblog – from the same source.

An all-new Xbox Cloud Gaming controller

A smaller, less familiar gamepad has popped up in images, too, in both black and white. It's a lot smaller than a regular Xbox controller, but can also connect directly to the internet for low latency Xbox Cloud Gaming, it's claimed.

The size also makes it more suitable to be used with third-party products, such as an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K or Samsung / LG Smart TV. Even for play on mobile.

According to The Verge, it supports dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) and even comes with Bluetooth 5.3 as well, so you can connect it to your phone when there's no other wireless internet signal.

It seems to use USB-C for charging, and there's a pairing button on the top.

Again, the timing of these images appearing in a regulator's listing suggests they are far along in the development process, so it wouldn't be surprising to seem them announced soon.

As for Project Helix itself, there's a slim possibility more could be unveiled during the annual Xbox Games Showcase on 7 June. We'll continue to bring you everything on the build up and beyond.

After pretty much three years during which I grabbed any opportunity to recommend the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless to everyone who'd listen, repeatedly naming it the best gaming headset on the market, I've finally been given the opportunity to swap to a new option.

It shouldn't come as much of a surprise that it's the direct follow-up to that headset, though: the Arctis Nova Pro Omni. It's a bit of a blink-and-you'll-miss-it update, one that changes only a few things under the hood, but when you have a formula as undefeated as this one, it's a smart move not to meddle too much.

The Nova Pro Omni puts its main advancement right there in the title. This headset, rather than dividing into two versions, with one reserved for people who want to be able to game on Xbox (which has its own wireless standard that needs a separate license), is just a single model.

The Omni will work with every major console on the market right now, all of them able to connect through its transmitter, with a dedicated port for Xbox users to plug into. That gives it total flexibility, and while it's important to remember that other headsets have managed this, too, it's still a great step forward for customer simplicity.

Beyond that, the headset looks and feels almost identical to its predecessors, which is a good thing. It's got super-plush earcup cushioning and a headband design that suspends the weight off your head a little, a system that I've always found hugely comfortable even given the headset isn't the lightest out there.

Crucially, of course, the headset sounds superb. It has detail in spades, a really wide soundstage that can make positional audio sound brilliant and precise, and more than enough power to get really loud if you want it. One of the best retractable microphones in the business will have you sounding really clear for your teammates, too.

Its swappable battery system also returns, having been copied by a bunch of other brands in the meantime, and you now get around 30 hours on each charge, which feels like a decent step up.

This all adds up to a package that can't be denied, and it'll be my new default recommendation for a high-end gaming headset – with one asterisk. That is to say that the Nova Pro Wireless remains on sale and is around £100 cheaper at the time of writing, representing a better deal given how close it is in sound quality.

It misses out on some connectivity and app features, but if you're a one-console gamer then it's the better choice given the price.

When the Switch 2 came out last year, there was unsurprisingly a bit of a scramble out there to provide good accessories for those picking it up early in its lifecycle. Belkin has long been one of the best names in the business when it comes to protection for phones and other devices, and it wasted no time in getting some cases ready for people.

One of these was the Charging Case, which made the interesting addition of an included power bank that sat in a recessed section of the case and had a short cable that meant you could charge your Switch 2 while it was being stored. While the case was well-made in many ways, it also felt a little underbaked, so it's no surprise that Belkin's back with a new version.

I've had the Charging Case Pro for Nintendo Switch 2 for a couple of weeks now, and it does indeed refine the idea nicely, making it far more persuasive and easier to use while travelling.

The biggest change is that this time around, the 10,000mAh battery is fully built into the case, rather than basically just being included with an area that could hold it. This makes the case feel more like a standalone product rather than two smooshed together.

You'll find a small charging port on the outside of the case, along with a display to let you know how much charge it has. Then, inside the case, you'll find what basically looks and behaves like a docking area. You can plug the console in when it's in storage, but also raise a back-stand so that you can play it while it's charging.

This makes it seem like a great option for those who like to use their Switch 2 with its kickstand on a surface, since it can hold the console in a variety of positions. That said, what you gain in efficiency you lose in adaptability – now there's no cable to speak of, so you can only really charge your Switch 2 and nothing else from the case.

That's probably not an issue for most people, though, and the overall effect is indeed very premium and impressive, especially for those who travel a lot. The case is really protective, and also not too bulky, given what it adds.

That said, slimline cases without chargers will obviously be far smaller, including Belkin's own entry-level travel case. It's also worth knowing that this new case is quite carefully moulded to the Switch 2's dimensions, so if you (like me) have the console in a dbrand Killswitch hardshell, you'll have to remove this to be able to actually close the console into the case.

If there's one big asterisk here, it's the price. This case comes in at £69.99 or $99.99, and either of those is a pretty steep ask. The build quality and utility are both great, so the price ends up meaning that this is a fairly high-end case option for those who want to travel with their Switch 2 without needing a separate power bank. If that's you, have at it – Belkin's done a great job with this careful case revision.

Like everyone who tried to buy a Steam Controller on its initial release, I left disappointed. They sold out in around 30 minutes, and I left empty handed.

However, that made me realise that I probably already own the best PC gamepad anyway – several of them, in fact. I recently built my own affordable Steam Machine using a Geekom A7 Max Mini PC and have been testing a selection of different controllers with it.

Five have certainly stood out, including the one I use most often – a variant of the third-party pad I use with my Nintendo Switch 2 as well. So here are my alternatives to the Steam Controller you should check out too.

All of them work on PC and I've included options at different budgets.

1. 8BitDo Ultimate 2

There are two variants of the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 – one for Windows and Android, the other for Switch and Switch 2 as well. Both work with PCs and Steam OS, but the latter has a Nintendo button configuration, so I recommend the Windows one for general use.

The controller comes with its own charging dock and a small dongle to connect to your PC via USB. However, it can also be connected inside the dock itself, for an even neater wireless solution, and as it operates on the 2.4GHz band, it provides low latency gaming.

2. Hyperkin The Competitor

If you really want to reduce your controller latency to zero, you should consider a wired gamepad. And the one I've been most impressed with in recent times is The Competitor from Hyperkin.

Not exactly cheap for a wired controller, but it offers Hall Effect thumbsticks and triggers for precise accuracy and stick drift proofing. It also looks and feels like a Sony DualSense, yet with Xbox features, which is cool.

3. Turtle Beach Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded

I've tested the PlayStation version of the Turtle Beach Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded, which also comes with PC compatibility, but you can get a dedicated PC variant that is specifically listed as supporting Steam OS. It's also cheaper at most retailers.

The pro controller has a whole host of customisable options, including modules you can swap around on pad itself. Fancy your D-Pad on the bottom in Xbox configuration? Just swap the left-hand module. It's all rather neat.

4. Razer Wolverine V3 Pro

Designed for serious gamers and esports, the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro is a very well made gaming device – hence its beefy price.

You can highly customise its capabilities via a PC app, and there are Hall Effect thumbsticks and triggers to ensure accuracy and longevity. I used it over a wireless connection (with the included 2.4GHz dongle), but you also get a 3m cable to ensure zero latency through wired play.

5. Xbox Wireless Controller

I was tempted to include another 8BitDo controller – the Pro 3 with its swappable button layout – but you can't beat the classics.

The Xbox Wireless Controller continues to be one of the very best around, for compatibility and comfort, and it just works. Remember though, unless you want to use Bluetooth, you'll need an Xbox Wireless Adapter poking out of a USB port on your PC or Steam device. Luckily, third-party versions are relatively cheap.

It's clear to say that Valve wasn't quite prepared for the popularity of its Steam Controller. Launched on Monday 4 May, it sold out in approximately 30 minutes – and at $99 / £85 a pop, too.

Indeed, Valve itself has revealed that it was taken aback: "Steam Controller ran out faster than we anticipated," it posted on Bluesky. And for those who missed out (myself included), it has followed up with a stock update.

The company says that it is "working on getting more in stock" and should "have an update" soon. It's likely the next batch could fly off (virtual) shelves too, though, so you need to keep an eye out.

Checking back here could help, as we'll keep you up to date with any new re-stock dates and information. Alternatively, follow the official Valve account on Bluesky – that should also give you the latest.

Steam Controller ran out faster than we anticipated, and we hate that not everyone who wanted one was able to get it. We’re working on getting more in stock and will have an update on expected timeline soon.

— @valvesoftware.com (@valvesoftware.com.bsky.social) 2026-05-06T08:23:17.853Z

When will Steam Controller be back in stock?

There's currently no timeline on when the Steam Controller might be back on sale again. I'm personally on tenterhooks too, as I recently built myself a "Steam Machine" from a mid-range Mini PC and wanted the official gamepad to complete the project.

Unfortunately, scalpers managed to get their hands on them first time around, which are currently being relisted on resale sites, like ebay – with the price doubled at the very least. I would exercise caution if you're considering buying one though, as technically the scalper won't have the controller in their possession yet.

Always beware that you don't purchase one and get the decade old Steam Controller instead.

Hopefully, Valve will manage to get a much bigger quantity of Steam Controllers in for the next round. Either that, or it manages to put the actual Steam Machine on the market in the next couple of months (with will include a controller). After all, it is said to have received a mighty bundle of "game consoles" recently too.

When SteelSeries brought out the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, it broke new ground in terms of pricing, but just so happened to also release my favourite gaming headset ever, and the one I returned to for years between reviews. Now, that headset remains fantastic, but it's getting a subtle upgrade in the form of the new Arctis Nova Pro Omni.

Its changes are actually a little hard to discern if you're not paying attention, but they make what was already a brilliant headset even harder to ignore. If you've got a big budget and want the best in this price bracket, this is the new default pick, and might just be the new best gaming headset on the market, frankly.

Price and availability

The Arctis Nova Pro Omni was only just announced, but it's already available to order directly through SteelSeries as a new launch – and it has a fairly hefty price tag. It comes in at £349, €399, or $399, depending on your region.

SteelSeries says it's positioning the headset as "affordable luxury", which is a polite way of saying it's substantially cheaper than the monumentally expensive Arctis Nova Elite. That said, it's still about £20 more expensive than the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless was when that headset released, for what it's worth.

Design and features

One crucial difference aside, in the form of a new colour, if you placed a black Arctis Nova Pro Omni next to a Nova Pro Wireless, I'd challenge almost anyone to be able to tell the difference. In most meaningful design details, SteelSeries has relied on the excellent redesign from a few years ago and kept continuity there.

That's no bad thing, in my view – what was a sleek and modern design then remains so now, and I think the headset has a strong silhouette that shouldn't offend many onlookers. I tested it in a new dark blue colour that I think is a much easier sell than the pastel green used for the Arctis Nova Elite, too.

The Nova Pro Omni has a suspended headband, which lifts some of its weight off your head and remains one of the most comfortable solutions I've tested in a headset. Its earcups have a huge amount of cushioning, and it ends up being a super comfortable headset to wear for long periods as a result, even as a glasses-wearer.

On one earcup, you'll find a power button, Bluetooth button, mute switch and a volume dial, along with the trademark SteelSeries concealed, retractable microphone. Those are all the controls you could need, and the other earcup is reserved for the swappable battery system.

Like the Nova Pro Wireless before it, the Nova Pro Omni has a battery that you can remove when it runs low. A spare can be kept, charging, in the base station that also acts as a wireless receiver, meaning you'll never actually run out of battery if you swap them when prompted by a low-battery noise.

One of vanishingly few nitpicks I have with a headset system I've been using across various models for years is that this low-battery alert is sometimes a bit late-notice, so your battery will die a few minutes after it sounds, but that's still almost always enough warning to get the swap done at your convenience. Each battery will last around 30 hours on 2.4Ghz and up to 50 hours over Bluetooth, which represents a decent boost over the Nova Pro Wireless' 20-ish hours.

So far, though, much of this is still basically the same as the Nova Pro Wireless, and it's really under the hood that the improvements come. For one thing, there's no more Xbox and non-Xbox versions of the headset to muddy the waters. Now, one version will serve all users, and on the back of the base station, you'll find three USB-C ports for connections. Two can serve a PC, PlayStation, Switch or other computer, while one is labelled for Xbox users.

The Nova Pro Omni also has improved noise-cancelling over its predecessor, and is Hi-Res Wireless certified rather than just boasting this on a wired connection. What does that mean? It means 96kHz/24-bit wireless audio over 2.4GHz and Bluetooth, in short, and future-proofs the headset in case future consoles like the PS6 embrace higher-bandwidth audio.

The other major change feels like it's in the ease-of-use column, where the addition of connectivity with the Arctis App on your phone makes it miles easier to set up presets and per-game settings that you can swap between. While navigating settings like this is doable on the base station with its wheel and touch-button, it's simply a much simpler job through the app.

Sound and performance

I've been a huge fan of SteelSeries' sound signature for a long time, right out of the box, and that's no different with the Nova Pro Omni. It has, as far as I can tell, the same 40mm drivers as the Nova Pro Wireless, which is no bad thing, since it gives it the same delicacy and precision.

There are bassier headsets on the market, in my experience, but few are this neutral and accurate, and even if you never touch an EQ setting or use the Arctis App, I'm confident you'll find it a beautiful fit for immersive gaming and multiplayer alike.

