Any individual as soon as informed me that leverless controllers for combating video games had been a gimmick or dishonest. I didn’t actually know what they meant as a result of I had solely simply began dipping my toes into the world of combat sticks with the 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Nintendo Swap and PC. I by no means had an opportunity to strive a leverless controller earlier than, however I observed lots of my pals began mentioning Junkfood’s Snack Field. I didn’t concentrate as a result of I used to be eyeing the Hori Alpha for PS5, which I ended up getting a couple of months in the past and loving. When Razer introduced the Kitsune arcade controller, I used to be curious, however with out having any leverless expertise, I wasn’t certain it could be for me. I not too long ago bought to interview Razer in regards to the Kitsune and much more, and that bought me focused on making an attempt the stick which I used to be despatched for evaluate. Having now spent slightly below a month with it throughout every day use, I’m a believer, however I really feel prefer it received’t substitute sticks fully for me but.
I additionally need to make it clear that I’m not some authority on combat sticks and arcade controllers, and that this evaluate goes to be a bit totally different. I would like this to not solely allow you to perceive whether or not the Kitsune is for you, but additionally whether or not you must strive leverless generally. I’m going to spotlight how I realized to embrace leverless with the Kitsune, what labored for me, what I’d prefer to see improved in a successor, whether or not I like to recommend it as your first arcade controller, and extra. My expertise with combat sticks and controllers to this point is 8BitDo’s arcade sticks, the Hori Preventing Stick Alpha for PS5, and utilizing a gamepad. With the Razer Kitsune, I’m now a believer in leverless, and it’s one very good piece of package, however it isn’t good. Earlier than stepping into the Kitsune itself, you may not pay attention to what a leverless controller is, and why some of us desire it for contemporary video games.
What’s a leverless controller?
Most combat sticks or combating sport centered controllers have a stick (therefore the title) on the left with eight buttons on the fitting. This goals to copy the arcade structure for combating video games. The positions and different points of those inputs range by controller, with arcade stick and controller customization being an enormous a part of the enjoyable, at the least for me. On the stick aspect, Sanwa appears to be the most well-liked model. Sanwa additionally makes buttons, however I’ve seen some folks desire different manufacturers like Seimitsu or Hori’s Hayabusa buttons. I like the Hayabusa buttons on my Hori Alpha for PS5, however that isn’t actually related right here.
A leverless controller doesn’t have a stick, and replaces it with 4 buttons, one for every course. A stick normally has a sq. gate (inside to assist you to transfer throughout the identical 4 instructions), and a leverless controller enables you to use particular person buttons to permit for faster responses for particular inputs like quarter or half circle motions. As a substitute of bodily shifting the stick from say left to proper in a half circle movement, you possibly can simply faucet three buttons on a leverless controller. The inputs could be considered just like the arrow keys on a keyboard.
Leverless controllers can also allow you to do issues like holding left and proper collectively, which is bodily not potential with a stick, however this isn’t event authorized, and has resulted in Razer disabling that. This is called SOCD, and the place the “cheat” side comes into the image relying on the controller. The Razer Kitsune, disables this to be event authorized.
One different side I need to talk about about leverless controllers earlier than stepping into the precise evaluate of the Kitsune, is the button structure. It positively seems to be bizarre in photos should you haven’t tried it for your self. This jogs my memory of the Steam Deck, which I believed wouldn’t be snug, however after getting one, I naturally began positioning accurately, however studying what all of the buttons did, and never having to look down, was one other drawback I wanted to resolve.
Studying leverless with rhythm video games, Ryu, and Zangief
I practiced shifting from a DualSense and Xbox pad to a stick in Avenue Fighter 6 with Zangief, and it labored out effectively. To go leverless, I attempted the identical factor and was in a position to make some progress, however I wasn’t pleased as a result of I stored wanting down at the least a couple of times in a combat. It then struck me. Why was I not utilizing rhythm video games, a style I like and am good at, to study the positions of the instructions, face buttons, and extra. I began enjoying Persona 4 Dancing All Night time on PS5, and Hatsune Miku Venture DIVA Mega Combine+ on Steam Deck with the Razer Kitsune in simpler phases. This helped a ton. As soon as I knew the button placement and didn’t have to look down, the following step was coaching the fingers on my left hand for varied motions.
To do that, I picked Ryu to begin with the fundamentals. Hadoukens (fireball) and Shoryukens (dragon punches) being mastered, led to me making an attempt sophisticated motions, after which shifting to Zangief, to begin doing grappler strikes. Zangief has lots of 360 motions (full circle on the stick). This took somewhat bit since I wanted to get my fingers used to doing this quick, however it paid off. I like to recommend spending a very good period of time in coaching and even redoing the sport tutorials so that you begin getting snug with any new controller you purchase, however I really feel like it’s extra necessary when making an attempt to transition to one thing fully totally different just like the Kitsune.
