ROG Raikiri II Xbox wi-fi controller assessment

It looks like each time I flip round, one other firm has a professional controller out to market. ROG is beginning to get seen with their current Xbox Ally handheld, and now that collaborative effort has led to one thing new. After all, why develop a “console” with out a controller to go together with it? the ROG Raikiri II Xbox wi-fi controller is right here, totally licensed, and able to rock. But, is it a greater purchase than Xbox’s personal Elite 2? Let’s dive in.

Opening the field you may discover the ROG Raikiri II Xbox wi-fi controller on a detachable charging dock, a braided-sheath USB-C charging cable, two further thumbsticks, and a USB dongle, all inside a nifty soft-shell carrying case. The USB dongle is simple to overlook, because it’s hidden in a secret compartment on the underside of the controller. That mentioned, I at all times get pleasure from that design selection – it makes it simpler to take my dongle with me.

The Raikiri II feels good in hand. It’s on the smaller facet, someplace between a daily Xbox controller and SCUF’s current Valor Pro. This results in a very nice grip, together with good contact on the thumbsticks. With some actually clicky Micro-Switch face buttons as properly, it is only a nice package deal for consolation. It additionally appears to be like very nice, notably the RGB strips adorning the handles. You also can modify them with totally different results and particular colours; this controller has pizzazz.

That mentioned, my greatest disappointment lies within the thumbsticks themselves. These are Tunnel Magnetoresistance (TMR) thumbsticks, that are the optimum anti-drift tech out there within the business in the present day. They’re clean and correct. My challenge lies not within the tech behind it – which is greater than strong – however the wells the thumbsticks inhabit. The wells are a bit wider than you discover on different controllers, which results in extra freedom of motion.

As I’ve used the Raikiri II, I discover myself over-aiming and over-correcting because of this design selection. This is very prevalent when sniping, as I’ve missed straightforward pictures from shifting my crosshairs too far and needed to transfer again. It primarily impacts the best thumbstick, nevertheless it’s nonetheless annoying. While that is one thing you may get used to, and make refined changes to your sensitivity and deadzones, there’s a large enough distinction right here that it’s going to take a while to nice tune your goal.

Outside of this quirk, nonetheless, this can be a actually improbable controller. The again buttons and triggers are particularly stupendous. I can not let you know how a lot I disdain firms that put again buttons in odd locations, however on the Raikiri II, they completely sit in grip, together with a pleasant textured really feel to maintain mentioned grip on them. Beyond that, they have that mouse-click that allows you to know your enter goes via, together with responsiveness once you use them.

Similarly, the short triggers are equally improbable. These triggers have a full and on the spot pull, all managed with a locking change subsequent to every set off. If you need to use your controller usually, no drawback. If you need the aggressive fringe of a mouse-click, you will have it in seconds. It’s on the extent of SCUF’s Valor Pro; these triggers are to die for.

You’ll not often run into an uncharged battery as properly. ASUS and ROG have put a battery that may final upwards of fifty hours inside. Admittedly, it’s important to be conservative and lose the RGB and vibration options, however even reducing that whole in half, you are getting greater than sufficient to final many of the week. With the aptitude of additionally charging your controller on the included dock inside or exterior of the case, it ensures conserving your battery full is in your thoughts.

Of course, having the ability to use it the place you need makes an excellent controller, and the flexibility of the Raikiri II makes it nice. You have three choices for connectivity: wired, a 2.4GHz USB dongle, and Bluetooth. With two switches on the again to let what mode or platform your controller is about for, it is simple to be able to roll. While it’s an Xbox-coded and authorized controller (which means you will not be capable to apply it to PlayStation), the PC and cell connectivity, particularly being suitable with the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, offers you a large breadth of units to be used. I’m additionally loving the 1K polling charge on PC – as a aggressive gamer, not having to go to the trouble of overclocking my controller for higher enter registration is appreciated.

In phrases of gameplay, my aforementioned qualms with the thumbsticks have not deterred me from having fun with my time taking part in video games like Call of Duty, Halo, and extra. All of the options collectively, minus the best stick’s aiming woes, complement the controller and create pure and snappy motion. Black Ops 7 is an particularly concerned sport once you’re attempting to leap and slide round, together with the brand new wall bounce mechanic. The Raikiri II permits you to map the again buttons to their finest inputs (via the app or a easy button mixture) and lock in your pictures sooner than your opponents via the short triggers.

Something that may make or break a controller for me is the convenience of software program. The Raikiri II has a high quality app in Gear-Link, however I do not look after the implementation. Instead of an precise app you obtain, it’s important to boot into it through a browser. It’s odd, and whereas I’d forgive it if it was to present you cell entry, that is not a factor. Gear-Link works properly, with loads of totally different settings to tweak – like button remapping, set off deadzones, vibration depth; even stick response curve. I simply want it was accessible via my cellphone to make fast changes.

Bonus: There are two additional face buttons across the energy/Xbox button which are primarily useful for the ROG Xbox Ally, however can be utilized exterior of it. A Command Center and Library button provide you with on the spot entry to that performance on the hand-held, but in addition may be remapped to what you want. Out of the field they’re mapped to the thumbsticks, however the freedom to vary them is a pleasant additional.