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Razer Kishi V2 vs. Backbone One: There's a clear winner here
The Razer Kishi V2 has the edge over its stylish counterpart
The Backbone One and the Razer Kishi V2 are wired snap-on Android controllers that offer premium gaming experiences. Both are expensive, retailing at $100, but if you're willing to spend that much, you'll find it hard to choose between these two controllers, which regularly appear in our roundup of the best controllers for Android.
The Razer Kishi V2 offers a new Virtual Controller mode, and it's pretty slick
Easily add controller support to touchscreen games
Razer's Kishi line have been the go-to controllers on Android thanks to quality ergonomics and ease of use, with the Kishi V2 offering a design similar to the Backbone controller. Having reviewed the Razer Kishi V2 last June, we were impressed, though it was clear the supporting app needed some work. A new update for the Razer Nexus app brings it to 2.0, adding some much-need functionality and support for a new Virtual Controller mode. With this brand-new new feature in the Razer Nexus app, anyone can map the Kishi V2's physical controls to the touchscreen to finally tackle touchscreen-only games with something a lot more tactile. This is why I've gone hands-on with the new 2.0 update for Razer Nexus, to see just how well the fresh Virtual Controller mode works. Let's dig in.
Get ready to live life on the Razer Edge, as this next-gen Android gaming handheld prepares to land
We've got all the details on Razer's full CES 2023 lineup
2022 was a hell of a year for handheld gaming consoles, and while the aging Nintendo Switch did pick up some fantastic new releases, maybe the hottest action was taking place in the PC & Android space, especially when that came to cloud gaming. Devices like Valve's Steam Deck and the Logitech G Cloud dominated our attention, but in mid-October one of the biggest names in gaming hardware dropped a teaser for an upcoming handheld of its own: the Razer Edge. Based on the successful Razer Kishi controller accessory, we knew the Edge was coming out in 2023, but when? This year at CES 2023, I finally got to go hands-on with the Razer Edge, while also getting the details on those release plans, and checking out the rest of Razer's big CES hardware announcements.
SteelSeries Stratus+ vs. Razer Kishi v2: Which controller is best for you?
Should you go with a traditional gamepad or turn your phone into a Switch?
When choosing the best Android controller, the SteelSeries Stratus+ and Razer Kishi V2 are two very different gamepads. They're rated as among the best Android controllers available, but which one you should buy for your Android smartphone depends on how you prefer to play mobile games. If you want a more traditional controller experience, the Razer Kishi V2 is for you. If you want to transform your smartphone into a console, the SteelSeries Stratus+ is a better fit.
The Razer Kishi is one of Android's best controllers, and it's $45 for Prime Day
If you demand tactile controls for your mobile games, the Razer Kishi is one of the best solutions around
Since Razer released the Kishi controller in 2020, it's been a staple of mobile gaming, which is a good reason. It's built well, is comfortable to hold in hand, relies on USB-C for connections cutting down on latency, folds up for easy transportation, and fits a solid selection of Android phones. The only caveat for the last two years is that the Razer Kishi is typically an expensive controller, but thanks to the onslaught of Prime Day sales, you can pick one up today for $45 (typically retailing for $80), which is about as good as it gets.
Razer Kishi V2 review: Micro switches make all the difference
Razer's managed to improve one of Android's best controllers
Razer hit the ground running back in 2020 with a slick mobile controller designed in partnership with Gamevice, known as the Razer Kishi. It's been two years since its release, and it was growing a little long in the tooth thanks to a size limitation inherent to the design where large phones and large camera bumps didn't fit.
Razer's second-gen Kishi controller gets some big upgrades and a price to match
The Razer Kishi v2 is finally here, with microswitches and an all-new design
The original Razer Kishi controller for Android came to life with the help of Gamevice, a controller manufacturer that nailed the familiar landscape side-by-side orientation necessary for comfortable gameplay. Plenty of companies have followed Gamevice's and Razer's lead with similar controllers since the Kishi's launch in 2020, like the GameSir X2 or the Backbone One, but Razer's Kishi is still the most recognizable of the bunch, and today Razer has announced the sequel, the Razer Kishi v2, and it goes on sale today for $100.