As soon as I used to be snug, I began enjoying with pals on-line, and ultimately moved to utilizing the Kitsune within the Battle Hub in Avenue Fighter 6. Taking part in and shedding initially was nonetheless definitely worth the expertise. I’m now assured sufficient in a leverless, to be taking a look at extra choices, and even take into account issues just like the Odin V2 for one of many 8BitDo sticks I take advantage of.
Razer Kitsune’s kind issue and buttons are each superb, however they won’t be for everybody
I’ve spent lots of time speaking about issues aside from the Kitsune, however it was wanted. Each time I did my analysis for combat sticks or arcade controllers, I at all times needed to know why folks desire leverless or different arcade controllers, and the way they realized to get snug with a brand-new or totally different enter methodology. Proper off the bat, the Razer Kitsune seems to be beautiful in all its promotional materials. What’s shocking is how significantly better it seems to be and the way it feels in particular person. It feels and appears premium, and completely rests on my lap. The massive aluminum prime plate provides me sufficient house to relaxation my wrists whereas enjoying, and I by no means as soon as bought cramps in the course of the time I spent with the controller.
I bought used to the Sanwa buttons I put in on my 8BitDo sticks, and in addition the beautiful Hayabusa buttons on my Hori combat stick. I like how the Razer Kitsune buttons really feel. The structure and spacing each work effectively for my arms, however that is one thing that may not give you the results you want. I’d advocate downloading Razer’s paintings template and printing it out to see how the spacing works (to a point) to your arms. The precise buttons use Razer’s optical switches from its keyboards. These are simple to interchange with many you should buy individually. Numerous of us appear to make use of Keychron switches, however I don’t suppose I’ll change them. It feels nice and works effectively out of the field. I really feel much like the Hori Alpha which I solely actually modded for the detachable stick by means of the Phreak Mod.
The USB-C cable locking mechanism which is a beautiful contact. In truth, I really feel like Razer went the additional mile with the Razer Kitsune to even embrace a top quality lengthy braided cable with the controller. I simply want there was a spot to retailer this simply without having an exterior case. Perhaps a pouch for the cable would’ve been good right here.
Razer Kitsune machine help
Formally, the Razer Kitsune helps PS5 and PC solely. I’ve not really used it on Home windows since I don’t have a Home windows machine at house, however I did use it a ton on Steam Deck and PS5. On Steam Deck, it really works flawlessly in PC mode, and the touchpad button on the highest even works as a cursor. Whereas it doesn’t have an effect on me in any respect, I believe it’s value mentioning that the Razer Kitsune doesn’t help the PS4. The Hori Alpha I take advantage of works on PS4, PS5, and PC, however the Razer Kitsune is simply on PS5 and PC. Maintain that in thoughts should you suppose some locals and tournaments you participate in are nonetheless operating on PS4 methods, otherwise you’d additionally prefer to apply it to PS4.
Razer Kitsune’s different buttons vary from being nice to simply positive
Whereas the primary buttons really feel superb and responsive, I really feel like Razer ought to’ve made a few of the different buttons a bit simpler to press. The share and choices button are most likely the worst of the lot. I bought used to how simple it was accessing the choices button the Hori Alpha with it being a pleasant huge arcade button on the highest proper. On the Razer Kitsune, it’s a small button on the highest left and too near the share button. I hope a Razer Kitsune successor improves on this half as a result of it’s principally my solely actual criticism with the controller.
Razer Kitsune skins and decals – how simple is it to customise and mod?
If you purchase the Razer Kitsune, you possibly can both get the plain black one (that I’ve), the Avenue Fighter 6 Chun Li Version, or the Avenue Fighter 6 Cammy Version. You can even purchase another decals that Razer sells on its retailer. As of this writing, Razer doesn’t promote totally different coloured buttons or one other colour Razer Kitsune like a white one. This isn’t as customizable on that entrance just like the Hori Alpha I take advantage of, and even the 8BitDo sticks I’ve. Hopefully we see colours, alternative switches, and even new colour prime plates being bought sooner or later. Customization is a large a part of the expertise for lots of parents.
Going again to the Chun Li and Cammy editions, Razer sells Avenue Fighter 6 branded skins and plates for its mouse and in addition mousepads. I hope we see the Juri artwork model decal bought for the Razer Kitsune quickly as effectively. We’ve seen some decals for video games like Mortal Kombat 1 or the upcoming Venture L at occasions and extra as effectively. I’d love for extra official decals to be bought with sport particular branding as choices. I’m seemingly going to fee a pal for artwork to make use of on mine, however would purchase the Juri decal with out considering twice.