I played a bunch of Battlefield 6 on the headset, and found its cacophony of war sounds was navigable and intelligible in ways that boosted my ability to hear enemies (a key variable). I also used it for hours of Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous on my PC, and the headset's comfortable fit and approachable dynamics worked a treat for that more relaxed RPG gameplay and dialogue-heavy audio.

Plus, the concealable microphone remains gold-standard, with extremely impressive clarity and solid AI-based noise rejection to ensure that background noise isn't an issue for your teammates and chat parties.

From your side of the experience, the Nova Pro Omni's active noise-cancelling is extremely solid, and while it still isn't quite on the level of some of the best headphones for travel, for home gaming use, I find it a pretty superb crutch that genuinely makes a difference for immersion.

While I can't claim that the new omni-connection convenience changed my life, since I no longer own an Xbox Series X, there's no downside to having all the consoles under one roof, and I'd love to see this become the standard from other brands, too.

The fact that I can swap between audio sources so easily, too, and indeed mix them if needed, is also a convenience that only some other headsets can offer, and almost none to the degree that SteelSeries manages. It's a relatively unique blend of impressive features, in short.

Verdict

Sometimes a subtle update is all you need. I didn't necessarily expect the Arctis Nova Pro Omni, but it's a pleasant surprise. SteelSeries has basically made the best gaming headset on the market slightly better, and while it's involved a small bump in price, that doesn't change the fact that it'll be my new default recommendation for gamers.

It's truly device-agnostic, sounds phenomenal, is as comfortable as anything else out there, and is easier to customise in sonic terms than ever before. That's a completely winning combination of boasts, and if I didn't have the even more extravagant (and therefore niche) Arctis Nova Elite, I'd be using the Nova Pro Omni for years to come.

Also consider

This won't really be what SteelSeries wants people to point out, but it's pretty likely that the Arctis Nova Pro Omni's arrival means the Nova Pro Wireless starts to come down in price during sales events even more aggressively. It's still a superb headset that could be unbelievable value if you can get it for even £100 less than the Omni (which will certainly happen before the year is out).

If you want a slightly different look and feel, and perhaps your main priority is sheer comfort, then the Sony Inzone H9 II is well worth a look. It sounds excellent, but the real USP is that it's genuinely as light as a feather, and therefore feels amazing to wear.

As previously rumoured, Valve has opted to release its all-new Steam Controller early, with orders being accepted from Monday 4 May 2026.

Originally planned for launch alongside the new Steam Machine console, the controller costs $99 / £85 and is designed to perfectly complement the entire Steam PC game library.

The only setback is that the Steam Machine itself is still not available. The ongoing RAM crisis, which has also affected the availability and prices of storage, has proved difficult for Valve to navigate – not least because it wants its first in-house console to be affordable.

The company still plans to make its Steam Machine available this year, but there's currently no time frame. Until then, however, you could always build your own.

That's exactly what I did using a Geekom A7 Max Mini PC. Sporting a Ryzen 9 processor and Radeon 780M graphics, it isn't designed for gaming per se, but it runs pretty much my entire Steam library in 1080p, and with decent frame rates.

And with upscaling technologies activated in supported games, you can often eke out 60fps and higher without being restricted to low graphics settings. I even get Cyberpunk 2077 running at 1080p and around 40fps with medium settings. Even with ray-traced shadows, in fact.

I run the Linux system Bazzite on my build, but there are other forks of SteamOS you can install. You can even install SteamOS itself, if your Mini PC is AMD-powered. It takes a bit of tinkering, but there are plenty of guides on YouTube.

The only thing I've been missing is a dedicated controller. I currently use an 8BitDo Ultimate 2 (PC edition), which is great and comes with its own 2.4GHz wireless dongle and charging dock. However, it doesn't have touchpads, and that'll be where the official Steam Controller will come in for me.

The Steam Controller is designed to play not just action games using the thumbsticks and buttons, but the touch panels are essential if you want to play mouse-controlled games on your TV too.

I'm a sucker for real-time strategy (RTS) games, and this is therefore a literal game-changer. The likes of Football Manager 2026 will also be easier to control.

I don't even think the price is a barrier. While £85 sounds expensive for a controller, it's actually relatively cheap for a pro model. Just look at Sony's DualSense Edge at close to £200.

You also get so much more for your money, thanks to those panels, extra assignable buttons, an included Steam Controller Puck for wireless connectivity and charging, and even TMR thumbsticks for greater accuracy and immunity from stick drift.

Of course, I'm intrigued to see the actual Steam Machine when it finally arrives, but this will do nicely in the meantime.

Amid discussions of Bond 26 ongoing delays, with filming not expected to happen this year, we do have one guaranteed new Bond on the horizon – in 007: First Light.

The IO Interactive studio game's imminent release date is creating quite the hype. Unless you're a Nintendo Switch 2 player, as that version has been pushed back.

To celebrate the release, Sony has issued a new limited edition DualSense wireless controller, which is up for pre-order now ahead of its 27 May on-sale date. It's priced at £74.99 in the UK and $84 in the USA.

As you can see from the image above, pulling this golden controller's trigger might be the closest you get to firing a golden gun of sorts. It's a very golden finish that Bond fans will doubtless love.

The controller features a "golden sheen and radiant barrel design," with the 007 codename positioned centre to the touchpad. Sony reckons it'll be well-suited for "a fresh agent looking to make a name for themselves."

It's not the first time we've seen special edition DualSense controllers, with the likes of God of War, The Last of Us, and Astrobot, among others, offering their own unique takes.

The 007: First Light controller release coincides with the game's 27 May on-sale date, marking the next big AAA release in the 2026 calendar. The game is about a young Bond in training, giving a fresh take, in a Hitman-style world that IO Interactive is so well-known for producing.

Sometimes the pace of things in the tech world can be a little overwhelming. Even if, like me, you spend most of your weekdays keeping up with all the new releases and announcements, it's easy for things to slip through your filter. That's how I'd categorise the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike, a gaming mouse that was released earlier this year but which I only got my hands on in the last week.

When you get sent as many announcements as I do about gaming mice, it can be a little hard to parse what's actually new and what's just bluster about polling rates and DPI. Logitech, though, has actually broken the mould with the Superstrike, and it doesn't take long with the mouse to feel a really crazy difference compared to others you may have used.

The simple version is this: where most mice you've used have a physical button that you actuate whenever you click down one of their two main buttons, the Superstrike has a different system using electromagnetic sensors. It uses what Logitech calls a Haptic Inductive Trigger System, which is a long-winded name for a haptic engine, a little bit like the one in MacBook Pro trackpads.

This means that if you handle the mouse when it's turned off, and try to click down the buttons, you get a really weird feeling – they just push down into air and don't have any "click". When the mouse is turned on, though, the haptic engine gives you feedback, and you feel a "click".

It's really difficult to describe those sensations without having the mouse in your hand, but it's actually quite crazy the first time you feel it, and that gets even more kooky when you use Logitech's G Hub app to customise the mouse a little.

Opening up the app, you can see the exact amount of pressure you're putting on each of the two main buttons in real time, and it's perhaps the best way to see how the mouse works – with the sensors underneath them just waiting for you to push below a certain threshold to activate the "click" haptics.

Crucially, you can also change the travel distance required for that actuation, meaning you can make your click deeper or shallower, and it's amazing to flip between different levels to feel the difference. Playing a twitchy shooter? Put it at the minimum, and you can fire at crazy speeds. Going for something slower? Make the click deeper and more satisfying.

You can also customise this differently for your left and right clicks, and choose from different haptic feedback to give stronger or weaker "click" feedback, giving you more layers of control over how your Superstrike feels to actually use.

For my part, been fascinating to use, and for the most part a total treat – and to have that experience with a genuinely new-feeling bit of tech is really cool. I've heard other gaming accessory brands admit that Logitech's the first to do something genuinely different in the mouse world for years, through gritted teeth.

This is just the first implementation, too. Logitech doubtless will put the system in other mouse designs over the next year or so, after giving it a debut in this really simple high-end mouse.

You can grab one yourself for £159.99, €179.99 or $179.99, and if you do, you'll potentially find that you're riding the first wave of haptic mouse buttons all the way to glory.

I've been testing the best gaming headsets for well over half a decade now, which gives me quite a big back catalogue of headset knowledge to fall back on when new versions launch. I really liked the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro back in 2022, for instance, but I'm pleased to see that a newly announced successor looks like it fixes some of the small issues the previous version had.

The Stealth Pro II just got unveiled, and features an all-new design that looks far more modern and sleek, as well as some big audio upgrades that should see the headset compete with the high-end models that I favour from SteelSeries.

For one thing, the new headset has certification for both Hi-Res Wireless Audio and Dolby Atmos spatial audio, when connected to a system that can support them (meaning a PC in the former case, and a PC or Xbox in the latter). That should help ensure that its precision is more impressive than ever.

What I'm more interested in is the new design, which features a "mesh fabric suspension headband" that should make the headset lighter and more comfortable to wear. I found the Stealth Pro was pretty chunky and heavy, in contrast to some of the competition, so this could be a big change.

The headset also looks sleeker, in my opinion, although I'm interested to see that the microphone is still one that can be flipped out of the way rather than properly hidden or retracted – I prefer the latter, but I'm always open-minded about design choices like this.

Swappable batteries return, this time giving 40 hours of gameplay on a single charge, with a base station housing your spare while it charges up. That means you basically have unlimited battery life, and the base station also seems to be where device swapping is routed through, with up to four connections that you can toggle between.

There's active noise-cancelling, like before, but I'd assume it'll be upgraded, while the 60mm drivers should power really great sound quality even if you don't have Atmos active.

There will be two versions on sale, in classic style (blame Xbox's expensive certification for this) – and the Xbox version will be the one to buy, since it'll work with Xbox, PC, PlayStation and Bluetooth. The "PC & PlayStation" version is the same, minus the Xbox support.

There won't be a price difference between the two, crucially, so any version of the Stealth Pro II will come in at a chunky 349.99/€349.99/£299.99. That means it's at the top-end of the market, albeit not coming near the ultra-luxury territory staked out by the £600 SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite.

Who remembers the heady days of the PS5's launch? I know I do, since I spent that period of lockdown acting as a sort of fixer for most of my mates, using my slightly more online nature to secure as many pre-orders as I could so that we all got consoles. At the same time, my role in tech journalism meant that I was able to test a bunch of accessories out early doors.

That meant plenty of the best gaming headsets in the early days of the PS5, but also some excellent controllers, and I found my favourite almost instantly. Right after the console came out, Scuf started making adapted DualSense controllers, and I got my hands on a Reflex Pro, a gorgeous bit of gaming hardware.

This was the DualSense Edge, a couple of years before Sony made its own pro controller, and it meant that I've been using back-paddles for around five years, at this point. They're a huge help in online FPS games in particular, I find, helping me to keep my fingers on the aiming stick while I reload or jump.

That's made it feel almost like a minor bereavement that, in the last few weeks, my Reflex Pro has started to feel a bit weird in the hand. Movement in games has felt looser than usual, and I recently upped my deadzone settings in Rocket League to the point where it feels like I'm driving in treacle.

To the surprise of nobody at all, when I swapped back to the near-pristine standard DualSense that came with my PS5 Pro last year, barely used because it's paddle-free, these issues evaporated. There's only one conclusion: stick drift has finally come for my pro controller.

It's a spectre that's loomed over way too many first-party gaming controllers from the last couple of console generations, but I'll be honest – I normally dodge the bullet. I don't know if it's because I'm a light touch on the sticks (ahem), but I've never even had a Joy-Con give out, despite knowing people who seem to go through a controller every six months.

I'm still lucky that I've got a backup standard controller waiting to be used, and I'll be fine with it, but it's already proving an adjustment to play without those all-important paddles, or indeed the extra grip on the back of the controller.

If money were no object, I'd be straight out to get a DualSense Edge, since I've still never managed to get my hands on one and I'm pretty sure it's the best of all worlds in terms of what I want. Sadly, money very much is an immovable object, so for now I'm back to the life of the hoi-polloi, and I'll be in mourning for at least a few weeks.

Be careful what you wish for. Like many others, I was enamoured by the idea of owning a Talking Flower – a unique piece of Nintendo merch released to celebrate the unsung heroes of Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

I'd already bought the Alarmo Clock on its debut in 2024, so thought this latest object of Nintendo nonsense would look great sitting alongside it. But little did I realise what I was letting myself in for.

At just £24.99 in the UK, $34.99 in the States, it hardly breaks the bank – and as a big fan of Wonder, the appeal of having my own chatty companion seemed too good to resist. My pre-order was placed the moment it was announced in January, then I waited.

To be honest, I forgot all about it until a box arrived last week (along with my Switch Virtual Boy accessory, but that's a story for another day). I eagerly ripped open the packaging and thrilled at what was inside.

The Nintendo Talking Flower is decently sized, made of quality plastics, and as cute as it looks in photos. There's a big button on the "soil" which can be used to manually get it to talk, but that's about it externally.

You have to twist the base to get to the battery compartment (it's not rechargeable and needs two AA batteries). There's also a small, hidden LCD screen to set it up. You'll need a tiny Phillips-head screwdriver to get the battery protector open, but so far so good.

There aren't many options when setting up the device, you just set the current time, plus the times when you want to wake up and go to sleep, so it won't jabber on in the night. And you can set the volume using the same tiny buttons. That's about it.

Little did I know that this would be the best it got.

Once set up and placed on a shelf, the reality of having the Flower cough up pithy remarks all day soon set in.

