As I tested the Razer Kishi, I truly appreciated the Lightning passthrough charging port. It works with any game that can use compatible MFi controllers, and there is a Lightning port for passthrough charging. Sophisticated Gamer is a series all about elevated gaming accessories you won't be embarrassed to show to your Tinder date. Selected and verified by our team of deal editors. Bring your A-game anytime, anywhere. As long as your iPhone has enough juice, you'll be fine. However, this doesn’t influence our opinions. But the physical connection also comes with some drawbacks. The Kishi also works brilliantly with game streaming. They have a dull, muted feel to them, which is not perfect, but you’ll quickly get used to it. As an avid console gamer, I can’t bring myself to use them for more than five minutes. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter and Instagram as @christyxcore. Since gaming is resource-intensive and would drain the battery faster than normal, I prefer to keep my phone charged up while playing, and the Razer Kishi lets me do just that. At the very least, I was expecting the ability to rebind the buttons and save custom profiles. Introducing a universal mobile gaming controller that fits most smartphone devices, designed to bring console-level control to your on-the-go gaming. The external port is only designed for pass through charging. They’re nicely weighted, have the perfect amount of resistance and feature Xbox-like contouring for grip. This means that, in terms of raw inputs, the Kishi is on par with the PlayStation and Xbox controllers. They feel spongy and less premium, and also sit at a sub-optimal angle relative to the natural position of your index/middle fingers. No spam, we promise. Because it connects directly to your device’s charging port, this mobile controller is able to provide instant button response for smooth, seamless control. Here are a few of our most popular alerts. Unlike Bluetooth controllers, you won't have to worry about battery life because the Kishi connects to your iPhone directly via Lightning. The Razer Kishi for iPhone is made from plastic, as you'd expect for a game controller, but it does have some heft to it when not in use, which is nice. However, they provide less tactile feedback than console gamers are used to. Since nothing plugs in on that side of the device, it's not as stiff as the Lightning connector end, and it also needs to remain flexible so you can remove it. Should You Put Small Purchases on Credit Cards? The first reviews and videos of Apple's new HomePod mini are now live, here's what your favorite creators and outlets thought. It's important to use the correct grips because otherwise you won't get a snug fit. The universal mobile controller’s flexible design allows it to be stretched and clamped on most phones, providing a secure hold that’ll never come loose while you game. After all, Razer is "for gamers, by gamers.". Amazon's Choice recommends highly rated and well-priced products. The hottest deals voted on by our community. Firstly, the experience is bound to improve once the barebones app is fleshed out with more customization features, and compatibility is increased. Also, at $99.99, it’s expensive. Give one a try. Purchase directly from RazerStore and get 14 days risk-free returns. There are, however, two standout titles that don’t work: Call of Duty: Mobile and PUBG MOBILE. Grab Edgy Eyeglasses and Readers for 'Free'... Review: Razer’s Naga Pro Is a Transforming Wireless Mouse for Every Game Genre, iPhone 12 mini and Pro Max: Where to Find the Best Pre-Order Deals and Discounts, Grab Edgy Eyeglasses and Readers for ‘Free’ Before Time Runs Out, Staff Picks: Best Black Friday Discounts for 2020, Our Community Has Spoken: GameStop’s Best Early Black Friday Switch Deal is on Smash Bros. I enjoy how it wraps around my iPhone 11 Pro and turns it into a pseudo-Switch experience, especially with the ergonomic grip that's comfortable for most long play sessions. These days, I usually play iOS games on my iPad Pro with my DualShock 4 controller, but Razer is changing that with the Kishi. Please verify the actual selling price and offer details on the merchant's site before making a purchase. When you first get it, the Kishi is folded up into its compact mode. The analogue sticks – a feature most peripheral makers struggle to get right – are fantastic. While it lacks the universal compatibility of a Bluetooth controller (again, check out the Junglecat for that), it makes up for it with a super fast physical connection that offers a premium, console-like experience on a phone. Sign up now to get the latest news, deals & more from iMore! The Razer Kishi also has a external Lightning port which can be used for pass-through charging of the smartphone. Slickdeals, LLC. But you might want to take a wait-and-see approach. Mike Jackson has been writing for high-profile publications for 16 years, primarily in the video game industry, but also covering tech. So I wasn’t expecting much from the Razer Kishi for iPhone. The last thing about the Razer Kishi is that it won't be compatible if you have a case on. But because of this, your iPhone should be able to stay cool while you play, since there's no case on it to trap heat. It brings the Xbox controller layout to your iPhone with precise and tactile feedback, is comfortable to hold, and lets you charge up your phone as you play. The right side of the controller has the Lightning connector, so you simply stick your iPhone into that. But don't worry — your iPhone won't be popping out and disconnect from the controller just because of that slight wobble. Another small annoyance with the Razer Kishi for iPhone is, like the Android version, there is a slight wobble on the left side of the controller. The inputs are either all messed up, or don’t respond at all. It’s just unfortunate that Apple’s draconian App Store policies currently prevent iPhone users from enjoying Microsoft’s Project xCloud, Nvidia Now, or Stadia streaming services. Never miss out on a great deal again. The Razer Kishi universal mobile controller. FIND A RETAILER. If your phone starts running low while you’re gaming