Game controllers today follow a standard design and format, and most of them gravitate between two or three conventions, depending on the major console brand they’re supporting. Once upon a time, however, there was a bit more variety and exploration in what controllers could look like, at least as long as they still supported all the basic controls that the machine and the games required. This gave birth to a few oddities, some of which gained widespread notoriety despite their limited availability. One of those was perhaps one of the weirdest but also rarest controllers ever made for the original PlayStation, and one such design was reshaped to become one is probably one of the most distinctive PlayStation handhelds ever crafted.
Designer: Takara Tomy (modded by Hairoh Satoh)
In 2001, PlayStation owners in Japan got a glimpse of an officially licensed controller specifically designed for the popular Game of Life video game. Unlike rectangular controllers even during that period, this custom gamepad was practically square with a circle at the top edge extending a bit beyond the border. This circle was home to a roulette wheel used in conjunction with that game, earning this Japanese-exclusive design the name “Takara Roulette Controller.”
Images courtesy of miepro_02
More than two decades later, a modder best known for his Game Boy mods has given this rarely-seen controller a new lease on life as a standalone gaming device. The spinner wheel, which has no use in any other game, was replaced by a small LCD screen that allowed the user to play games directly on it. Of course, that also means that the internals of the controller have been gutted out to make room for a small computer, probably a Raspberry Pi or one of its kind.
That alone would have been impressive enough, but the mod goes above and beyond to bring a few modern gaming conveniences. While the original controller is more or less complete when it comes to buttons, the mod adds L and R back triggers as well. The small space also has a memory card slot, USB-C charging, and speakers that truly make the gaming handheld independent and portable. Whether it’s comfortable to actually play on for long periods of time is a different question entirely.
Unfortunately, the controller clearly shows its age with the absence of analog joysticks that are now standard on modern controllers. Then again, since it’s mostly emulating PS1-era games, that’s not exactly a problem either since those titles didn’t make use of such controls. But since it’s technically using a computer that can run emulation software, it’s theoretically possible to also run games from other consoles, particularly classic titles that have simpler controls, less demanding graphics, and gameplay that’s well suited for this retro controller design.
You’ve used a gaming controller to play on the PC but how about the other way around? Meet the Hitbox, a console controller that sort of flips the status quo, giving you a comfortably tactile desktop-style gaming controller for your other consoles. The Hitbox sports 12 hot-swappable keycaps with backlights (and an additional 6 programmable buttons) looking like a mechanical marvel for PC gamers… however, the Hitbox isn’t designed to just work with a PC. It’ll work with the Nintendo Switch, PS3, and PS4 too, thanks to a USB-C port that lets you hook the controller to your console for beautifully clicky computer-style gaming on pretty much any device. (You’ll need a Brook converter to run it with the PS5 because Sony only allows licensed controllers to work with their latest console)
The Hitbox eschews the traditional joystick in favor of a layout of buttons, mirroring the design of arcade fight pads. This layout, while potentially unfamiliar to newcomers, is prized by fighting game veterans for its precision and ability to execute complex combos and special moves with greater ease.
But the Hitbox isn’t simply a retro throwback. It boasts several features that cater to the modern gamer. One of the most compelling aspects is the hot-swappable key functionality. Similar to mechanical keyboards, the Hitbox features 12 individual key slots that can be easily customized with your favorite mechanical keyboard switches. This allows players to tailor the feel and responsiveness of the controller to their specific preferences, a significant advantage for competitive players seeking that perfect edge in terms of speed and actuation.
Beyond the core buttons, the Hitbox offers six programmable buttons. Using the included PC driver software, players can assign intricate in-game macros to these buttons. This allows for effortless execution of complex combos and special moves, freeing up mental resources and allowing players to focus on strategy and execution during intense matches. The Hitbox also offers compatibility in the form of plug-and-play functionality with the Nintendo Switch, PS4, and even the PS3, broadening its appeal to a wider audience of fighting game enthusiasts across various platforms.
The build quality of the Megalodon Hitbox is as impressive as its functionality. The sleek design combines a high-quality aluminum alloy base with a durable acrylic top, ensuring the controller can withstand the rigors of competitive play. This marriage of materials makes it a reliable companion for countless battles to come.