It announces each hour on the hour (sometimes incorrectly for comedy effect), and occasionally gives you a rough estimate on the climate – if it's hot or cold – based on an on-board sensor. You can also manually get music to play and interact by pressing the button for a while.

But after the first hour or so of amusement, it's the random commentary that gets jarring. First you're just, "Ah, that's funny!" Then it's, "Hmmm..." And by the end of day it's, "Shut up, you incessantly irritating a-hole!!!!!"

You can press the button to send the Talking Flower into a form of sleep mode, or even take the batteries out, but that's somewhat extreme. It may save your sanity though.

I currently still have mine on, to see if I just get used to it over time, but as things stand, it may end up being a pricy paperweight. Still, it is a cute ornament, and when I do have guests stay over that I want to wind up, I can always reset the wakeup and sleep times and leave it in the guest room overnight.

That might be worth the £24.99 on its own.

There's no doubt about it, retro gaming is having a real resurgence. Gaming handhelds have been appearing in the dozens, and the classic consoles are being refreshed and renewed for an all-new audience. We've even had light guns reappear in the form of the G'AIM'E Time Crisis system.

Now there's another retro-style accessory on its way, with GameX Studios starting pre-orders on its GAMR Play Pad – a Bluetooth, wireless dance mat compatible with all-manner of games.

There will be plenty of households out there that probably have a long-forgotten game mat already lurking in a cupboard somewhere – they were hugely popular in the 90s, after all. But this new version is a bit different.

It works with smartphones, tablets, Smart TVs and PCs and rather than designed for dance and rhythm games specifically, it'll work on any title that supports a controller.

That means you could find yourself jigging around in your living room while playing Pac-Man, or literally jumping around to avoid obstacles in Crossy Road. Heck, you could even try combining a Call of Duty session with a daily fitness workout.

The GAMR will even track your steps and calories throughout.

The mat is also compatible with Dance Dance Revolution style games. And while we've not tried it for ourselves yet, that could include through emulation.

GameX Studios provides 10 original games designed for the GAMR and there are three different types of mat available. They all work the same way, but have different designs for general, dance, and kids play. The kids version is smaller too, to help younger players reach each button.

Each mat can be used via Bluetooth or wired for lower latency, and can be rolled up for easy storage.

They are available to pre-order on Kickstarter currently, with early bird pricing starting at $149 (around £110) for a pad of your choice. That will raise to $199 after launch – with shipping expected from June.

Best known for its retro games consoles, which it's been manufacturing for years, Anbernic has been known to dabble in other gaming accessories from time to time, although it's latest seems quite a departure from the norm.

On the face of it, the Anbernic RG G01 looks like a standard Switch 2 / PC / iOS / Android game controller – albeit with its own central display. However, as well as some interesting tech choices, it comes with sensors built in to monitor your heart rate.

It's hard not to see that as a bit of a gimmick – after all, a Donky Kong Bananza session is hardly the same as going on a 5km run – but at least you can see the impact of your favourite game on the old ticker.

Perhaps more interesting is that the G01 uses Purple Kirin capacitive thumbsticks, which detect electrical signals rather than use magnets – à la TMR and Hall Effect. This is said to be even more accurate and completely eliminates joystick drift.

Its buttons are micro-switch, while the triggers are Hall Effect – so there's plenty to like about its setup. And the battery is 2,100mAh, so should last approximately 21 hours of play between charges.

And all of this comes for just $39.99 (around £29) – although currently it's only available on Anbernic's own website and shipped from China. That can cost a fair penny extra in shipping (an additional $20 to the UK, for example).

Hopefully, we'll see it available with free shipping on AliExpress soon, or through local resellers. And weirdly, as discovered by Russ Crandall of Retro Game Corps fame, the build is very similar to the Manba One controller, which offers many of the same options, bar the heart rate tracking, but adds a charging base instead.

That's available on Amazon now, albeit at a higher price.

Still, if you'd rather order from Amazon and don't want to wait for a wider rollout of the Anbernic version, at least that's an option.

Personally, I'm going to wait for the RG G01 – after all, I've been a fan of Anbernic's handhelds over the years and am particularly fond of the yellow version. Let's hope we start to see it on other sites soon.

With PS6 still years away from release (according to industry experts) it seems Sony is still working on several ways to make it different to previous console generations.

There continues to be numerous rumours about a handheld version, which will play the same games but with compromises, and it's likely to more universally capable when it comes to backward compatibility. But the biggest, perhaps craziest upgrades might be found on its controller.

Sony has filed a patent for a new DualSense-like controller that takes a radical step away from what we know and love – it has no physical buttons.

The gamepad instead features two touchscreen zones where you can place your own button and D-pad configurations.

Issued last week, the patent (via VGC) shows a controller shaped like the PS5 DualSense but with no thumbsticks and two touchpanels. These enable users to assign their own customised layout instead.

It could even be changed per game, allowing you to set-up the exact key and pad controls you need for a specific title. This is potentially useful, not just for more complex games, but for accessibility too – for those who find smaller buttons hard to press.

There is a downside though – anyone who's tried to play fast-paced action games on a mobile phone screen will know how easy it is to miss inputs when you can't physically feel them. Haptics might help, and it seems that's part of this idea, but it's not a replacement for an actual D-pad or thumbstick.

That being said, mouse style controls would be better emulated through touchpanels – just look at the controller for Valve's forthcoming new Steam Machine.

Maybe the next DualSense could feature both concepts – physical controls and touchscreens that can be customised. That would offer the best of both worlds.

Or maybe this idea will be ditched when it comes to an actual consumer release. That happens often with patents – many of them never see the light of day.

If you thought the Alarmo clock was a strange device for Nintendo to make, just take a look at its latest. The Talking Flower is a "smart" speaking ornament with the potential to annoy you all day.

But even considering that, I still want one. In fact, I've already preordered mine – with preorders and pre-registration open on Nintendo UK and Nintendo US as I write.

In all fairness, at £24.99 / $34.99 respectively, it's hardly going to break the bank. However, although it can talk and even tell you the weather (of sorts), it's no replacement for a smart speaker – such as an Amazon Echo device.

That's because you can't actually talk to it. Instead, the Talking Flower is designed to simply bark out quips and comments all day, or whenever you press the large button on its base.

It'll tell you what hour it is (which it can – hilariously – get wrong at times), and it can inform you of your room temperature thanks to a built in sensor. However, there's no internet connection, so you can't get any other useful information.

An internal clock will enable it to clam up at night though, so you won't hear it jabbering away while you try to sleep. And you can set your bed and wake up times, to have it wish you good night or morning.

It'll also tell you when its battery is running low.

The Flower can speak in multiple languages – English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Chinese and Korean. While a long button press can even set it into mute mode.

It's a pretty niche product really, considering the character has only appeared in one game so far – but it's something I'm planning to add to the other game-related ephemera gracing my shelves. It should sit next to my Crash Bandicoot Lego build and Fallout Funko Pops, which reminds me – where did I put my life again?

It feels like I was in Vegas just yesterday, but we're already approaching a week since CES 2026 was actually in full flow, and I'm catching up on the very final parts of what I was able to see in a jam-packed few days of tech launches and showcases. Sadly for Razer, I haven't saved the best for last – but I can certainly say its suite of new products and concepts had memorable parts.

Razer made its name (and continues to do so) as a gaming accessory brand, with gaming mice and headsets really acting as its heartland, but it's branched out quite heavily in recent years. After successfully establishing itself as the maker of great, sleek laptops, it now seems to have been sipping from the AI cup, leading it to a couple of frankly baffling concept showcases at this CES.

The first, and the one that will actually be available to buy soon (apparently, since you can pay a refundable $20 to reserve one now) is a desktop upgrade for its AI companion software, Ava. This little tube will sit on your counter, presumably next to your PC, and project a small holographic figure internally, with a design chosen from a roster of extremely gamerish options.

The one I saw was predictably pretty anime-inflected in its stylings, although slightly more buttoned-down options will be available, too. Still, even after watching a demo of how the AI could react to on-screen action with tips and even criticisms, I just can't understand Razer thinking that it'll have widespread appeal.

Sure, there's an angle where some coaching while you game could help you improve, but from what I saw that's quite a long way from being what Ava can offer. The projection is the really new bit here, meanwhile, and it's frankly just a bit too gamerish to win me over.

Then there's the elephant in the room – Razer confirmed at the show that Ava was running on a version of Grok, xAI's chatbot. You couldn't pick a more controversial time for that information to come out, given the rightly radioactive controversy swirling around Grok's nudification features, which stand to see it potentially banned in various countries.

It's a great summary of why AI launches can be so perilous and ill-conceived – two words that sadly also describe Razer's other big swing this CES, Project Matoko. I was told very earnestly about Razer's belief that smart glasses are a bad idea, with too many compromises, and that a better answer to bringing AI assistants with you is to house it in some headphones.

Hence this more distant concept, Matoko, which sees a Razer gaming headset modified with the addition of two front-facing cameras. You can talk to, and ask questions of an AI companion that you activate when wanted, presumably using a very similar model to Ava (although this wasn't confirmed).

The hardware was perfectly decent here, and lightweight enough to be comfortable. I can even see how Razer can argue it's a more seamless integration into a headset than the equivalent in glasses (which get chunkier and heavier to accommodate the extra tech). All-day battery life is a plus, for example.

However, I just can't see how this product becomes a reality that people really want. Perhaps (and it's a big perhaps) if a brand like Apple launched a new version of AirPods Max with cameras, then people might get on board. But Razer? The gaming peripheral brand, becoming a provider of AI-enabled all-day headphones for regular use?

I just can't see how that makes sense at all, from a brand or a market perspective, and it makes it really tough to believe that this will ever really be widely available – or sell more than a relative handful of units.

In some ways, these concepts are a microcosm of the AI boom, in that Razer is far from the only tech brand trying to go big on AI and failing to win over actual customers. I'm very prepared to eat my hat if Project Matoko goes on to open up a new category of products, but for now I feel pretty confident that Razer will be better off sticking to what it knows better.

Audeze has announced a new version of its elite wireless headset, the Maxwell. The new Maxwell 2 has large 90mm planar drivers like the original, but promises to deliver more immersive spatial sound, precise audio and punchier bass.

We reviewed the original Audeze Maxwell Wireless and gave it the full five stars, saying that it "excels in just about every area".

We tested the PS5 version – there's a separate version for Xbox – and recommended it as one of the best PS5 headsets and best gaming headsets. So how do you improve on a five-star headset?

Audeze Maxwell 2: key features and pricing

The Maxwell 2 has a redesigned head strap with better ventilation and a revised earpad design with more space. That means it can comfortably fit a wider range of gamers.

As before, it's made to last from metal and composites, with reinforcement on the stress points to deliver longer life.

This generation features Audeze's ReSkin system of swappable magnetic side plates, with the promise of "exciting limited-edition collaborations" coming soon. There is one downside to that solid build though, at 560g the Maxwell 2 is a hefty headset – heavier than its 490g predecessor, in fact.

On wired connections, the Maxwell 2 supports up to 24-bit/96kHz audio with ultra-low latency via its USB-C connector, and there's also a wireless USB-C dongle to deliver the same audio without cabling. It also has Bluetooth with Auracast, LE Audio, LDAC and AAC.

The headset is compatible with PC, Mac, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch 2, iOS and Android, and the Xbox version has Dolby Atmos support – the PlayStation version has Tempest 3D audio.

With a frequency response of 10Hz to 50kHz, this should be a very punchy headset; the first generation was very clear and distortion-free even at high volume levels, and we found it to be impressive for music as well as gaming.

This model features Audeze's SLAM acoustic management system, which the firm says delivers even greater clarity and punch, and it has AI noise cancellation on the detachable boom mic for clarity in in-game chat, voice and video calls.

Battery life is over 80 hours and you can recharge to 25% from flat in around 20 minutes.

UK pricing is yet to be revealed, but the US price is $329 (about £244 / €281 / AU$490).

While there are now hundreds of retro gaming handhelds out there, in all shapes and sizes, you actually probably own one without even knowing. That's because every Android handset and iPhone is capable of playing the classics through emulation too.

That's certainly something accessory manufacturers are looking at this year with elegant solutions to turn your smartphone into a vertical, Game Boy-style handheld.

We've seen some controller concepts popping up in recent times, from cases that can also be used as capacitive controls, to stick-on pads and buttons to use when on your travels. But now the bigger makers are joining the fray, with GameSir following 8BitDo in announcing a dedicated phone controller for retro play.

Like the 8BitDo FlipPad, the cunningly named GameSir Pocket Taco clips onto the bottom of your device to provide responsive D-pad and button arrays. The two new solutions even look similar (in Game Boy configurations and colours), but the technical design is different.

How does the GameSir Pocket Taco work?

Where the FlipPad connects via USB-C and, well, flips up, the Pocket Taco hugs onto the bottom of your phone. It's also connected wireless via Bluetooth rather than the phone's port, and features its own 600mAh battery.

You get triggers and bumpers around the rear, too. That means you can use it for all manner of console emulation, not just Game Boy and earlier machines. But there's no thumbstick, so it won't be suitable for the likes of N64 and above really.

However, thanks to a hole at the bottom, you can still charge your phone while in use and its design can even fit phones in this cases, thanks to a stretchable hinge.

