The best Android gamepad (for now)

The unique Razer Kishi rode excessive on the rising wave of cellular gamepads that made the (fairly truthful) evaluation that merely slapping a cellphone right into a separate grip hooked up to a console-size controller maybe wasn’t probably the most elegant various to touchscreen-only play. Whereas it wasn’t Razer’s first rodeo with the shape issue, its moveable, split-pad method was among the best.

Since then, nevertheless, the “cellphone sandwich” type has advanced, resulting in clamp-based telescopic controllers — a class with plenty of sturdy rivals all gunning for the highest of the scoreboard. Can Razer’s pivot in direction of this new — but more and more acquainted — design and a much-vaunted accompanying software program suite shoot the Razer Kishi’s second iteration into the lead? Discover out in Android Authority’s Razer Kishi V2 evaluate.

• Razer Kishi V2: $99 / £99 / €119

Razer started correctly dabbling in cellular gamepads with the Junglecat again in 2019, which utilized a pair of Nintendo Pleasure-Con-like controllers hooked up to a bespoke case. The one downside? It was solely appropriate with three telephones in North America, certainly one of which was the model’s personal ill-fated Razer Telephone 2.

The primary-generation Razer Kishi righted the wrongs of the Junglecat with an identical concept however a extra common execution. In partnership with Gamevice, the Kishi wedged your cellphone in place by way of a USB-C port, a stretchy rubber band, and a backplate. It was additionally collapsable for straightforward storage.

So what’s new for the Kishi V2? For starters, it’s $20 dearer than the V1, although it’s the identical worth as the primary mannequin’s formally licensed Xbox variant. The largest change, although, is the rear bridge mechanism that acts as an extendable backbone working adjoining to the again of your cellphone, with the latter then clamped in place by way of delicate stress. If that sounds much like the setup popularised by the Spine One, effectively, that’s as a result of it’s primarily an identical.

Razer has added some further enter choices over the unique Kishi, together with programmable mini-bumpers and a devoted share button. It additionally made a couple of normal ergonomic tweaks, and swapped out a number of of the earlier mannequin’s membrane buttons for microswitches, a transfer Razer says was impressed by its Wolverine V2 controllers.

The gaming agency claims a number of design tweaks mixed with two units of rubber inserts make the Kishi V2 appropriate with extra Android telephones than ever, and can even match some telephones which have instances on, offering the case is skinny sufficient. Your mileage will range vastly relying on what cellphone and case you’ve gotten. In my testing, I did handle to squeeze a couple of smaller telephones in with instances nonetheless hooked up, although the USB-C connector wouldn’t fairly prolong far sufficient to suit my each day driver — a Google Pixel 6 Professional in a slim Spigen case. The rubber inserts are additionally a bit difficult to swap out and in, and with none included carry case for the controller itself, I’m satisfied they’d be very straightforward to lose.

In any other case, the Razer Kishi V2 appears to be like to hold on the place the V1 left off. It’s a useful controller for enjoying controller-optimized cellular video games, emulated retro titles, or streamed video games remotely or by way of the cloud, all with ultra-low latency because of the direct USB-C connection and without having to cost it up because it feeds off your cellphone as an influence supply.

Razer’s different huge play for the Kishi V2 is the model new Razer Nexus app, which acts as a one-stop portal for all of your Kishi-compatible cellular video games. You don’t want it to make use of the V2 out of the field because it plugs and performs simply wonderful, nevertheless it’s additionally the one manner you’ll get any future firmware updates for the V2, and is crucial for utilizing the screenshot button and remapping the programmable mini-bumpers.

The Razer Kishi V2 is available in a single black shade and is in the stores from Razer’s official retailer, Amazon, and different main on-line retailers. Because of the USB-C connector, the model at present in the stores is just appropriate with Android telephones. A Kishi V2 mannequin for iPhone customers is listed on Razer’s web site and is anticipated to launch in Fall 2022.

The Kishi V2’s new extendable bridge design could have been borrowed from different telescopic controllers, however except for one relatively obtrusive caveat (we’ll get to that), it’s completely a change for the higher.

For starters, Razer’s declare that extra telephones shall be appropriate with the second-generation mannequin is totally true; I examined it with 5 completely different telephones — some big flagships, some smaller funds telephones — and so they all match simply wonderful. Even telephones with off-center USB-C ports just like the Asus ROG Telephone 6 can now be awkwardly wedged in for those who’re determined. Heck, even tablet-hybrid foldables just like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 may technically slot in right here, although I’m undecided it’d be a pleasing expertise. That is all doable as a result of the rounded-off corners that surrounded your gadget on the Kishi V1 are gone, with telephones as a substitute stored in place by mild stress and a delicate protruding lip on both facet.

This common clasp design solves different sensible points with the Kishi V1, too. It’s a lot quicker to clip a cellphone out and in for a fast sport, and whereas it’s doable to slide the cellphone up or down very barely on the left facet for those who knock it, the elevated pressure and prolonged lip cease it from wobbling forwards and backwards throughout gameplay — a persistent downside I discovered with the Kishi V1.

The ergonomics are a lot improved too. The interlocking plastic on the rear of the V1 that might jut into your fingers is gone, changed with textured grips and a uniform design on either side. The mechanical microswitches, too, provide higher journey than the unique’s membrane buttons. The tactile L2/R2 triggers, particularly, are an infinite improve and not really feel like they’re rubbing up in opposition to the plastic body with each squeeze. The identical is true of the D-pad, which is lastly rigorous sufficient for platformers and even preventing video games.

