Alright, I'll admit it, I've never used a compact keyboard. I'm quite particular when it comes to the precise space I expect to have when maneuvering my hands across a keyboard, and the thought of having to muscle ??memory l??earn to deal with smaller real estate—even if it is just a Numpad or some extra function keys being lost—has always terrified me.

Razer just dropped its Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%, a wireless hot-swappable pro version of BlackWidow V4 featuring the latest Razer technology: HyperSpeed and 4K Hz HyperPolling. With all the tech in this Pro version, I figured this was as good a time as any t??o take the plunge into the world of compact keyboards, and boy have I been missing out.

I've always preferred wired peripherals, but if all peripherals came with the HyperSpeed and HyperPolling technology that the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% has, I think I'd make the switch to wireless. With a 4,000 Hz polling rate, there was never a delay. I've used wireless keyboards in the past where even the most minimal delay has been enough to make me switch back to wired. I've used the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% now in a variety of ways; gaming, working, even just chilling and surfing the internet. And if I hadn't known, I'd assume it was wired. I??t looks like delays with wireless could finally be a thing of the past.

If you have other hardware that could make use ??of they keyboard, you can actually add up to three devices at a time and instantaneously toggle between them. I tried it out wit??h my nearby PS5, and sure enough, I was able to quickly toggle between it and my PC without the need to go in and re-configured it each time.

The original BlackWidow V4 75% was all about customization, and that mantra continues with the Pro. The hot-swappable design is back, with the versatility for both 3 and 5-pin mec?hanical switches. The pre-loaded default for the Pro includes Razer's Orange Tactile Switches, a classic set of Razer switches that was surely a safe option overall. Most seem to prefer either the orange or green, and for me, the green is just a tad bit too loud, so ??I feel like pre-loaded with the orange was a solid albeit safe choice. Of course, hot-swappable means you have the freedom to change that if you disagree.

Of course, we can't talk about a Razer peripheral without talking about the RGB. As I expected, both the RGB quality and versatility via the Razer Chroma app continue to be the best in the industry. I'm rather simple in my creativity when it comes to th?is sort of thing but even still I've made some pretty cool profiles. The lighting is bright, making the light show vibrant and concise no matter the profile. I hadn't messed around ??with the Razer Chroma app in a little while, so these may not all be new, but some of the pre-existing profiles that you can apply based on specific gaming scenarios are pretty sick. Like I said, best in the industry for a reason.

With the BlackWidow V4? Pro 75%, the scrollable wheel in the top right of the keyboard has been replaced with a grayscale OLED display. You can cycle through lots of pre-set options to display on the OLED such as crucial PC information including temps and speeds, detailed info about the keyboard, an audio meter, and even custom animations such as animated gifs. On the side to the right of the OLED is a scrollable wheel knob to cycle through pre-set profiles on the keyboard as well as change things like polling rate and RBG profiles on the fly. The OLED is a nice touch, but I have to wonder why the choice to go with grayscale of color. I assume it's a cost-cutting measure, which is fair given the $299.99 price point of this BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%, which is already considered a premium price.

Speaking of premium, let's talk about the wrist rest. I know I know, not typically a focal point when deciding on a keyboard. But the Magnetic Plush Leatherette wrist rest that comes? with the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is exceptionally well made. It's the perfect blend of soft and cushiony, without feeling indentable or like a pillow. When I think of the right middle ground, this is what I envision.

After using the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% over the last couple of weeks, there is only one real issues I have with it: the battery life. I understand there's a lot of potential battery draw with RGB lighting, an OLED, and HyperPolling, but even with all of that di??aled down a minimum the keyboard struggles to get through a normal work day withou??t needing a bit more juice. It's quite possible that turning all of that off will boost the battery life—in fact, I'm certain it will—but all the cool bells and whistles are part of the draw for the keyboard, so they should be used.

According to Razer, the built-in Power Saving Mode deactivates the OLED and keyboard backlighting while also pausing communication with R??azer Synapse, allowing the keyboard to achieve up to 2100 hours of battery life. That's quite a formidable battery, but it seems just having any of those features enabled really ramps up on that drain.

My issue with the battery life aside, the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% has been an absolute joy to use. I'm pretty particular when it comes to keyboards, which is part of the reason I've yet to try a compact keyboard before now. But the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% has converted me. It's officially replaced my previous keyboard and bec??ame my mainstay gaming keyboard. Who knows, I might even get creative and see how I like the green switches when this keyboard after all.

The Razer BlackWidow?? V??4 Pro 75% is available now for $299.99.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the hardware provided by the manufacturer.]}

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8BitDo has? revealed a new entry in their keyboard lineup. While their previous keyboards were based on the Famicom and NES aesthetic, this one is based more on the classic home microcomputer, t??he Commodore 64.

Oh, yeah. That is majestic. Electronics were so much more elegant in the 80s. If it didn’t feature wood paneling, it was beige. The classic Commodore 64 breadbox design is peak �0s electronics. It was marketed as an affordable home computer for the family, and?? because of its ubiquity for that period, a lot of games were created for it.

The 8BitDo has 87 keys, which, unfortunately, means that there is no numpad. It can be connected over USB or used wirelessly via Bluetooth or 2.4g. You can also hotswap the PCB if the switches are just not feeling right to you. They’re also throwing in a “Super Stick�t??o supplement the two big weird “Super Buttons�that came with the Famicom and NES models.

I love my Famicom-style 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard. I did a review on it a while back, professing my love of it. As an update to that, I spilled water on it t?he other day (a lot of water), and after drying it out, i?t’s still working perfectly. Thank goodness.

I don’t have as much affection for the Commodore 64 as I do for the Famicom, but I still love the aesthetic. I think 8BitDo did a great job of recapturing that, with it??s brown keys on beige base. They got especially cheeky by including their logo between the rainbow stripes.

The Commodore 64 version of the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard will be available for preorder via Amazon on M??arch 28 for $109.99 USD. It’s the?n expected to ship on May 26.

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I’m a bit strange with my keyboards. I spend more time touching one than I do touching absolutely anything else. However, I couldn’t tell you what makes one mechanical keyb??oard better than the other.

Until now, because without hyperbole (okay, with some), the 8BitDo Retr?o Mechanical Keyboard is the one I want to be touching until I die. And that’s not be?cause of ergonomics, reliability, or how hardcore the key mechanics are; it’s because of its look.

Gosh, it’s gorgeous.

Keyboard dilettante

I’m a bit of a weird choice to review a keyboard, but I wasn’t going to say no when I was offered one for review. I only know the general details about what makes one keyboard better than the other. I worked in IT for nearly 10 ?years, and the only thing that lawyers and engineers cared about was if it put letters on the screen. Some people wanted weird ergonomic models, but that was rare. I didn’t even care about how they sounded.

Until I watched the 1995 film Hackers.

That film features some of the clickiest keys I have ever heard, and I knew that my current keyboard wasn’t enough. I need something louder. I have to have that aesth??etic for when I play the hacker ?games that make me feel smart. I need my neighbors to be able to hear my WPM from down the hall.

Initially, I was going to try and find a keyboard from the �0s before I discovered t??he audible greatness of mechanical keys.

The 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard has some great key sounds. If you’re not down with the particular key switches, the PCB is hot-swappable, so you can fit in something that suits your needs. Built-in is Kailh Box White Switches V2, which means absolutely nothing to me. However, I immediately fell in love with the sound. It has a lot of click, but less sharpness than my old? Razor Blackwidow Ultimate (which uses Razor Green Switches).

Until it's gone

What I really love is the aesthetic, which comes in two flavors. There’s one that is based on the grey/darker grey color scheme of the NES, and an?other that lifts the red/beige look of the Famicom. Unfortunately, they didn’t use a metallic gold plate for the marquee, but otherwise, it looks fantastic.

On top of the 87 keys, they put the 8BitDo touch to it with two knobs and three buttons, which grace many of the controllers, including my beloved arcade stick. The left knob is for switching between BlueToot??h and 2.4Ghz, while the off position is used when you’re using USB. The other knob is volume, and rather than a tri-direction switch like the input method knob, it revolves freely but has a little click so you can fe??el each unit of volume you increase or decrease. You can adjust how much this unit is in the control panel.

The only drawback is the fact that it doesn’t have a numpad, but I think that’s because ??they wanted to keep it slightly portable, hence the wireless connections. I’m planning on eventually buying a separate numpad because it’s sometimes used in retro PC games. Also, I use it when entering numbers into a spreadsheet and sometimes hit the right Enter key. Right now, I keep hitting the right key blindly, thinking I’m reaching for Enter.

I did that just now.

I was initially planning on showing pictures of the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard in its home as part of my PC setup, but I decided that cleaning up my desk would be too much of an undertaking. Listen, it’s someti?mes said that a messy desk is a sign of a creative mind. It could also be laziness, sure, but I refuse ?to admit that.

So, instead, I’m just using the press ?shots of the keyboard, and you’ll have to take my word? for it; it looks great.

The stress test

I also don’t know how to test a keyboard or even what I would be testing for. Is there a latency for keystrokes? Sh??ould I just press a button a few million times to see if it reaches the estimated lifespan (60 million, apparently)?

That sounds like a lot of work, so instead, I fired up Sega’s 1999 megahit Typing of the Dead. How far can I make it?

As it tur?ns out, I made it to the last chapter using the default settings, which I don’t think is that bad since I haven’t played it in �my gosh �15 years. For many of the chapters, I ranked at the top of the prepopulated leaderboards. I’m not sure how well a normal human would do in the game. I’m clocked at somewhere over 80 WPM with high accuracy. Please be impressed. I’d really like to excel at something.

So, now we know that the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard is capable of handling Typing of the Dead. I’m not sure what else we’d need it for. I suppose it also does the other things I do, like playing text adventures, complaining about video games, and writin?g erotica. I’m even using it to “pen�this article, so that’s pretty cool.

Suffer like G did?

8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard also comes with two “Super Buttons�which are�hm. Well, you can map them to other keys, macros, or common shortcuts. I haven’t fully decided what I’m going to use them for, but I’ve currently got the one set closest to me as “mute.�I think I might set the other one to my?? video driver’s screenshot button. There are spots to connect more Super Buttons �four sets, for up to eight buttons. I’d really like to see that.

I imagine they’re more for streamers who need something mapped to somewhere easy to reach. I don’t watch streamers, so I have no idea,?? but I guess one could be mapped to do a fart sound. Do streamers�use fart sounds?

There are also two mappable buttons on the keyboard marked “A�and “B.�They’re called the Supper Buttons, and I am absolutely not making that up. I don’t think that’s a mistake, either, so someone has my exact sense of humor, which is to say, one informed almost entirely by Homestar Runner. I set one Supper Button to work as the Fn key, but when I have mute and volume right on my keyboard, I don’t know what I’d use it for??. I’m just compounding my decision issues.