The Hitbox also boasts a small but useful technological feature: a built-in 0.96-inch screen. This allows players to monitor their macros and navigate menus with ease. Additionally, the Hitbox runs on GP2040-CE firmware, opening the door for further customization for tech-savvy gamers who want to tinker with the controller’s functionalities.
While the Hitbox offers a compelling package, it’s important to consider its target audience. The controller caters to fighting game enthusiasts who prioritize peak performance and extensive customization options. If you’re new to fighting games or simply prefer the feel of a traditional controller, the Hitbox might not be the best choice. However, for those seeking an arcade-style experience with the added benefits of modern technology, the Hitbox is a serious contender.
Currently available for pre-order in four color options (yellow, white, soy, and black), the Megalodon Hitbox Controller offers a unique blend of classic design and cutting-edge functionality. With its focus on customization, performance, and durability, the Hitbox is a compelling option for fighting game aficionados looking to elevate their skills and dominate the competition. Just remember, pre-orders come with an estimated ship date of June 14, 2024, so a little patience is required.
Handheld gaming PCs are becoming a bit more popular these days, especially with major brands getting in on the game, pun intended. But while these small computers seem impressive for packing that much power inside, their designs make them less useful for anything else unless you connect an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Not only do gaming laptops offer more power, they can also be used for other purposes. Conversely, you need to connect a game controller and put the laptop down on a table, which loses the appeal of being able to play anytime, anywhere. Compal has an idea that attempts to bridge the best of both worlds, though its 2-in-1 gaming laptop design does raise just as many questions as it answers.
2-in-1 laptops and tablets that have touchscreens do offer a compromise when it comes to gaming with a controller. Just like with smartphones, it’s theoretically possible to put virtual joysticks and buttons, but those are actually awkward and more cumbersome to use on such a large screen. And just like on smartphones, it also means covering up part of the screen with their thumbs, and most PC games don’t take that into account.
The Compal Rover Play concept solves that by putting the controls on the back of the tablet half of the 2-in-1 laptop, almost like those paddles on the back of modern controllers. These aren’t simple buttons, though, as they would make the laptop look rather odd and unusable when not used to play games. Instead, there are panels on the back of the laptop that slide and fold slightly outward, creating an angled structure that’s like grips on a controller.
These FlexiRear Controllers have ultrasonic sensors that don’t use physical buttons to register presses and gestures. The idea is that instead of using the touchscreen on the front, you use those sensors on the back to control the game. The concept doesn’t exactly explain how those gestures would map to standard controller input, but it’s not difficult to imagine some specialized software making that conversion.
The biggest hurdle for this rather intriguing design is how such controls would feel alien to gamers. Not only would it require a considerable amount of learning effort, switching between this non-standard input method and a conventional controller could also prove to be confusing. Still, Rover Play is an interesting design that aims to bring the best of both worlds, but it’s still a little bit raw for any PC maker to implement in an actual product.
Gaming smartphones are quite the novelty in the mobile world, but despite their advertised or actual gaming chops, they often lack the necessary controls that would put them on par with consoles. Conversely, most of these gaming smartphones have designs that make them a little less appropriate for more formal environments with their flashy RGB lighting and distinctive motifs. A middle ground between these two extremes would be to slap on some controllers on “normal” but premium handsets, effective but also a little too mundane these days. This rather unusual phone case, however, tries to add a new flavor to mobile gaming by introducing not only an unusual controller design but also by making it exclusive to one of the weirdest and cutest smartphones in the market.
The Unihertz Jelly Star is obviously not your typical smartphone. With a size that’s no larger than a credit card, the tiny device is advertised as the world’s smallest Android 13 smartphone, a title no one will probably try to wrest away from it anyway. With a 3-inch screen, a transparent colored back, and some rather reasonable specs for its size, the Jelly Star is probably also the world’s cutest smartphone.
A Chinese accessory maker by the name of Sugar Cubes is taking that cuteness and turning it into something that even gamers will find alluring. Rather than simply attaching controllers, which would be gigantic compared to the Jelly Star, you will instead insert the tiny phone into a large, boxy case that transforms it into a rather unusual gaming handheld that is more reminiscent of the “Game & Watch” devices of old than any modern handheld console. Even the controls themselves are in non-standard locations, even though they provide most of the standard buttons, including a joystick.
