Razer has simply dropped what may be probably the most complete cellular gaming controller lineup I’ve seen, and admittedly, it’s about time somebody took this house severely. The brand new Kishi V3 collection consists of three distinct fashions that cowl every part from smartphones to full-sized tablets, lastly bridging that hole between cellular comfort and correct gaming controls.
The lineup begins with the usual Kishi V3, which targets iPhone 15/16 seri and Android smartphones with a streamlined method that doesn’t compromise on high quality. What’s fascinating is how Razer managed to pack console-grade TMR thumbsticks and twin mouse-click again buttons into what they’re positioning because the accessible entry level. The inclusion of USB-C passthrough charging and three.5mm headphone compatibility reveals they’ve thought by way of the sensible features of prolonged gaming periods.
Shifting up the vary, the Kishi V3 Professional expands compatibility to telephones, mini tablets as much as 8 inches, and even PC gaming by way of Razer Nexus. That is the place issues get fascinating from a technical standpoint. The Professional model introduces Razer Sensa HD haptics, which requires Android 12 or Home windows 11 to perform correctly. Sadly, iOS customers miss out on this characteristic totally, which appears like a major limitation given the iPhone’s sturdy gaming ecosystem.
The flagship Kishi V3 Professional XL pushes boundaries by supporting full-sized tablets as much as 13 inches, together with iPad Professional and iPad Air fashions. Having used varied pill gaming setups over time, I can recognize how difficult it should be to engineer a controller that maintains correct ergonomics throughout such dramatically totally different machine sizes while delivering constant efficiency.
The TMR thumbsticks include swappable caps, addressing certainly one of my long-standing complaints about cellular controllers the place you’re caught with no matter sensitivity the producer selected. The claw grip bumpers and twin again buttons recommend Razer has been being attentive to how aggressive cellular avid gamers truly play, slightly than simply copying console controller layouts.
The USB-C “island” design deserves explicit point out for its compatibility method. Moderately than creating one more proprietary connection system, Razer’s chosen to work inside current requirements while maximising machine compatibility. This could imply fewer points with circumstances and machine variations, although real-world testing would be the final choose.
Razer’s partnership with Apple Arcade provides real worth to those controllers, notably for the Professional XL which incorporates six months of free entry for brand spanking new and certified returning subscribers. The bottom Kishi V3 and V3 Professional embrace three months every. On condition that Apple Arcade prices $6.99 month-to-month within the US, this successfully reduces the actual price of possession considerably, particularly for the tablet-focused Professional XL mannequin.
The timing is sensible too. Apple Arcade has advanced right into a genuinely compelling gaming service with over 200 titles, a lot of which profit enormously from correct bodily controls. Video games that felt compromised on touchscreens all of a sudden grow to be playable experiences with devoted buttons and correct thumbsticks.
Australian Pricing and Availability
At $189.95 AUD for the usual V3, $269.95 AUD for the V3 Professional, and $349.95 AUD for the V3 Professional XL, these aren’t impulse purchases. Nevertheless, in comparison with shopping for a devoted handheld gaming machine, the pricing turns into extra cheap when you think about you’re primarily turning gadgets you already personal into correct gaming platforms.
The Kishi V3 Professional XL’s $349.95 AUD value level places it in direct competitors with some devoted gaming handhelds, however the benefit right here is leveraging the superior show high quality and processing energy of contemporary tablets slightly than being restricted to purpose-built gaming {hardware}.
All three Kishi V3 fashions can be found now by way of Razer.com and choose retailers worldwide. For more information, try the Razer Kishi V3 Professional web page.
