Skilled’s Score
Execs
- Giant sufficient for iPad mini (Sixth gen)
- Sits comfortably within the hand
- Cross-through charging and audio
- Delicate RGB lighting
Cons
- Not appropriate with iPhone 14 and older
- Loud buttons
Our Verdict
The Razer Kishi Extremely is a good buy in case you have a Sixth-gen iPad mini (the one with the USB-C port) and need to flip it right into a gaming gadget with one of the best display in its class.
Value When Reviewed
$149.99
Finest Costs At the moment: Razer Kishi Extremely
$149.99
As somebody who has used the Razer Kishi V2 for iPhone, I’ve observed that an iPad mini with a Lightning port was sadly too large for it. I believed that this was fairly a disgrace as a result of a bigger display would make the expertise with the Kishi controller so a lot better.
A yr later, Razer launched its successor: the Razer Kishi Extremely, which is large enough for the Sixth-gen iPad mini. It made me notice how a lot of an issue iPad mini gaming may be and what a superb improve the Kishi Extremely’s compatibility with the iPad mini alone represents.
Other than that, Razer efficiently addresses just a few different points I discovered with the Kishi V2. This makes the Razer Kishi Extremely among the finest controllers for iPhone and the one considered one of its type for iPad mini–but in addition one of the vital costly.
Razer Kishi Extremely: Design and workmanship
- Giant sufficient for Sixth-gen iPad mini
- Cross-through charging and audio
- Delicate RGB lighting
The similarity between the Kishi Extremely and the Kishi V2 is unmistakable. The controller appears to be like just like the Kishi V2 has been inflated by round 10 p.c. All the things is larger: the buttons, the joysticks, the grips, and naturally, the house between the 2 grips in order that the iPad mini suits between them.
When folded, the Kishi Extremely is simply over 24 centimeters lengthy, which is kind of cumbersome for touring and takes up plenty of house in your backpack. With an iPad in between, the Kishi Extremely grows to only over 33 centimeters–round 5 centimeters wider than the Steam Deck however with a bigger and higher-resolution display and round 80 grams lighter together with the iPad (563 versus 640 grams).
Whereas the Kishi V2 is modeled on the Pleasure-Cons of the Nintendo Swap, the Kishi Extremely is extra paying homage to an Xbox controller, which has been separated into two halves within the center. This has appreciable benefits when it comes to ergonomics.
The Kishi Extremely has a USB-C port and is routed to the underside of the best half of the controller so you may join a charger (or an influence financial institution) and cost your iPhone or iPad whereas taking part in. A 3.5 mm stereo jack can be utilized to ahead the sound out of your iPhone to wired headphones.
The workmanship feels somewhat low cost in locations, however because the Kishi Extremely weighs simply over twice as a lot at 265 grams, the gamepad has a top quality really feel general. The spring mechanism on the connector can simply face up to even considerably rougher bending makes an attempt.
Eugen Wegmann
The Kishi Extremely presents RGB lighting that’s pleasantly discreet: a slim strip on the transition from the highest to the deal with, and you’ll change it off fully within the Kishi app. It’s actually a matter of style, however I’m glad that it doesn’t flash like Christmas lights on a home.
A curious aspect operate arises together with the iPad mini. Whether or not accidentally or design, the Kishi Extremely additionally capabilities as an honest iPad stand if you wish to watch movies between your gaming classes.
When you use a cable with a really brief or (ideally) angled USB connector, you can even cost your iPad whereas utilizing it. The plugs of the USB-C cables that include Apple merchandise or equipment from different producers are sadly barely lengthy.
Eugen Wegmann
When you lay the controller down and switch it with the shoulder buttons pointing in direction of you, the iPad is barely angled in an elevated place, which generally is a extra comfy place for writing and drawing if you happen to use your iPad mini for this.
Eugen Wegmann
Razer Kishi Extremely: Fingers-on
- Xbox structure
- Loud buttons
- Vibration just for Android
When you’ve used different Razer controllers, you’ll discover that Razer modified the button structure barely, away from the compact, vertically symmetrical structure just like the Swap to the marginally offset structure of an Xbox controller. Along with the standard analog sticks, buttons, and triggers, the Kishi Extremely has a 3rd shoulder button on all sides, L4 and R4.
One of many issues with the Kishi V2 was that it was straightforward to get your thumb caught on the best stick when utilizing the primary buttons (A/B/X/Y). The Kishi Extremely solves this downside by offering extra space between the stick and the buttons resulting from its dimension, and by shifting it barely inwards somewhat than straight below the buttons.
Eugen Wegmann
The Kishi Extremely has a further dwelling button on the left-hand aspect, which opens the Recreation Heart on the iPhone and iPad. Razer has additionally redesigned the directional pad, shifting away from an actual cross to a big disc, just like the one Microsoft has on the present Xbox Wi-fi Controller. Identical to the D-pad on the Xbox controller, the person switches are fairly clicky, which is nice for precision and suggestions, however is de facto loud.
