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I like my PlayStation 5. It’s the most effective issues I’ve purchased with my very own cash, and I’ve spent an ungodly quantity of hours taking part in the likes of Baldur’s Gate 3, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Alan Wake 2, and FIFA (sorry, EA Sports FC) on my PS5 Slim. While I take my Nintendo Switch 2 with me when I’m touring, it simply would not have the identical, various recreation catalog that I like.
So, for some time now, I’ve been contemplating getting the PlayStation Portal — it was even sitting in my cart for just a few days throughout the 2025 Black Friday gross sales. But fact be informed, I’m not totally satisfied by the Portal as a result of I’ve heard combined critiques. Do I additionally wish to pay almost $200 for a distant participant? Kinda but additionally no. Then it hit me: what if I simply used the PS Remote Play app on my iPad and bought a controller designed particularly for the iPad. Enter the Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL.
The Kishi V3 Pro XL is a beast — and I’m not simply speaking about its stature. It’s fitted with highly effective, extremely responsive TMR thumbsticks, mouse-like clicky triggers and face buttons, and it options 4 further remappable buttons too. Ergonomically designed and comfy to carry all day lengthy, it is an utter delight. Is it good? Nope. Do I nonetheless find it irresistible? Heck sure, and here is why.
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Ergonomics galore!
There’s no level in spending any amount of cash on a controller if it is not designed ergonomically and hinders you from with the ability to play all day. Thankfully, the Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL is an especially snug gamepad, one which I’ve used for a six-hour lengthy stint with out feeling like my palms had been cramping. That’s because of the the controller’s chunky grips, full-size thumbsticks and triggers, and offset sticks which, in my view, really feel extra ergonomic.
In phrases of dimension, the Kishi V3 Pro XL’s plate the place the pill sits measures measures 12.91 x 4.36 x 2.54 inches when the controller is outstretched. This implies that it is sufficiently big to accommodate even a 13-inch iPad Pro! It’s a joy to handle too, and doesn’t feel unwieldy even when a tablet is slotted in. Without one, it weighs 10.97oz. I used the controller with my iPad Air 10.9-inch which bumped the weight up 1.73lbs. Even so, I didn’t find it uncomfortable to hold for long periods of time.
I can’t tell you how much fun it is to game handheld on a screen that big. The PlayStation Portal’s 8-inch screen is also good, no doubt about that, but I really like the iPad Air’s bigger screen. It makes for quite an immersive gaming experience. Plug in your favorite gaming headset into the 3.5mm port on the right grip and you’ve got a winning combo.
So smooth, so powerful
There’s a lot to love about the Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL’s gaming performance. First of all, its thumbsticks are fitted with Tunnel Magneto Resistance (TMR) sensors, which are more responsive and longer-lasting than Hall Effect ones. They use weak electromagnetic waves which means that smaller adjustments and minute movements are picked up by the sensors, and the boost to accuracy in racing and FPS titles is certainly noticeable.
Then there’s the Kishi V3 Pro XL’s triggers, face buttons, two extra shoulder buttons and two back buttons, which are mouse-like to press. They feel like the ones you’ll find on the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro. In fact, the Kishi V3 Pro XL feels like someone sliced the Wolverine V3 Pro down the middle and slotted a tablet in between the two grips. The performance is incredible, and I’ve had so much fun playing games like Cyberpunk 2077, Expedition 33, and Need for Speed Heat on this controller.
You can read all about the performance in my full review, of course, but in a few words, the Kishi V3 Pro XL gave me a competitive advantage in FPS and racing titles as I could tailor my movements down to a T, and all of my commands were promptly registered thanks to the 4,000Hz polling rate. I have no complaints in the performance department.
There’s one problem though…
By now, I’m sure you know that I love the Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL. It’s a fantastic iPad controller. But I’d be lying if I said it was perfect — after all, I gave it 4-stars in my Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL review. Unfortunately, the Kishi V3 Pro XL costs a premium, retailing for $199 / £164 at Amazon, which makes it the identical value as a brand new PlayStation Portal. Of course, for those who already personal an iPad and wish to recreation on it, the Kishi V3 Pro XL may be well worth the funding.
But the shortage of haptics and rumble makes it laborious for me to suggest it to anybody who needs a actually immersive gaming expertise. Having performed video games utilizing the PS Remote Play app in addition to those downloaded on my iPad, I immediately seen the shortage of rumble which got here as a shock to me, as Razer specifies “next-gen feedback” on the controller’s product web page. Here’s the kicker: In very high quality print, Razer notes that rumble would not work on iOS and iPadOS gadgets.
Now, this might be a limitation of iOS and iPadOS gadgets as, apparently, rumble ought to work high quality with Android tablets. Or it might be a limitation of the PS Remote Play app. But does that cease me from feeling disillusioned? Nope. Even so, not many controllers function haptics, so can the Kishi V3 Pro XL actually be chastised for it? I do not know. Is it a dealbreaker for me? Well, I’ll fortunately use the Kishi V3 Pro XL till I finally do get a PlayStation Portal, so we’ll go away it at that.
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