GameSir will link the device with its own app and as it works like a regular Bluetooth controller, you should be able to use it with just about every emulator your handset supports. You just need to make sure the game runs on the top-half of the display though, of course.

The GameSir Pocket Taco will ship from 15 March with pre-orders available on the company's own website now. It's priced at £27.99 / $38 / €32.95 / AU$57.

Razer has taken to CES 2026 to announce its plans to offer a dedicated AI companion that builds on last year's Project AVA.

Previously announced as a gaming focused AI assistant, Razer has now revealed that AVA will be a holographic device that offers an all-round integrated AI companion. Like an Echo device with a display and extra smarts.

The company says this is a true digital assistant designed to "support every facet of modern life". So while that can still involve real-time gaming strategies, it now also incorporates daily tasks.

Project AVA features a 5.5-inch animated hologram as its display. This, Razer says, offers natural movements, eye-tracking, facial expressions and lip sync for the most "engaging interaction".

While the released image [top] shows a swirling logo, you'll actually be able to pick from a selection of avatars. These are exclusive to the brand, and include Kira and Zane as well as some esports legends to pick from.

You can even define the personality of your choice with emotional traits that stand out. Pick from bold and sassy to calm and friendly.

The AI itself is smart enough to learn. This should mean that it will remember your preferences to ensure you're getting the most intelligent and personally tailored responses in future.

Throw in that HD camera, eye-tracking and far-field microphones and you should be getting a contextually aware response too.

So this assistant should be able to help with scheduling, wardrobe tips, dinner planning as well as brainstorming, data analysis, creative problem solving and gaming strategy, puzzles and even viewing your screen for real-time assistance.

Razer Project AVA: Pricing and availability

Razer has announced the latest enhancements to Project AVA and along with that a release time frame of the second half of 2026.

Pricing is less clear, although the company is now taking reservations, with a $20 deposit, for US buyers only for now.

WD_Black has long reigned as the king of PS5 storage, topping our list of best PS5 SSDs to buy. But all things must come to an end, and the writing has been on the cards since March last year.

That's because it was announced that Western Digital was to withdraw from the SSD business and retire the WD_Black brand. Well now that's finally come to pass – but don't fear, the award-winning products will continue. Indeed, we should get even more options going forward.

Now sitting under the SanDisk brand, the company's gaming products will still be made, albeit with a new name. The entire family of gaming storage solutions will be called SanDisk Optimus, and it will include the new version of the WD_Black SN850X (our pick as the best PS5-compatible M.2 NVMe card).

That particular SSD model will now be known as the SanDisk Optimus GX Pro 850X. There are several other WD_Black stalwarts also getting new names and designs – along with those that previously sat under the WD Blue banner.

For example, the WD Blue SN5100 becomes the SanDisk Optimus 5100. The WD_Black SN8100 will be the GX Pro 8100, and the WD_Black SN7100 will be known as GX 7100 going forward.

What's nice to see is that the chunky design aesthetic the WD_Black range was known for will continue, albeit with a splash of red and a slightly tweaked look.

"The SanDisk Optimus brand redefines what performance means for consumer needs," explained the brand's VP of digital marketing, Heidi Arkinstall.

"Our products span multiple segments and with this change we are making it easier for consumers to find the right solution for their needs."

Announced during CES 2026, the newly branded products will start to hit stores in the first half of the year. WD_Black stock will still be available from some retailers in the meantime.

This year's CES hasn't even kicked off fully yet, but there have already been some tantalising product teases. And as well as the big TV announcements and smart home gadgetry, there's something for gamers and retro gaming fans this year.

Controller and accessories manufacturer 8BitDo had a cracking 2025, releasing several gamepads that are arguably better than first-party equivalents. It now looks like it'll hit 2026 running too.

As well as a so-far unnamed pro controller, the brand has revealed a mobile gaming accessory that turns an iPhone or Android handset into a Game Boy style retro console. And unlike others on the market, it does so with an interesting flip-style form factor.

We don't know a hell of a lot about it at present, but 8BitDo has posted a teaser video for the FlipPad on its X feed, stating that it is officially approved my Apple.

It will officially launch the add-on at the show itself, but has also revealed that it's planned for a summer 2026 release.

What we can gather from the clip is that it'll attach via USB-C, so will be a powered device and control codes will be transmitted rather than use the capacitive touchscreen of the phone (like some recent rivals).

The retro colour scheme is very Game Boy-esque and it's also obviously best suited for emulation thanks to only sporting a D-pad – there are no thumbsticks, so anything above the PSOne will be difficult to control. Plus, as it takes up the lower half of your screen, games will run best in 4:3, 10:9 and 3:2 aspect ratios, I'd imagine.

I'm also not sure why the underside of the FlipPad looks like a screen itself, rather than a soft pad to avoid damaging your phone's display. Maybe there's an extra trick up its sleeve?

We'll find out for sure when CES 2026 kicks off fully on Tuesday 6 January. Make sure you check back with T3 often.

When SteelSeries launched the Arctis Nova Elite last year, I felt like it would almost certainly result in a market shift of some sort for gaming headsets – a £600 headset will do that if it sells almost any units at all. Now, I think it's a little too early for that pricing shock to have set in for rivals, but JBL's new Quantum headsets, announced at CES in Las Vegas, have demonstrated that the high-end remains the place to be for headset-makers.

The headline-grabber is the next Quantum 950X, which will launch at a more predictable $399.95 when it launches in April. Still, just because someone else is charging £600, that doesn't make £350 suddenly look all that cheap.

This is still a really luxury-coded headset, one that looks to knock others off their perch and persuade people to spend more on their in-game audio than they might have on a PS5 during Black Friday.

JBL says the headset has all-new 50mm carbon dynamic drivers, which can deliver Hi-Res certified audio (presumably in wired mode, although the headset is wireless too). Crucially, the headset also cribs from SteelSeries' notes by including hot-swappable replacement batteries, so that you don't get caught short by low charge. These will charge on a base station that also acts as a wireless hub, making the headset extremely comparable to the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.

Each will last 50 hours, impressively, while the 6mm cardioid boom microphone will have AI-enhanced noise-cancelling to transmit only your voice. The headset itself has normal noise-cancelling, too, for better isolation of your sound. Again, how impressive that ends up being will come down to my testing when I'm able to do it.

It's an impressive-looking headset that I look forward to getting my hands on, since comfort and fit are such huge variables for this sort of accessory. Memory foam ear cushions should make that a positive experience, but you'd be surprised how variable even that sort of earcup can be.

The Quantum 950X isn't the only new headset JBL's announcing, either, with the $200 Quantum 650X and $80 Quantum 250 also arriving in April and March, respectively. The first is a mid-range wireless option that drops the noise-cancelling and swappable batteries, while the second is a wired budget option.

LG will be refreshing its gaming monitor lineup in 2026 with an all-new technology and branding.

The new UltraGear evo monitors will be first shown at CES 2026 in early January and will adopt what the company calls the "world's first" 5K AI upscaling technology. This will appear in models using OLED and Mini-LED tech, and those with ultrawide form factors.

LG already has a range of 5K2K monitors available today, but the new models will improve super high-resolution visuals with on-board picture processing powered by AI. That means your GPU won't have to do all the hard work – extra clarity and precision will be provided by the monitor itself.

The range will include three new flagship models – the 39GX950B OLED, 27GM950B Mini-LED, and the 52-inch 5K2K 52G930B, which is claimed to be the "world's largest" with that resolution. It also features a 240Hz refresh rate.

A new era for LG monitors

As its name suggests, the LG UltraGear evo 39GX950B features a 39-inch OLED display, which has the new 5K AI upscaling tech as standard. The technology analyses and enhances content in real time, while additional AI skills also improve audio performance.

The curved monitor uses LG's RGB Tandem technology, promising greater colour accuracy and improved brightness, while the 21:9 screen supports 165Hz at 5K2K and up to 330Hz for WFHD.

LG's new Mini-LED model has a 27-inch display and also supports 5K AI upscaling. It features 2,304 local dimming zones to ensure there's minimal light bleed and deep, involving black levels. That's matched with the extreme brightness the technology is renowned for.

It too can switch between 165Hz and 330Hz depending on the resolution.

All three monitors will be on display on the LG stand at CES 2026. T3 will be at the show in Las Vegas all week from 6 January on to bring you our thoughts.

While it does feel like consoles are more expensive than ever, and gaming is pretty hard to do on a shoestring, it's thankfully still the case that most new consoles still come with an included controller, whether it's the PS5's excellent DualSense pad or the Switch 2's detachable Joy Cons.

Still, plenty of gamers know the sensation of wishing you had an extra couple of buttons, or clickier triggers, or whatever else when you're in the heat of an online match. If someone you know falls in that bucket, then giving them a pro controller for Christmas could make you just about their favourite person ever.

I've tested a whole heap of pro controllers down the years, and use one basically every day – so I've gathered three of the best current options for you to consider, right here.

T3's Top 3

So, which is best?

Well, this is where things get a little tight. After all, I've not picked out any duds for you – any of these three controllers would make a great addition to your gaming setup, and each has its strengths.

That said, I am ultimately happy to rank them, and I think the 8BitDo Pro 3 does come up in a very respectable third place. It's the best value, and there's no real doubting that. However, it's not quite as guaranteed to work with the device you want, since it doesn't have PS5 support, making it more of a Switch 2 accessory.

In second place, regrettably, I'm going to put my daily driver, the Scuf Reflex Pro. I think it can be the best controller on the market, if you tune it exactly as you want, but it lacks some of the flexibility of the DualSense Edge and is more expensive. This is for the true enthusiasts who want a custom controller that's perfect for them.

In the top spot, therefore, I think the DualSense Edge does take it. It's the best value despite a high price tag, has the features you'd want, and integrates phenomenally with a PS5, letting you make profiles on a per-game basis. That said, it isn't quite as stellar for other devices, for obvious reasons.

Microsoft's monthly update for Xbox isn't as much for Xbox console owners in December – not in the traditional sense, anyway.

Indeed, the biggest beneficiaries of the latest feature update are actually those with Windows 11 PCs, a ROG Xbox Ally or Xbox Ally X handheld. That's because it adds a rather neat feature to the official Xbox Wireless Headset that makes playing with those devices a nicer experience.

As announced by Microsoft yesterday, the Xbox Wireless Headset has been updated with Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) support. This means that it offers lower latency when used with Bluetooth LE-enabled devices, while battery life is improved through lower power consumption thanks to the update.

You also get super wideband stereo voice support, for clearer audio when speaking to other gamers. And shared audio has been added so you can broadcast the game audio to multiple Bluetooth devices simultaneously.

To update your Xbox Wireless Headset, you will need to link it to your console or Windows 11 device and run the Xbox Accessories app. The latest firmware should be available there. Note though, you will need the latest headset model, as released at the tail end of last year.

New Xbox app update too

Microsoft has also announced an update for its Xbox mobile app, with a new Store tab to help you find and purchase games more quickly.

On iOS and Android, this means you can find your game, wishlist it and even purchase it from the app itself. You can also set the game to download to your assigned Xbox console too.

This applies to add-ons as well, so you can purchase DLC to be available when you next turn on your machine.

Sadly, Xbox Cloud Gaming is not accessible through the Xbox mobile app (which is a shame), but you can head to xbox.com/play in Edge or Chrome to kick off your cloud games instead.

If you're looking for a new gaming chair, chances are you're already familiar with Secretlab. The brand's now iconic Titan Evo chair has topped our guide to the best of the best for years, and is something of a standard for gamers of all shapes and sizes.

Every now and then, we also get a limited edition version, where the brand collaborates with another brand. We've seen them link up with Lamborghini, for example, on a limited edition chair.

Now, the brand has done something similar with McLaren. That comes just days after the culmination of the Formula One season, which saw the brand's team romp to victory in the Constructor's Championship, while drive Lando Norris took home his first ever Driver's Championship.

This new limited edition chair doesn't actually have anything to do with the Formula One team, though. Instead, it pays homage to the evolution of the the brand's carbon fibre chassis technology, which has been evolving for over 30 years.

In particular, the new seat is inspired by the new McLaren W1, with a carbon fibre topshell on the rear of the body. The model also makes use of a Dinamica microsuede finish, which is designed to be reminiscent of the interiors of the brand's cars.

The new range is limited to just 100 pieces, which is likely to mean they'll sell out fast. Each of the pieces features a numbered plaque on the carbon panel at the top of the rear of the body.

The model is officially dropping on the 15th of December at 4pm GMT (8am PST), which gives wannabe owners just under a week to prepare for the buying frenzy. There's no word on pricing at this point, though we'd expect it to sit firmly in line with other high end collaborations with premium models.

Expect it to be somewhere in the £700-800 region, then (approx. €858 / US$1,000 / AU$1,500).

Sim racing is booming, with more and more people getting into properly authentic racing games that let them truly pit their driving skills against others online, or AI racers that can be just as hard to beat. The downside for many people, though, is that it can be a huge pain to set up a sim system at home, with pedals and a wheel.

Playseat's been making that easier for a little while, with setups that can be folded down (like a buggy) to become way smaller for storage, but its new setup is probably the sleekest and most attractive option I've seen yet.

The Playseat Challenge DD F1 Edition will go on sale in January 2026, for £349 / €399 / $399, and marks a subtle but important change compared to the standard Challenge DD, shifting your sitting position to be exactly reflective of real-life F1 racing. That means you can load up your Formula 1 racing sim of choice (which is probably F1 25), hook everything up and truly get into the game.

