Razer Kishi Ultra review: The Mobile Gaming Controller on Steroids (Should You Buy?)
Razer Kishi Ultra review: At a glance
In the world of mobile gaming controllers, the Razer Kishi Ultra stands out like a champion. Unlike its flimsy competitors, it boasts full-sized grips, making it feel as comfy as a console controller, like the PlayStation DualSense or Xbox Series X pad. And guess what? You get free software too, with no subscription hassles! This lets you tinker with all sorts of things, from the colorful lighting to button layouts, and even fine-tune the sensitivity of the joysticks.
So, how much does this king cost? Buckle up, because the Razer Kishi Ultra will set you back $149 in the US and €169 in Europe. Where can you get it? Razer's got you covered, you can snag it from their online store, physical stores, or many of their partner retailers.
Now, how did I test it? I strapped in a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, but fear not, it works with pretty much any phone rocking a USB-C port, including the latest iPhone 15s. Even small tablets like the USB-C iPad Mini can join the party.
Is it the ultimate mobile gaming controller? Absolutely! It's a dream to hold, offers tons of customization, and Razer's Nexus software is a gem – launch games, tweak settings, record your screen, it does it all! But here's the catch: it just works, flawlessly, no matter the game. Standard mobile titles, emulated classics, streamed adventures, even games with just on-screen controls – the Kishi Ultra handles it all. However, this power comes at a price. Razer asks a whopping $150, which is literally double what most other controllers cost. This hefty price tag makes it a tough recommendation for casual gamers. Only those who conquer mobile games on a regular basis and have the cash to splash should consider this king of controllers.
Should you buy the Razer Kishi Ultra?
Here's the paragraph rewritten in a more human-like style:
Razer's name practically screams gaming. Their sleek designs and signature RGB lighting have turned them into a gaming giant, so well-known that even non-gamers recognize the brand. But when it comes to mobile gaming, Razer's past attempts haven't quite hit the mark. Their two smartphones fizzled out, leaving only mobile controllers in their wake. Enter the Razer Kishi Ultra, their newest offering launched on April 18th, 2024.
This isn't Razer's first rodeo with mobile controllers – they've got the original Kishi and the Kishi V2 under their belt. But where those focused on being ultra-portable, the Kishi Ultra prioritizes comfort. Forget the cramped grips, tiny buttons, and wimpy joysticks. The Ultra boasts full-sized, high-quality parts that feel more like a console controller, akin to a Sony DualSense or an Xbox Series X pad.
This new design makes the Kishi Ultra the most comfortable mobile controller in the Backbone style that I've ever used. While I'm not one to sink hours into mobile games, I can spend countless hours glued to my console or PC. And honestly, I wouldn't hesitate to use the Kishi Ultra for just as long as a traditional controller – my wrists wouldn't know the difference.
The Razer Kishi Ultra just might be the best mobile controller I've ever used, but it's a pricey purchase.
The Razer Kishi Ultra prioritizes comfort over portability. As you can see in the picture, it dwarfs a Nintendo Switch when you attach a large phone like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (which I used for this review). There's no way to fold or detach the backplate, so it takes up double the space of a regular controller, making it bulkier to store and carry around.
On the bright side, this bulky design makes the Kishi Ultra super versatile. It works with practically any Android phone, even those with thick cases. It's also compatible with all iPhone 15 models (and future iPhones since they'll all use USB-C), and even small USB-C tablets like the latest iPad Minis.
The Razer Kishi Ultra keeps things simple by ditching wireless. It skips Bluetooth and relies on your phone's power for juice. Just slide your phone onto the built-in USB-C connector and lock it in. This clever design turns your phone into the controller's battery, so expect some extra drain during those intense gaming sessions. But hey, at least you get cool-looking Chroma RGB lighting to compensate!
Don't worry though, you can keep your phone topped up while you play. The Kishi Ultra has a USB-C pass-through port that lets you charge your phone while you game. This port also doubles up for connecting the controller directly to your PC as a wired controller, although the look might be a bit...unusual.
The Kishi Ultra is a plug-and-play party. It worked flawlessly with everything I threw at it, from classic mobile games like Fortnite to streamed PC titles via Steam Link and even emulated games with Retroarch. And for those games that don't officially support controllers, there's a handy trick I'll tell you about later.
The Razer Kishi Ultra controller works perfectly fine on its own, but Razer really wants you to get the most out of it with their free Nexus app (available for Android and iPhone). This app lets you customize everything from the fancy glowing lights (RGB lighting) to the button functions and how sensitive the joysticks are (calibrating dead zones). It's like a central hub for your controller - you can launch games directly from it, record your epic gameplay moments to share with friends, and more. Thankfully, you don't need to pay any extra subscription fees to use the app.
The Nexus app also has a neat trick called Virtual Controller Mode. This lets you use the Kishi Ultra's physical buttons and joysticks to control games that normally only work with touchscreens. Pretty cool, right? But be a heads-up: some games might consider this cheating, especially in competitive modes. So, it's always best to check the game's rules before going all virtual controller commando.
So, should you buy the Razer Kishi Ultra? Here's the deal: it's an amazing controller - incredibly comfortable, versatile, and the best mobile controller I've ever used. However, the high price tag makes it a tough recommendation for everyone. It really shines for those who specifically want a mobile-only controller with all the bells and whistles, but if you're open to other options and don't mind sacrificing some features, you can find good controllers at a more wallet-friendly price. Ultimately, the Razer Kishi Ultra caters to a specific niche, and it does that niche exceptionally well, but there are other great choices out there for more casual gamers.
.jpg)