Gamevice's latest Android controller is a rebranded Razer Kishi with a much lower price
So go ahead and finally make your phone the Switch of your dreams
We've been big fans of the Razer Kishi since it launched back in 2020. Not only did it bring a Switch-esque controller to your entire collection of compatible games, but it also made cloud streaming from consoles, Steam, and Stadia a breeze. If you've been patiently waiting for a cheaper version to pick one up, your time has finally come — as long as you're fine with dropping the Razer branding, of course.
Slay your mobile games with a Razer Kishi gamepad, refurbished and priced to sell
The knight for (affordable) hire
If you take gaming on your phone seriously, but are looking for that next step on where to go, here's a big and cheap idea: you can grab a Razer Kishi gamepad for a floor-low price.
One of the best ways to game on Android is finally affordable with this Amazon deal
It's no Switch, but it sure beats touch controls
Listen, mobile games: you gave it the old college try with touch-screen controls. Sometimes, sure, it worked OK, but more often than not we found ourselves craving the sort of responsive input you only get with a proper, physical controller. Luckily there are plenty of solutions available to Android gamers, and one of the better ones is Razer's Kishi. Normally retailing for $80, earlier this week we spotted it for a much more reasonable , and if you haven't jumped on it yet, that deal's still available.The Kishi is a neat little controller that expands to grip your phone and folds up into a pocketable size when not in use. Just be sure to check if it fits your device before you order — some bigger phones won't work without modifying the controller.
The Razer Kishi controller is perhaps the closest we've come to duplicating the Nintendo Switch experience with phones. It's compatible with many different devices, functions over a low-latency USB Type-C connection, and now you can get it for just $58.25 from Amazon. That's a discount of $21.74 from the original price.The Kishi is a controller with an adjustable middle strap, designed to securely fasten to most Android devices. It connects to the phone using the Type-C port, so you don't have to worry about Bluetooth lag. The gamepad should work with every Android game that supports controllers, including Fortnite, Minecraft, DOOM, Stardew Valley, and many others.
The nearly universal Razer Kishi mobile gamepad is $66 ($14 off) right now
Up your mobile gaming... game
Android supports basically every popular Bluetooth gamepad you can buy, including those made for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. But those aren't super portable, and you'll either need a clip or some kind of kickstand to comfortably use them. Razer's Kishi gamepad, on the other hand, folds down to a size that'd comfortably fit in a jacket pocket and clips onto your phone for easy use. If that sounds up your alley, you're in luck: it's on sale for $66 today, $14 off its usual price.The two halves of the Kishi are connected by a springy ribbon that stretches out to accommodate your phone, which connects by USB-C. The tension on the spring (plus some rubbery bumpers inside the halves) keep your phone in place as you play. It has all the buttons you'll need and fits most phones, although particularly large or small ones might not work. My Pixel 5, for example, is too small to keep enough tension and can fall out if I hold it wrong. But that's not a common problem.
Razer Kishi review: This is probably the best way to play games on your phone — if you can afford it
Razer's new mobile controller fits almost every modern Android phone, but it'll cost ya
As phones get more powerful, mobile games get more complex: Snake and Brick Breaker have given way to fully-featured PC and console ports, to say nothing of cloud gaming. A lot of these games require a controller to fully enjoy, but mobile gamepads are generally clunky things. Enter Razer's newest controller: the Kishi attaches to phones of many different sizes to turn them into sleek portable consoles. It's really cool — but it's also really expensive, and it doesn't fit some of the most premium devices available today.
Razer has announced today that it will bring an all-new mobile-focused gaming controller to Android in partnership with Gamevice, a well-known mobile controller manufacturer. This upcoming device is known as the Razer Kishi, and Razer is boasting that it will support low-latency on Android through a hidden USB-C port. It's styled after the Razer Junglecat (released last year), which clearly borrows much of its design from Gamevice's controllers. It would also appear that Razer is positioning the Kishi as a low-latency device perfect for playing cloud-based games, which ties into a Razer collaboration with Nvidia's GeForce NOW game streaming service.