Plus, of course, you still get that folding system to make it much easier to store, ensuring you don't need to have a permanent sim racing room for it to make any sense at all.

This doesn't mean you'll have the same home setup that someone like Max Verstappen can turn to when he needs to practice a track, but it's close enough at a relatively reasonable cost that it's hard to be too down on it.

Plus, to be honest, the white-and-red livery that the seat's been given is really attractive, and again makes it one of the nicest-looking options that Playseat's made.

Of course, £350 is still a big chunk to spend on a racing seat like this, so there's no doubt that this remains a niche product. With high-end racing getting so popular, though, largely thanks to racers like Verstappen being open about how useful it is, this could end up being a really well-liked new option.

Valve is reportedly set to unveil at least two new Steam gaming devices in the next day or two. One of them had leaked online already.

We're not expecting the long-rumoured, long-awaited replacement for the Steam Deck, but we should still be getting gen 2 versions of a couple of other old favourites.

Rumours have it that Valve is about to unleash a new VR headset – the Steam Frame. It is said to be a standalone model – ie. won't need a PC – and rival the Meta Quest 3. However, it'll give you access to Steam (of course) and the vast amount of VR games that are available through the platform.

But a more definitive leak comes from Brad Lynch (@SadlyItsBradley) who has a decent track record of such things. He claims that the headset will be accompanied by a new Steam Controller.

Posting on his X feed, with an image he admittedly created using AI "trained on a real image of the new controller", he reveals that the new gamepad will have two thumbsticks rather than the one on Valve's infamous original.

The touchpanels, for mouse-like control, will this time be at the bottom rather than top.

According to his post, the controller will also be able to detect how far your hands are from the grips, although there won't be individual finger tracking. This could be important for VR games.

In terms of the official launch time/day, we've heard it could be as soon as today – Wednesday, 12 November 2025. So we'll be keeping our ears to the ground in case there are further rumblings.

If so, we'll bring you more as soon as we have it. And there are even rumours that Valve could follow soon with a Half-Life 3 announcement, so we'll try to keep on top of that too.

It could be an exciting 24 to 48 hours for Valve and Steam hardware fans, that's for sure.

When I first reviewed the PlayStation Portal two years ago, I waxed lyrical about its potential – even stating: "If it had access to cloud gaming too, it'd be better still." Well, it's taken a while but now it's here in full, and the handheld has been thoroughly transformed.

To be fair, Sony first added the ability to play games over the cloud a year ago, but only in beta form and only for a select number of titles. Now, thanks to the biggest update the device has received since launch, you can play hundreds of games without having to connect the Portal to a PS5 or PS5 Pro. And, from my tests so far, that's largely lag-free too.

As well as launching in full and leaving the beta phase, Sony's cloud gaming option has been expanded massively. That's thanks to including streaming for a large slice of your own purchased games.

It claims that more than a thousand titles are now supported, so you should see an almost complete library of available games in a new "Your Library" section. Click or tap on one and it will (eventually) load for you to play.

As a games writer (as well as tech) I have a pretty decent collection of PS5 and classic games available in my collection, and it was difficult to find any that were missing from the list. Over a 100 titles were available to me as soon as I updated my Portal and opened the option, with many that I've owned for years but frankly forgotten about.

Indeed, that was one of the things that thrilled me first – that I could jump straight into games I hadn't played for a long time, but without having to download them first. And all on that sumptuous 8-inch 1080p display.

I'd also forgotten just how good the PS Portal screen is.

Admittedly, as I've intimated already, the experience isn't quite as instant as you'd hope – there's quite a pause between selecting a game and it starting, as Sony's servers fetch and open it up. But that's largely the same with Xbox Cloud Gaming through an Ultimate subscription, and PS Plus Premium is a fair bit cheaper.

Yep, sadly you do still need PS Plus Premium membership to access cloud gaming on the Portal, even if you only want to play your purchased games, but considering how much else you already get for your money, it's an added bonus.

The gameplay experience is also of such a high standard, that it's likely you'll want to pay the monthly fees to have the freedom of playing almost every game in your library, wherever you go.

How the PlayStation Portal now works

At launch, the PlayStation Portal had just one main purpose – it connected to your existing PS5 and streamed games from the console to play remotely. It used a form of PlayStation Remote Play (which is also available on mobile devices).

A year ago, Sony added a handful of games from the PS Plus game and classic catalogues to play over the cloud instead, but more as a kind-of test than in full.

Both of those capabilities are still available – although easier to access through the new, redesigned homescreen. But the real winner is the option to play your own purchased games too.

All of the above will work when you are connected to your home Wi-Fi network and, depending on the stability and speeds, are almost indistinguishable than running games on a PS5. There's a touch of latency, sure, but nothing damaging to most instances of gameplay.

I played Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown over the cloud after installing the new firmware and was able to hit every perfectly timed parry move, for example.

Perhaps even more useful is that the PS Portal can also be hooked up to other data services, including hotel Wi-Fi and mobile hotspots. Your experience will entirely depend on the strength of the connection, but there's a setting to change the streaming quality from 1080p to 720p if you experience problems.

I'm yet to test remote connectivity fully with the new firmware, but have previously streamed from my own PS5 when on holiday at a Center Parcs – over the camp's less than thrilling Wi-Fi. And bar a downgrade in crispness, it worked well.

Is the PS Portal now an essential gaming handheld?

As I'm having a mini break again soon, I'll test the Portal remotely again and find out if the upgrade has changed anything in that regard. As things stand though, I can honestly say that this could have become the handheld of the moment.

Yes, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are now available – and yes, you can install games to play on each without needing an internet connection – but if you have a stable enough Wi-Fi connection to hand, do you really need to?

And both of those handhelds are not only much more expensive than the Portal, they only have a 7-inch display apiece.

I also own a collection of other handhelds, including several Android gaming machines – like the Odin 2 Portal, Ayaneo Pocket Evo, and dual-screen Ayn Thor. And they are far more adaptable, with emulation, Android games and cloud streaming available. But that 8-inch display combined with some of the best ergonomics in handheld history has me hooked once more.

Now I can play just about every PlayStation game I've acquired in the last five years, plus a large slice of the PS Plus game catalogue, do I really need anything else?

Perhaps the bigger question is, do you?

I'm a big fan of the PlayStation Portal – Sony's gaming handheld that lets you stream your PS5 games for remote play. But it's always been a bit lacking in features in comparison with other portable devices.

The gaming giant added the ability for PS Plus members to stream games over the cloud as part of a major update last year, but the list of supported titles was limited during the beta phase.

That's all changed now, though. The cloud gaming functionality has now launched fully and adds cloud streaming of games you own, as well as the selection available in the game and classics catalogues.

Sony boasts that thousands of titles are now available to play remotely. If you own any of those supported, you can stream them to your Portal without needing a connection to your PS5 or PS5 Pro.

The list includes the likes of Astro Bot, Borderlands 4, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Ghost of Yōtei, with new releases being added all the time. And, as you don't need to rely on your own home network to stream when out and about, you should get a better experience on your travels.

It makes the PS Portal much more attractive for sure – and is another string in the bow for PS Plus Premium members, as the new feature is exclusive to that tier.

Other new PlayStation Portal features

As well as expanded cloud streaming, the PlayStation Portal has received a refreshed user interface, with three new tabs on the same homescreen.

You can access your Remote Play, Cloud Streaming and Search screens from the one location (rather than having to boot into the option you'd prefer on start-up, as before).

The handheld now supports 3D Audio on select games, when listening through compatible headphones or earbuds. And a new Network Status Screen will give you the heads up on your current connectivity, to ensure you are getting the best experience possible.

Additional extras include a new in-game store to purchase in-game items on the Portal itself, and the ability to send and receive game invitations to and from friends who are also on the Cloud Streaming network.

The PS Portal update is available to all owners now.

I've made no secret of my admiration for SteelSeries' products over the years. They're among the best best gaming headsets on the market, in my opinion, with the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless being the best headset for almost anyone who can afford it. The newer Arctis Nova Elite standing as the ultimate option if there's no limit to your budget.

Part of any gaming brand's strength has to be in variety, though, and SteelSeries is clearly in the middle of a bit of a refresh of its range – hence the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2, a newer version of one of its more approachably-priced headsets. Knowing how good the top-tier kit is, though, I've been excited to test this out – and I've used it for a fortnight to test if it can carve out a niche of its own.

Price and Availability

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is out now – available to order from various retailers (although not masses as I write this review). It comes in at £179.99 here in the UK, roughly €210 in the EU, $199.99 in the US, and AU$199.99 in Australia.

For some context, that's a tiny bump in price over the launch price of the Arctis Nova 7 – at £5 more in the UK, generation on generation – but it's also a heap pricier than what you'll now find the older headset for... I can find that for £120 right now.

Design and Features

The SteelSeries identity is now pretty much set in stone – certainly since its 'Arctis Nova' reinvention a few years ago – and the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 doesn't do anything to rip up the playbook. In fact, put it next to a previous-generation version and I'd be extremely impressed if you could tell them apart, because I couldn't at first glance.

That means the headset has a rigid headband with an elasticated band underneath it, which suspends the whole structure on the top of your head for really nice comfort when wearing.

Each earcup fully swivels at the end of its arm, and has a meshy synthetic ear cushion. They also each have swappable plates on the outside, for those who are likely to accessorise.

One earcup houses controls to power the headset on and off, put it into Bluetooth pairing mode, and adjust the sound balance between in-game audio and chat (which will only work on some devices), plus a USB-C port for charging.

The other earcup has a volume wheel and a mute button, along with a fully hideable retractable boom microphone, plus the 3.5mm port.

The headset is sold in black or white options, which seems to correlate with another important detail. There are three versions of the new headset: a standard one; then a version each for PlayStation and Xbox gamers.

I recommend picking up the Xbox version, no matter your device lineup, since it'll actually work with everything thanks to a toggle on the USB-C dongle in the box.

The big change for the Gen 2 product, however, is a major boost to battery life – which has improved by a claimed 40%, so is now estimated at over 50 hours of use on a single charge.

The other big improvement is the addition of a companion app that the headset can connect to on your phone, letting you swap between game-specific audio presets on the fly without losing your main connection.

This is a really convenient addition, and the downloadable Arctis app is quick and easy to use, and far more straightforward for console or phone-based gamers than the laborious process of connecting to a PC to tweak settings that many other headsets require.

These additions don't necessarily make for a headset that feels drastically different, but they're welcome upgrades, and the overall impression when you start wearing the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 – at least from the point of someone who knows the first-gen model – is that it presents a considered changelist.

Speaking of wearing it, the comfort levels remain really high – with plenty of adjustability to be found thanks to headband options. It's not the tightest fit, which I find comfortable, although that might have minor sound implications, as I'll cover below.

Sound and performance

As I've said in so many headset reviews before, though, the real proof of the pudding is (other than 'in the eating') very much how a headset sounds.

Fortunately, SteelSeries has also earned my trust. So, true to that form, the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is a really good headset for the price – with sound that doesn't let the team down, regardless of how you stress it.

I've been playing hours and hours of Battlefield 6 recently, which has superb sound design and some hugely dynamic mixes for the headset to cope with – and the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 has done so admirably.

This headset can flex to really powerful explosions, full of bass and oomph, but I've always been able to make out the likes of footsteps and other more delicate signals, too.

Being able to swap between presets using the Arctis app is also great and does make for appreciable changes to sound signatures. This is particularly key for competitive situations, where it can be a difference-maker. You can make your own profiles, of course, if you want a bit more control.

That makes the Arctis Nova 7 great for multiplayer gaming, but I've also found the headset nice and characterful for singleplayer, like when it's rendered the sweeping soundtrack of the new Final Fantasy Tactics remaster on my Switch 2.

It's an all-rounder of really high quality, in short, and that experience transfers to the microphone nicely, too, which is great for avid squad players – and doesn't suffer from muffling or any real defects.

The one note I do have on the sound front is that because the earcups are nice and light, and the cushioning isn't too clamping, this isn't a headset with a huge amount of passive isolation – playing in a loud environment and you'll hear plenty around you. For noise-cancelling, you'd need to step up your budget a bit, though, which isn't exactly any surprise.

Another admittedly tiny issue I encountered is that the wireless dongle (at least for the Xbox version, as tested, I've not seen the others) is really quite wide. This isn't a problem in many cases, but on my PS5 Pro it meant that plugging it into the front of the console completely obscured the second USB-C slot, which could be annoying for those who charge their controllers with a wire from the console itself.

Battery life lived up to SteelSeries' billing in my testing, too, with 50 hours standing as a really solid performance given the price and competition. Gone are the days when 12 hours would feel like acceptable at this level.

Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 review: Verdict

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is almost exactly what I expected – a supremely solid headset that makes it all look pretty easy and effortless.

There are some tiny things I would tweak, and the upgrades over its previous-gen version aren't enough to make a swap-out particularly necessary, but there's no doubt this is a superior model over the original.

If you want a new headset for a moderate price tag, SteelSeries' latst mid-tier model is now a real contender. It absolutely needs to be considered in your shortlist – and it confirms that SteelSeries remains the brand to beat in the gaming headset space.