Th-This is my keyboard! It was made for me!

But the fact is that the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard is the keyboard for me. I have a ??lot of nostalgia for the beige electronics of yesteryear, but in particular, I love the Famicom. The lock screen on my phone is a Famicom controller (it unlocks t?o an NES controller home screen). It’s this weird intersection between a toy and a computer.

I’m? not using hyperbole, and I don’t intend to gush. But the fact is, it’s a ke?yboard that aesthetically suits me better than anything else possibly could. This is for me. This is my keyboard.

My only concern is?? that the beige keys will eventually become yellowed from constant use, and I’ll eventually—begrudgingly—have to part with it someday. I’m already thinking I should buy a compatible replacement PCB for it, if this one gives out after 80 million keystrokes. I want this keyboard to last forever. It may sound dramatic, but I’m hop?ing that I go out before it does, and if that happens, make sure to bury me with it.

Don't actually do that. That would be wasteful.

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The Shrimp: Because smaller size matters, too

Mechanical keyboards are a staple of gaming these days �their tactility, durability, and customizability are perfectly suited for all of our gaming and aesthetic purposes. I personally prefer controllers, so I avoid gaming on a keyboard when I can, but as a writer, having a clicky-clacky keyboard scratches an itch in my brain that nothing else can. I love a full mechanical keyboard given the writing thing, but for gaming purposes, the left side is really all you need. If you find yourself lamenting the purchase of a full-sized keyboard to only use a third of it, Nordic Game Supply might just have the solution you're looking for. Enter The Shrimp keyboard, an "ultra compact mechanical keyboard" that only has 25 keys, which only incl??udes the essentials you need for getting that dub.

?I guess you could use it for writing too, assuming you're only writing words like "dwarves" or "wafers." Of course, The Shr??imp also has Gateron G Pro mechanical switches, RGB illumination, multimedia controls, a magnetic wrist rest, and "cool gadgety knobs," among other things. It comes in four colors, and is also compatible with PS4 and PS5 consoles.

You may find yourself asking:?? "why exactly does this thing?? exist?"

Honestly, the question crossed? my mind when I first saw The Shrimp keyboard, too. Nordic Game Supply does give some suggestions, though, which actually make a lot of sense. For example, a lot of people have gaming laptops that don't have the best keyboard, so they need to bring a whole separate one along just to be able to play the games they want. Havi??ng a little tiny keyboard to tuck away in your bag seems like a much better option.

Another reason why The Shrimp might be a good choice is its ergonomics �instead of?? having to shift an entire big keyboard around just to get comfortable, this compact version will save space and some tension in your shoulders. It's one of those things tha?t's probably not for everyone, but if you do find a use for it, it'll be a lifesaver.

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A new presentation just showcased some Xbox cloud gaming enhancements

Xbox cloud gaming mouse and keyboard support, continually teased for roughly a year now, is finally coming to the platform. Ann??ounced by way of the Microsoft Game D?ev YouTube channel in a stream meant to assist developers creating projects on the Xbox platform, the long-awaited feature is going to be rolled out widely this year??.

Xbox engineer Morgan Brown started the segment (which begins at?? 16:45 in the below video) on how they've been looking at adding the feature "for a while now," and are finally implementing it. As Brown puts it, developers can add the feature "right now," as a way to plus up the game for folks who aren't using?? cloud gaming on PC already.

Brown also touched on a few other topics that will make Xbox cloud gaming that much smoother in the future:

• Tricks to achieve lower latency for cloud gaming, which results in snappier controls
• The introduction of direct capture for cloud gaming
• Tips to create a better UI for mobile devices that avoid the "tiny text problem"
• Full screen rendering system changes that allow for more custom resolutions, so cloud gaming looks better overall (with less black bars, and even resizing on the fly)
• Easier access to adding subtitles for accessibility, as well as brightness, audio, and controller remapping options (with options to save individual device settings, so you don't need to constantly remap or readjust)

All good stuff! So far Microsoft has bee??n one of the better purveyors of cloud gamin??g, so hopefully the above bullet point enhancements continue to flow like wine.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WIXftoHCl4

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More adaptive options for those who could use them

Microsoft announced a new line of adaptive accessories today, as part of its ongoing efforts for accessibility. T??he accessories include three different adaptive options, intended to help those who might have difficulty with a traditional mouse and keyboard.

As part of Microsoft's 2022 Ability Summit, the adaptive accessories come in three parts. A mouse, buttons, and hub make up the lineup, with the first two supporting 3D-printed accessories so th??ey can be customized.

The mouse has options like thumb rests?? that can flip around, for right- or left-hand use. It also has additional "tails," for different configurations of the palm-side of the mouse.

Buttons get pretty moddable too. They? let you add eight programmable inputs, but the form can vary. Different toppers allow for D-pad, joystick, or dual button inputs, or even a 3D-printed custom topper. The hub ties it all together, wirelessly pairing with up to four adapt?ive buttons. It also allows for standard 3.5mm assistive tech switches, and can have a few different profiles for use with multiple devices.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yx0CISTMFE

The Microsoft Ad??aptive Accessories are expected to launch t?his fall.

Making gaming easier for all

This is part of Microsoft's larger push for accessibility in hardware. The Xbox Adaptive Controller provided a really neat and effective way of adding more accessibility options. The Surface Adaptive kit added e?xtra options for its line of tablet computers, too.

Games like Gears 5 have also?? pushed accessibility options, including features like improved speaker subtitles and single stick movement.

More options and tools for games to be made more playable are always a good thing, so this is a rad initiative to see. Maki??ng tech in general easier to use is a good initiative. It's nice to see Microsoft not just undertake this, but stick to it over a few different iterations and pieces of tech.

The post Microsoft reveals new adaptive accessories with mouse, b?uttons, and hub appeared first on Destructoid.

Nothing better than the clickity-clack of a mechanical keyboard

As someone who spends a good portion of their day typing, I love a good mechanical keyboard. For a while there in the mid-2000s, it seemed like the hottest trend was to have the most minimal keyboards ever (looking at you, Apple), and for a minute I was afraid tech companies would le??an full-tilt into touchscreen keyboards. Of course I went through one of those phases where I wanted a typewriter for no reason at all. Naturally, as I got into gaming, I was introduced to the world of mechanical keyboards, and the whole community that surrounds them.

For years now, companies that make gaming peripherals have really leaned into the whole "gaming aesthetic" (which usually consists of black plastic and red LEDs) since they discovered they could make a lot of money from marketing it. Of course, more feminine designs have also made their way into the mainstream, and showing off your elaborate, custom gaming setup has become a way for players to expr?ess their identity and interest in games as a hobby or lifestyle.

[caption id="attachment_308312" align="alignnone" width="794"] _{[Image Source: Etsy seller PersonalLoot]}[/caption]The first mechanical keyboard was actually patented in the early 1700s �but the first mechanical keyboard that was built specifically for gaming is attributed to Razer in 2010. Now that keyboards have become a necessary part of the way a vast majority of t??he population works, why wouldn't we want to customize them to make them as fun to use as possible?

Baby's first mechanical keyboard

When one of my friends wanted to buy me a ??mechanical keyboard as a gift, he asked me what my favorite kind of switch was. I'll be honest with you, I had no idea there were different kinds of switches in the first place. This moment is what really started me down a rabbit hole.

In case you don't know, switches are the little mechanical parts that go under the key cap, and they determine what kind of "click" your keyboard makes. There are some that make your key presses softer and quieter, some that make them loud and sharp. I found that the brown switches wer??e my favorite, because they had this really nice feedback when I pressed down on them.

My favorite switches I've ever come across by far, though, are called the Banana Split swit?ches. I've never used them personally, but just hearing audio of them was enough for me ??to lose my mind. I even hesitate to tell anyone about them now, because they're always sold out, but they make one of the most satisfying sounds I can imagine. They're kind of crunchy, and sound almost like someone is popping bubble wrap, and I need to write an entire novel on them immediately.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZwmdU-cgY4&t=7s

?I think there's a special kind of irony in the fact that as the technology for keyboards got better and better, we started streamlining them �but after a while, we started emulating that weight and tactile nature of the first keyboards back in the day.

We've come so full circle that not only do we have keyboards that are sturdy and hardly ever break, but we can also customize them to feel any way we damn well please! I'm sure Christopher Latham Sholes, the inventor of the QWERTY keyboard layout, would be thri??lled by how far we've come.

The name of the game is customization

There's also the whole world of LEDs!

I can't believe that there used to be a time when I was around people who didn't have keyboards that can light up to be any color they want. There's just something a?bout making my keyboard light up in rainbow colors that delights my inner child, and now I can never go back to having a boring, normal set of ke??ys ever again.

Yet another layer of customization comes from key caps, which can look like pretty much whatever you want. You want caps themed after your favorite video game? You got it. How about resin ones with little dried flowers in them? Yup. A whole keyboard made of Kirby caps that are also magne??tic and can "eat" things? That is also something you can do.

Some people even make deliberately "hostile" keyboards just for the fun of it. I seriously cannot stres??s how endless the possibilities are.

[caption id="attachment_308313" align="alignnone" width="794"] _{[Image Source: Etsy seller ThatArtistMeleigha]}[/caption]If I went down that rabbit hole, there would be no coming out, and my wallet would suffer greatly. I knew I was in deep when I started following Twitter accounts of insanely talented creators who build their entire keyboards from scratch thems??elves, but all I can do is look at their pictures longingly and hope that someday I can justify a purchase.

I can understand the utility of mechanical keyboards when it comes to games, but it's interesting that they really became popular because of their aesthetics and customization options. It'?s just a fun piece of gaming subculture that I can really appreciate from afar, and maybe someday I can set aside enough cash to make the custom keyboard of my dreams.

What has your mechanical keyboard journey been like? Have you tricked out your set up? Let's discuss in the comments!
_{[Featured Image Source: Reddit user u/Gerardy_Im_Design]}

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So cute it hurts

As a gamer with more feminine taste, I'm always looking for pink gaming peripherals to break up the sea of black plastic and red LEDs. Initially released back in 2019, Razer's Quartz collection gave? fans what they had been waiting for with a? line of baby pink gaming accessories, including a mouse, microphones, a keyboard, and most famously, a headset with cat ears on it. The line of peripherals flooded our social media feeds, with e-girls, e-boys, and e-nbies alike finally being able to complete their soft gaming aesthetic.

After collaborating with Street Fighter and Super Monkey Ball, Hello Kitty is back on the scene with her own Razer capsule collection. If you thought the Quartz collection was?? cute, just wait until you see the new headset, mouse, mousepad, and gaming chair that are dropping as part of the Razer x Saniro collab, ea?ch item branded with Hello Kitty and her friends.