There seem to be two designs for the Sugar Cube Jelly. One has the Unihertz Jelly Star lying horizontally and near the top, giving the device a more Game Boy-like appearance, though short in stature. The other has the phone standing vertically in the middle, flanked by two sets of controls, a design closer to the Nintendo Switch by some stretch of the imagination. Details on how the small phone will be inserted into the case are still slim, though it seems that the vertical design will simply have the Jelly Star slip into the case from the side, with one of the controllers swinging open like a flap.
The unconventional and eye-catching design of the Sugar Cube Jelly makes it perfect for branded merchandise, theming the colors and decals accordingly. That said, there’s still no word on when this product will actually hit the market, or if it will even be made available outside of China. Even then, the Unihertz Jelly Star isn’t exactly oozing with power, so while you might be able to comfortably run some retro games via emulation, forget about boasting your odd contraption while playing Genshin Impact.
Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding is coming to iOS devices later this month and you’ll need a sharp gamepad to have the tactical advantage in-game. Backbone has got you covered on that front with a BackBone One Death Stranding Limited Edition controller. This comes on the back of the recently unveiled second-generation version of the highly rated USB-C controller for the iPhone 15 and Android controller.
Now the brand has collaborated with the developer of the highly anticipated title to develop a unique-looking gamepad that for you could either be a golden bliss or a piece of piss! That’s because the color is so peculiar, you’ll have your own subjective opinion on it. By the way, this is not the first time such a controller has made its first appearance since there was a DualShock 4 in the same hue.
Death Stranding is coming to iOS and Mac on January 30, 2024, and on the very same day, Backbone will make the special edition controller available for purchase in the United States. Playing this crazy haunted open-world title with touchscreen controls is going to be difficult, so if you own the iPhone 15 series, you are better off getting this mobile controller before the stock runs out. The new version (limited edition and standard one) has incremental upgrades including magnetic adapters for an ergonomic fit and a revamped D-pad.
The controller is inspired by the peaking technologies of 2000, explaining the transparent plastic casing that exposes the hardware inside. That hue somehow reminds me of the portable jars for carrying Bridge Babies around. While the front sports a cool transparent yellowish hue, the rear has a more standard solid yellow-orange and graphite color scheme.
Get this limited edition Backbone One mobile controller for $150 and you’ll suit yourself to the free iOS download code for the game. Also, the USB-C connection should be good for connectivity with Android devices.
Whether you prefer playing on consoles, PCs, or even mobile phones, chances are you will be using a controller at some point or another. Game controllers are a dime a dozen these days, and they come in all shapes, sizes, and feature sets. Some are so tiny they can fit on a keyring, while others try to include everything and the kitchen sink in a handheld gadget. A new design leans more towards the latter, listing a litany of features that could make pro gamers on any platform drool. But while the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra is already quite notable for its its RGB lighting, which gamers apparently love, it has a special trick that seems both cool yet also over-the-top for something you hold in your hands and barely look at while playing.
Game controllers have come a long way since the earliest days of gaming. There are now more buttons than you can handle, added to cope with the growing complexity of games. Some controllers even have touchpads or some mouse mode, thanks to games or software that need a bit more precise movement than a joystick. The Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra doesn’t have the latter but instead slaps a 1.5-inch display in the middle for showing customization options and notifications, even from social media apps coming from your phone.
This “Connected Command Display” feature, as it is called, is definitely a fancy way to upgrade the game controller. In a nutshell, it lets you see and access controller settings right on the controller itself, removing the need to put up a separate window on the PC or console screen. You can even connect it to an iPhone or Android phone and it will show notifications as they come.
The implementation, however, leaves a few things to be desired, like how you have to switch to a specific mode to use the controller to navigate that screen, breaking your flow. Making it a touch screen could have made it more convenient. Having it display notifications might also be overkill or too distracting since you will most likely want to keep your eyes on the game screen rather than having them glance down at the controller.
Aside from the screen, the Stealth Ultra is chockful of features that gamers will definitely appreciate, ranging from drift-free analog sticks, so that you won’t feel like a ghost is moving them sometimes, to a promise of lag-free wireless connection to customizable RGB lighting to match your game and mood. These features, however, don’t come without a price, specifically a $199.99 price tag. That takes the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra to the “premium” game controller segment, though some of those features might sound a little superfluous or even unnecessary, especially for hyper-focused gamers.