Also consider

If you can flex your budget a little further, then the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is within reach, our reigning winner in the overall best headset rankings for 2025. It brings superior sound and a battery-swapping system, but doesn't have app capabilities.

To spend a little less (at the time of writing), the last-gen Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is a brilliant and more chunky headset that rivals the Nova 7 Gen 2 for sound quality, without as many features. The cost-savings might be worth it, though.

When I first got my hands and ears on SteelSeries' newest headline addition to its gaming headset range, I immediately knew there was one big comparison that needed to be made. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is hugely expensive and basically as good as a gaming headset can get right now – but is it a better buy than the previously top-end Arctis Nova Pro Wireless?

If you're in the market for a new headset, and you're still unsure which to go for, even after browsing our list of the best headsets overall, I'm going to go into a little more detail about these two favourites right here. Keep reading to find out which is better, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite or Nova Pro Wireless.

Price

So, let's hit the big one immediately – there's a huge difference in the pricing of the Nova Elite and the Nova Pro Wireless. Taking the Elite first of all, it has a headline-grabbing price of $599.99 in the US, £599.99 in the UK, and €649.99 in the EU. That's a wedge that you'd almost struggle to spend on any other mainstream headset, and it's the priciest one I've tested in years of experience.

The Nova Pro Wireless, meanwhile, was released at $349.99 in the US and £329 in the UK, but hasn't stuck at that price for a good while. You can now regularly find it for more like $250 or £230 even outside of sales periods, making it generally less than half the price of the Elite.

When SteelSeries first told me the Nova Elite's price, I was taken aback, and I did ask spokespeople if they were worried about going to that level of the market. They were adamant that they thought there was a space for it, and I suspect they're right, but that doesn't mean it's an easy pill to swallow.

So, for most people, there's a clear winner on price here: the Nova Pro Wireless, which never really looked like a value-conscious buy until now.

Design and features

One of the funny things about comparing these headsets is that, from the outside, they look extremely similar. I tested the Arctis Nova Elite in its new Sage Green colour, with gold accents, which obviously makes that a little harder to prove, but if you held the black version next to the Nova Pro Wireless it would be a truly minute game of spot-the-difference.

They both have the same headband design, with a metal band on the top, and a suspended stretchy band that actually sits on your head, keeping the weight of the headset from resting directly on your head. The arms and earcups are also hard to tell apart, while the microphone looks the same (and hides in the same way). They also both have the same removable earcup plates, one of them hiding a USB-C charging port and the other hiding the removable and swappable battery.

That's what things look like, but if you actually hold the headsets you can feel clear differences. Principally, the Nova Elite has much more metal in its construction, including key details like the volume wheel, and those arms – it's far more premium in the hand, as a result. The ear cushioning also feels plusher, to me, although given my Nova Pro Wireless is far from new, that's harder to judge objectively.

Both headsets come with a control station, and these also look incredibly similar, but they have some key differences under the hood, as I'll come to.

In design terms, then, there's not really a giant difference to be had, but the Nova Elite edges things because of its quality of materials.

Sound and performance

So, if their designs are really similar, and their pricing leaves a huge gap between the two models, quite a lot is riding on their sound and performance to figure out which headset wins.

The Nova Pro Wireless, when it came out, was close to as good as you could get in wireless audio. It sounds superb, and still stands as one of the best headsets you can get your hands on for pure quality. You can expect total immersion in your games, and really detailed representation of in-game precision, from tiny footsteps near you to booming explosions and soaring soundtracks.

The Nova Elite, by comparison, does manage to up the ante by being the world's first wireless headset to manage to meet Hi-Res certification while wireless. It only manages this on PC (since console's don't support the feature), but that makes for pretty much the most impressive wireless audio in gaming – with extreme detail and precision. Noticing the difference isn't always easy, but when you go back to the Nova Pro Wireless, you'll feel the slight drop-off.

Away from pure sound quality, the Nova Pro Wireless also introduced the huge innovation of a swappable battery system, with each one lasting between 18 and 22 hours on a charge. When it runs low, you can simply swap it out for one that's been charging in the control station, and if you're quick, there'll be no downtime in audio. That makes for near-limitless battery life, which is a marvel.

Now, on the Nova Elite, this is improved nicely, with up to 30 hours on a single charge and the system otherwise unchanged. In truth, this doesn't matter much – since you just swap in a new one regardless, having to change the battery less often isn't a game-changer, but rather just a tiny gain.

Both headsets also sport active noise-cancelling (ANC) and, again, there are welcome but modest gains for the Nova Elite. The Nova Pro Wireless has very solid performance on this front, with good dampening of background noise, but the Nova Elite is again clear of it, with more noise cancelled out and a better feeling of immersion as a result.

That control station also hides some additional secrets. The Nova Elite's version has more inputs, and can allow simultaneous sound from potentially all of them at once, if you want it to – that's a wild potential tool. The Nova Pro Wireless is more limited on this front, although I still think it's more than enough for the vast majority of users.

Finally, there's the microphone – big for multiplayer gamers. The Nova Pro Wireless has a great microphone, with some AI noise-cancelling to isolate your voice impressively. This is stepped up for the Nova Elite, though, which has superior recording quality and beefed-up noise-cancelling to really stand as one of the very best on the market.

So, when it comes to performance, it's a nuanced situation. If you use them for extended periods, there's no doubt that the Nova Elite comes out on top in most areas. However, it's worth being clear – if the Nova Elite scores some 10/10s on sound and fidelity, the Nova Pro Wireless still manages 9/10s by comparison, making it a close-run thing in most cases.

Verdict

This is a hard one to conclude, because it involves quite a lot of qualifications – the Arctis Nova Elite and Nova Pro Wireless are both extremely impressive headsets that each raised the expectation of what a premium headset might cost, when they respectively released.

I'm loving the Nova Elite as my new daily headset, and it's immersion me in games on a new level, while being extremely comfortable and well-designed. However, I think that its price means it only makes sense for a really quite small subsection of people – those with a whole heap to spend.

I can't pretend the Nova Pro Wireless is a truly budget option by any stretch, of course, but when it costs less than half the price of the Elite, I think there's basically no doubt that it's the more sensible pick for a big majority of gamers. They'd still be spending a good chunk on a superb headset, but would leave with a huge amount of cash still in their account, and only a small drop-off in sound quality to account for it.

Sony's Inzone gaming range is coming of age – or, at least, that's how its latest lineup of accessories has me thinking, after a couple of weeks using them all. I'm reviewing the high-end H9 II headset separately, to see if it merits a place on our ranking of the best headsets, but the Mouse-A, KBD-H75 and more have also been impressing me (with just one quite sizeable asterisk).

Along with the H9 II, Sony sent me loaner units to basically convert my entire PC setup into an Inzone one temporarily. First up, there's the simply named Mouse-A, which is aiming at those who want a premium but ultralight mouse that keeps things simple. It does that and then some, weighing just 48.4g – which makes it incredibly easy to use for long periods without any wrist strain.

I'm always a fan of gaming gear that doesn't actually scream out its gamerness, and the lack of neon lights and silly details makes the Mouse-A feel right up my street. Of course, the real key is a polling rate and dongle that can support up to 8,000Hz – making this potentially a hypersensitive mouse if you like things twitchy.

It's been a great pairing with Battlefield 6, my tipple of choice right now, and the 3950IZ sensor that Sony's built for the mouse seems super impressive from my (somewhat unsophisticated) testing. It's also been a perfect addition in combination with the other important device Sony sent – the KBD-H75.

This might be the sleekest gaming keyboard I've ever used, with a gorgeous blackout design that comes alive with backlighting when it's powered on. It's wired, which is worth knowing, but if you're fine with that then it's a gorgeous bit of kit – as heavy and premium-feeling as the Mouse-A is light.

As a 75%-scale keyboard, there's no numpad here (which I never want), but you do get a lovely ratcheting knob for volume control, which feels simply lush to move. With Rapid Trigger switches for super fast actuation, and an 8,000Hz polling rate to match the mouse, it feels stunning. The hall-effect switches are buttery and super silent, too, with as soft a feedback as you could like (unless you love aggressive clacking, which some do).

All that's very positive, and I stand by how much I've enjoyed the accessories, but I should cover off the big downside for those excited by the prospect of picking them up. In a word, it's price. These are really expensive devices relative to their quality (despite that being high). The Mouse-A comes in at £149, $150 or €179 – a big, big price tag for a very simple mouse.

The KBD-H75 is £250, $299.99 or €299 – again, just an absolute wedge in a world where you can get seriously smooth mechanical keyboards for half that. This even extends to the Inzone Mat-F, which I also tried: £89 for a mousemat feels hard to swallow, even when it's made as perfectly as this one.

So, these might be accessories for those with enviable budgets, or they might be ones to keep an eye on over the next year or two, to wait for choice deals (which generally do come around on gaming gear).

Sony is reportedly planning to release a revised version of its DualSense controller, to go with a tweaked PS5 Pro model.

We often get skinned, special edition DualSense models, with the God of War variant revealed during the latest State of Play, but they are technically the same as the first DualSense that arrived with the PS5 five years ago.

The new version, which is allegedly known internally as DualSense V3, will have a major new feature that all PS5 owners can benefit from.

Polish game site PPE.pl (via VGC) claims that the new model will come with a removable and replaceable battery.

It cites Graczdari as its source, with the leaker having a decent recent track record with PlayStation details. They were first to reveal that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 was coming to PS5, before the official announcement. And they said that there was to be a boxed version of Oblivion Remastered – again before confirmation.

While there are few other details on the new controller, it is thought that rather than make the battery hot swappable, the construction of the DualSense will be such that it is easier to get to the rechargeable battery inside.

This will help the device comply with the EU Battery Regulation that comes into effect in February 2027. All new battery-operated products sold in EU countries from that date must have batteries that can be replaced by the user – not just a repair specialist.

It seems Sony is looking to get ahead of the game, so to speak. It's thought that the new DualSense and PS5 Pro models will be available from November.

As for that PS5 Pro, it'll likely only be tweaked a touch to be less power hungry – another initiative to comply with forthcoming regulations.

SteelSeries played itself into a corner with the release of the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless back in 2022. It created a headset with practically no flaws, one that became my immediate daily favourite and retained that position for years, thanks to super-impressive comfort, a lovely design, and sound quality with ANC that simply did a phenomenal job.

Now, years later, it's trying to one-up itself, but has correctly recognised that the only way to do so is to go even more premium. The Arctis Nova Elite doesn't replace the Nova Pro Wireless, which will continue to be made and sold, rather, it's a new ultra-high-end option for those happy to spend more than the cost of a PlayStation 5 on a headset alone.

I've been using the Arctis Nova Elite for a month for this review, and the case it makes is persuasive, with that price standing as the only obvious and major caveat.

Price & Availability

The Arctis Nova Elite launches today, 30 September 2025, so if you're reading this review, then you should be able to order it now from SteelSeries.

That brings us straight to one of the headset's biggest notes of interest: the price. The Nova Elite comes in at $599.99 in the US, while in the UK it's £599.99, and in the EU it's €649.99. There's no getting around the fact that this represents an absolute wedge of money, and sees SteelSeries push into new territory on pricing in much the same way that Apple did with the AirPods Max.

There are no real rival gaming brands putting out mainstream headsets at this price, frankly, although it'll be very interesting to see if that changes in the coming months, in the same way that it did after the expensive launch of the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.

Features & What's New

So, what has SteelSeries actually managed to change with the Nova Elite to make it worth the uplift in price? Especially when bearing in mind the scale of that uplift, which can't be overestimated; at the time of writing, I can find a Nova Pro Wireless on Amazon for less than half the price of the Elite.

Well, it has some big boasts to account for the price hike. For one, this is the first wireless gaming headset in the world to bring fully accredited Hi-Res sound to the table, a pretty huge marker of quality.

The caveat is that it only applies to PC use, although the constraint there isn't on SteelSeries' side – even the PS5 Pro can't output Hi-Res sound wirelessly, so there's nothing to be done right now.

This means the highest calibre of potential sound representation, though, and should also future-proof the headset for years to come if subsequent console releases do add better sound quality (as I'd hope they would).

The headset also adds a more sophisticated multi-device setup called OmniPlay, which lets you connect multiple sources at once, some wired through the GameHub controller and others over Bluetooth, even allowing you to listen to them simultaneously if desired. For those who mix and match devices and voice services, this could be a huge enabler.

Sound management is also made easier by being able to connect in real-time to a smartphone app for additional control, which makes it much easier to edit your settings without needing to connect to a PC.

The Nova Elite's active noise-cancelling (ANC) is also massively upgraded compared to the Nova Pro Wireless, for more isolation and what SteelSeries seems legally confident in calling "the best in gaming" with regards to tuning out background annoyances.

Finally (although I'll mention more tweaks as I go), each hot-swappable battery can now last for 30 hours on a charge, which is a big upgrade over the Nova Pro Wireless – even though that counts for less given the swappable feature makes it a non-issue.

Design & Comfort

If you place the black version of the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless next to the same version of the Arctis Nova Elite, you'll quickly be able to confirm that the core design of the newer, pricier headset hasn't changed much in terms of silhouette, but there are some differences worth exploring.

Firstly, the headset is now made up of even more premium materials, including more metal parts (principally in the arms of the headband, and the volume dial).

The headband itself is also subtly different and more plush than before, although it keeps SteelSeries' longstanding bungee system to suspend much of the weight off your head.