Razer's Kraken BT headset is one of their staples, and this time it's decked out with white cat ears, complete with Kitty White's signature bow for $119.99. The mousepad and keyboard are self-explanatory, but equally as adorable, and will run you $64.99 for the set. The $499 Iskur X chair is the real star of the show here, and also has the opti??on to come with a lumbar support pillow for an extra $59.99.

I am currently sitting on a cheap IKEA desk chair that has been scratch?ed to all h??ell by my own cats, and I can tell you that it's taking everything in my power not to buy this chair.

I don't? even need a new gaming headset, but the s??iren song of the Hello Kitty ears is calling to me. The fact that I'm this tempted to drop the cash shows what a great move this was on Razer's part, because I get the feeling they're going to have trouble keeping this stuff in stock.

The post I’m obsessed with the new Razer x Hello Kitty collection appeared first on Destructoid.

Pricey perfection

In all my years of gaming, from the NES all the way through our current generation of consoles, there has been a single instance where I actually wore out a controller. It was the purple GameCube controller that came with my console. I put that thing through the wringer with hundreds of hours of Melee, Double Dash, Luigi's Mansion, and Muppet Party Cruise. For whatever reason, I had three or four bac??kup controllers at the ready, so it wasn't an issue then.

It is an issue for me now. The PlayStation 4 controller that came with my console -- both arrived to me used rather than new -- is starting to slip, to negatively affect my play. The R3 and L3 buttons now activate with the slightest push, something that can totally ruin a round of Overwatch, the game most likely to blame for the c?ontroller's condition. With regular controllers, the only way forward once it does finally go is to replace the whole thing. With the Astro Gaming C40 TR Controller, there is a better way, even if it is quite expensive.

Product: Astro Gaming C40 TR Controller (PS4, PC)
Manufacturer: Astro Gaming
Input: Wired/Wireless
MSRP: $199

Astro Gaming is one of the biggest names in video gaming audio hardware, producing headsets of high quality and high asking price. While it does produce mass-market headphones for a reasonable price, its top of the line gear is targeted at professional consumers -- your esports athletes, your streamers. The C40 TR Controller is the company's fir?st foray into the third-party controller space and with its high asking price, it's clearly aiming for that same professional demographic. In my conversation with an Astro Gaming representative, I was told the company studied the wear and tear controllers go through when used for excessive amounts of time and used that information to create this mo?dular controller.

Like other elite controllers on the market, the C40 features interchangeable thumbsticks and directional pads. The core unit includes six thumbsticks (two standard size concave sticks, two standard size domed sticks, one tall concave stick, and one tall domed stick) as well as a standard directional pad. It also has two programmable buttons on the rear of the unit, right where your middle finger rests. Unlike other elite controllers, players can switch ?up the positioning of the thumbsticks to their liking.

I've always been a fan of the de??sign of the Xbox 360 controller -- which Astro Gaming designed -- so I immediately took the controller apart and switched the positions of the sticks to match it. Using the tool included with the set, I quickly unscrewed the four screws on the faceplate and swapped the positions of the left stick and directional pad. Because these pieces are not plugged in but rather set in place, I never had a worry I might break something when switching out the pieces. The whole process took all of 90 seconds before I was ready to jump into a game.

Not everything on the controller can be switched out. The face buttons, trigger buttons, and back buttons on the controller are not interchangeable, but Astro Gaming is promising they hav??e a 10 million hit cycle.

Having used the standard PlayStation 4 controller for the past two years, the weight of the C40 took a bit of getting used to. It's heavier than Sony's unit, and while the button placement is nearly identical to the DualShock, the rear buttons and shape of the L and R triggers have forced me to adjust how I hold a controller. Much like the PowerA Wireless Controller ?for Switch, I had to be conscious of my middle fingers.

After a few days of using it with the default button setting, I decided to dive into the customization options Astro Gaming offers. Plugging the controller into my MacBook Pro, I downloaded the customization software and started messing around with the options. I was able to assign the rear buttons to my liking (though this can be done on the fly as well with just the controller), ch??ange up existing buttons functions, dim the LED light, and calibrate the sensitivity of the individual control sticks. The softwa??re lets me create multiple control setup profiles, two of which can be uploaded to the controller at a time. A switch at the top of the controller lets me swap between the two on the fly.

While I tested the unit out with Spider-Man, Fortnite, and Marvel vs. Capcom 3, I saw the best results from all the customization options in my old go-to of Overwatch. A few updates ago, Blizzard changed the way Tjorbörn and Sombra played, adding the L3 button a??s a way to destroy their turret and translocator respectively. As I mentioned above, the R3 and L3 buttons ??on my PS4 controller have started to fail me. With the C40, I've been able to reassign L3 to the back button sitting under my left middle finger. With jump assigned to the right back button, the only time now I have to take my thumb off the right stick is when I want to use one of their special moves.

This change for me has made a world of a difference. The back buttons are large and rhombus-shaped, and will activate no matter where you press them. For me, my Sombra game has been taken to the next level. Since configuring my controller, I've ????had no more accidental incidents of destroying my translocator. I'm able to jump in and out of combat with ease, utilizing the character as intended.

Not only have I improved with her, but I've also become a better sniper due to the thumbstick calibration options. Widowmaker and Ana used to be characters I'd rarely touch, but after some fine tuning of the right thumbstick cursor s??peed, I've become more confident in my abilities with them. I have different set-ups for Sombra and the snipers, so it's a godsend that I can swap between the two control schemes on the fly with the switch at the top. 

Everything about this controller, from the feel of the buttons and grips to the trigger stops and cleverly designed micro-USB port, is absolutely top of the line. The C40 is the only third-party controller for the PS4 that supports wireless audio, achieved with the USB dongle that comes with the unit, and has a battery life of around 12 hours, though I made it 14 hours on Spider-Man before I had to plug it in again. It's leagues b??etter than the standard PlayStation 4 controller and with its modular design, it's built to last an entire console generation.

While I can say without a doubt the CR T40 Controller makes me a better gamer, it's a tough recommendation to anyone wh?o isn't a career gamer or tied at the hip to their console. If you're someone who goes through a controller every few months because you go hard for hours at a time, this is a no brainer. For most people, however, $200 is an exorbitant asking price compared to a standard PS4 controller. Then again, can you really put a price on being able to switch between parallel and offset thumbsticks whenever you want?

_{[This assessment is based on a retail build of the hardware provided by the manufacturer.]}

The post Review: Astro Gaming C40 TR Controller appeared first on Destructoid.

NEEEEEEERD

This is a bit of a strange one: a keyboard review on a video game website. Who would have known? But in my time at Destructoid, I have spoken to? just as many developers who are fans of the site as I have general readership. They even put us in their games sometimes. And as someone who not only writes a lot myself, but is also a web developer by trade, a good keyboard is essential in my daily workflow. And while I do like some of the more standard mechanical keyboards built for gaming, there is an absolute sea of options out there, some better for games, some better for code, with every ??ergonomic and mechanical switch variation out there just to make it even more blessedly confusing.

So of course, here is one more: notable by the fact that it has a long reputation among keyboard enthusiasts, not only because it has been around since the late nineties in one variation or another, but also because modders have been doing some insane things to these things ov??er the years, paying a premium to import them from overseas.

Now the Happy Hacking Keyboard by Fujitsu has an official North American release, and I was able to get my hands on the Pro 2 model - the white one with no key labels. ??After over forty hours with it, I am pleased to share my overall thoughts about this coveted piece of hardware...because what a fat man living in Canada thinks about a keyboard matters so, so much obviously.

Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2
Manufacturer: Fujitsu
Input: USB 2.0
MSRP:$241.00

The first thing I want to point out is how this feels loosely like an "American" release. The box and manuals are written in Japanese. And by manual, I mean "vague sheet of paper that tells me almost nothing about this thing." I had to piece just about every vi?tal piece of information about this thing together myself from forum posts, and online documentation to figure out just how the heck this thing works. The Happy Hacking Keyboard makes you bust your ass to "get" it. But seeing as this is a minimalist keyboard meant almost exclusively for Unix work, I guess that shou?ldn't be surprising.

The big elephant in the room is what this keyboard lacks, and the answe??r is "just about everything you could imagine" or, "??nothing at all" depending on what sort of user you are. Specifically, there are no arrow keys, no caps lock, no numpad, no page up, page down, home, or end keys, and the entire layout is initially frustrating to get used to since things are not where you would typically expect them. The backspace key is just a delete key, but this can be changed by the use of a physical dipswitch on the spine of the unit, hidden underneath a removable protective plate. There are six of these dipswitches in fact, and they control a range of functionality, including several different default modes which change how the function keys operate. If you want a caps lock, for example, choosing the HHK Lite setting will add this, as well as several Windows-specific hotkeys. If you are using a Mac, there is a setting for that, which will also add some media keys.

What I found very annoying was that the function key is actually tied to a dipswitch (as is my understanding), so before activating it, I had literally zero arrow key/home/end/page up/page down functions at all. Once I figured this out though, and realized I rarely use delete and certai?nly don't use caps lock, my entire experience with the keyboard dramatically changed. 

The Topre keyswitches are insanely comfortable. I was an IBM Model M user, I have a Logitech gaming keyboard, and have played with cherry reds and browns before, so I have tried a few different styles. These blow them out of the water for me. As for gaming, well, I am sure it's possible - I played DOOM with it okay - but it is my lea?st preferred keyboard for that. (He says, writing an article on a gaming website.) For coding, it's really nice.

I like the small form factor now that I am used to it?, but I lament the lack of a numpad. I do a lot of general data entry, so that annoys me. Having no labels on the keys makes this worse, but I haven't found it to be an issue with the rest of the keyboard, and I don't even type home row. I am a pecker. I know this because people have said to me, "Joel, you are a real pecker." Somehow I can still type close to 100 words per minute, but it looks like the Jerry Lewis typewriter sketch when I'm doing it. Or similarly, the Animaniacs riff on that same sketch.

As far as work is concerned, this is my favorite keyboard to use, bar no?ne. I don't know if I can honestly say the ridiculously high price point for these units is justifiable, just considering the fact that there are SO many options out there today for mechanical keyboards. It's a tiny, niche little novelty item, one I'd be hesitant to shell out for myself, but which is an unarguably great ??way to type.

If Mavis Beacon were a real person, I'm sur?e she would approve.

...I still ??refuse to believe that's true, by the way.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the ha?rdware provided by the publisher.]}

The post Review: Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro 2 appeared first on Destructoid.

Semi-pro

As much as I love my Nintendo Switch, and I certainly do, it's the first console I've bought where I haven't exactly been going wild with buying extra controllers. On the GameCube, I bought nearly every new color Nintendo put out. With the Wii, you better believe I have those specific Mario character Wiimotes lying around in storage.