The competitive fighting game community can be awfully particular about its controller preferences. This is because fighting games are so brutally intense that professional fighting game champions — those who play in tournaments like EVO Japan — often vie in favor of controllers called fight sticks that emulate the OG arcade cabinet design.
Almost completely out of left field, Razer smashed its way into the fighting game fight stick arena like Street Fighter’s Zangief going in for the finishing blow. The hitbox-like Razer Kitsune All-Button Arcade Controller, which launches on October 31 for $299.99, is compatible with both PlayStation 5 and PC via USB-C. And good lord, does it look fun to play fighting games with.
The Kitsune’s Razer Chroma RGB backlit, all-black aluminum design looks sort of like a keyboard rather than a joystick — this is thanks to the fact every stick and trigger function is relegated to a set of 12 round buttons on the front panel. Gamers who’ve gotten their hands on it are already singing its praises, with GameSpot’s Michael Higham calling it “the best fighting game controller, period.”
The Razer Kitsune’s design is actually way more modular than it first appears. Not only can you remove the aluminum top plate to refit the exterior with special vinyl wraps (like the Chun-Li Edition vinyl wrap), it looks like the low-profile linear optical switches underneath the buttons allow you to customize the buttons themselves… in theory. The real draw is their smoothness and quick response time, which, combined with their convenient layout and the Kitsune’s accompanying tournament lock switch — which turns off certain buttons and secures the cable in place when activated — makes them arguably more precise than any standard gaming controller.
Even if you aren’t a fighting game fan — though if you are, it sounds like the Razer Kitsune is a no-brainer purchase, especially if you play a lot of Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, or Melty Blood — the arcade-style layout looks like a delightful way to play action-heavy 2D games like bullet hell shooters. You could probably even justify the purchase if you’re using it to play older SNES-era games (like older JRPGs, for instance) that are less action-heavy, like Chrono Trigger.
The $299.99 price tag is a bit much for most gamers outside of the fighting game community who may not need as much additional performance, but it’s definitely one of the coolest-looking controllers we’ve seen go into full production. If only it was compatible with the Nintendo Switch.
The Nintendo Switch continues to be one of the most versatile gaming consoles around, with a massive catalog of great games to play and the ability to switch between TV, tabletop, and handheld mode on a whim – meaning you never have to put down your game for long. It’s an easy sell to anyone with even a casual interest in gaming (though it features plenty of 100+ hour, high-concept single-player games in its roster) which is likely why it’s sold over 129.53 million units since releasing in March 2017.
One of the coolest parts of setting up a Nintendo Switch in your room is playing it with retro-style controllers that feel better and often work better than the default Joy-Cons the console ships with. The Nintendo Switch Pro controller is a highly popular option thanks to its wealth of features and high build quality, but what if you want a more specialized look for your gaming room? I created this list to showcase a few of my top picks for Nintendo Switch controllers that feature a unique style. Whether you’re shooting for a retro look or adding more RGB to the space, there’s almost assuredly something here for you:
1. 8BitDo SN30 Pro Controller
The premiere retro controller of the bunch, the 8BitDo SN30 Pro looks just like an old SNES controller, and if you go for the crystal purple or jade green colors, it comes in a see-through case that exposes its internals and makes it look similar to an old GameBoy color. It’s completely unlike an actual SNES controller, however, thanks to its complete range of modern buttons and thumbsticks, rumble vibration, Bluetooth support, motion controls, and plug-and-play compatibility with your Nintendo Switch. It’s also rechargeable via USB-C.
Like many of the controllers on this list, it also connects to most other devices that take a Bluetooth controller, including: iPhone, iPad, Macintosh, Apple TV, Windows PC, Android, Steam Deck, and Raspberry Pi. This means you can buy this one controller and comfortably use it as your main controller for several systems.
The 8BitDo Pro 2 wireless controller is a step up from the SN30 albeit with a slightly less retro look. In exchange for that, it adds a few more bells and whistles like customizable back paddle buttons, a button that switches between input presets, a button that switches between custom profiles, a larger 1000 mAh battery (vs. the SN30’s 400 mAh battery), and access to 8BitDo’s Ultimate Software on PC and mobile where you can adjust button mappings and get granular with sensitivity.
