The Behemoth V2 Packs a 32-Key Gamepad Into a 9.4-Pound Monster Board

Going the Wrong Direction, on Purpose

Everybody else is shrinking. Sixty-percent boards, tenkeyless layouts, even one-handed pads are crowding the market as gamers fight for desk real estate. And then there is the Behemoth V2, which looks at all of that and slides a 32-key gamepad onto the left side of an already full-size keyboard.

The project just received its second design progress update, as reported by TechPowerUp, signaling that a launch is getting close. The layout is now locked in: 104 standard keys plus 32 gamepad keys equals 136 total, all wrapped in a CNC-milled 6061-T6 aluminum frame that tips the scale at a reported 9.4 lbs, or about 4.2 kilograms. The board measures 609 x 177 mm with a 25 mm height before you even put keycaps on it. For context, that is roughly 24 inches wide.

You could use it as a weapon in a home invasion. You probably should not.

What You Actually Get for That Weight

The sheer size would be hollow spectacle if the feature list did not back it up. According to the update shared by u/Shnarloc on Reddit, the Behemoth V2 runs QMK firmware with full VIA remapping support across both the main board and the gamepad section. Switches are hot-swappable and MX-style compatible, so you can tune the feel without desoldering anything. Four E11 rotary encoders sit above the numpad for audio control and custom mapping. RGB lighting and effects are included, naturally.

The dual RP2040 split PCB design is an interesting engineering choice. The two boards connect internally via USB-C, but only one USB-C cable goes to the PC. N-Key Rollover is supported across all 136 keys. The frame is anodized and configurable with a mix-and-match color scheme across the main frame, top plate, and gamepad plate, with options including black, red, purple, and polished metal.

One detail that stands out is the gamepad section itself being tilted toward the center of the board. The designer built that in deliberately so users can angle the whole keyboard and still leave room for a mouse on the right side. That is a practical concession to reality, and it suggests the person building this actually uses a keyboard.

There is also a dedicated “Rage Quit” key mapped to ALT+F4. Press it, and it triggers a user-loaded audio file countdown before closing the game. It can be remapped to anything, including a clip shortcut.

One Person, No Group Buy

The Behemoth V2 is the work of a single designer, which makes some of the construction decisions more impressive and some of them easier to understand. The CNC aluminum case was recently adjusted to include more material specifically to bring the manufacturing cost down, a counterintuitive move that reflects the realities of small-run production. Final pricing has not been set, but the designer expects the board to come in around $400 to $500.

Despite being effectively a solo operation, the developer is not planning a group buy. That is a notable choice in the custom keyboard space, where group buys are the standard funding mechanism for projects at this scale.

The Behemoth V2 is not trying to be the keyboard for everyone. At 9.4 lbs and potentially $500, it is specifically for the person who wants every key, every knob, and a gamepad attached, all in one slab of machined aluminum. Whether that person exists in large enough numbers to sustain the project is a question the upcoming launch will answer.