Not so much for Switch. Between the ask?ing price of $80 for new Joy-Con and $70 for a Pro Contro?ller, the allure of owning a massive armory of official Switch accessories just isn't there. Besides, why spend that much money on official Nintendo controllers when an officially licensed PowerA controller is nearly just as good for $20 less?

Product: PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller (Switch)
Manufacturer: PowerA
Input: Wireless
MSRP: $49.99

I want to start off by saying that the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller may be the best third-party controller I've ever used. Testing it out with Splatoon 2, Fortnite, Black Bird, Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Edition, Super Meat Boy, and Sonic Mania Plus, it's held up better than any Mad Catz or Logitech controller I've dabbled with in the past.? Everything here is responsive, from the buttons to the control sticks, and it's light enough to hold for hours at a time without feeling weighed down by it.

There are few Nintendo Pro Controller features missing from the PowerA unit. First of all, there is no wired option for the device. It runs off two AA batteries that last about 30 hours (I got about 28 from the two pack-in batteries). There is also no rumble and no NFC support. I can honestly live without all those, however, as the controller does include motion capabilities. Putting it to the test with Splatoon 2, the motion controls of the PowerA perfectly measure up to the standard Pro C??ontroller.

After using the controller for about a week, what I notice most is how differently I hold it compared to a standard Switch Pro Controller. There are small differences between the PowerA and the Nintendo manufactured original that have a small impact on my exact finger placement. With the PowerA, there is no gap between the sets of trigger buttons. For me, this means my fingers comfortably rest on the ZR & ZL triggers, perfect for Splatoon 2. For games that use the re?gular L &; R buttons, it presents a minor issue for me, as moving my fingers s?lightly forward is uncomfortable. I can adjust how I hold the controller entirely, but I don't have to because of the programmable buttons on the back on the unit.

Situated comfortably on the "armpits" of the PowerA, the left and right programmable buttons sit right under my middle fingers and can be programmed to replace most buttons on the controller. When playing Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection, I found giving these optional buttons the L & R ??inputs worked wonders for my ability to play and pull off combos. Programming each button is a snap. You just hold down the button in the center back of the controller until a light flashes, select the target face or shoulder button, then press the programmable button on the back. The controller does remember its programming once it's powered off, but you can reprogram these buttons as often as you want.

My only complaints with the unit are with the directional pad and some of the aesthetic choices made by PowerA. The directions on the d-pad feel a bit thin and more elevated than I prefer. When playing Super Street Fighter II Turbo, I was never really confident pulling off Ryu's hadoukens. I know the input by heart, but it seemed less reliable with the PowerA. Compare that to playing Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition on my New 2DS XL, where I can drop hadoukens on o?pponents like singles at a strip cl??ub.

As for the aesthetics, the PowerA controllers look pretty good overall. The standard Switch red and Target-exclusive Super Mario Bros. controllers are my favorites, with clean designs and letters on the face buttons that are easy to read. The Mario, black, and white controllers also have easy-to-read face buttons, but their directional pads are made of cheap-looking glittery, shiny plastic. Then there is the Zelda controller I've been using all week. From an aesthetic point of view, it'?s the worst. The face buttons are difficult to read, the gold directional pad is chintzy, and faceplate of the controller doesn't so much look like Link riding Epona as it does shitty camouf?lage.

With a better D-pad, this would be? the optimal choice for Switch owners looking for a Pro Controller or a second controller for local co-op. As it is, it's a perfectly suitable Pro substitute with excellent motion controls and programmable button options that just might change the way you play your games.

_{[This assessment is based on a retail build of the hardware provided by the manufacturer.]}

The post Review: PowerA Enhanced Wir?eless Controller for Switch appeared first on Destructoid.

Smooth 'n Snazzy

I am the keyboard man. I am become keyboards. Whether it's been me reviewing Logitech's more wallet-friendly Prodigy line, its more luxurious G610 Orion (probably my favorite offering from them thus far), or Razer's BlackWidow Chroma V2, my organs have become actuated switches and tactile k?eycaps.? SO OF COURSE I jumped at the chance to look at Logitech's next 'board.

This ??one is a minimalist, affordable take on mechanical keyboards and I'm impressed by both the look and feel of it.

Product: Logitech G413 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Manufacturer: Logitech
Input: USB 2.0
MSRP: $89.99 

Logitech's aim here was to provide an option for people who wanted the functionality of a mechanical keyboard without the frivolities (no rainbows glowing under your fingers with the G413, folks). Because of this, the keyboard is simple, with an exposed look. It's basically a sheet of aluminum with an anodized finish, but it looks smooth and striking with light reflecting off of it. Th??e keys can only glow red, since RGB lighting is often costly, but I didn't find myself missing it with the G413. It looks like something I'd be comfortable taking into a fancy-man office.

But you're reading this because you don't care about the looks! You want to know if it's gonna feel like an actual mechanical keyboard, if each clic?k is going to lead to someone orgasming somewhere else in the world (if the tales be true). Well, that depends on how much you like Logitech's Romer-G switches. Since Cherry switches are used in a majority of mechanical keyboards, they're held as a sort of benchmark. Romer-Gs are a little more responsive, and that's fine for me. I used to not dig their sensitivity since I have to use these for typing as well as gam??ing, but I've acclimated over time. There's more of a "thump" than "clickity-clack" that isn't as ungodly loud as some of the more audible Cherries, so it's a healthy compromise.

While the G413 may not have aesthetic frills, it does have some of the more functional features that are nice in higher-end keyboards. The top-right side of the keyboard has a USB passthrough that I'??ve been using for either my mouse or headphone dongle. I'm used to keyboards have the passthrough on the right side which kind of gets in the way of the mouse, so this placement is much more intuitive. Being able to charge your phone without?? finding a free port on your tower is always a boon.

While there are no dedicated media keys on this board, F9 through the Pause key can be used for those functions while holding the FN key. The G413 also comes with replacement keycaps for the 1-5 keys as well as QWERASD. These extra caps have an indented feel that may give you a little more grip when playing. I used them but didn't notice a huge difference. They don't feel bad, I just don't feel anything under my cold, calloused, probably dead ?fingers. The underside of the keyboard has a?? cable pathway for headphone cables and a horseshoe-shaped loop for corded mice, which can help for desktop management.

So many gaming keyboards look like Chester Bennington doodled them onto potential album covers after Hybrid Theory ruled middle-schoolers' lives, so to have an attractive, affordable, and functional board like the G413 is great news. Don't be tricked into thinking that having a classy keyboard under your fingers that isn't garish and 1,239 colors at one time is a bad? thing. Logitech did well with this one.

_{[Th??is review is based on a retail build of the h??ardware provided by the publisher.]}

_{[Editor's note: This arti??cle was?? prepared prior to the author's departure from Destructoid last week.]}

The post Review: Logitech G413 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard appeared first on Destructoid.

MECHA-MEMBRANE

In the year 2016, mechanical keyboards and membrane keyboards are currently embroiled in an ongoing war. Those in love with the former contend that having actual mechanical switches under their buttons gives typing and gaming a higher amount of precision, and that once you feel that tactile ka-chunk it's hard to go back to stock keyboards. Supporters of the latter say t??here's no need to spend the extra money, and that PC hardware companies are just trying to milk gamers for their cash.

With Razer's? Ornata Chroma keyboard, a new challenger has entered the fray, hoping to unite people who think way too damn much about keyboards, like ?I do.

Razer Ornata Chroma Keyboard
Manufacturer: Razer
Input: USB 2.0
MSRP: $99.99 

The Ornata Chroma uses a technology called mecha-membrane (actually not Godzilla's arch-nemesis, in case you're wondering). There's a membrane under the keys that allows for longer life duration and low-profile typing, but there are still mechanical parts that give that chunky click?? that feels so good. Which could all be a buncha bullcrap that doesn't end up pleasing everyone, of course.

But from my time with this keyboard, I find it to be a satisfying compromise. It has mid-sized keys between the shape of bulky keyboards and Mac chiclets that feel like you don't have to press down quite as far. There's still a textured clack to each press, providing feedback and letting you know that you did indeed press the key in time, and that you died because that other dude is just better at?? sniping than you are. Especially appreciated is the included detachable cushioned?? wrist rest that prevents fatigue. I use it for both gaming and typing, and I've found this to be the most comfortable keyboard I've used since I began reviewing hardware. The magnets that hold the rest to the keyboard are bit weak, but that only matters if you're particularly violent with your keypresses.

There aren't dedicated media keys, so the function key is necessary for that as well as changing backlight brightness, turning ??on game mode (t?o prevent accidentally hitting the Windows key), and the like. This is a smaller keyboard, so it's nice and compact for both gaming and typing.

It's also attractive: clean, crisp lines and angles mean that it doesn't have the garish Transformer look that is strongly associated with PC hardware. Razer's Chroma technology allows for 16.8 million color combinations through the included Synapse program, which also can be used to create macros or see the heat map of your keyboard use. I generally have it on a setting where wave??s of color ripple out from the keys I press, which is probably annoying as hell to passers-by, but I'm just happy it looks like I'm weaving purple lightmagic.

There aren't a ton of extra features here, like USB pass-throughs and media keys, but it doesn't feel lacking. It's too satisfying to use. Though I'm generally an ardent supporter of Cherry Blue mechanical switches, this mecha-membrane combination is my favorite keyboard to use right now due to its low-profile keys and enticing clicks. This is all largely subjective, so if possible, I'd go to a store and try to test one out to see if you like it first. I was expecting a mushiness to it that simply isn't there, but your mileage my vary. If you're uninterested in the pretty colors, there's a $20 cheaper version that functions identically minus the RGB lights. Either way, it's a solid outing by Razer, and my wrists thank the?? company.

_{[This review is based on? retail hardwa?re provided by the manufacturer.]}

The post Review: Razer Ornata Chroma Keyboard appeared first on Destructoid.

Make your co-workers mad, jealous, and mad jealous

I love mechanical keyboards. I used to think peo?ple that raved and ranted about them and spent hundreds of dollars on a basic-looking, loud-as-hell keyboard were stupid idiots -- until I tried one. Now I can never go back.

That said, I see why many people just use a plain old boring keyboard because the price of mechanicals can be rather steep ?for the current economy, especially if you want to get something flashy. Thankfully, there now exists an entry-l??evel mechanical keyboard with decent switches for a budget price, though there are some small caveats. 

AUKEY KM-G3 RGB Mechanical Keyboard
Manufacturer: AUKEY
Input: USB 2.0
MSRP: $79.99 

I've been using the AUKEY KM-G3 at my day job since receiving it for review a couple weeks back, which was a blessing as I couldn't bare to use the boring and basic generic keyboard I was provided, especially since I use a mechanical as my daily driver at home. In those two weeks, I think almost everyo?ne in my office has either asked me about my keyboard or made comments about it, all without my prompting.