Talking of the buttons, the 2 further “M2” macro buttons (positioned on both facet of the triggers) are useful for emulation or for any sport that requires further management choices. It additionally helps that the M2s are sufficiently small and positioned effectively sufficient to not be invasive for those who don’t want them for the actual sport you’re enjoying.

And at last, we may wax lyrical about the advantages of USB-C controllers over Bluetooth gamepads for this entire evaluate. It’s not a singular good thing about the Kishi V2 particularly, however the barely perceptible enter latency and the actual fact you don’t have to cost it as much as play are each traits that make it exhausting to return to a wi-fi pad after you’ve used a telescopic USB-C controller. That is very true for cloud gaming or distant play, the place latency is already a fear you probably have a less-than-stellar connection.

Take one take a look at the Kishi V2 subsequent to the collapsed V1 (see above) and also you’ll doubtless be capable to guess the massive disadvantage of the shift to a common clamp over a clip. Whereas the Kishi V1 was undoubtedly far much less snug to carry whereas enjoying, the way in which it might be clipped collectively right into a neat bundle meant you could possibly fortunately slip it right into a (giant) trouser pocket or a bag and never fear an excessive amount of about any injury to the extendable band. The Kishi V2, in the meantime, is all angles, as there’s no option to collapse the backbone. That is true of all controllers on this particular type issue, in fact, nevertheless it’s a disgrace one of many Kishi’s greatest promoting factors — its portability — not applies after only one era. Likewise, with no case within the field — one thing that maybe may’ve been included while you issue within the worth — there’s not quite a bit defending the V2 while you wish to pack it away. It positive seems like you could possibly snap it in two for those who’re careless about storing it, both at house or on the transfer.

The buttons definitely really feel quite a bit higher, however they sound quite a bit worse. Specifically, the M2s and the 4 non-ABXY face buttons are distractingly loud. Whereas these explicit inputs gained’t be used all that usually, even the core face buttons and the L1/R1 bumpers have a discernible click on which may annoy anybody sitting subsequent to you throughout a fast subway gaming session. The joysticks acquired a questionable overhaul too. As an alternative of the V1’s bigger sticks with concave thumb grooves, the V2’s pair are close to carbon copies of the Nintendo Change‘s Pleasure-Cons. They’re far much less springy, however that lacking pressure and snappy suggestions make them much less appropriate for twitchy aiming in shooters.

The continued lack of a headphone jack port is baffling. Even the few telephones that do have 3.5mm ports will discover them lined when docked within the Kishi V2, and but there’s no possibility for wired audio in any respect. The grilles on the proper facet of the controller do an honest job of letting by way of sound from bottom-firing audio system, however anybody enjoying on the go will (hopefully) wish to preserve any digital explosions to themselves. Minimal enter latency is nice, however the impact is ruined barely while you pair it with an audio delay from wi-fi buds or headphones. Even you probably have a pair of USB-C headphones, you’re recent out of luck because the exterior USB-C port on the Kishi V2 doesn’t provide audio passthrough. You’ll be able to cost your cellphone by way of this port, however don’t count on a lot energy to seep by way of because it doesn’t seem to help quick charging protocols.

Final and positively least is the Kishi V2’s greatest failing: the Razer Nexus app. As beforehand talked about, you don’t want the Nexus app, however you’ll if you wish to entry the livestream and screenshot performance (the screenshot button is in any other case redundant), replace the firmware, and program these M2 buttons. Sadly, the UI is barren and ugly in an Xbox knock-off sort of manner, and it runs at a weirdly low decision. It additionally provides a everlasting notification to your cellphone’s tray, which may solely be eliminated inside Android’s system settings. As well as, livestreaming is restricted to simply YouTube and Fb, with no possibility for Twitch, the preferred sport streaming platform. The app’s performance is all free, which is one thing, however the characteristic set is nowhere close to as complete or as user-friendly as that which Spine One customers get with the free model of its app, not to mention these with a Spine Plus subscription.

And at last, it’s nonetheless a disgrace that PlayStation customers can’t formally use the Kishi V2 with the Distant Play app. It is a Sony restriction, so we are able to’t blame Razer right here. Fortunately there are workarounds by way of the unofficial PS Play app for those who’re prepared to pay a small price.

For these with a sufficiently big funds, the Razer Kishi V2 is one of the best Android gamepad cash can purchase… no less than for now. Simply shy of $100 is quite a bit to spend on any controller, however so long as you possibly can look previous the lack of the V1’s distinctive portability, the V2 is a transparent enchancment — although maybe not as a lot because it ought to have been at this asking worth.

So far as the competitors goes for telescopic controllers, the Kishi V2 has superior ergonomics when stacked up in opposition to the Gamesir X3 USB-C model ($99), however some could also be swayed by the customizable joysticks, and an non-compulsory cooling fan. Should you’d want one thing nearer to the Kishi V1, Razer’s authentic companion Gamevice has its personal model, merely dubbed Gamevice ($59), that’s primarily an identical and less expensive — simply bear in mind the variety of appropriate telephones is much smaller than common telescopic controllers just like the Kishi V2.

Actually, although, the Kishi V2’s greatest competitors isn’t in the stores simply but. After over a yr of asking, an Android-compatible model of the Spine One ($99) will lastly arrive in November, on the similar worth, alongside a way more helpful companion app, and full with a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Ought to anybody with a Kishi V1 think about an improve to the V2? Except you’ve purchased a brand new cellphone that doesn’t match the unique mannequin, I’m not satisfied there’s sufficient right here to justify spending $99. For everybody else, regardless of its points, the Razer Kishi V2 is a incredible option to remodel your cellphone into as near a transportable console as you may get.