Like the SN30, the 8BitDo Pro 2 is compatible with Windows, Apple, Android, SteamOS, and Raspberry Pi devices via Bluetooth 4.
PowerA Spectra Enhanced Wired Controller for Nintendo Switch is a quick way to connect an extra player or two to a docked Switch connected to a TV, but that’s not why I’d personally buy one. I haven’t found too many RGB-lit controllers for the Switch, but this is the perfect storm: PowerA is a respectable Switch controller manufacturer, and this happens to be one of the prettiest Switch controllers you can buy.
The RGB LEDs can cycle between eight different colors with a built-in Rainbow Phase or sync to the visuals of the game. Mappable buttons on the back of the PowerA Spectra controller can also make it easier to do certain actions. To be clear: there’s no vibration or motion control support, which may not make it the best first choice, but at least there’s no need to recharge a battery – for whatever that’s worth. And it has a 3.5mm AUX jack for an external headset, enabling voice chat within certain Switch games.
We really liked the NYXI Wizard wireless Switch controller when it first appeared in January. It’s not just a stylish competitor to the official Switch Pro Controller, clocking in at roughly the same price albeit with a stunning purple GameCube controller-esque design. Utilizing the magnetic NYXI Hall Joystick, it actively fights against the entropic forces that eventually bring every Joy-Con to its knees… figuratively speaking. In plain English, the NYXI Wizard is designed to be especially good at preventing Joy-Con drift, and that alone is why the controller is a perfect long-term option if you regularly play twitchy, action-heavy games like Super Smash Bros.
5. Nintendo Switch REALMz Controller (Wired or Wireless)
If you really love showing off character art in your room – especially if your room is themed around Sonic, which seems to be the flagship REALMz controller theme – you’d probably really appreciate these bespoke see-through PDP REALMz controller designs. REALMz offers both wired and wireless controllers, but no matter your preference, you’re getting a LED-backlit piece of artwork designed to boost the ambience of your gaming room. Every controller is layered with graphics and imagery from the IP it’s themed off of, and there’s at least one figurine inside of the bottom left grip to bring the entire design to life.
The wireless version of the REALMz Nintendo Switch controller is rated to last for 40 hours, and uses a rechargeable battery.
Before mobile gaming became the lucrative industry that it is today, the gaming industry was traditionally split between PCs and consoles, with each side having its preferred input device. The reality, however, is that this line between camps has always been blurry. Console players lack the precision of a mouse of aiming, while PC gamers sometimes grab a controller for titles that are sometimes better played with a joystick and buttons. Unfortunately, the latter also sacrifices the precision of a mouse and the versatility of having so many keys to use.
The best of both worlds would definitely give any gamer a winning edge, which is exactly what this one-of-a-kind controller is offering, letting you put away your keyboard while keeping your mouse and still have access to 22 buttons that you can customize to your gaming needs.
There are pros and cons to the different input methods that gamers use. Of course, there is no perfect device, and users unfortunately have to compromise when picking one over the other. If only you could combine keyboard, mouse, and controller without sacrificing any of them and still have a compact and portable setup. That might sound like a pipe dream, but that’s exactly what the Hex Evo brings to the table, offering a no-compromise way of combining the precision of a mouse with the flexibility and comfort of a gaming controller.
Fully Repairable Controller – Buy official replacement modules (joystick, battery, motherboard, and more) and easily swap out damaged parts for brand new ones. No soldering required.
Compatible with consoles, PCs, and Macs, the Hex Evo Left Hand Gaming Controller completely changes the game to give you the edge that you need for comfortable gaming and glorious victory. Best of all, the controller is built for easy repair, with replacement parts available to make it possible to do on your own, and never have to suffer the pain of joystick drift or using an old, degraded battery.
Combine the Best of Both Worlds – Gain an edge over your opponents by combining the precision of mouse aim with the freedom of controller movement.
Fully Replace the Keyboard – You can perform all the in-game actions that you would do with the keyboard with a true analog stick and 22 mappable inputs.
At first glance, the Hex Evo looks like the left half of a typical game controller. It allows you to precisely aim with the mouse while moving with the convenience of an analog joystick, something that feels awkward and unnatural with the typical combination of keyboard and mouse. That’s just scratching the surface, though, because the Hex Evo is fully customizable, enabling you to set it to controller or keyboard mode, and grants you access to no less than 22 “buttons” that you can map to any function. You can even assign macros, combo presses, or even assign buttons to a combination of keypresses, making it appealing not only to gamers, but also to those looking to upgrade their setup in the productivity space.