Some are impressed with the rainbow lights pulsating across my keys at all times. Others slyly make it known they can specifically tell when I'm t??yping as they can hear me from multiple cubicles away. Honestly, I think most people in my office want to smash my keyboard into a thousand pieces, be it out of envy or out of pure hatred for how loud it is, and let me stress that it is quite loud. It uses blue keys, which many people in the mechanical community prefer if they use the keyboard for both gaming and typing. Still, the keyboard I use at home is louder, and they will regret it when I buy another one for the office in the near future.

Every key has an RGB light underneath, and the lettering on each key is clear to allow light to come?? through. Even though t?his is an RGB keyboard, there are only a handful of colors that can be selected due to the limited amount of customization options. Unlike many more expensive RGB mechanicals, the KM-G3 doesn't have a fancy computer program that is required to change the lights -- only a few key combinations that change the lights from the keyboard itself.

Settings range from pulsing or breathing solid colors, rainbow waves, keys lighting up momentarily while pressed, solid colors, and a few other schemes. There are also a few different modes that light up keys specific to different types of games suc?h as FPS a??nd MOBA titles. You can get advanced and change every key to whatever color you want, but it is time-consuming doing it a key at a time on the physical keyboard. While basic in comparison to other boards on the market, it will get the job done impressing your pleb coworkers with their non-RGB keyboards, so mission accomplished?

Most important, however, is the key switches themselves. The KM-G3 uses blue switches (Outemu blues, to be exact), which are loud and clicky, and require a bit of pressure to press, thus allowing you to rest your fingertips on keys without fear of pressing a key on accident. Here you'll find they are, as I've said, quite loud, but so are most mechanical keyboards. Probably the worst thing about this keyboard, however, is that there is a tinny metallic after-tone when typing. I'm not sure if it is caused by the switches themselves or the keycaps hit??????????????????????????ting the metallic top of the keyboard. It isn't the worst thing ever but is certainly something to consider before buying this board.

Another annoyance is that the keycaps themselves aren't the highest quality, as on the backside you can see where they wer??e molded and never smoothed out. I can run my finger along the back underside of the function keys at the top of the keyboard and feel sharp edges and grooves. Obviously, this isn't something you'd probably ever do during basic use, but just something I noticed that bears mentioning.

All in all the AUKEY KM-G3 is a pretty good entry-level mechanical keyboard that has both the comfort and wow factor that the keyboard that came with your computer lacks. It might not be as easy to cus??tomize or sound as smooth and sexy as ??other RGB mechanical keyboards, but you'd be hard pressed to find these features on other boards under $100. 

_{[This review is based on retail hardware provided by the manufacturer.]}

The post Review: AUKEY KM-G3 RGB Mechanical Keyboard appeared first on Destructoid.

A focused, portable workhorse

Kingston, more known for products like memory and SSDs, is a relative newcomer to the PC gaming hardware scene. Earlier this year, Patrick reviewed the HyperX Cloud Revolver Headset ;and came away fairly impressed. The company recently sent me its new HyperX Alloy FPS Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, and I'm typing on it right now to tell you that if you travel frequently or like going to LAN parties, this thing is a badass. I'm hoping to see Kingston products like these f?or a long time.

HyperX Alloy FPS Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Manufacturer: Kingston
Input: USB 2.0
MSRP: $99.99 

The Alloy (because I'm not typing that full name out the whole time) seems specifically built to be portable and durable. Though it's not constructed entirely of metal as the name might imply, it has an aluminum fac?eplate and a rather hefty feel to it. At 1049g, you probably shouldn't try to whack anybody with it, even if they embarrass you in your favorite game. The braided cord is detachable and easy to wrap up, and the keyboard comes with a carrying case so you don't damage ?any of your keys when transporting it.

Also included are red textured keycaps for WASD and the 1234 keys just above. These are sup??????????????????????????posed to provide extra grip for your fingers, but I foun??d that being even a little sweaty makes them slippier than normal keys. If you're gross and have clammy hands like I do, you can also just leave the regular caps on. On the top right corner, there's a USB port specifically for charging mobile devices. I've been using it to charge my wireless mouse, and it's been quite convenient.

As far as what switches are included, for now it's only Cherry MX Blues. Those are the type that have a really high actuation, making it easy to accidentally engage the keys, so they might be too sensitive to your tastes. Personally, they work great for me because once you get used to feeling the feedback of the switch, you can type much faster when you learn not to bottom out with every keystroke. The switch noise is rather loud (I had a few people complaining when they heard my keyboard when we played Battlefield 1), but for me, the crisp feel of quick actuation is worth it. There's no RGB lighting here, instead sticking ?to a deep red. I'm a fan of the simple look, so I don't mind the lack of rainbow under my fingers. There are the usual lighting effects like a breathy glow or a constant wave of luminescence, and one that I particularly like where hitting a key makes the light explode into adjacent keys. No?thing necessary, but still fun to impress friends with if you're a jerk like I am.

(I didn't do a weird hardware selfie this time, but I did leave you all a sublim?inal message above...)

Unlike Logitech's G610 Orion Brown (my main keyboard I use for work and play), the Alloy doesn't have media shortcut keys. I personally enjoy having those since I need to focus on both games and writing, but it does help to make the Alloy se??em less crowded, meaner, and leaner for gaming. I'll probably still continue to use the former keyboard while at my desktop since it's kind of my command room at this point, but I'd much rather take the Alloy out and about with me. It's just a solid, simple keyboard that seems crazy durable, like it could survive being dragged to and fro for a good while. If you want something specifically for gaming and travel, the Alloy is a smart choice.

_{[This revie?w is based on retail hardware ?provided by the manufacturer.]}

The post Review: Kin??gston HyperX Alloy FP??S Mechanical Gaming Keyboard appeared first on Destructoid.

More buttons, more sticks, less money

I don't know why controllers with extra buttons and featu?res cost so damned much.

Clearly, neither do the folks at PowerA, who have created the Fusion controller for Xbox One that includes swappable sticks, quick-trigger locks, and two extra mappa??ble buttons on the? back all at a budget price of $10 less than a standard wireless Xbox One controller.

This isn't the shitty MadCatz GameCube controller you gav?e to the friend you secretly hated, and?? while it is a damned good piece of hardware, it comes with a few minor drawbacks.

Product: Fusion Controller (Late 2016 model)
Manufacturer: PowerA
Input: USB
MSRP: $49.99

First off if you're looking for a wireless controller with these features, I'm afraid this isn't the one for you, that said the Fusion comes with a nearly 10 foot long braided cable that fancy in comparison to boring old smooth rubbery cables you'd find on most controllers. This also means the controller simply works on PC, as it was recognized wi?thout any installation necessary.

The controller includes three different types of analog sticks th?at can be swapped out as needed, opting to snap into space instead of using magnets like the $150. While the lack of magnets meant?? I couldn't easily pop the sticks on and off over and over during boring cut scenes or loading screens like I'm used to, I lived. Taking the sticks off is easy, but popping them on required a decent amount of force before they loudly snap into space.

As for the actual sticks offered they range from something similar to official Xbox One controllers, the smooth mounds you'd find on the PlayStation 3's DualShock, both which mimic the ones included with the Elite. However, the biggest difference is the third set of sticks, which look and feel very similar to the official ones, only the top is about double the circumference providing a bit more room for my larger than average thumbs. Out of the three, the wide sticks were easily my fa??vorite, but the ridge around the edge of the sticks feels kind of sharp in comparison to a standard Xbox One controller. This sharp edge is also on the more familiar designed sticks that are included. You'd think it wouldn't bo?ther me after gaming since pretty much my birth, but somehow my hands are baby soft (ask anyone that has felt them, like your dad) and the ridges just feel uncomfortable. If someone sold these wider sticks for the Elite, I'd buy them in a heartbeat (hit me up if that is you!), pending they smoothed out that edge.

The quick-trigger locks were easy enough to use and functioned as you'd expect. On the back of the controller are separate switches for each trigger that makes it so you only have to press them about half the distance as normal, which is great for games that have you constantly mashing the triggers or requiring fast reflexes. While the controller includes rumble motors and impulse triggers, I can say for sure they aren't as powerful as the vanilla Xbox One controllers, as I swapped the Fusion in while playing ReCore on PC which has ??impressive impulse feedback when firing a gun. Not the biggest loss bu??t worth noting.

The killer feature here is the two programmable "pro gaming" buttons on the back of the controller. Unlike the Elite's paddles, these are physical buttons built into the controller. Instead of having to use an application to set these up, you sim??ply pr??ess a button on the back of the controller, then the button you wish to map, then which pro button you want it assigned to; quick and easy.

I actually prefer these pro buttons over the paddles of the Elite, however, there are two issues I'd like to point out. One issue (also shared by the Elite) is that when holding the controller in a position with my thumb on the right stick, my hand naturally juts out a bit, as otherwise my thumb is bent at an uncomfortable angle, because of that it makes it harder to press the right pro button while comfortably holding the controller. The other issue is that the pro buttons are plastically and click loudly, perhaps louder than any button on any controller I've ever used. I? suppose it depends on your situation if this is an issue for you, but I personally hate hearing buttons being pressed and since I make videos and stream games loud button presses can sometimes be picked up by the mic, so loud buttons are not ideal for me (I type on my loud as fuck keyboard).

The overall look of the controller is a weird mixture of cheap and fancy. The back of the controller has a nice micro carbon finish, while the front is matte black. The D-pad and triggers are shiny and gold, which is honestly sexy but I love golllllllllllllllllllllld. The grips are hard plastic with striped grooves running through it, easily the cheapest feeling part of the controller. Plus the controller is very light (sure??ly due to the lack of battery), which somehow has always given me the impression that something is cheap, even though there shouldn't be any correlation there.

Is the Fusion a great controller and worthy budget competitor to the $150 ?Elite? Yes, if you only want two extra buttons, and don't mind playing wired. I love the buttons and the wider sticks, but the few minor annoyances I mentioned will keep this from being my go-to controller. I can honestly say it is better than a vanilla Xbox One controller, and a great option for those that can't afford the Elite.

_{[This assessment is based on a retail build of the hardware provided by the manufacturer.]}

The post Review: PowerA Fusion Controller for Xbox One appeared first on Destructoid.

Fat spacebars need to be the new norm

I've been using the SteelSeries Apex M800 keyboard next to the Rival 700 that I recently reviewed since getting home from E3 last month ??and I have to say I can see why many people would? want this keyboard.

As for myself? I'll be switching back to my Bluetooth-enabled mechanical keyboard with its Gateron Blue switches as s??oon as this review is done.