Total, the amount of the buttons is some extent the place opinions will differ. The aforementioned directional pad, the primary buttons (A/B/X/Y), the small shoulder buttons L4 and R4 and each sticks click on like commonplace mouse buttons. On the one hand, they supply nice suggestions, however alternatively, I wouldn’t hesitate to tear somebody’s head off on the practice in the event that they had been taking part in with the Kishi Extremely close to me, as a result of the noise stage is extremely annoying in the long term.
Eugen Wegmann
The Kishi Extremely suits extremely nicely within the hand, though I can think about that individuals with very small fingers or fingers will attain their limits with it. The analog sticks are bigger than on the Kishi V2 and are additionally concave in order that the thumbs match higher. Though the stress level of the analog sticks is objectively simply as exhausting because the sticks on the Kishi V2, the form and dimension of the Kishi Extremely make it way more comfy.
Eugen Wegmann
Razer Kishi Extremely: Compatibility
- USB-C solely
- Not for iPhone 14 and older
- iPad mini solely with out case
As a result of USB-C connection, the Kishi Extremely just isn’t appropriate with the iPhone 14 and older, as these nonetheless have a Lightning connection. It really works with USB-C iPhones and the USB-C iPad mini.
To make sure that units not solely match into the Kishi Extremely but in addition sit correctly in it, three pairs of rubber bumpers are included, one pair for the iPhone 15 sequence, one for the iPad mini, and one for Android smartphones. With the iPhone 15, the rubber bumpers are solely wanted if you happen to use the cellphone with out a case. With the unique Apple instances (together with the unloved High-quality Woven case), the iPhone 15 sits firmly within the Kishi Extremely with out the bumper.
The iPad mini solely suits very well with bumpers and with out a case. And not using a case and with out a bumper, the iPad wobbles; with bumpers and with the Good Folio it doesn’t match; and with a case and with out a bumper, the left half continuously presses on the inside quantity and energy buttons. This makes utilizing the iPad mini within the Kishi Extremely lower than best as a result of the iPad is both unprotected when being transported in a bag or it’s important to preserve taking the case off and placing it again on.
As well as, the inside finish of the iPad mini energy button is considerably coated by the Kishi Extremely and also you normally should fumble a bit for Contact ID or unlock your iPad earlier than inserting it, or use a code. You may also solely attain the inside quantity button along with your fingernail, so it’s important to depend on both your headphones or the bar within the Management Centre to regulate the amount.
Along with Android and iOS/iPadOS, the Kishi Extremely additionally works with Home windows 11 if you happen to join the controller with a cable, however macOS just isn’t supported. Though macOS acknowledges the Kishi Extremely when it’s linked, it can’t be configured.
Basically, Android smartphones and Home windows PCs have a bonus over Apple units, as they assist the vibration motors built-in within the Kishi Extremely known as “Razer Sensa HD Haptics” from Android 12 and Home windows 11 onwards. Other than the truth that the Kishi Extremely doesn’t even work with macOS, the iPad and iPhone sadly lack assist.
On the software program aspect, there are usually no issues with the Kishi Extremely. So long as a sport helps controllers, the Kishi Extremely can even work. Happily, this additionally applies to numerous cloud streaming companies corresponding to Xbox Cloud Gaming (as a part of Xbox Recreation Cross Final), GeForce Now, and PlayStation Plus.
Eugen Wegmann
Razer Kishi Extremely: Nexus app
- Change the button project
- Fast entry to video games
- Streaming to YouTube and Fb Stay
Razer has tweaked among the performance of the Nexus app however a very powerful fundamental capabilities stay the identical. You’ll be able to nonetheless remap each single button on the Razer Kishi Extremely, which is especially helpful for the L4 and R4 buttons, and you can even set the lifeless zone of the 2 sticks. You may also configure Razer Chroma, i.e. the RGB lighting, within the app.
A pleasant contact is which you can now customise the launcher somewhat in order that the beginning display doesn’t instantly bombard you with strategies and presents. You’ll be able to add put in video games to the “My games” tab by opening a sport and urgent the Nexus button below the best stick, and you’ll set favorites from this checklist, that are at all times displayed within the prime line.
Eugen Wegmann
Sadly, there is no such thing as a method so as to add Xbox Cloud Gaming and different cloud gaming companies to “My Games,” which is a little bit of a disgrace if you happen to use them incessantly. As a substitute, you at all times should open the online app manually from the house display.
Additional down, video games are then advised by reputation and style, all of which result in the App Retailer in a technique or one other, as earlier than. Final however not least, there’s nonetheless the choice to stream on to YouTube or Fb Stay, however the hyperlink to Twitch continues to be lacking.
Must you purchase the Razer Kishi Extremely?
The Razer Kishi Extremely is by far one of the best controller if you happen to don’t personal another gaming {hardware} and need to flip your iPad mini (Sixth gen) right into a gaming gadget, whether or not for Apple Arcade video games or cloud streaming.
This text initially appeared on Macwelt and was translated by Roman Loyola.
$149.99
This text initially appeared on our sister publication Macwelt and was translated and localized from German.