Game Comfortably – Hold the Hex Evo wherever you feel most comfortable.
The ingenious secret to this feat is the Shift key that practically doubles the number of buttons available. There’s also the fact that you can press two buttons together to create a different action, which can also be combined with the Shift key to expand the available options. And with a motion sensor, which you can again pair with the Shift key, you have two more inputs to use for any purpose you can think of. No other controller can ever match this level of customization, and that’s not even counting the programmable buttons you might have on your gaming mouse.
Ultra-portable Setup – The Hex Evo takes a fraction of the space any keyboard does, which means you can easily take it and your mouse anywhere you go, and never miss a chance to game.
The Hex Evo isn’t just a marvel of technology, it’s also an example of great product design. From its ergonomic form and high performance, to the use of durable materials and injection molding process, the controller was designed right from the start to cater to gamers’ needs and tastes. It even comes with an Evo Case that has removable foam inserts to fit both the Hex Evo and your favorite gaming mouse, letting you take your powerful gaming weapons anywhere. So step up your game and take your productivity to new heights with the revolutionary Hex Evo Left Hand Gaming Controller.
As we near the final days of 2023 (known in some circles as either one of the best years in gaming history or one of the worst) the massively popular gaming hobby shows no sign of slowing down in terms of public reception. In fact, Statista predicts that 3.1 billion humans (a little less than half of the current global population) will regularly play games as a hobby by 2027.
But can you truly call yourself a “gamer” if you don’t spend at least a little time and money decking out the room you play games in? I’m half-joking; of course there is no specific “correct” way to play video games in your own house. But there are quite a few gadgets and cool decorative items you can use to make any gaming room more impressive.
Whether you’re a PC gamer who wants an extra edge, a racing game enthusiast who wants maximum immersion, or if you simply want to make your entertainment center a little more comfortable, you’ve got a number of options at your fingertips to trick out your gaming room to match your style. To help you out, I’ve come up with a list of gaming room accessories that immediately come to mind, including a few mainstays I’ve used in my personal gaming setup for years.
1. Playseat Trophy – Logitech G Edition
Playseat is one of the best racing chair brands you can buy from, and this collaboration between Playseat and Logitech (called the Playseat Trophy – Logitech G Edition) is probably the best option for an all-rounder racing chair with direct drive wheel support plus all the other bells and whistles you’ll need for maximum immersion. It’s also advertised to naturally conform to the shape of your body thanks to Playseat’s patented ActiFit material, so you can theoretically sit inside of it and race for hours without developing aches and cramps. It’s a little expensive at an MSRP of $599.00, but it’s hard to find a decent racing chair below that price range, and critics love the mix of features and high build quality.
2. Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel and Pro Racing Pedals
If you’re going to invest in a high-quality direct drive racing wheel and accompanying racing pedals, you’re going to want to go straight to the best one on the market. That’s the Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel and Pro Racing Pedals bundled together for around $1348.99 – which, yes, is expensive, but if you’re in the market for a high-end racing setup anyway, is money even an object? GamesRadar+ had some especially kind words for the Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel, highlighting the powerful force feedback, robust customization options, and advanced features throughout the design. It’s also widely known as one of the sturdiest racing wheels around, with IGN’s slightly less enthusiastic review still giving credit to Logitech for delivering on its commitment to quality.
3. Cololight Smart RGB LED Gaming Lights
Hexagonal LED wall lights are a popular and stylish way to decorate any gaming area or entertainment center, and I find the Cololight COLO PLAY Ultimate Fusion Set offers the best price balance for the widest range of features as it’s designed around PC gaming setups – letting you sync a wide range of lighting systems (like Razer Chroma) with Cololight’s hex lighting pieces. The included COLO PLAY light switch sits comfortably on your desk and is especially useful to quickly cycle your hex lights and PC lights by simply twisting a knob. Not only that, but the company pledges to plant a tree with every purchase made on its online store, which is a nice gesture on its own.