Product: SteelSeries Apex M800 keyboard
Manufacturer: SteelSeries 
Input: One USB 2.0+
MSRP: $199.99

SteelSeries claim?s this is the "world's fastest keyboard" which is outlandish-sounding, but its custom made keys made that a reality, for better or for worse, depending on what you're using the keyboard for. For gaming they are smooth, quiet, and need extremely little pressure to actuate, meaning you ca??n press the key technically faster than on any other keyboard out there.

However, if you're like me and you also use your computer for extensive typing, this is probably not the best choice for you. Call me fat fingered, but  I've found myself? making mistakes quite often when typing on this keyboard as sometimes I'll end up pressing a key just by resting my fingers naturally on top of them, ??an issue I've never had with any other keyboard.

One feature I do absolutely love is the 'fat' spacebar, which is around twice as thick vertically as your average key. What makes it so great is that, at least for me, my thu??mbs naturally rest a bit lower than a typical spacebar meaning I'd have to reach upwards a bit to hit the key, which isn't the case here at all.

It is impressive how one little tweak can make something you often do without much thinking so noticeably better. Unfortunately, the spacebar on the keyboard I received makes an annoying squeak on every press, though it only seems to happen when pressing in a very specific location on it, which just happens to be?? where my thumb naturally rests.

Aside from a fancy spacebar and super fast light keys, there is a plethora of customization options, including individual RGB key lighting, ?and six macro keys. Using the SteelSeries Engine 3 software you can tweak each and every key's color separately, to even changing what press each key does.

Are you an uber nerd that hates QWERTY and prefers DVORAK? Then you can easily set this up to function like one, which is surely a plus for at least someone out there. The six macro keys sit off to the left side of the keyboard which makes sure you don't hit them on accident triggering who knows what kind of funky shit you've got them set to do. I've personally never found much use for macro keys, but they are ce?rtainly a nice feature to have just in case I do need them. While I appreciate this keyboards many customization options, fat keyboard, and custom keys, I feel this was designed with a very niche group of people in mind, eSport eThletes, also known as competitive gamers.

The average gamer probably isn't going to notice a difference in the amount of time it takes to press, with it already being so m??inuscule. What they will notice, however, is when they look up only to see hundreds of the letter "d" on the screen from them pressing a key unknowing??ly, which happened twice while typing this review. Great for gaming and looking sexy, but a nuisance when it comes to typing, I can finally switch back to my other keyboard. Yay!

The post Review: SteelSeries Apex M800 Keyboard appeared first on Destructoid.

Amazon, Best Buy, EB Canada, GameStop, PSN

Now is the special time in a game's life ??when pre-??order incentives come out to play.

Whereas Season 2 of the anime will miss its 2016 window (when will we ever find out what pointless maguffin was in Eren's basement!?), the new Omega Force-led Attack on Titan game is coming in August in the west (it dropped in February in Japan), and it brings DLC with it. You'll get t??hree costumes (for Eren, Levi, and Mikasa) if you pre-order at Amazon, Best Buy, EB Canada, and GameStop, and avatars if you spring for a digital PSN preload. Suffice to say, these are kind of throwaway bonuses.

There's also a pair of surprisingly educational trailers for people who haven't experienced the series yet -- especially the first combat video, wh??ich explains the best way to take down a titular Titan. It's still slated for release on PS4 and Xbox One physically outside of Japan, and digitally on PS3, Vita, and PC

The post Koei Tecmo’s Attack on Titan has multiple pre-order bonuses appeared first on Destructoid.

More than just pretty lights

For the last couple months, I've been using a $2 keyboard that I bought because I built a PC with leftover parts I had, and needed something functional for Destructoid. While my main PC has a Razer BlackWidow Ultimate, that's the family computer, meaning my little brother is glued to it constantly playing Final Fantasy XIV.

Since Destructoid has been making an effort to do more hardware reviews, we visited with Logitech during GDC, where we were given the rundown on its new keyboard, the G610 Orion Brown,?? and its new wireless mouse, the G900 Chaos Spectrum (expect a review for that too). It can be hard to get a sense of how reliable, intuitive, and comfortable a keyboard can feel in such a circumstance, so now that I've had a few weeks with the Orion Brown, I have some Thoughts.

Product: G610 Orion Brown Mechanical Keyboard
Manufacturer: Logitech
Input: One USB 2.0+ Port
MSRP: $119.99

Instead of utilizing its own Romer-G mechanical switch?es, Logitech has opted to move towards Cherry MX keys. The Romer-G keys are extremely responsive (one was also sent to me for comparison), but for me, that's preferable only when gaming. "But Zack!" you say. "This is a gaming website! Shouldn't that be all that matters?" Well sure, convenient imaginary person I am creating to make a point. But I have to type constantly, and most people do not use their keyboard solely to play games. When typing with Romer-G switches, the slightest touch felt like enough to actuate keys and made anything I wrote look like my fingers were five times too thick.

There are two options for the G610 Orion: Brown and Red. While Reds are quieter, I found the Browns to be a comfortable combination of noise and tactility. There's a definite clicking noise (a friend I was playing a game with, over Skype: "Zack, you know how I know you have a mechanical keyboard?"), but it's nowh?ere near loud enough to become annoying. If you want little resistance and the least possible sound, go wi?th Reds. For more tactility at the cost of a bit more noise, go to Browntown.

As far as extra frills go, there aren't too many, but I like what's available. Dedicated media controls are in the top right corner, so you can play, pause, stop, skip backwards or forwards, and overall manipulate both songs and videos. I got the most use out of the volume rocker up there, which is easier t?o use than a combination of function keys when something's just too dang loud. Speaking of function keys, using Logitech's gaming software, you can program any of them to use them as macros. Options include: keystrokes, multi-keys, text blocks, mouse functions, media, hot??keys, shortcuts, functions, or Ventrilo. This is a welcome addition since there isn't a row of macro keys on the left side of the keyboard, as we commonly see today.

That same software allows you to change which fancy lighting mode you're using. It's probably not practical to have a wave of light passing under your fingers all the time, but I have made a few friends ooh and ahh because of it. I particularly like the mode that keeps the keyboard dark but temporarily lights up whichever key I press. Keep in mind ??that this model does not ??have RGB keys, so you'll only have pretty white lights instead of a pretty rainbow under your hands. I'm fine with that, though.

I like that the software also allows me to enter a game mode that shuts off the Windows key or whatever else I specify to avoid the rookie mistake of alt-tabbing away from? whatever fierce monster I'm shooting/delicious vegetable I'm unearthing. I'm a little less keen on the heat map mode that shows you which keys you use the most, mostly because there's really nothing I can use that information for. Someone will probably pee their pant?s in excitement when they find out that heat maps on keyboards are a thing, but I'm not that dude.

Perhaps my only small complaint about the keyboard is that it almost requires some sort of wrist support. The feet on the back have three angles: 0, 4, and 8. That might be enough to ward off arthritis for some, but my ?brittle bones need to have something holding them up, and the G6?10 just doesn't have that. That's an easy problem to fix, though, as separate wrist supports are relatively cheap. 

No, it doesn't have magical rainbow energy lights or an extra row of macro keys, but it does have a satisfying feel to it, great media controls, and a high degree of customizability for all users. I love this weighty sucker, and I??'m fairly certain I'll be using it for years to come.

_{[This review is based on retail hardware provided by the manufacturer.]}

The post Review: Logitech G610 Orion Brown appeared first on Destructoid.

Premium features, minor drawbacks

While most gamers with aspirations of going pro focus on keyboard and mouse setups, that doesn't mean there isn't a market out there for competitive-level gaming controllers. The Razer Wildcat, a PC and Xbox One controller built with competitive gaming in mind, certainly makes an admirable stab at securing itself a solid place in that market. 
 
With remappable buttons, built-in audio controls, and optional stick-on grips, the Wildcat features only a few small drawbacks t?hat hold it back from its dreams of the big le??agues.

Product: Razer Wildcat
Manufacturer: Razer
Input: One USB 2.0+ Port
MSRP: $149.99

On first inspection, the Wildcat's design is fairly subdued for a Razer product. It's entirely black aside from the colored face buttons and so??me subtle logos on the hard plastic. Where the produc??t ends up looking more like your standard Razer product is when you start attaching the optional neon green grips.

While the thumb grips are comfortable, sturdy, and seem built to last, the palm grips are difficult to apply, tough to re-position, and uncomfortable to use. I e?ventually gave up on them and ultimately threw them out after one ripped in half when I attempted to remove it.

Microsoft's Xbox Elite cont?roller has a slight edge over the Wildcat on comfort, thanks to its softer surface, but the Wildcat has a better balance in terms of weight. Halfway between the mass of a standard Xbox One and Elite controller, the Wild?cat feels sturdy, but isn't quite hefty enough to be give users hand fatigue as quickly as the Elite.

How the Wildcat sets itself a?part is with four additional buttons, a pair of bumpers and a pair of triggers. The buttons are easily remapped by holding down the remap input, pressing a button, and tapping the desired replacement. You can set up two distinct layouts for those additional keys, whi??ch you can swap between on the fly.

Unfortunately, if?? you want to remove the additional triggers, it's more difficult process than with the Elite controller. The Wildcat requires the use of a screwdriver (provided) to remove the additional triggers. And to reattach them you'll need to keep a close eye on those tiny screws.

In terms of additional inputs, the Wildcat also features volume control and microphone mute buttons that are sincerely appreciated. In co??ntrast, with the Elite controller, you need an additional adapter to get these functions.

The thumbsticks on the Wildcat are comfortable and responsive. Not much else to be said about them, they're good, solid thumb sticks. Where the colored face buttons feel more satisfying to press on the Elite controller, the Wildcat's face buttons seem to be more responsive, and more able to keep up wi??th repeated button presses. While for me, the Elite's satisfying feel is more important, I won't deny the Wildcat has the edge in responsiveness.

The Wildcat's D-Pad features four disti??nct directional buttons, which for me is a huge improvement on other Microsoft controllers. Microsoft needs to take notes and learn from this awesome D-Pad going forward.

Ultimately, the Wildcat feels like a premium controller? that falls just shy of perfection. The triggers feel more intuitive to use than the Elite's panels, but the Elite is a more comfortable controller to hold. The Wildcat is lighter, but the Elite has more satisfying face buttons t??o press. And the Wildcat has a superior D-Pad.

At the same price point, the Elite and the Wildcat both have their own share of strengths and weaknesses. Neither is a bad controller, far from it, but it's going to come down? to personal preference which of these devices fits better with what you're after in a controller.

_{[This review is based on hardware provided by the manufacturer.]}

The post Review: Razer Wildcat appeared first on Destructoid.

Great keyboard, compact functions

A few years back, Razer releas??ed the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate 2013 Elite, a mechanical keyboard that was well-received for its responsiveness, design, and functionality. With the newly released Tournament Edition Chroma, the company has essentially shopped a chunk off of the 2013 elite, ma??de it a bit more portable, and tied it into its Chroma suite.

