As Christmas slowly approaches there’s a lot of very tempting new game devices and peripherals to tempt you, from new headphones to a gaming mouse.
The ongoing success of the Nintendo Switch 2 has only encouraged more handheld PC devices to be announced, as high-end gaming becomes more and more portable. The Asus ROG Xbox Ally will be released next month, giving a new glimpse of a future where high-end PC gaming is no longer tied to a desk.
Across the GPU battlefield, Nvidia and AMD keep pushing boundaries, delivering frame rates and ray-tracing performance that make last year’s rigs feel quaint and your wallet feel faint.
All of this has a huge impact on gaming peripherals, as they need to anticipate and keep up with the frenetic pace of change. From cosy gaming headsets to space flight sim sticks, these are the best and most desirable hardware picks for 2025 so far.
Razer X Pokémon
With Pokémon Legends Z-A about to launch for the Switch 1 and 2, PC gamers can console themselves with a new reskinned Razer range featuring old school starter pokémon such as Pikachu and Bulbasaur. This collaboration features a Kraken V4 X headset, Black Widow V4 X keyboard, Razer Cobra Gaming Mouse, and a super colourful gaming mat covered in Pokémon faces.
Expert, exclusive gaming analysis
Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning.
The Kraken headset remains comfortable, if slightly on the big side and bass heavy. The keyboard and mousepad are solidly built, responsive, and every bit the functional Razer gear you’d expect. The catch is that these are primarily cosmetic items. If you’re looking for bleeding-edge innovation, you won’t find it here.
The Pokémon branding commands a premium too, but for gamers who care passionately about Pocket Monsters, that markup isn’t too bad. I loved the clickity clack of the green mechanical switches on the keyboard and imagined them as pokémon footsteps while playing Pokémon Trading Card Game Live on PC.
Razer Kraken V4 X gaming headset RRP: £99.99
Razer Black Widow V4 X keyboard RRP: £109.99
Razer Cobra gaming mouse RRP: £59.99
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P wireless headset – Lavender
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P Wireless comes in a perfect muted purple for any cosy gaming Halloween set-up. Under the pastel-coloured cans, SteelSeries retains its reputation for premium gaming hardware, with the 40mm drivers delivering crisp mids and detailed highs, with enough low-end punch to handle cinematic game soundtracks without drowning out the dialogue.
The retractable mic performs well in chat, although it lacks some of the clarity of SteelSeries’ higher-end models. Cosy Comfort is excellent thanks to the lightweight frame and breathable ear cushions, making even hours-long gaming sessions manageable. Wireless performance is reliable, with minimal latency, although the battery life, while decent, falls slightly short of competitors at this price point.
RRP: £169.99
Thrustmaster Sol-R 2 HOSAS Space Sim Duo joysticks
I spent much of the ‘80s cruising the skies in Microsoft Flight Simulator but with the Sol-R 2 I’m ready to take up a job with Weyland-Yutani, as this is a joystick set unapologetically aimed at enthusiasts who live and breathe space cockpit immersion.
Bundling dual sticks designed for hands-on-stick-and-stick (HOSAS) setups, it caters directly to the space sim community, including long-standing titles like EVE Online and Elite Dangerous. The build quality is solid for the high price: plastics feel durable and the mechanical resistance in both sticks strikes a nice balance between precision and comfort. The customisable buttons and hats give plenty of control mapping options, and the ambidextrous design ensures flexibility for left or right-handed pilots.
However, this isn’t a plug and play set-up and it’s pretty daunting when you open the box and start the calibration and button mapping. But if you’re a superfan when it comes to space combat simulators, this is an expensive but very tempting purchase.
RRP: £299.99
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16, with Nvidia’s RTX 5070 Ti is a laptop that aims to bring high-end gaming power into a more accessible package and price point. While undeniably slimline it’s not as light as you’d hope. That’s worth putting up with though, as under the hood there’s a RTX 5070 Ti GPU pushing strong frame rates good enough for any modern triple-A title at 1440p. Plus, DLSS 3 support makes ray-traced games easier to run.
The 16-inch QHD+ display offers vibrant, deep colours and a 165Hz refresh rate. Cooling is impressive for something so relatively small, although like every gaming PC I’ve ever owned the fans can ramp up audibly under heavy loads. Gamers looking to impress in the university library this autumn will be able to show off desktop class performance in a laptop and for me the Helios Neo 16 is top of its class.