with the controller still attached, simply hook up a charging cable to the controller itself to get the device charging. deal is posted. No, the controller utilizes the smartphones power to operate. The Kishi connects via the Thunderbolt port on the bottom of your phone – not via Bluetooth like almost all other mobile controllers. Once inserted, the fitment is snug, secure and feels great to hold. The Kishi’s two main sections detach to reveal a flexible, stretchy tether. Set up deal On the left side, you'll have an analog joystick, option/pause button, 8-way D-pad, and a Home button. More custom options are sure to follow. Razer’s Viper Ultimate Is the King of Wireless Mice, Save Up to $360 on Three Years of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. If I'm not writing, you can probably find me over at Disneyland. Popular flight sim X-Plane is supported wonderfully and really demonstrated the precision of the analogue sticks. Just note that you’ll have to remove any case or bumper from your phone to ensure a proper connection. The Kishi’s fast direct connection is perfect for this, with latency being so critical to the experience of game streaming. We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Copyright 1999 – 2020. The Razer Kishi for iPhone retails for $99.99. with the Slickdeals community? To open it up, just pull the two latches on the back out to release the locking mechanism. By default, the Kishi has the Rubber Grips B installed, which fit the iPhone XR, XS Max, 11, and 11 Pro Max. On the left side, you'll have an analog joystick, option/pause button, 8-way D-pad, and a Home button. Razer Kishi Mobile Game Controller / Gamepad for iPhone iOS: Works with most iPhones – iPhone X and 11 - Apple Arcade - Lightning Port Passthrough Charging - Mobile Controller Grip - MFi Certified. Razer Kishi. And while it’s lightweight, it has decent thickness for added comfort over a lot of alternatives. We recommend use of a Bluetooth headset such as our Hammerhead True Wireless. The right side has the standard face buttons (A, B, X, Y), an analog joystick, and a menu button. The direct connection also means the lack of an internal battery, and thus no need to charge the Kishi itself. These deals are currently popular in the The Razer Kishi for iPhone is finally available, and I've spent some time with it for the past few weeks. The face buttons and D-Pad are nice, with a premium, consistent feel across the board. I also experienced no latency between my button presses and what happens on-screen. Can the Razer Kishi be connected wirelessly to a smartphone or PC? Never miss out on a great deal again. If you are in the market for one of the best controller mounts for iPhone, then you should consider the Razer Kishi. Just gently pull the left side of the controller off, remove your phone, and then push the two halves together until the middle tabs line up and click together. I spent hours a day playing various Apple Arcade games with my Kishi unit and felt no discomfort in my hands after these extended sessions. Set up deal alerts for your favorite stores, categories, or products and we'll instantly alert you when a new deal is posted. Investor Relations. If you love playing Mario Kart and other racing games on your Nintendo Switch, you should consider picking up a steering wheel controller. And you can expect full functionality in modern games that use clicking sticks to sprint, crouch or zoom. No, the Razer Kishi was designed for direct connection to smartphones via Lightning connectors. Good job, Razer! The Razer Kishi universal mobile controller. Do you have a great deal to share With the reality of playing AAA releases on any screen, having the controller attached to your device provides a form factor convenient and portable enough to truly game anywhere. Unfortunately, Razer doesn't provide a carrying case for the Kishi in the box — you'll just have to throw it into your bag or pocket as-is. It does feel more intuitive than my DualShock 4 in terms of button placement, and I enjoy the tactile feedback with each button press. Our views are our own. Game controllers for smartphones are, unfortunately, often terrible. community based on votes and comments. And since there's room for dissipating heat, my phone didn't overheat. To remove the grips, you just need to gently pull on the rubber until it can be fully removed — then just insert the proper grip for your iPhone. I would like to receive news and offers from other Future brands. This alone makes it the best option for anyone playing competitive online games, or using their phones to play triple-A games via a cloud streaming platform (which, on the iPhone at this time, are sadly limited). The left side stretches a bit so you can easily wrap the controller around your iPhone. And in typical Razer fashion, it looks and feels slick. You'll also find the LED status indicator and two speaker ports on the right side as well. An entire room in his house is dedicated to Super Mario, and he thinks the Nintendo Switch is “the best invention in human history.” Counseling may be necessary. With the Kishi, you get a comfortable grip on your iPhone for games in landscape orientation, and the button placements are optimized to feel natural and intuitive. Set a Deal Alert to be notified of any price drops as soon as they’re posted to our forums. The Razer Kishi Xbox edition follows the exact overall design as the regular Kishi controller. Introducing a universal gaming controller that fits most Android devices, designed to bring console-level control to your mobile gaming. It's what makes Software compatibility is an inevitable issue with mobile gaming, though, but with games that fully support it, the Kishi feels like you’re playing a proper handheld console. Now a version for iPhones … When you're done, just fold it up and stow away until you're ready to game again. All Rights Reserved. While I used the Kishi with mostly iOS titles, Razer states that the Kishi for iPhone is cloud gaming compatible, so it should work with apps like PS4 Remote Play. Learn more. And the connection is seamless. And I found them to be rather enjoyable after a short while playing.