It's a very good, if overly compact, keyboard.

Product: Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma
Manufacturer: Razer
Input: One USB 2.0+ Port
MSRP: $139.99

The Chroma is a mechanical keyboard, with an impressive build quality, customisable backlight, and Cherry MX Blue switches that have an excellent tactile feel. Its switches have two stages of actuation, which basically means they feel great t?o type on, for those of you not in on the lingo, a?nd seem incredibly well made. This feels like a keyboard whose keys are built to last.

It also features some kind of an??ti-ghosting tech, allowing you to use up to ten keys at once without the keyboard starting to drop presses. This helps if you're either doing fancy commands, or exploiting a glitch in a game where multiple keys held can have some kind of positive effect. The keys also feature fast response times with no lag d??etectable whatsoever.

The keyboard connects to your PC using a detachable USB cable, which adds to the idea that this is designed for portability without putting strain on parts. So, let's address the elephant ??in the room: there isn't a numeric keypad in?? order to keep the size and weight down. It's not a huge issue to me, but it will be to many who use that section of their keyboard regularly.

The keyboard features a dedicated macro button, letting you set macros on the fly, which is a really nice touch. So, how are the fancy light settings on the BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma? Well, nice but not always practical. Much like the rest of the Chroma suite, the keyboard can be set to cycle through a sp??ectrum of colours gradually, react in time with music, fade in or out, and more. The flashiest-looking effect by far is a mode where every keyboard stroke? sends a ripple of colour out across the keys, but it quickly became obvious that this was a flashy gimmick more than anything functional, as it is exceedingly distracting in practice.

After several days using the keyboard as my default work and gaming keyboard, I have to s?ay, it's a remarkably strong gaming keyboard that is noticeably lacking the standard num pad feature. While that may limit its usefulness for some of you, for someone focused on text typing and gaming, it's a very solid, responsive, comfortable keyboard.

_{[This review is based on hardware provided by the manufacturer.]}

The post Review: Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition?? Chroma appeared first on Destructoid.

Works on everything a Pro does

When I first saw Hyperkin's ProCube controller, I wanted to give it a go. Most of us have been disappointed with the fact that the Super Smash Bros. GameCube adapter only works with that one game, even if I did get a whole lot of use out of it.

So I managed to get my hands on one, and I have to say, it's a near ?perfect recreation.

Product: ProCube controller
Manufacturer: Hyperkin
Input: USB (wireless)
MSRP: $29.99

Immediately, I busted out my original purple GameCube controller for comparison and was surprised to witness how similar it was. The ProCube doesn't have that much weight to it so it doesn't quite feel the same, but it's hard to tell them apart at a glance. Plus, I got used to the mass of Hyperkin's model in about 30 minute??s so it?? wasn't a dealbreaker.

It's literally a Pro controller. It synced to my Wii U in seconds, it's wireless, and includes a 10 foot micro-USB charge cable. I had no issues with it being recognized as anything but a Pro, so I was able to test it with a multitude of support games, all of which controlled well with the exception of Bayonetta 2, which does not lend itself well to the GameCube layout at all. There's something I did notice though -- I wasn't as precise with the ProCube as I was with my Wavebird in Smash -- possibly because the deadzones aren't quite tweaked to perfection. The big one I was anxious to try was Twilight Princess HD, which supports both the GamePad and the Pro.

I'm happy to report that using Hyperkin's pad is just like playing the original on GameCube. It was a nice break from using the GamePad, and although the new touch screen functionality it brings is invaluable for constant item sw??apping in dungeons, the game does have a distinctly different feel to it when using the ProCube -- albeit, mixed in with waves of no?stalgia. As far as build quality goes, the A button is a tad loud but it's not sticky or unresponsive, and the analog stick feels pretty much the same. The C-Stick as the right analog (usually utilized for camera control) is brilliant, and just like the left stick, it also allows players to click it in for an extra button. Plus, Minus, and Home are also present, as is the player indicator light.

The only real hangup I had was with the trigger design. They don't have that unique concave feel o??f the original, and instead are modeled after a more traditional thin style, seated at the top of the cont?roller, reminiscent of the Xbox pad. It's not like the buttons don't work, however. On the flipside, I actually found Hyperkin's d-pad to be more responsive than the original.

As long as you're able to deal with the fact that it's not 100% the same as the treasured GameCube remote, the ProCube is a great option for those of you who haven't picked up a Pro in general yet. Personally I still prefer using the Wavebird for Smash, and the OG Pro for Bayonetta 2, but for literally everything else, it's a device that I will be using for years ?to come. As for the NX, I can only hope it supports Pro controllers somehow.

_{[This assessment is based on a retail build of the hardware provided by the manufacturer.]}

The post Review: Hyperkin ProCube controller appeared first on Destructoid.

Works for PS3 and PS4

Anoth??er fighting game, another fightstick. This month Mad Catz is unleashing several sticks into the market, including a ??sub $100 option, and a few $200+ models.

Do you really need an expensive stick to play Street Fighter V? No, but a lot of you are going to buy i?t anyway.

Product: Street Fighter V Arcade FightStick Tournament Edition 2+
Manufacturer: Mad Catz
Input: USB
MSRP: $229.99

It's important to note first off that Street Fighter V supports legacy PS3 sticks by way of proprietary drivers (not the ones LabZero engineered for the PS4). Odds are, you're going to have a serviceable stick already if you're this into fighting games, so you can just hook that? bad boy up and you're good to go after a few menu selections. For the rest of you that are looking to upgrade or go all-in this generation with the fighting genre, read on.

First up, build quality. I've used a lot ?of arcade sticks over the years,?? from the homemade flimsy boxes that feel like they're made out of cardboard to giant deluxe anvils, and the FightStick Tournament Edition 2+ is pretty comfortable all around. It's not too heavy as I engaged in multiple five hour sessions without feeling like I was being crushed under its weight, and the non-slip padding on the bottom ensures that it can be used in either a "tryhard" or lazy fashion. It's basically comfortable from any angle, and the 9.8 foot ProCable (read: a special end that prevents the USB cable from ripping out of the stick) is ample enough room for most setups.

The case also pops open for customization. There's an included screwdriver, but there's also a little button on the front that can easily open it up manually -- you'll need to use both hands to pry it open, but nothing about the hinges feel flimsy, nor is there a fear of popping it during play. Everything inside can be swapped, from the bezels to the side panels, to the artwork (here's a Photoshop template), and the sticks and buttons. As you can see in the above picture (click here for a more detailed image), the t??abs for each button are all color-coded and can be disconnected with a very gentle tug. Prospective buyers should also be aware that the art can be changed without having to take apart the entire stick or any buttons. The only major complaint I ha??ve is that it doesn't come with a shoulder strap.

As for the buttons themselves, I like to try out a stick by mashing ??them pretty heavily outside of a game to see if they'll stick at all (before that happens in-game in a heated match?), and everything passed the test. Everything is made from Sanwa Denshi parts, and the buttons are nestled in to the point where they don't slide around at all. Unlike legacy sticks, the button placement is custom-tailored for this generation. The unit comes complete with a touchpad, as well as labeled buttons for share and start.

The key here is the the touchpad button also works, which isn't an option for legacy controllers. In other words, the FightStick Tournament Edition 2+ is a catch-all, where you can scroll through anything on the PS4, and have everything function in every game. For instance, Guilty Gear Xrd players can use the touchpad to reset positions while practicing, and Mortal Kombat X uses it to queue up?? chats. It even has L3 and R3 buttons at the top. Start and select are ??behind the stick, which takes getting used to for all of one day or so.

Naturally there are some fightstick-centric concessions too. The standard lock toggle is there to shut off the start and select buttons (and on this mode, share and the touchpad, to avoid a tournament mishap), as is a legacy toggle to go backwards to the previous generation, and a switch to change up the joystick sensitivity to suit the left or right analog stick, or the d-pad. I like the layout personally, even if the offset setup of the SoulCalibur V Arcade FightStick is my personal favorite stick in my library. The eight-button order (square, triangle, R1, L1 / X, circle, R2, L2) is intuitive for Street Fighter, and given that you don't need 3xP and 3xK as much as you did in the past, it's even easier to use. There are? no ?fancy LEDs but it does have its own Lightbar that mimics the PS4.

I used this stick on the PS4 and PS3 flawlessly for the past week (tested on Street Fighter V, BlazBlue, Skullgirls, Mortal Kombat X, Ultra Street Fighter V, Guilty Gear Xrd, and Injustice), and I haven't ran into one problem yet. Unfortunately, that's not the case on PC. To get it to work on that platform with Street Fighter V, the entire reason this particular model exists, you'll need to use JoyToKey. This is mostly on Capcom for putting out a poor PC port, not Mad Catz. It seems as if they are working on support for the future, but nothing is guaranteed yet, and there's really no excuse for not having an officially licensed product like this work at launch. It did work on various games such as Skullgirls however, and funnily enough, Ultra Street Fighter IV.

In addition to the the $80 FightStick Alpha and FightPad controllers, the other premium options are the S+ Arcade FightStick for $199, which features a boxier design, and TE2 Chun-Li and generic variants. You also have the well received Hori Real Arcade Pro 4 in terms of PS4-specific sticks. The choice is yours. As for myself, I'm set with enough Fight Coins to buy the next three characters in Street Fighter V, and the Tournamen?t Edition 2+ is my preferred stick at th??e moment.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the hardware provided by the publisher.]}

The post Review: Street Fighter V Arcade FightStick T?ourn??ament Edition 2+ appeared first on Destructoid.

Reaching for the stars

In high-level competition, every little advantage counts. It is why Olympic swimmers shave their bodies before a ra?ce, why pre-med?? students fight tooth-and-nail for every half point on every test, and why gaming keyboards exist.

I am not a professional eSports athlete. I play competitive games, but I would not win?? any serious competitions. That said, I think this keyboard is pretty great, and in addition to the benefits to top-level players, it has some cool features for people like me too.

G910 Orion Spark
Manufacturer: Logitech
MSRP: $179.99

Logitech has been making ??gaming keyboards for a while now, but the G910 Orion Spark is the first to use the specially engineered Romer-G mechanical switches for the keys. These are tactile switches -- they require a minimum applied force before they will begin to depress -- but the actuation distance is lower than that of its closest competitors, which theoretically improves actuation speed.

A more obvious de?sign element are the facets found on the keys. More angular than standard keys, the intent is to keep the user's fingers centered over the keys in order to decrease unintentional key presses. Almost all of the keys at least have inclines on the right and left sides, but each key within three spaces of WASD also has a lip on the top side. I could not detect a noticeable improvement in accuracy due to these facets, but ??they do feel like they can help keep fingers from sliding around unintentionally.