RRP: £1,899.99
Noblechairs Legend Doom: The Dark Ages Edition
I’m a sucker for sitting like a Slayer. Wrapped in PU leather, with embossed Doom imagery, this gaming chair immediately stands out in any set-up, equal parts statement piece and functional workstation demon throne. The build quality is classic noblechairs: dense cold-foam cushioning, sturdy steel frame, and smooth 4D armrests that adjust to your preferred Slayer stance.
Comfort-wise, the high backrest and integrated lumbar support provide reliable posture correction, although gamers used to softer, more forgiving cushioning may find the firmness takes some getting used to. The Doom inspired design is faithful without being garish, matching the deep green and red aesthetic of the latest game. There’s also a matching HS 420 DOOM: The Dark Ages Limited Edition PC case, with embedded demon skull, coming up for pre-order on 23rd September.
Chair RRP: £419.99
Case RRP: £299.99
Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro gaming mouse
The DeathAdder V4 Pro keeps Razer’s lightweight legacy alive, while quietly refining what’s already a proven formula with a new and improved domed wireless dongle. Did I notice the difference of the wireless latency? Yes, yes I did and I loved the dongle’s LED coloured lights, indicating the latency, and I also liked the new scroll wheel which improves tactile feedback. At 56 grams, it’s remarkably light for its size, giving it a nimble, almost wireless feel even in marathon first person shooter sessions.
The Focus Pro 45K Gen 2 sensor is razor sharp, tracking effortlessly across different surfaces with no perceptible hiccups. But there’s little love for claw grip purists and a steep price. Is it worth it? Well, battery life is excellent and Razer’s optical switches are snappy, with none of the mush or lag you sometimes get, so it will definitely gain some favour amongst pro gamers.
RRP: £169.99
KontrolFreek Minecraft Thumbsticks – Creeper Edition
Although kids will be interested purely because of the Minecraft connection, the raised convex design of these thumbsticks provides added leverage, giving finer control in shooters, racing games, and even in Minecraft’s own bow and arrow mechanics. Installation is simple, as they snap securely onto PlayStation 5 and Xbox sticks without slipping. If you’re not used to them, the textured rubber and raised grip can feel irritating but they do improve accuracy – even if that seems an unlikely concern for the average Minecraft player.
RRP: £19.99
Logitech G522 gaming headset
I’m not exaggerating when I say this is a masterclass in mid-range headset design, with a sharp aesthetic and synchronised 40mm PRO-G drivers that deliver crisp, spacious audio with minimal distortion. The omnidirectional mic rivals standalone broadcast mics in clarity, making it excellent for both squad comms and streaming. Comfort is another strength, as lately I’ve been finding newer models, from some manufactures, a little on the large size. But these wide memory-foam earcups, made of breathable fabric, make the headset easy to wear during long gaming sessions.
Trimodal connectivity via Lightspeed, Bluetooth, and USB-C connections adds welcome flexibility for switching between platforms. Battery life can hit 70 to 90 hours without the RGB lights turned on, but I’m never going to do that, so I’m happy with 40 when the bling is enabled. Even my dad is a Logitech fan and we continue to be impressed as, overall, the G522 punches well above its price.
RRP: £139.99
Turtle Beach Rematch wireless Switch 2 controller – Donkey Kong
This Donkey Kong themed controller doesn’t monkey around; the bold artwork immediately stands out but underneath the jungle green skin, with silhouettes of everyone’s favourite primates, there’s a capable, budget friendly gamepad built for everyday Switch 2 use. The buttons feel responsive, the D-pad is surprisingly tight, and the textured grips help even during the longest sessions on Silksong.
Wireless connectivity is stable, with little noticeable latency, and the controller charges via USB-C, offering respectable battery life for its price. Unfortunately, there’s no C button for Game Chat, or any rumble or amiibo support, so it’s not quite as fully featured as Nintendo’s own Pro Controller. Still, for players who want a second controller with personality it’s a fun, functional option.
RRP: £49.99
PDP Riffmaster Wireless guitar controller
The PDP Riffmaster marks the long-awaited return of plastic rock to living rooms, with some familiar looking five-coloured frets, a strum bar, and whammy action. The frets have a crisp, tactile click that rewards precision, while the strum bar is sturdy enough to survive aggressive (drunken) play without feeling stiff. Wireless performance is pretty much lag-free and the controller’s lightweight frame makes all night green room sessions easy on the shoulders and elbows. Like all-ages rockstars, the build, while solid, is still primarily plastic, and I miss the heft of the older controllers, especially as the price tag sits high for a niche accessory.
RRP: £89.99
Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter.
To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here.
For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.
