A wave of new PC gaming collaborations has brought themed hardware and accessories inspired by major games, anime and pop culture. Here's what's available now, what's unique about each collection, and what players should know before buying
Customisation remains a central part of PC gaming culture, with hardware manufacturers and peripheral brands increasingly partnering with game publishers, anime studios and entertainment franchises. The result is a growing range of themed gaming chairs, cases, headsets and accessories, each designed to let players express their interests through their setups. These collaborations are now widely available, but the variety and quality differ significantly between brands and collections.
Gaming Chairs and Themed Cases
Secretlab continues to expand its Titan Evo Limited Edition range, offering gaming chairs featuring designs from Dragon Ball Z, Jujutsu Kaisen, One Piece, Genshin Impact, Pokémon, Cyberpunk 2077 and League of Legends. The Titan Evo is known for its ergonomic build and premium materials, but the main draw for many is the breadth of officially licensed collaborations. Each chair retains the core features of the Titan Evo series, with the themed elements limited to upholstery, embroidery and colour schemes. Secretlab's approach has set a standard for licensed gaming chairs, but the price remains at the premium end of the market.
For those interested in custom PC builds, Starforge has introduced a series of themed cases with UV-printed artwork from anime such as Chainsaw Man, Frieren and Solo Leveling, as well as games like Terraria and Old School RuneScape. These cases include swappable acrylic platelights, allowing further personalisation of the internal lighting and visual theme. Starforge offers both pre-built systems and standalone cases, giving players flexibility depending on their needs and budget.
Peripheral Collections: Headsets, Mice and Keyboards
Peripheral brands have also embraced collaborations. Razer's Gengar Collection, for example, includes a Gengar-themed Kraken Kitty V2 headset, Cobra mouse and Gigantus V2 XXL mousepad. The headset features the signature purple aesthetic of the ghost Pokémon, but otherwise retains the technical specifications of the standard Kraken Kitty V2. The collection is positioned as a collector's set, with the headset priced at $140 USD, which may be considered high for a wired model with standard audio performance.
Logitech G has partnered with Genshin Impact to produce a full suite of peripherals, including the G309 Lightspeed mouse, G515 Lightspeed TKL keyboard and G733 Lightspeed headset, each themed around specific characters such as Kamisato Ayaka, Sayu, Thoma and Shikanoin Heizou. These peripherals are functionally identical to their standard counterparts, with the main difference being the external design and packaging. The collection is aimed at fans of the game who want to integrate their favourite characters into their daily setup.
Alternative Collaborations and Player Considerations
SteelSeries has released a South Park collection, featuring a QcK L mousepad styled after Towelie and an Arctis Nova 5 Pro headset in matching colours. The mousepad also comes in a version with portraits of Cartman, Stan, Kyle and Kenny. BlackLyte's Athena Pro gaming chair line includes collaborations with games like Wuchang: Fallen Feathers and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, as well as eSports teams such as Team Spirit, Team Fnatic and Team Liquid. Ghost's TMNT Collection offers a Leonardo-themed Sentinel chair, alongside Turtles-inspired mice, keyboards and deskpads. Corsair has introduced Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 editions of its HS80 headset and M75 wireless mouse, targeting players who want peripherals styled after one of the franchise's most popular entries.
Pricing for these collaborations varies widely, with most themed chairs and high-end peripherals positioned at the upper end of their respective markets. While the visual appeal is clear, players should be aware that the technical specifications of these products are typically unchanged from the standard models. The main value lies in the licensed design and the opportunity to personalise a gaming setup with favourite franchises or characters.
Market Trends and Cautionary Notes
The surge in gaming collaborations reflects a broader trend towards personalisation and fandom-driven purchasing in the PC hardware space. However, as with any popular trend, there are risks. The increased demand for themed hardware has led to a rise in unofficial or counterfeit products, as well as scams targeting players searching for limited-edition items. Security experts have previously warned about the dangers of downloading files or purchasing hardware from unverified sources, especially when interest is fuelled by leaks or viral announcements. For example, a recent report highlighted how fake downloads related to major game releases have been used to spread malware, as detailed in this analysis of security risks linked to high-profile gaming leaks. Players are advised to purchase only from official retailers or directly from the manufacturer to avoid these pitfalls.
As the market for gaming collaborations continues to grow, it is likely that more brands will seek to partner with popular games, anime and entertainment properties. For now, the main differentiators remain the quality of the base product, the authenticity of the licensed design and the reliability of the retailer.
Understanding the difference between standard and themed hardware is important for players considering a purchase. In most cases, the technical performance, build quality and warranty terms are identical to the non-collaborative versions. The primary distinction is the external design, which may include unique colours, artwork or branding. Players should weigh the appeal of the licensed theme against the price premium and ensure that the product meets their practical needs as well as their aesthetic preferences.