Among the three-faceted keys on the G910 are the nine custom G keys: G1 through G5 run down the left side of the keyboard and G6 through G9 span across the top of the F1 through F4 keys. Fully programmable, these keys are meant to take the place of additional fu??nctions that are usually assigned to keys furthers from WASD, or to use as macros in place of multiple key presses.

The keys along the left side took some getting used to, because I could typically hit the CTRL key without looking just by finding the bottom-leftmost key on the keyboard. With G5 in t??hat place, I mistakenly hit it a few times when trying to quickly copy and paste outside of a?? game. It is not a huge deal, but it requires a bit of reprogramming, either of muscle memory or of the G5 key itself.

The last design innovation of the Romer-G switch worth noting is that it is built to allow the most light through, allowing the LED underneath to really shine (so to speak). The G910 comes with four lig?hting modes, each boasting millions of colors. The first lighting mode is Freestyle, which simply allows the user ??to assign any color to any key at will. For regular use, I just go with this, with all of the keys set to a dark green.

The Zones mode groups certain keys together and lights each group individually. WASD is its own group, lit up while the r??est of the letter keys are dark, the G keys are a group, the F keys are a group, the number keys are a group, the arrow keys are a group, and the keys to the right and left of the space bar are a group. This could be used to quickly find important keys and re-center f??or those who look down and move all around the keyboard.

The Commands mode seems more functional for learning a new game or keeping track of games that use a lot of key commands. Upon loading the Logitech software, common games are detected and their profiles loaded. When playing a particular game, only those keys that have a function are lit; useless keys are unlit. Some of the newer releases were not automatically added (for example, Civilization V was detected but Civilization: Beyond Earth was not), but profiles can be ?manually created fo??r any new games.

The last lighting mode, Effects, is simultaneously the silliest and the prettiest. Different visual effects can be applied, including a rainbow wave, a slow illumination and delumination, a ??random key twinkling, and lighting that shows up and slowly fades after a particular key has been pressed. They are neat to play around with, but they are far from functional.

Another use for the lighting is to help visualize the heat map, which is probably the most useful feature for the average gamer. Before starting up a gaming? session, the user can initiate key press recording. This part of the software keeps track of the play session, counting how many times each key is pressed.

The reason this is useful is that it provides a visual for which keys are used and to what extent. For instance, if the Y key is used more frequently than the T key, it would make sense to switch the mapping in order to decrease the travel distance of the finger between WASD an??d the desired function. In extreme cases, it can help to move a game function from a key that requires the player to look at the keyboard to one that is easily touch-typed.

The one major downside to the heat map is that the key recording seemed to take a significant chunk of my CPU process, slowing do??wn the game I was playing while it was active. My rig is getting on in its years, so newer systems may not be affected like this.

Along the top of the unit is a simple docking area for a phone or a tablet. This is not a true docking station with any sort of electronic connect??ion, but it is meant to be used for games with second screen capability or along with the Logitech companion app ARX Control. This app can be used to quickly launch games, monitor vital system statistics, remotely control audio and video, and easily remap the G keys. The app's functionality is not necessary for the operation of the G910, but it is a cool free addition. 

Overall, the G910 Orion Spark is a fine product. Though most non-competitive players will not notice a huge difference in performance, it is clear that a lot of work went into engineering it specifically for gaming. The keys have a nice tactile feel without being too clicky and loud. The lighting modes run the gamut between form and functio?n. The key press heat map can help improve players of all skill levels. For those willing and able to plunk down the cash, the G910 Orion Spark is a great gaming keyboard.

_{[This review is based on a retail unit of the keyboard provided by the manufacturer.]}

The post Review: Logitech G910 Orion Spark appeared first on Destructoid.

2014 version

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Home key attack! It feels so good to type on super responsive keys, especially for someone that spends 6-8 hours a day typing on those chicklet-style laptop keyboards. Razer's new BlackWidow Ultimate has the key action that makes it hard to go back to my? work keyboards. It feels like I'm typing faster. I feel connected to the machine. 

But how is this keyboard for gaming?

Product: BlackWidow Ultimate
Manufacturer: Razer
Input: USB
MSRP: $139.99

Before we get to the keys, let's cover the board itself. The newly updated Razer BlackWidow Ulti?mate is built to impress with its solid weight and flex-free casing. The matte finish is welcome! They went with their st??andard green-on-black scheme, with cool backlit keys that made my office look like a science lab with the lights off. The light is super bright, though.

The new, in-house designed mechanical key switches (nope, not Cherry this time) a??re so responsive that, again, they feel connected to my fingertips. I love how it feels to type. But this is a more dampened feel than their previous board, which positively affects sound levels (more on that later). I don't feel like much was sacrificed to dampen the sound, but those looking for that super crisp feel might think some of that exciting edge is missing with the BlackWidow Ultimate. I like the middle ground here because I never felt like I was making accidental key strokes, and I never ty??ped my way to a headache from the sound.

With gaming, the experience was so good that I forgot about what I was using after awhile. It became transparent. I felt very dialed in playing games like Earth Defense Force and Resident Evil Revelations. The space bar is a joy. Apparently there's a shorter?? travel time for Razer's switches, but I never felt that difference. No ?matter, though -- what they have was definitely working for me.

Outside the feel and responsiveness of the keys, there's very little in the way of gaming-specific features to point out for the BlackWidow Ultimate. You won't find much beyond the row of five macro keys on the left side of the unit, which may not be eno??ugh for some types of gamers. It's just the goods and not much else. You can use Razer's Synapse software to do key bindings and macros, mind you.

My favorite par??????????????????????????t? The keys are clicky, but not noisy. I love the mechanical feel of a premium board, but I'm usually out? the door on even the best keys when it comes to very noisy clicks. The last model I tried had me distracted, even with gaming headphones on. That's not a problem with the BlackWidow at all. 

The Razer BlackWidow Ultimate does one thing and does it very well, with no frills or dorky features getting in the way. It's a good-looking, solid board that seems like it'll hold up to years of ga?ming and typing. It's a bi?t expensive at $139, but you're getting a quality input device that should last you a while for the asking price.

For many, this will just be an update to a long-respected gaming board. They'll want to try out these new switches for sure (there's a hole in the box ?that lets you do so). But if you're in the?? market for a new gaming board, this one is definitely worth a look. 

The post Review: Razer BlackWidow Ultimate appeared first on Destructoid.

A killer stick with one game to play on it

Mad Catz and I have a rather interesting history. One fine summer day, I had rented the PlayStation One game Ninja: Shadow of Darkness, and decided to try out my brand new Mad Catz controllers. Halfway into the final level the adhesive on the d-pad gave out, causing me to lose my last life ??and rub some of the skin off of my thumb. I threw the controller against the wall and didn't use another Catz controller for years.?? I even went so far as to occasionally gift friends licensed controllers if they didn't have any.

But the Catz has come a very long way since then, and has forged a reputable bond with the fighting gam??e community with a long line? of sturdy and dependable arcade sticks. The newest of which is the Killer Instinct Arcade FightStick Tournament Edition 2 for the Xbox One.

Product: Killer Instinct Arcade FightStick Tournament Edition 2
Manufacturer: Mad Catz
Input: USB
MSRP: $199.99

To get things out of the way -- yes, Killer Instinct is the only fighting game for the Xbox One, so you would in fact be buying it for one title. But thankfully that one game is actually pretty good, and I've been heart?ily enjoying my time with its accompanying arcade stick (for reference, I couldn't get the stick working on a PC). Before I even turned it on, my impression of the Tournament Edition 2 was positive, especially given how comfortable it was.

The stick rested easily on any surface or my legs, as the base is very durable, and complete with a foam padding. Even during some of the more intense fights, the stick still stayed locked in a perfect position, and it didn't grind on me at ??all. It's great because the stick feels weighty so it won't go anywhere while you're using it, but it's not so heavy that it can't be easily transported.

The Tournament Edition 2 uses a Sanwa Japanese arcade cabinet rated joystick and collection of buttons, and they legitimately feel high in quality. The layout of the stick is eight buttons, allowing for your standard light, medium, and heavy kick scheme as well as two extra buttons for "3x Punch" and "3x Kick" -- both of which come in real handy when popping off Ultras and Shadow combos in Killer Instinct.

They're set in a Vewlix configuration (as you can see here), which is one of my preferred layouts. The stick is wired, and comes with a hefty 9.8ft cable (which is actually a "procable" that screws in tightly into the stick), a decent length for any size room. If you're looking for a place to actual??ly plug it in, the Xbox One has an easy-to-reach USB port on its left side, in addition to some in the back.

In terms of the bells and whistles beyond the button and joystick functionality, there are a few extras that I used often. The stick has a Lock and Unlock switch that disables the View and Menu Xbox One buttons (and thus, removes the ability of disqualification by pausing the game), and the ability to turn the LED light functionality on or off. There's a??lso a fun "haptic" setting that allows the buttons to light up while syncing with the controller's rumble data. Most of the time I had the LEDs turned off, but I enjoyed the option, and it's a neat way to show off your new stick.

For all the hardcore stick fans out there, you'll find solace in the fact that the Tournament Edition 2 is easily moddable. All you have to do i??s pop the case with the front-facing button, and you're good to go. The stick comes with a screwdriver as well which is convenient, as it's basically all you n?eed to start tinkering away.

If you hate the default design insert on the stick (which oddly only features the four male fighters), you can pop it out and replace it with any picture you want (Mad Catz has some great samples here) -- and thankfully, you don't need to re-wire anything to change the art, because it's just eight screws to get to it. In terms o??f storage space there isn't a whole lot (it's all internal), but you can at least fit a few nicknacks in there and still close the st?ick.

So what are the problems with the Tournament Edition 2? Well, mostly the price, and the limited library you're facing at the launch of the Xbox One. For $199.99, it's odd that the stick comes with a handy tab for a shoulder strap, but not the strap itself (which is sold separately). Mad Catz also missed an opportunity to pack in some sort of voucher in the package for existing in-game content, which would have made it a bit more enti??cing for those who don't already own the game.

As it stands though, you really know what you're getting into when you buy the FightStick Tournament Edition 2. You're buying into the promise of more fighting games, with the ability to only play one right now. As long as you're fully willing the make that commitment, the stick itself works exact how it should, and I'm actually using it dail?y during my lab visits. It might be the only option on the Xbox One currently, but thankfully, it's a great one.

The good thing about this stick is that it's really easy to put into perspective. If you find yourself playing Killer Instinct weekly, and you're excited for the upcoming additions of Spinal and Fulgore, you'll most likely want this s??tick. If you're only practicing sparingly and don't really dig the game -- you can pass. It's as simple as that.

The post Rev??iew: Mad Catz Killer Instinct Arcade FightStick TE 2 appeared first on Destructoid.