4. Secretlab MAGNUS Pro
Sit-stand desks are an excellent centerpiece for any modern PC gaming setup, and one of the best-rated desks in 2023 is the Secretlab MAGNUS Pro. It’s spacious, sturdy, and has a number of quality-of-life features like electric height control, a cable management system, and even a little headphone hook for added convenience. It also contains a rather impressive integrated RGB lighting system, making for a unique and stylish design. Its height is configurable via an array of buttons conveniently accessible on its front panel. It’s expensive, but the reviews are unanimously (overwhelmingly) positive, with GamesRadar+ calling it the best sit-stand desk they’ve ever tested when they reviewed it in February 2023.
5. NEWTRAL MagicH Ultra Adaptive Support Home Office Chair
I personally dislike most gaming chairs I’ve ever sat in. I’m a firm believer that the secret to buying a proper gaming chair is avoiding them altogether, and instead investing in a really nice office chair. After all, office chairs are designed to be sat in for at least eight hours a day by office workers of all builds and ages. Their most critical function is comfort, and the NEWTRAL MagicH seems to push the boundaries on just how comfortable an office chair can be. This Kickstarter-backed office chair is advertised to provide full support in any sitting position, whether you’re sitting upright or reclining back. As someone who spends a lot of time sitting down in the same computer chair all day for both work and gaming, I’ve been looking for something that adapts to my needs throughout the day, and the NEWTRAL MagicH is on the tippy top of my wish list.
6. Logitech G560 LIGHTSYNC PC Gaming Speakers
I’ve been using these Logitech G560 2.1 PC speakers for years now, and I still recommend them as a compulsory purchase for any modern PC gaming setup. Their sound quality is decent enough – these aren’t going to compete against a proper 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound system, or even a nice pair of monitors. However, for the $200 MSRP, you’re getting a powerful 2.1 PC speaker system that also provides a ton of visual ambiance. These speakers double as LED lights that beam colors onto the surface behind your monitor. They can be configured via Logitech G HUB software to mimic the visuals on your monitor itself, creating a dynamic backlighting experience that heightens immersion when playing games and watching movies. Just remember to turn up the brightness to max and boost the subwoofer in the acoustics menu, otherwise these will be a lot darker and a lot quieter than advertised.
7. Samsung Odyssey OLED G9
The most stylish gaming PC monitor you can currently buy is the 49-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED G9, which looks incredible at 5120×1440 resolution with 1800R curvature. The Odyssey OLED G9’s integrated HDR 400 support should produce crisp and rich colors thanks to its OLED display, which doesn’t rely on a backlight and therefore negates the need for local dimming to generate deep blacks and bright whites. It’s designed for gamers first and foremost, running at up to 240Hz refresh rates with built-in support for AMD Freesync. Reviewers especially like how it produces near-instant response times, giving off no perceptible input lag. From a purely aesthetic perspective, the minimalistic design of its stand and the integrated RGB backlights make the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 a centerpiece rather than an eyesore.
8. Xbox Mini Fridge
The Xbox Mini Fridge is admittedly a bit goofy, but then again, it’s not a “real” fridge. What was originally a meme product designed to build up hype for the then-new Xbox Series X in 2020, is still a genuinely cool item to have sitting around in any gaming room. It’s small, with a sleek black chassis and bright green inlay that mimics the design of a proper Xbox Series X. But its best feature is the integrated green LED that gives it its visual flair. Besides, it’s perfect to store a few cans of soda in since it is, after all, classified as a mini fridge.
9. Govee DreamView T1 Pro TV Backlights
Console gaming is way more immersive with a dynamic TV backlight that beams colors onto the surface behind your TV to match the visuals on-screen. Thanks to the Govee DreamView T1 Pro, you can light up your entire entertainment center across three different zones. It’s all controlled by a single camera placed on top of (or below!) your television screen, which can interpret the colors on the screen into information which tells the lighting zones which color to display at any moment. In action, the wide range of lights and colors displaying across the entire entertainment center makes games and movies come to life.
10. PDP REALMz Gaming Controllers for Xbox/PC/Nintendo Switch
Unique gaming controllers are a great way to personalize your gaming room, and thanks to the PDP REALMz diorama controllers for Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch, you can impress your friends with artsy designs that feature popular characters and backdrops. What really stands out here, though, is their transparent design, which makes them look retro. These are a great gift for any gamer in your life, or you can decorate your own gaming room with the wide assortment of styles and colors offered by PDP REALMz.
