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The second-generation Razer Kishi is right here for iPhone customers with a brand new design, higher buttons, and a companion app. How does it stack as much as the Spine One?
With the unique Kishi, Razer got here to market with a compact gadget in partnership with Gamevice. Whereas some appreciated the compact model — and others didn’t. The again was versatile and as time went on, the market began favoring extra inflexible designs.
After a number of years, Razer is again to attempt to conquer the market. Launching just a few weeks after the Android model, we have been testing with our iPhone 13 Professional.
Kishi V2 assessment – A well-recognized design
With this replace, the Kishi V2 is extra in step with present gaming controllers that flip your iPhone right into a Nintendo Change-style moveable gaming gadget. Controller grips are on the left and proper, sandwiching your iPhone within the center.
The again of the Kishi V2 expands, permitting it to suit over any iPhone. This contains the huge iPhone 13 Professional Max.
Apple’s iPhone 13 Professional has a notoriously massive digicam bump that has brought about a ton of points with current equipment however Razer was capable of keep away from this challenge. It designed the Kishi V2 to suit the 13 Professional with none points and will even match the rumored upcoming iPhone 14 lineup.
All buttons on the Razer Kishi V2 use new ultra-responsive micro switches, the identical ones Razer makes use of on its Wolverine V2 gaming controller. They’ve a small, but noticeable click on when the buttons are pressed. There is not as a lot button journey as on the Wolverine although.
These buttons take little or no stress to journey them which is nice and unhealthy. On one hand, it means you possibly can click on the buttons very quickly in tense battles, but on the opposite, we would prefer to see barely extra suggestions than the small click on. It may well really feel muddled when urgent fervently.
Different buttons embody a devoted button for screenshots in addition to launching the Razer Nexus app — extra on that in a second. The controller can seize full-resolution screenshots or display screen recordings at 1080p.
On the button of the correct grip is an Apple-certified Lightning port. This allows you to cost your iPhone whereas enjoying video games because the controller connects over its built-in Lightning connector.
Razer Nexus app
Meant for use with the Kishi V2, the Razer Nexus app gives firmware updates for the controller, remapping performance for the macro buttons, and a discovery heart for brand new video games.
Nexus breaks down all of the video games into numerous classes. Simulation, training, racing, household, and extra classes can be found. Discover a recreation you want, click on on it so you possibly can see extra screenshots, and examine it, earlier than leaping into the App Retailer.
Apple does restrict what apps can do which makes launching apps annoying. It has to kick you to the App Retailer to launch video games relatively than launching them instantly. It is a privateness restriction that is sensible however provides further steps to attending to the sport shortly.
The issue with the Nexus app is its recreation suggestions appear very poor. There are some odd video games it recommends and it does not spotlight a number of the greatest video games on the platform. Oceanhorn 2, Roblox, PUBG cellular, Sonic, Apex Legends, Rocket League Cellular to call a number of.
Hopefully, Razer updates this app to make it rather more full-featured and with higher suggestions.
Mapping buttons on the Kishi V2
Most controllers have a set off and a bumper on each the left and the correct however Razer has a small bonus button. Denoted as L4 and R4 — L3 and R3 are the designators for urgent the joysticks — these buttons can clone any of the opposite controller’s buttons.
To remap the buttons, you employ the aforementioned-Razer Nexus app. Open the app manually or by tapping the devoted Razer Nexus button on the controller. Then faucet the hamburger icon on the top-right to convey up the settings.
If you faucet the remapping button, you possibly can see the L4 and R4 buttons and all out there assignments. The concept is that relying on the sport you are enjoying, it might be useful to remap one thing like reload, dash, or handbrake to those small buttons as a substitute of their unique location.
Perhaps in a recreation, it’s a must to maintain the X button down practically the entire time. Shifting to hit A, B, or Y means having to let go of the X button. Remapping X or the opposite buttons to L4 and R4 can vastly enhance your gaming efficiency.
Razer has a (Again)bone to select
The closest competitors to the up to date Razer Kishi V2 is the Spine One. It launched after the unique Kishi nevertheless it left Razer with some floor to make up.
The Spine One was nearly universally deemed probably the most superior iPhone gaming controller. Razer needs to problem that.
Each units look shockingly related and connect with your telephone nearly the identical means. Because the Spine One launched pre-iPhone 13 Professional, it does not match completely and the corporate has began to supply an extra adapter that helps the bump not get in the way in which. Razer suits like a glove out of the field.
One other distinction is for us, we like the texture of all of the buttons on the Razer Kishi V2 whereas the Spine has some buttons that depend on a membrane swap relatively than all of the efficiency micro switches. That provides them a barely mushy feeling on the Spine One.
Razer additionally provides the extra programmable L4 and R4 buttons that Spine lacks. For us, the Razer is the higher controller however Spine One does provide a greater app expertise and has a headphone jack for wired listening.
Must you purchase the Razer Kishi V2?
You possibly can’t go fallacious with both the Spine One or the Razer Kishi V2. We just like the Kishi V2 as our go-to gadget for gaming due to the button really feel and programmable buttons. The app expertise can all the time be improved on down the road and is not our go-to technique for discovery anyway.
We have examined racing video games, first-person shooters, platformers like Jetpack Joyride 2, and a number of other others in our time with each controllers. It is a huge distinction from utilizing on-screen controls.
Particularly when going cellular, these all-in-one controllers are rather more helpful as they maintain your telephone on the similar time and take up much less area in your bag. In the event you’ve been wanting round for a dependable controller that caters to high-level players in addition to informal players, the Kishi V2 is it.
Kishi V2 for iPhone execs
- Devoted buttons or screenshots and display screen recordings
- Nexus app for recreation discovery and mapping buttons
- Programmable L4 and R4 buttons
- New micro swap buttons for a extra tactile really feel
- Passthrough Lightning connector and MFi-certified
Kishi V2 for iPhone cons
- Nexus app recreation discovery is pitiful
- No headphone jack
Ranking: 4 out of 5
The place to purchase
The Razer Kishi V2 sells for $99.99 and may be bought from Razer instantly, in addition to at Amazon.