Mobile gaming has become a phenomenon in recent years. With the continuous rise of mobile games, it’s no surprise that gaming companies have taken a leap to make mobile gaming a noteworthy experience. Nowadays, mobile game controllers have become popular among gamers as they provide a better gaming experience with better controls. Among the controllers in the market, Razer Kishi is one that contends to be the best.
But what exactly makes the Razer Kishi a cut above the rest? In this article, find out why this mobile game controller is the best in the market today.
What is Razer Kishi?
The Razer Kishi is a universal gaming controller that can be used on most mobile devices. With it, players are able to experience console-like gaming while enjoying their favorite mobile games. The device makes on-the-go gaming even better with its ultra-low latency gameplay that provides better button response and smooth control.
It is designed for comfort so that you can play your favorite games for hours on end. It’s optimized to make sure that each button feels natural to remove any discomfort that you might experience when you first start using the device. Additionally, the Razer Kishi is also compatible with cloud gaming which allows you to play anywhere without any difficulty.
In all, it can be safe to say that the Razer Kishi is designed so that mobile gamers can make the most of their game time without having to worry about getting uncomfortable. It also grants gamers more movement and allows them to keep an eye on the screen without having to block or move on-screen controls.
Impressions
Razer Kishi is a mobile controller that has the looks and feels of a Nintendo Switch. It refines mobile gaming by providing an experience that you would normally get from consoles. It also provides players with better aim, better tactile feedback, and seamless control among others.
Razer Kishi Review
Now that you have an idea of what the Razer Kishi is, it’s time to dive deeper into the device and unravel why it is the best controller for mobile. You can use this as a reference if you want to know how to buy a smartphone controller.
Pricing
The Razer Kishi usually retails between $79 to $99. The cheapest version that you can get is the Android version that is priced at $79.99 on Amazon. It’s followed by the Android – Xbox version, priced at $98.95. Lastly, the iPhone version is priced at $95.90. The prices on Amazon may change if there are sales and discounts that you can avail of. You can also opt to purchase the device directly from the Razer website. Pricing might be a little different though as you will be purchasing the Kishi at its regular price.
The Razer Kishi isn’t a purchase that’s recommended for casual gamers as it does require you to shell out a little bit more than you need to. That said, you might want to consider getting the Razer Raiju Mobile instead, the Kishi’s older brother if you want something cheaper that offers a similar gaming experience.
Compatibility
Like any device, compatibility is important to ensure a great gaming experience. Unfortunately, the Razer Kishi is designed to connect via USB-C connectors (Lightning port for iPhone). That said, you won’t be able to take full advantage of it if your phone has a MicroUSB port.
Additionally, it’s also worth noting that you will not be able to use an external headset with the Kishi as its external port can only be used for charging. It’s not Bluetooth enabled either, so you have to connect your Bluetooth headset directly to your phone instead.
As far as case compatibility goes, you may refer to the table below to get an idea of which devices are best suited for the Razer Kishi’s build.
| Android / Android (Xbox) | iPhone |
| Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+, S9, S9+, S10, S10+, S20, S20+, S21, S21+, S21 Ultra | 6+, 6s+, 7+, 8+ |
| Samsung Galaxy Note 8, Note 9, Note 10, Note 10+ | 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max |
| Google Pixel 2, 2 XL, 3, 3XL, 4, 4XL | 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max |
| Razer Phone 1 & 2 (inserts required) | X, XR, XS, XS Max |
Additionally, Android phones with the dimensions 145.3 – 163.7 mm x 68.2 – 78.1 mm x 7.0 – 8.8 mm can also be used with the Kishi.
Battery Life
The Razer Kishi does not run on its own battery. Your mobile phone powers the Kishi as you play. You don’t have to charge the Kishi itself but you can connect it to a charger if you notice that your phone is starting to run low on battery. You cannot use the Kishi on its own or if it’s not connected as it doesn’t have its own power supply to be able to do so.
At a glance, it may seem like a nuisance for the Kishi to not have its own battery but it’s actually quite the opposite. Compared to the Razer Junglecat, you don’t have to charge Kishi in order for you to spend hours upon hours of gaming. As long as your phone carries ample battery, you don’t have to worry about leaving your game anytime soon. If your phone is running out of power while you are in a game, you can also charge your phone through the controller’s pass-through port.
Form Factor
The first thing that you might say if you see the Razer Kishi for the first time is that it looks like a Nintendo Switch, and you’re not wrong. Much like the Junglecat, the Kishi gives the phone a console-like look so that you get the feel of playing on a console while actually playing on your mobile phone.
Moreover, the Kishi is able to accommodate most mobile phones. With a claim of universal fit, it can securely hold most mobile phones so that you don’t lose your grip while you’re in the heat of the game.
You might want to take note that the Kishi doesn’t have an exact size. Instead, it stretches from the middle to sandwich your phone. In other words, if you have a big phone, you can expect that you’ll have a bigger console compared to those who have smaller phones. It’s best to manage your expectations with this one as the Razer Kishi adds bulk to your phone once attached.
With the Kishi’s ergonomic design, it’s a guarantee that you can still experience comfort despite the additional size of your phone. You’ll still be able to hold and handle the device comfortably without worrying about the strain.
How to Use Razer Kishi?
Now that you have a glimpse of what the Razer Kishi has to offer, here’s how you can use them on your devices correctly.
On Mobile Phones
To use the Razer Kishi on your mobile phone, the first thing that you want to do is to carefully slide your phone into the controller. Make sure that your phone’s USB-C port and the Kishi’s USB-C plug are correctly attached as you won’t be able to play properly if it isn’t.
Next, make sure that you have the Razer Kishi app installed on your phone. This will serve as your game directory and a launcher for installed games. You need this app to be able to play your games properly while using the Razer Kishi.
Download Razer Kishi app from the Play Store
Download Razer Kishi app from the App Store
Once you’re all set-up, all you have to do is to choose the game from the launcher and start your gaming experience with the Razer Kishi.
On PC
Unfortunately, you cannot use the Razer Kishi on PC as it is specifically designed for mobile devices. You can try connecting it with a USB-C adapter but there is no guarantee that it will work. There are game controllers specifically designed for PC-use that are available in the market so you should opt to purchase those instead.
You might want to try the Razer Wolverine Ultimate if you’re looking for a PC-compatible controller. It might not be the same as the Kishi but it also provides you with the same gaming experience.
Pros and Cons of Razer Kishi
Despite its claim to fame as the best controller for mobile, some aspects can make or break the Razer Kishi. If you’re looking for a mobile controller to buy and you’re considering the Kishi, you might want to take these pros and cons into consideration before you proceed with that purchase.
PROS
- Compatible with the latest smartphones.
- Comfortable and great for long hours of gaming.
- No charging needed.
- Compatible with most mobile games.
- Lightweight and easy to carry.
CONS
- Not compatible with MicroUSB phones.
- Does not support Bluetooth.
- Size varies depending on your phone.
- Might not be the best fit for small phones.
The Verdict
Overall, the Razer Kishi is a great controller for mobile gaming because of its good ergonomic design, excellent build, and functionality. It, indeed, belongs to the line of the best mobile controllers for smartphones out there. On top of that, it also provides users an awesome mobile gaming experience that they might not get when playing via other controllers. However, at the end of the day, it still boils down to your preference whether the Razer Kishi will be of benefit to your everyday gaming adventures or not.