The earcups, too, feel slightly firmer to the touch, although the age of my Nova Pro Wireless means that's not a 1:1 comparison.

The control station that the headset brings with it is also largely the same visually, and the exact same size as before.

One major change in design terms is the fact that the headset comes in a new colour, a light sage green with gold accents, which many people might feel is a little more aesthetically mature and less gamerish than the black default.

That leaves me to talk about comfort. The good news here is that if you've ever worn an Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, then you're liable to find the Elite very similar. As far as I'm concerned, that's a good thing – this is a very comfortable headset.

That said, it's not the lightest I've ever used, as a direct corollary of the premium materials it uses. I haven't found that a major issue, and it's certainly worth it for high-fidelity gaming, but that could be worth noting for some people.

Performance & Sound

So, if you're going to slap a chunkyy price on your headset, the real question is whether the sound quality can merit it. In the case of the Nova Elite, I'm pretty torn on the answer.

Even SteelSeries told me that it doesn't expect people to have a total "eureka" moment if they've been using the Nova Pro Wireless like me – the difference between "high fidelity" wireless sound and "Hi-Res" wireless sound is pretty subtle, albeit telling over time.

True to that expectation, I've found the gap between the two headsets at times a little hard to identify, but the longer I've used the Nova Elite the more superb its sound has been.

For the first two weeks, I used it with my PS5 Pro, since my PC was in storage, meaning the headset wasn't at its full potential – and even then its sound was full and rich without losing any detail.

On PC, though, with Hi-Res capabilities, the sound performance is nothing short of exquisite. I've played through games that rely heavily on their sound design, including recent horror releases Cronos: The New Dawn and Silent Hill f, both of which had echoes and clanks that were extremely directional and precise.

I've also gone to competitive titles like Marvel Rivals and found the headset's reproduction of footsteps and audio cues flawless, ensuring that it helps me stay competitive even with my eyes closed (I wish, but still).

At SteelSeries' HQ in Copenhagen, where I flew to first see the headset, I even listened to some Hi-Res music via Tidal, and found the sound really impressive away from gaming, which is worth knowing about if you want a pair of the best headphones.

The microphone quality is also stellar. SteelSeries uses the same design here to replicate the most well-hidden extendable mic you could ask for, and new noise-cancelling tech makes your voice even more isolated than ever before. I've been genuinely impressed by how well it can tune out background noise like vacuums and washing machines without clipping my voice.

There's also now a built-in mic for when the extendable one is hidden, in case you want to take a voice call or enter a chat without having the obvious mic in front of your mouth (although your voice quality will take a hit).

The GameHub base station remains a terrific asset for adjustments on the fly, and being able to plug three distinct USB sources in at the same time is brilliant, with easy mixing and swapping between them making it totally ideal for desktop situations.

That said, the addition of the Arctis app makes the headset more adjustable than ever when you're on your sofa or elsewhere, and is a great little upgrade. I found connectivity to be rock solid in all my testing, and never had skips or lags of any sort.

Battery life, meanwhile, remains a huge asset for SteelSeries. It's just as easy to swap out your battery when you need to (with the spare charging inside the GameHub at all times), and a 30-hour life for each means you'll need to do so much less often than with the Nova Pro Wireless.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite review: Verdict

I've been torn throughout my testing of the SteelSeries Nova Elite. To be clear, it's probably the best gaming headset I've ever tested. The sound quality is pretty much unrivalled at this point, its design is more mature than ever, and the suite of features that it offers up, from ANC to multi-source audio, can't be overlooked.

However, in a world where you can get an Arctis Nova Pro Wireless for less than half its price, the only people I'd really recommend it to are those for whom price is no object. If you want the very best of the best, as of now, then it's the Nova Elite – but you have to be in a position where a headset this pricey isn't a crazy idea.

If that's you, then prepare your ears, because when gaming on PC you can't really get better wireless audio than this, and even when using a console it still has totally phenomenal sound reproduction.

Also consider

I've only mentioned it about a dozen times in the course of my review, so you should probably be able to work out that the really obvious comparison to the Nova Elite is its older, cheaper version, the Nova Pro Wireless, which itself made waves for a high price at launch. It's still phenomenal, and more than enough for almost everyone.

If you want something with a more unique trick up its sleeve, then perhaps turn to Razer. Its Razer Kraken V4 Pro has haptic feedback right there in its earcups, making it unlike anything else you can try, and its sound quality is also exemplary (albeit not in the same bracket as the Nova Elite).

Pre-orders for Xbox's new handheld consoles opened last week, with stock shortages starting to pop up in different regions around the world. That's especially true for the ROG Xbox Ally X – the more premium of the two.

Perhaps surprisingly, while it costs £799 / $999.99 / €899 / AU$1,599, the flagship model has been so successful that those who order now will have to wait an extra couple of months after the release date (16 October) to get their handhelds.

There does seem to be plenty of stock of the standard Xbox Ally, however, which is a more affordable £499 / $599.99 / €599 / AU$999. And if it was storage you were most concerned about, SanDisk has the option of adding extra space with a couple of new, officially-licensed options.

Also available to pre-order are the SanDisk microSD Card for ROG Xbox Ally (X) and the WD_Black SN7100X NVMe SSD for ROG Xbox Ally (X). Depending on which you choose, that could expand your console's capacity up to a mammoth 4TB.

SanDisk microSD Card for ROG Xbox Ally (X) 

There are three capacity sizes in the official microSD card range – 512GB, 1TB and 2TB. They are drop, shock and x-ray proof, and feature up to 200MB/s speeds so can be used to store and run downloaded games from.

The cards start at £49.99 / $69.99 and will ship around the same time as the Xbox Ally and Ally X consoles.

WD_Black SN7100X NVMe SSD for ROG Xbox Ally (X)

The second product, an SSD under the renowned WD_Black brand, will be available in both 2TB and 4TB flavours.

Starting at £123.99 / $159.99, they can each be used in PCs too and come with up to 7,250MB/s read speeds. Write speeds are up to 6,00MB/s. Customers will also get a one-month trial to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in the box, which includes PC Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming access.

The SSD cards will be available later this year.

One of the more surprising reveals during Sony's recent State of Play presentation was new hardware for the PS5. That's not least because it's not limited for use with the console, but can also work with PC, Mac and the PlayStation Portal handheld.

Coming in 2026, Sony's Pulse Elevate wireless speakers are designed to sit on a desktop and provide bigger, bolder sound for your games. They can also be used with music and movies, and come with an innovative system whereby you can change the sound signature based on how you place them.

That's because each Elevate speaker can be set in an upright position or slanted backwards. This allows the audio to mimic height channels, rather than be directed forward.

In addition, the speakers are completely wire-free, sitting on a charging station when in desktop mode, but can be moved around and even taken into other rooms, thanks to their rechargeable batteries.

We'll undoubtedly find out more detailed specifications closer to launch, but Sony has so far revealed that there's a planar magnetic driver in each Pulse Elevate, plus built-in woofers. They support the Tempest 3D Audio technology used by the PS5.

A microphone is also present, so gamers can chat in multiplayer games without needing a separate mic. And it has AI-enhanced noise protection on board for clean communication.

As well as Bluetooth support the Pulse Elevate system connects via PlayStation Link technology, and includes a USB-C dongle that connects to a console, PC or Mac.

Audio will be able to be adjusted on either PS5 or PC, with an EQ and other settings to be available through an app.

There's no word yet on how much the Pulse Elevate wireless speakers will be, or their exact availability. We only know that they'll be available in black or white, at present.

We'll fill you in as soon as we find out additional details.

Nintendo was flying in the early 90s – the SNES had become the biggest games console on the planet and the Game Boy could seemingly do no wrong, going from strength to strength through the first half of the decade.

However, the Japanese gaming giant was not impervious to a crazy idea or two. We had the Super Scope light gun/bazooka, the Game Boy camera attachment that produced photos of loved ones looking like they were made of Lego, and even before those, the Power Glove (look it up). Then there was the Virtual Boy.

Hoping to capitalise on the very early VR trend, the Virtual Boy was a console that provided 3D gameplay viewable through a stand-mounted stereoscopic headset. You leaned forward and put your face against the visor to play.

Games were presented in red on black, but the 3D imagery was acceptable – I know because I had a very early demo after its launch at CES in 1995. It failed, of course, and only a handful of games were ever made for it.

And bar the retro gaming scene, nobody has barely mentioned it again since.

Well, until now. Nintendo has only gone and announced that Virtual Boy emulation is coming to Nintendo Switch Online and made a couple of Switch accessories to go with it.

First, a fully functioning Virtual Boy-alike will be released (and available on pre-order very soon). You just slot your Switch or Switch 2 into it and away you go.

But if you don't want to go all-in, there'll be a version that's more like the Labo VR headset from a few years ago, too. It's made from cardboard with lenses, and also works with a Nintendo Switch or Switch 2.

You'll use your existing Joy-Cons or a controller to play.

Either of the two accessories will be required to play the 14 games coming to a Virtual Boy – Nintendo Classics download for all Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members. This will be launched from 17 February next year.

The games will include Mario's Tennis, Galactic Pinball, and Teleroboxer.

As a retro gaming nut myself (and someone who remembers the original) adding Virtual Boy to the Switch and Switch 2 is a great move for me. I'm not sure how anyone under the age of 30 will feel about it though.

Still, considering how few were sold first time around, this could be the first time many will get to see arguably Nintendo's biggest failure in action. Young or old.

The vast majority of modern video games are played using a pretty traditional gamepad or mouse and keyboard, as they more often than not they get the job done just fine. But occasionally a traditional controller just won’t do.

As games have evolved, developers have experimented with how we play them, and while innovations like the touch screen and Nintendo’s motion-controlled Wii Remote revolutionised the industry, others were swiftly abandoned. I want to give those contraptions another moment in the spotlight.

Here are three of the wildest game controllers ever invented.

Tony Hawk: Ride skateboard

When Tony Hawk: Ride came out, the iconic skateboarder’s once legendary video game series was having a bit of an identity crisis. And so, in an attempt to hop (or ollie) onto the motion control bandwagon, Activision released a new entry of the game designed to be played by standing on a skateboard peripheral.

While the controller wouldn't have gotten very far in real life, given its total lack of wheels, its built-in motion sensors meant the skater you were playing as in the game would (sort of) replicate your real-life movements.

It was a novel idea at the time, and one you couldn't really blame Activision for having a go at, but unfortunately the Ride controller was comically unreliable and just not much fun to use.

Sega Dreamcast Fishing Controller

In a post Nintendo Wii-world, a fishing rod game controller is fairly unremarkable. But when Sega released one for the Dreamcast in the late ‘90s it turned a lot of heads.

Used with Sega Bass Fishing and a handful of other games that featured fishing on the fondly remembered commercial failure of a console, the Fishing Controller was painstakingly designed to look and behave like a real fishing rod. However, unlike the aforementioned Tony Hawk-endorsed skateboard peripheral, it actually worked pretty well.

The built-in rumble meant that luring in a big fish always felt suitably weighty in your hands, while the motion controls meant that casting and hooking felt responsive. A charming slice of gaming history.

DK Bongos

Thanks to Seth Rogen and an excellent new Switch 2 outing, Donkey Kong is a big deal once again, but tie-wearing ape connoisseurs may argue that DK peaked in the mid-2000s.

That’s because in 2003 we got Donkey Konga, which was at the time the first game designed to be played using a controller shaped like a pair of bongo drums (I did not verify this fact but feel pretty confident about it).

With Guitar Hero arriving a few years later, it was a big decade for rhythm games with plastic instrument peripherals, but the DK Bongos were great because they were so intuitive. All you had to do was slap the pads, while a built-in microphone could detect hand claps.

And Nintendo didn’t stop at Donkey Konga – a year later came Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, a game that asked: “What if you could play a platformer using bongo drums?” The result was one of the company’s strangest experiments, and with Donkey Kong back in the conversation, I hope we see a return for his bongos on Switch 2.

Since the Switch 2 came out, I've tried a heap of cases. From the smart but bulky charging case from Belkin, to the nearly great felt Sleeper Case from Genki, an incredibly slim and simple one from TomToc, and even the official Nintendo case, each has impressed me in a different way. Still, now that I'm settling in for the long haul with the console, it's time to pick which one I'll actually use day-to-day moving forward.

The winner has taken me a little by surprise, but has also been pretty clear in my testing over recent weeks, especially now that a small design flaw has been fixed. Dbrand's Killswitch system is a joy to use, frankly, and I've been leaving it on my Switch 2 whenever possible.

The Killswitch isn't just a case, per se; rather, it's a protective shell that can be applied to different parts. The core of the system is a pair of Joy-Con protectors that your controllers clip into, along with a sleeve for the middle portion of the Switch 2. This makes your Switch 2 a little chunkier but, crucially, way more ergonomic to hold and game with in handheld mode.

Then, when you want to store it or travel with it, you can simply clip on a frosted plastic cover that hugs the Switch with its new case, and clips on really securely with an elastic strap. Included in this cover is a magnetically attached cart holder that can house up to ten of your spare games, too.

The final element comes if you want to dock your Switch 2. Since the sleeve that you've wrapped it in makes the console thicker, it won't fit into the standard dock any more. Dbrand, therefore, also gives you a docking attachment that slots into the dock and lets you attach your console to the outside – not the most elegant of solutions, but it works.