Razer Kitsune vs Hori Preventing Stick Alpha – which one to purchase
This can be a query I used to be asking myself once I bought the Hori Alpha, and in addition whereas utilizing the Razer Kitsune. Which one would I like to recommend? It’s exhausting to say proper now. The Hori Alpha is $200 whereas the Razer Kitsune is $300. I like each controllers lots, and suppose I even desire the buttons on each to Sanwa buttons. The Hori is extra customizable and moddable for certain, however it lacks a detachable cable. The Kitsune is extra transportable, sleeker, and constructed higher.
When you’ve got the choice to strive them each out earlier than shopping for, I’d try this. In case you worth customization essentially the most, the Hori wins. If you would like a leverless to your PS5, I can’t consider a greater official possibility proper now barring the Victrix which prices extra. If you would like one for PC and Steam Deck, the cheaper options may be a greater start line earlier than you make investments $300 into this.
Razer Kitsune – is it definitely worth the value?
the price of getting a leverless controller with PS5 help and never utilizing a Brook converter will convey up the worth to nearly the identical as the bottom mannequin of the Razer Kitsune. This isn’t a justification for the worth as a result of Razer as an enormous firm is constructing at scale in comparison with the smaller boutique shops, however the necessary level to notice is the distribution and guarantee that Razer affords. For a lot of of us, shopping for from smaller shops may not be possible primarily based on the nation they stay in or delivery costs, whereas the Kitsune is obtainable extra broadly. Once I purchased the 8BitDo for Swap and PC, I believed it was some huge cash to spend on one thing I’ll not even use after per week. It ended up pushing me into the fightstick and arcade controller rabbit gap. That price a 3rd of the Kitsune, so that is positively not an entry degree value level, however extra of a premium value.
The Razer Kitsune feels superb, has held up completely within the time I’ve used it, and could be very transportable. I don’t have any of the opposite leverless controllers to match with, however the Kitsune has made me consider in leverless for certain. It’s that good. If I hadn’t gotten this one already, however had been in a position to strive one for a couple of hours, I’d positively order it. It exceeded all my expectations for its buttons, construct high quality, and the way it feels to play on Steam Deck and PS5.
Will the Razer Kitsune make me fully ditch sticks for leverless?
It won’t. I’ve discovered myself preferring the Hori Alpha or 8BitDo over the Kitsune for shoot ’em ups on PS5 and Swap to this point. It may be a case of not getting used to a particular sport on leverless since I’m solely a few month into utilizing leverless, however I believe I shall be enjoying leverless for a lot of, however not all combating video games. I positively have seen the sunshine with this controller, and shall be experimenting with the opposite smaller choices, and even wanting into getting a second one for Xbox if Razer ever does one for the platform. I believe the Razer Kitsune additionally shall be my goto controller for particular rhythm video games on Steam Deck.
I’ve loved slowly getting deep into customization, modding, and studying the varied management choices for combating video games, shoot ’em ups, and different arcade video games ever since I bought an 8BitDo stick. Having now gotten one stick per platform at this level with the Hori Alpha Avenue Fighter 6 Version being my foremost PS5 stick, the 8BitDo on my Swap, and the newer 8BitDo Xbox version for my Xbox Collection X, the Kitsune has made me desire a leverless possibility per platform as effectively.
Is the Razer Kitsune the most effective Steam Deck arcade controller?
Over the previous few weeks, I’ve used the Razer Kitsune when enjoying on the Steam Deck itself, and in addition when related to an exterior monitor. I performed with it wired after all, throughout Mortal Kombat 1 (which has an enormous efficiency enhance within the latest SteamOS), Avenue Fighter 6, Skullgirls, The King of Fighters XV, Responsible Gear Attempt, UNICLR, and Garou: Mark of the Wolves. I performed each on-line and offline and the Razer Kitsune simply works because it ought to. Within the time I’ve spent with it (over a 100 hours throughout PS5 and Steam Deck), it has given me no bother. The touchpad even features as a mouse with out me having to vary any settings.
Based mostly on what I’ve entry to with 4 arcade controllers now, I believe the Razer Kitsune is the most effective arcade controller for combating video games on Steam Deck, and it’s one among my favourite controllers ever. I’m assured in saying that already. Be aware that I haven’t tried the Snackbox and different comparable controllers which might be much more compact, however I positively will try to get my arms on them sooner or later. For now, I like how the Razer Kitsune feels to play. The truth that it principally suits into the bigger iPad sleeve I’ve at house additionally helps. It’s glossy and lovely, however extra importantly, it really works flawlessly on each PS5 and Steam Deck.
In case you do purchase the Razer Kitsune fashions listed above by means of our hyperlinks on Amazon, it helps TouchArcade in a small method.
