TL:DR: The Razer Kishi that I use for my iPhone 12 Pro is a solid console quality controller attachment that works excellent for iPhone gaming. I have played games from the Apple App Store and Apple Arcade to using the Playstation Remote app to play games through my PS5. Will drain battery fast if not plugged in.
Pros
-Comfortable to hold for extended periods of time.
-Snug Fit to iPhone 12 Pro
-Analog sticks and buttons are console controller quality
-No battery to change
-Lightening cable passthrough to charge while playing
-Compact and portable
-Direct connection so no button lag
Cons
-Drains battery fast if not plugged in
I recently purchased a Nintendo Switch for my wife during the holidays and rediscovered how cool it was to have a portable gaming system. In the past, portable gaming with things like the Nintendo DS or PSP were “portable” gaming systems, but with the Nintendo Switch, it was a full fledge gaming console in your hands. This got me thinking as I love playing games on my iPhone and the iOS recently enabled controller support.
I went to Amazon and did some research to see what my options were to add a controller to my iPhone. I knew I did not want a regular controller with a phone bracket above it as that seemed too gimmicky to me. I wanted to see if there was something like the Nintendo Switch. After a brief amount of searching, I came across the Razer Kishi.
Comparing the cost of the Kishi to other bluetooth “bracket” style controllers, yes the Kishi is a little more expensive; however, how it fits to the phone and how well it works, in my opinion, is well worth the cost.
The controller collapses into a small portable form factor which is easy to put into backpacks or purses without worry of damaging it. When you are ready to play, you just unlatch two little clips on the back, extend the controller out, and plug your phone in. Once you open a game, if the game supports a controller, it will just work! **Important note, the controller support and button configuration is per the game, not the controller. So if a game does not work as you might expect it, it is NOT Razer’s fault, but the way the game developer designed it**
The gaming experience is excellent with the Kishi. It truly feels like a Nintendo Switch with the console quality controls. Every game I have played has been seamless. The controller IS NOT bluetooth, so you will be running on the phones battery. This does drain the battery much faster than a bluetooth controller, but on the flip side, there is no button lag, and you do not need to charge the controller so it is always ready to go. The controller has a lightening port on the bottom right that can be used as a passthrough to charge your phone while playing.
If you are looking for a compact, solid console quality gaming controller, look no further. The Kishi has exceeded all of my expectations so far. There is even an iPhone app you can download to make sure the firmware is up to date and working properly which shows ongoing support for their already excellent product.
Razer Kishi Mobile Game Controller / Gamepad for Xbox Android USB-C: Game Pass Ultimate, xCloud, Cloud Gaming - Passthrough C
4.1 | 20,134 ratings
Price: 31.99
Last update: 12-23-2024
About this item
Universal Mobile Gaming Controller: Designed to bring console-level control to your phone for gaming anywhere.
Cloud and Mobile Gaming: Compatible with leading cloud gaming services including Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Stadia, Amazon Luna, GeForce NOW, & Steam Link; & hundreds of popular mobile games including Fortnite, Minecraft, Roblox, Brawlhalla, Asphalt 9: Legends, Black Desert Mobile, emulators, & many more
Refine Your Aim and Execution: Clickable analog thumbsticks provide greater accuracy and tactile feedback, and the performance buttons and d-pad deliver precision input
Latency-Free Gameplay: Unlike Bluetooth controllers which produce lag, the controller has zero latency by directly connecting to the device’s charging port
USB Type C Charging Port: For pass-through charging of your phone or tablet while using the controller.
Ergonomic, Flexible Design for a Comfortable Handheld Grip: Designed for long gaming sessions, the controller feels great to hold and can be stretched and clamped on most Android phones, providing a secure hold that won’t come loose during gaming
Cloud and Mobile Gaming: Compatible with leading cloud gaming services including Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Stadia, Amazon Luna, GeForce NOW, & Steam Link; & hundreds of popular mobile games including Fortnite, Minecraft, Roblox, Brawlhalla, Asphalt 9: Legends, Black Desert Mobile, emulators, & many more
Refine Your Aim and Execution: Clickable analog thumbsticks provide greater accuracy and tactile feedback, and the performance buttons and d-pad deliver precision input
Latency-Free Gameplay: Unlike Bluetooth controllers which produce lag, the controller has zero latency by directly connecting to the device’s charging port
USB Type C Charging Port: For pass-through charging of your phone or tablet while using the controller.
Ergonomic, Flexible Design for a Comfortable Handheld Grip: Designed for long gaming sessions, the controller feels great to hold and can be stretched and clamped on most Android phones, providing a secure hold that won’t come loose during gaming
Product information
| ASIN | B08D5DRBXQ |
|---|---|
| Release date | August 26, 2020 |
| Customer Reviews |
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars
20,130 ratings
4.1 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #2,835 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games) #52 in GEM Box Microconsole |
| Product Dimensions | 5.28 x 3.7 x 1.46 inches; 5.6 ounces |
| Type of item | Video Game |
| Language | English |
| Rated | Everyone |
| Item model number | RZ06-02900200-R3U1 |
| Item Weight | 5.6 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Razer |
| Batteries | 1 AA batteries required. (included) |
| Date First Available | August 26, 2020 |
Top reviews from the United States
JasonMSolid gaming console quality controller which plays like a Nintendo Switch
JasonM
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2021
Pros
-Comfortable to hold for extended periods of time.
-Snug Fit to iPhone 12 Pro
-Analog sticks and buttons are console controller quality
-No battery to change
-Lightening cable passthrough to charge while playing
-Compact and portable
-Direct connection so no button lag
Cons
-Drains battery fast if not plugged in
I recently purchased a Nintendo Switch for my wife during the holidays and rediscovered how cool it was to have a portable gaming system. In the past, portable gaming with things like the Nintendo DS or PSP were “portable” gaming systems, but with the Nintendo Switch, it was a full fledge gaming console in your hands. This got me thinking as I love playing games on my iPhone and the iOS recently enabled controller support.
I went to Amazon and did some research to see what my options were to add a controller to my iPhone. I knew I did not want a regular controller with a phone bracket above it as that seemed too gimmicky to me. I wanted to see if there was something like the Nintendo Switch. After a brief amount of searching, I came across the Razer Kishi.
Comparing the cost of the Kishi to other bluetooth “bracket” style controllers, yes the Kishi is a little more expensive; however, how it fits to the phone and how well it works, in my opinion, is well worth the cost.
The controller collapses into a small portable form factor which is easy to put into backpacks or purses without worry of damaging it. When you are ready to play, you just unlatch two little clips on the back, extend the controller out, and plug your phone in. Once you open a game, if the game supports a controller, it will just work! **Important note, the controller support and button configuration is per the game, not the controller. So if a game does not work as you might expect it, it is NOT Razer’s fault, but the way the game developer designed it**
The gaming experience is excellent with the Kishi. It truly feels like a Nintendo Switch with the console quality controls. Every game I have played has been seamless. The controller IS NOT bluetooth, so you will be running on the phones battery. This does drain the battery much faster than a bluetooth controller, but on the flip side, there is no button lag, and you do not need to charge the controller so it is always ready to go. The controller has a lightening port on the bottom right that can be used as a passthrough to charge your phone while playing.
If you are looking for a compact, solid console quality gaming controller, look no further. The Kishi has exceeded all of my expectations so far. There is even an iPhone app you can download to make sure the firmware is up to date and working properly which shows ongoing support for their already excellent product.
Images in this review
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