Now, to acknowledge the storm in a teacup: when people first started getting their Killswitch cases, they discovered two issues. Firstly, held with one hand by a Joy-Con in portable mode, under certain circumstances, the Switch 2's controller could detach more easily than without the case installed, making it a risk for dropping.

Second, the dock attachment that Dbrand first made didn't always feel the smoothest to use, and it could be much more fiddly to get your console docked or undocked on it one-handed. This has now been fixed moving forward, and in the form of a supplementary kit that Dbrand has sent to all existing customers.

The kit gives you some friction pads to make the dock attachment sturdier in its grip on the original grip, and also some new Joy-Con grips that have a redesign to give a better connection magnetically to the main body of the Switch 2 – problem largely solved.

To tip my hand, though, I haven't been using the docking attachment. To me, since I almost always play the Switch 2 in handheld mode, the easier route is just to click the sleeve off the console when I do want to dock it, saving on space next to my TV by avoiding the extra attachment. I also had no issue at all with the original grips, although the revised versions are a welcome improvement, nonetheless, in the long term.

So, it's good to see Dbrand continuing to try to make the issues right, but I'm frankly won over by the Killswitch system regardless. The biggest boost has been to comfort. I've never found the Switch 2 (or the Switch before it) uncomfortable to use, but I know many people resent its relative lack of ergonomics.

The slimness this brings with it is great, but I'm now so used to the extra grip comfort of the Killswitch that it feels a bit weird without it. I also really like the little control stick-caps that come with the case, making the control sticks a little grippier.

Now, whenever I use the Switch 2 without the Killswitch installed, it feels a little less comfortable, and when I check out rival cases, the added bulk really isn't much of a factor when you case it up for packing away. So, I think I'm pretty happy to say that it's my top recommendation for Switch 2 protection, with the caveat of pricy shipping if you're not based in the US.

Ah, Gamescom. A show quite unlike any other (now that E3 in Los Angeles has given up the ghost). Gamers attend en masse in Cologne's Messe halls to preview the good and the great of forthcoming games.

And while headline-grabbers, such as my preview of the new Xbox handheld console, are a given, it's some of the lesser surfaced products that really elevate the show to another level. Well, that and all the cosplayers.

Take, for example, this Nintendo Switch 2 accessory. It's called the Mini Arcade Pro, made by iMP Tech, and it literally transforms your Nintendo console into a little arcade machine.

Buttons are mapped as per Nintendo's Pro Controller, with a built-in physical switch for determining whether the Mini Arcade Pro's control stick is d-pad (DP), left stick (LS), or right stick (RS).

I dutifully fired up the Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics selection, where there's a batch of 90s classics from one of Nintendo's most revered consoles ever. You can go back further in time with SNES and NES launches, too, perhaps being a better echo of the classic arcade's heyday.

It's easy to slot the console into the Arcade Mini Pro, whether you have one of the original Switch models or are more up to date with a Switch 2. The newer Nintendo console looks better, owed to its larger screen, which makes the greatest use of the Mini Arcade Pro's scale.

The buttons feel clicky, chunky and classic in their arcade feel, as does the red-topped joystick – which, as said above, can emulate that digital or analogue to your preference via the flick of a switch.

So, if you love retro gaming and Nintendo then this retro-styled accessory is a great add-on – or it could make the perfect gift. It's due to go on sale around November, iMP told me at Gamescom, although there's currently no pricing information confirmed.

When it comes to gaming, Sony isn't just PlayStation, you know. In fact, it's been slightly muddy trying to work out where its InZone range of gaming accessories fit in alongside the alternatives it makes for PS5 and PS5 Pro gamers – a distinction that's getting easier with the launch of a whole heap of new devices this week.

Sony is unveiling a new flagship headset in the InZone range, but also its first keyboard, gaming mouse and mousemat. All of this serves to underline the fact that it's aiming squarely at PC gaming, rather than consoles (although PlayStation support is there for most of the new devices).

Headlining the announcement is the €300 or £300 InZone H9 II, a new version of the top-end H9 headset that InZone released a couple of years ago. It upgrades the sound side of things by using the exact same driver hardware as the five-star Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones, including the same noise-cancelling capabilities, which could be very special.

The big change visually is a totally redesigned headband that looks much more adjustable and comfortable. It was designed with help from esports fixtures Fnatic, which chipped in on all the other products in this wave, too. The InZone H3 is a refreshed wired headset that's much cheaper at £90 or €100.

Those include the InZone E9 for £130 or €150 – these are in-ear gaming earbuds aimed at being even more comfortable than a headset for long periods of play. They're probably ideal for streamers, but can also fit under performance-level headsets if needed.

On the control side, there's the InZone KBD-H75, a 75% tenkeyless mechanical keyboard that sounds like it should feel very premium under your fingertips, coming in at £250 or €300. InZone Mouse-A is a classy-looking lightweight wireless mouse for £150 or €180 – and both of these come with 8,000Hz polling rates for lightning-fast response times.

Finally, there's InZone Mat-F for £90 or €100, with a high-friction surface and some great design details, alongside the more affordable Mat-D for £50 or €60, which is a little lower-friction and less thick.

Sony says that all of these new devices should be available in September 2025, although exact dates weren't supplied for their launches. If you want to refresh your gaming setup, then, these could be perfect, particularly if you game on PC. I'm hoping to test at least the H9 II down the line, to see how the claimed quality holds up to scrutiny.

While it's high summer right now, my favourite Nintendo game to play in the holidays is Super Mario Party – and the latest release, Jamboree, just got its Switch 2 Edition upgrade for Nintendo's latest console.

The full title, Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV, seemingly requires breathing apparatus to say in one single sentence, but it's at least descriptive (how very Nintendo)!

Every year, my brother buys the latest Mario Party game as a Christmas gift, replacing the traditional board game with Nintendo's digitised version. That's ultimately what Jamboree is – but it requires co-operative play and self-defence tactics, which brings variety through a bunch of zany minigames.

I've had the Switch 2 Edition for a week now, which owners of the original Switch game can pay to upgrade rather than forking out full price for the game. So is it a worthy addition to your Switch 2 arsenal? It makes strong use of the Switch 2's Camera accessory, but even without that the additional games and features are a total hoot.

Mario Party Jamboree Switch 2 Edition trailer

Do you need the Switch 2 camera to play?

The Switch 2 Edition of Mario Party Jamboree brings a number of additions to the fore. There's a graphical upgrade, first and foremost, so the classic Mario Party boardgame-style play is enhanced from the off.

Beyond that, however, it's the minigames that gain additions – some utilise the Switch 2's new mouse-like control mechanic, while others are based on sound or visual input, with the latter utilising the Switch 2 Camera accessory.

You don't require the camera to get a lot out of Mario Party Jamboree Switch 2 Edition, though, but those visual prompt games in Jamboree TV – a Bowser-hosted gameshow – will fall away to make room for microphone-controlled ones instead.

Yes, this Switch 2 version certainly isn't one to play in the dead of night or when you want some peace and quiet. A number of the minigames now require voice input to move your avatar into the correct position, or to provide the loudest sustained input to beat your competitors.

It's complete chaos, frankly, and I love it. Having played at the weekend, I was impressed by the immediate familiarity, yet these new elements made the Switch 2 Edition feel really fleshed out, like a new game.

Personally, I wouldn't want the Camera, as I'm not interested in appearing on the screen. I can see the appeal, though, and as the accessory can recognise multiple faces in a room, you only need one to 'pull you into the game'. It's the way to get the very most out of the latest title, that's for sure.

Is Jamboree TV worth the upgrade?

If you already possess Super Mario Party Jamboree for the Switch, then the Switch 2 Edition's upgrade pack is priced at £16.99 / $19.99 / AU$30. I'm aware that's more than the Zelda titles' £7.99 / $9.99 / $AU20, but there's a lot of genuinely completely new content here to enjoy, so there's sense in it.

If you don't own the original game, however, then Nintendo isn't mucking around with the Switch 2's full game asking price, as Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV costs £64.95 / $79.99 / AU$109.95. It's the same price as its other flagship releases – but, as I say, it's still the game for me and the whole family to love jumping into over the holidays (Christmas, specifically).

Nintendo just seems to be able to work its magic on titles that look seemingly simplistic, but are actually highly considered in every regard. I love the new minigames that Jamboree has to offer on Switch 2, but was particularly impressed by the Super Mario Party 'frenzy' version, which limits players to 5 moves (half the usual entry-level), and boosts players with coins and stars to make for more mayhem. If you know, you know.

So, yes, Super Mario Party Jamboree's Switch 2 version is pricey. And with Donkey Kong: Bananza clearly a big exclusive appeal right now, I'm not sure the timing of its release is quite right. Still, I'm sure there'll be a new title on the shelves for the Christmas holidays, as is tradition. And, until then, the summertime vibes of this multiplayer remain as much fun as ever. Well, even more so on the Switch 2!

GameSir was one of the first accessory makers to push firmware support for the Nintendo Switch 2 to its wireless controllers, and that made its flagship Super Nova gamepad one of the best third-party devices out there.

That's because, not only does it work with the Switch 2 via a Bluetooth connection or when wired, its button configuration can be switched (pardon the pun) to also suit Nintendo's A, B, X, Y layout.

On top of that, it has Hall Effect thumbsticks and triggers, with the former promising no stick drift issues and more precise control, and it will even work with your iPhone, iPad, Android device or PC.

Saving the best news until last, it's also available with 20% for Amazon Prime Day in the UK and an even better 33% off in the US. That makes it a whole lot cheaper than the official Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, that's for sure.

Why consider the GameSir Super Nova wireless gaming controller?

With the official Switch 2 Pro Controller costing £74.95 in the UK and $84.99 in the States, it stands to reason that third-party manufacturers would offer alternatives for less. And on Prime Day, that's a lot less.

In fact, it can be argued that the GameSir Super Nova even improves on its pricier equivalent, as it comes with swappable face plates, the ability to change the front button configuration, and Hall Effect thumbsticks and triggers.

These latter additions allow for much greater precision with movements than regular sticks as they use magnets to register directions. They are less prone to wear and tear too.

The GameSir Super Nova is also compatible with motion controls, meaning you can move it in the air just like an official Nintendo controller, and it boasts a 1000Hz polling rate when connected via a cable or the 2.4GHz dongle.

And, of course, you can use this controller with other devices too. The only thing it can't do is wake the Switch 2 wirelessly – you'll have to turn on the console manually. However, that might end up being added in a future firmware update. Let's hope so.

Ever since my preordered Nintendo Switch 2 arrived at launch, barely a day has gone past without me picking it up. Sometimes it's to play Mario Kart World, of course, but often I just like to hold it without even switching it on.

That's because it is a beautifully crafted piece of gaming hardware. There's a decent heft to the console, and the slightly rough feel of the plastic is as pleasant as it is practical.

There's just one problem though: Nintendo doesn't seem to have paid much mind to ergonomics.

While the new Joy-Cons clip onto the sides with arguably the most satisfying click in gaming history, once attached the whole device feels just, well, flat. It's like gaming on a tablet rather than handheld – and I should know, I own plenty of other portable gaming machines that feel better in the hands.

Take the Android-powered Odin 2 Portal or Ayaneo Pocket Evo for example, both have rounded grips either side for more comfort during lengthy play sessions. Even the heavier PC handhelds, such as the Steam Deck and Lenovo Legion Go S have had far more thought into their ergonomic design.

It's not that the Switch 2 is bad per se, it just could be better,

Thankfully, I already also had just the accessory to help.

Having already used the GameSir G8 Plus controller with a Switch OLED, I knew it'd be the answer to my Switch 2 prayers. Designed for multiple mobile devices, including mobile phones and tablets, this Bluetooth enabled variant of the GameSir G8 Galileo is a perfect fit for Nintendo's consoles too, and it changes the handheld play experience immensely.

It's a doddle to pair, with the Switch 2 automatically recognising it in the controller settings once put into pair mode (via a small button on the bottom). And from that moment on it works just like any other Switch controller – including the capture and home buttons.

Equally impressive is that you can reconfigure the GameSir G8 Plus to match the Nintendo button layout. It comes with the Xbox controller config from the box, with the X, Y, B, A pattern running clockwise from the left. However, just lift the right hand face plate and you can easily swap each button's position to run the Nintendo-style Y, X, A, B instead.

There are also programmable L4 and R4 buttons under each grip, and important for some, each thumbstick is Hall Effect. This eliminates any possibility of stick drift – something that even the new Joy-Cons could be prone to somewhere down the line.

Even the triggers are Hall Effect for more precise control.

As for the Switch 2 itself, it sits very comfortably on a rubberised mat, with two rubber grips either side. That way you can be assured that it won't damage or scratch your console.

It also takes a very decent hold, so even when you're air driving in Mario Kart, you won't need to worry about the screen flinging across the room.

For me, as good as the Joy-Cons are, this is the way I'll be playing my Switch 2 when in handheld mode. The only downside is I'm yet to find a case that will fit the console and GameSir G8 Plus without having to detach them again.

There's also the slight annoyance that I've added yet another part of the puzzle that needs charging (via USB-C). But it's a small price to pay for a considerably more comfortable play experience – with pro-level controls, to boot.

The GameSir G8 Plus is priced at £79.99 in the UK and $99.99 in the US. It can also be used on devices up to the size of an iPad mini.