
Phil Hayton
I’ve been messing around with PCs, video game consoles, and tech since before I could speak. Don’t get me wrong, I kickstarted my relationship with technology by jamming a Hot Wheels double-decker bus into my parent’s VCR, but we all have to start somewhere. I even somehow managed to become a walking, talking buyer’s guide at my teenage supermarket job, which helped me accept my career fate. So, rather than try to realise my musician dreams, or see out my University degree, I started running my own retro pop culture site and writing about video games and tech for the likes of TechRadar, The Daily Star, and the BBC before eventually ending up with a job covering graphics card shenanigans at PCGamesN. Now, I’m your friendly neighbourhood Hardware Editor at GamesRadar, and it’s my job to make sure you can kick butt in all your favourite games using the best gaming hardware, whether you’re a sucker for handhelds like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch or a hardcore gaming PC enthusiast.
Latest articles by Phil Hayton

This mini arcade machine is my favorite retro game room gadget, and it makes for a phenomenal conversation starter
By Phil Hayton published
News Quarter Arcades Bubble Bobble arcade machine is remarkably small, but it makes a big impression with its visuals, authentic details, and built-in battery.

Modders are already working on Switch 2 Joy-Con adapters, and I'm hyped to use old gamepads in handheld mode
By Phil Hayton published
News You can now 3D print an adapter for Nintendo Switch 2 that lets you use the original Joy-Con in handheld mode, and it could give your controllers a second life.

KYY K3 Portable Monitor review: "a remarkably cheap handheld screen"
By Phil Hayton published
rEVIEW The 15.6-inch KYY K3 Portable Monitor provides an excellent portable punch for the money, and it pairs wonderfully with the Steam Deck and Switch.

The first Steam Deck dock I tested is now under $20, and picking one up is a no-brainer
By Phil Hayton published
Deals For under $20, you can grab a Jsaux 6-in-1 Steam Deck dock and unlock the handheld's hybrid console abilities.

The humble Steam Deck dock is the reason I'd buy Valve's handheld over a Switch 2 right now
By Phil Hayton published
Feature Picking up a Steam Deck dock for Valve's handheld helps it take the Nintendo Switch 2 head-on, and the docked experience is arguably superior.

Everything we know about Nintendo Switch 2
By Sam Loveridge last updated
Nintendo Switch 2 We're rounding up everything we know about Nintendo Switch 2, with all the latest updates and details surrounding Ninty's latest console.

This ridiculously adorable Kirby controller works with Switch 2, and it'll provide pink puffball goodness for under $30
By Phil Hayton published
Deals You can now grab the PowerA Kirby Mouthful controller for under $30 at Amazon, and I can confirm the gamepad works with the Nintendo Switch 2.

Switch 2 docks require a "20V power input to activate TV mode," according to accessory maker Jsaux
By Phil Hayton published
News Turns out the Nintendo Switch 2 needs a 20V power input to trigger its TV mode output, but Jsaux says it's working on a compatible docking station.

I almost missed this Switch 2 HDR setting, and your TV will thank you for the fix
By Phil Hayton published
News Turns out there are additional Nintendo Switch 2 HDR settings you may have missed, and they'll help your TV display more detail in docked mode.

The Switch 2 has a big dock compatibility problem, and I need Nintendo to fix it before it ruins my summer plans
By Phil Hayton published
News The Nintendo Switch 2 appears to be currently incompatible with all third-party docking stations and displays with USB-C DisplayPort Alt support.

Ayaneo just announced a new handheld homage to the 3DS, and it could outpace the ROG Xbox Ally X
By Phil Hayton published
News The Ayaneo Flip 1S DS is a clamshell handheld PC with dual screens and a punchy new Ryzen AI chipset, and it could trump the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally X.

Everything we know about the Asus ROG Xbox Ally
By Phil Hayton published
Feature Here's everything you need to know about the ROG Xbox Ally, Microsoft and Asus' upcoming gaming handheld range that adds console elements to a Windows 11 device.

Turns out you can use a GameCube controller adapter to play Nintendo Switch 2 using a PS5 DualSense, and the setup is less complicated than you'd think.
By Phil Hayton published
News Using a PS5 controller with Switch 2 is suspiciously easy.

You can play Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 with a mouse and keyboard, and it makes the console feel like a handheld PC
By Phil Hayton published
News The Nintendo Switch 2 is compatible with a mouse and keyboard, and we've already used both to play Cyberpunk 2077.

One of my favorite Switch 2 features is super boring, but it makes traveling with the handheld a dream
By Phil Hayton published
News The Nintendo Switch 2 has plenty of new design features, but as someone who travels around with handhelds, I'm thrilled at the size of its USB-C Power Adapter.

Your Switch 2 will happily use a webcam without USB-C, and I feel like Nintendo should be telling you that
By Phil Hayton published
News No, you don't need a USB-C Camera for Switch 2, as despite Nintendo's guidance, the handheld is compatible with USB-A webcams using the docking station.

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller vs Switch Pro Controller
By Phil Hayton published
Feature Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller vs the Switch Pro controller isn't a straight fight, but the newbie does pack more of a punch if you've got deep pockets.

Nintendo Switch 2 GameChat explained: how to use the handheld's new social hub
By Phil Hayton published
Feature Everything you need to know about Switch 2 GameChat, including how the social app works, camera features, and how to talk to your player pals.

Switch 2 vs Xbox Series S: How does Nintendo's handheld compare?
By Phil Hayton published
Feature Pitting the Switch 2 vs Xbox Series S in a fight isn't straightforward, but it will help you decide whether to grab the new handheld or Microsoft's console.

Nintendo Switch 2 vs Steam Deck: how do both gaming handhelds compare?
By Phil Hayton last updated
Nintendo Switch 2 Here's how the Nintendo Switch 2 compares to Valve's Steam Deck, including a closer look at specs, features, and games for both gaming handhelds.

Should you upgrade your TV for the Switch 2?
By Phil Hayton last updated
Feature You don't need to upgrade your TV for Switch 2, but doing so could let Nintendo's next-gen handheld console reach its true potential.

Nintendo Switch 2 HDR explained: "How High Dynamic Range enhances the handheld's visuals"
By Phil Hayton last updated
Feature Here's a breakdown of Switch 2 HDR and things to consider when using the feature in handheld and docked mode, including TV and monitor specs pointers.

LG OLED TV I'd pair with the Switch 2 just got Memorial Day'd
By Phil Hayton published
Deals The LG OLED B4 is $150 off at Best Buy for Memorial Day, and it could make for a fantastic gaming TV upgrade ahead of the Switch 2 launch.
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