If you’re into mobile gaming and subscribe to Xbox Game Pass, then you’re probably rocking a peripheral attachment of some sort to support your habit. From simple yet bulky controller clips to actual controllers that plug straight into your phones, there’s a decent variety to choose from. As an android user, there’s one product I like to recommend to other Android users, however, and that is Razer, who recently released the Kishi v2.
The Original Version:
I suggested this last year when The Outerhaven put out its 2021 Holiday Gift Guide. The Razer Kishi, which is made to plug comfortably into the controller itself, is a really good peripheral for people who game on the go. One of my favorite things about it is that it collapses down and clips together in a way that makes it perfect for storing in a bag or suitcase. It also offers passthrough charging, and as someone with kids who threw my Kishi over our second-story banister, I stand by the compact controller’s durability.
The first version’s downside is that it has had a loose piece that clatters around inside for as long as I’ve owned the controller. I know what you’re thinking, “you said it was thrown over a banister, though.” That is true, but I assure you, I had it for quite some time before the incident occurred, and the piece began ricocheting around months before then. It’s probably why the passthrough charging on my particular controller is extremely finicky and barely works. The original controller also uses an elastic band with nothing to brace the controller to the phone, so it could potentially slip off the phone.
I’ve also never been a fan of its button placement. While the controller mimics the placement of an Xbox controller that features offset sticks, the “Menu” and “Option” buttons are offset as well. The menu is on the bottom right, and the option button is in the middle, just above the D-Pad. My brain is set to “Xbox” whenever I use it, and I constantly search for the Menu button in the place it normally would be. While a part of me does understand that the placement of the other buttons and speakers prevents it from existing in the correct spot, it just hurts me on a personal level.
The Next Generation:
Regarding the sizing, Version 2 of Razer’s mobile controller is close to the same size as its predecessor. However, with the way the Kishi v2 is shaped, it feels like a much more comfortable controller. I have bigger hands, and the v2 features much smaller grips with an improved shaping that fits much more comfortably in my hands. The first version’s grips are wide and flat, whereas the revision cuts out the width, replacing it with a rounded bottom, making it easier to wrap my fingers around.
As for button placement, they’re virtually the same, but the v2 features more buttons as well as a white-on-black color scheme making it easier to see the A, B, X, and Y buttons. That means that the Menu and Option buttons are still in their lame, old, painful spots. To make matters somewhat worse, there’s a Razer Nexus button just above The Menu button and a Share function located on the opposite. While adding a Share button is cool, I get tricked into pushing when I’m actually looking for the Options button.
Now, what I love the least about the Kishi v2 is both an improvement for owners of newer, larger phones as well as a step back. If anyone owned the first version, they may know that it just barely fits onto larger phones. That is not a problem for the v2 at all. It stretches far enough to also leave a little room for Jesus as well a few disciples. Where the controller steps back, is that it does not collapse down as its predecessor does. While the clip was occasionally a hassle to deal with, the v2 just sports two long, thin pieces of plastic that house an elastic band that gives it the length it needs for those larger phones. This plastic bridge also preserves the hassle of unclipping the device from your phone. An interchangeable rubber grip does help keep both devices safe.
Playing Games:
I played a few games with the Kishi v2, and it works very well with Game Pass. The first game was Dragon Quest Builders 2, which I hadn’t played before. Everything ran smoothly on Game Pass’ end. Then I moved on to Grounded, where minor streaming issues aside, the controller performed admirably on both accounts. One plus side of the plastic bridge on the v2 is that it keeps the left side of the controller from slipping off during gaming, which I’ve managed to do multiple times.
From a gameplay perspective, the buttons simply feel better on the V2, providing a more “solid” feeling when pressed. There is also a more satisfying “click” sound when using the shoulder buttons. They also don’t have that light feeling to them so I never felt like I had to apply more pressure than needed. As I said above, I do have my issues with the new buttons and placement of where the Menu and Options are.
By plugging the controller straight into the phone, you don’t get that noticeable delay between button presses. As for how durable the controller is, I haven’t been brave enough to replicate the same experimentation my children have. However, I can say that the v2’s passthrough charging capability is much more reliable for me than the first ever was.
Should You Buy It?
If you’re someone who travels, then I highly recommend that you look into a Kishi controller. Both of them are reliable controller attachments that eliminate the need for bulky controllers and the clunky clips that go with them. I own a Samsung Galaxy 22 Ultra, and the Kishi v2 fits snugly around my device without any struggle, and it feels wonderful.
How the v2 improves on the v1 is subtle but noticeable to anyone who has used them. While it cannot collapse, making it better for storing away, everything else about the controller feels great. If you own a larger phone and want a more comfortable experience, then I can’t suggest the v2 enough.
