Razer Kishi Gaming Controller for Android

Dreams do come true!! We have waited forever to have an XBox handheld console and with XBox's very own project XCloud we can now game anywhere! We got the Razer Kishi Gaming Controller for our Samsung Galaxy S20+ and it was a great purchase! The ability to take all of my Xbox Games with me and play them anywhere with this controller has been next level. We have brought this to the park, the beach and even camping. Cloud Gaming is available in 26 countries and is provided to subscribers of Ultimate at no additional cost. The Razer Kishi Gaming controller is perfect for anyone who mobile games and wants to elevate their gaming experience. Purchased from Best Buy. Instagram: @unlocksgamingnetwork

Gordon's review of Razer Kishi Gaming Controller for Android

Pros: Brilliant bit of kit. Slips securely onto my phone and plays like a Switch. Very responsive controls. Can play games like Dead Cells with no input lag. It also works great with Steam Link streaming games from my PC.Folds down to pocket size for easy transport.Cons: There are some android applications that don't recognise it (Apex Legends and CoD) as these only recognise Bluetooth controllers. I count this as an issue with the app and not the controller though. There is a workaround where if you connect a Bluetooth controller the Kishi then works but that requires you to have both controllers available and that is daft given the main advantage is the portability.

Great Product.

Great product. I bought this for use with my android phones. I was not aware that this unit would not work with my Samsung Galaxy Fold 3. However, that is because I did not do the research, not the product's fault. I do use with my Google Pixel 6A, Motorola Edge Fusion 30, Sony Xperia Pro I, and Samsung Galaxy s23 Ultra. The Razer Kishi works just great for the games that I play, PacMan, Mini Golf, Car games. I do not get into more intense games. I have Xbox Game Pass on my Android devices and this controller does work just fine. With regard to my Sony Xperia Pro I, it has Playstation loaded and I could not get this Razer Kishi to work. However, I downloaded Xbox Game Pass to the Sony Xperia Pro I and the Kishi worked just fine. I have not run out of a charge using ... MoreGreat product. I bought this for use with my android phones. I was not aware that this unit would not work with my Samsung Galaxy Fold 3. However, that is because I did not do the research, not the product's fault. I do use with my Google Pixel 6A, Motorola Edge Fusion 30, Sony Xperia Pro I, and Samsung Galaxy s23 Ultra. The Razer Kishi works just great for the games that I play, PacMan, Mini Golf, Car games. I do not get into more intense games. I have Xbox Game Pass on my Android devices and this controller does work just fine. With regard to my Sony Xperia Pro I, it has Playstation loaded and I could not get this Razer Kishi to work. However, I downloaded Xbox Game Pass to the Sony Xperia Pro I and the Kishi worked just fine. I have not run out of a charge using the device as my game play time runs about 30 minutes. The buttons seems solid and work just fine for me. The device connects flawlessly to any of my android phones, with the exception of the Samsung Fold 3, which is due to the style that the Razer Kishi is designed. I do like the compact design, and if I were to compare to my Nintendo Switch, for me, works just the same. The controller is very similar in nature. I would recommend this Razer Kishi if your android smart phone can fit within the design frame. If you take a close look at the center of the Razer Kishi, there is the port that you connect your phone to. There is also an elongated circle. Your phone design must be able to fit within that circular design when extended. If your phone does not, than this controller will not work for you.

Great for casual play, falters otherwise

I bought the Kishi because I wanted something more compact than an Xbox controller for playing games on my phone. For casual content, like Minecraft, it’s nearly flawless. For anything that absolutely relies on the triggers to work flawlessly, it isn’t very suitable. The triggers seem to vary between hyper sensitive, and not sensitive enough. I can press them lightly at times and they activate fine. Whereas I have to depress them quite a lot other times and it’ll activate initially, but then again on the rebound to the neutral position. One example is when using bows in Minecraft, I hold the trigger hard to ready the arrow, let go a bit to relax my finger, and the arrow fires and re-readies itself. In something casual, it’s okay, but I would not rely on this for ... MoreI bought the Kishi because I wanted something more compact than an Xbox controller for playing games on my phone. For casual content, like Minecraft, it’s nearly flawless. For anything that absolutely relies on the triggers to work flawlessly, it isn’t very suitable. The triggers seem to vary between hyper sensitive, and not sensitive enough. I can press them lightly at times and they activate fine. Whereas I have to depress them quite a lot other times and it’ll activate initially, but then again on the rebound to the neutral position. One example is when using bows in Minecraft, I hold the trigger hard to ready the arrow, let go a bit to relax my finger, and the arrow fires and re-readies itself. In something casual, it’s okay, but I would not rely on this for say, competitive content on Game Pass.Outside of the triggers everything else is fine. Doesn’t fit my phone with the case on it as expected. The buttons and thumb sticks are nice to use. It’s not as flimsy as expected. The passthrough port for charging works.

Nice controller for a candy bar phone

I initially got this accessory as a complement to my Samsung Galaxy z flip 3. The thing is, that phone is so thin that using this controller with that device makes the controller wiggle. However, with the rubber stoppers, it's too difficult to put on. It's probably the length of the phone. If you use it with a phone that is a proper candy bar form factor, it should work just fine. I use it with my Google Pixel 6 and the grip is actually very stable. The only thing is I have to use the rubber stopper on one side of the device only because on the top of the phone, the left side of the controller won't fit because of the camera bump. I just happen to have big hands, so I don't really feel very comfortable using these, but for when I have that urge to play but didn't ... MoreI initially got this accessory as a complement to my Samsung Galaxy z flip 3. The thing is, that phone is so thin that using this controller with that device makes the controller wiggle. However, with the rubber stoppers, it's too difficult to put on. It's probably the length of the phone. If you use it with a phone that is a proper candy bar form factor, it should work just fine. I use it with my Google Pixel 6 and the grip is actually very stable. The only thing is I have to use the rubber stopper on one side of the device only because on the top of the phone, the left side of the controller won't fit because of the camera bump. I just happen to have big hands, so I don't really feel very comfortable using these, but for when I have that urge to play but didn't feel like turning on the TV, it really works well. I don't really play native Android games so I wasn't able to test this controller with them.

Perfect Cloud gamers friend

Razer Kishi, just because it’s Razer, it has to be good right? Well, I’ll be honest. Compared to a Stadia controller, Amazon Luna controller or Xbox controller for XCloud, the Kishi holds up on its own. I don’t have huge hands, so to me it feels comfortable. Sometimes I find myself wanting to move my hands closer together while using this because of playing on controllers but I have to keep remembering I have my iPhone 11 Pro Max in a mobile wide style controller. So I just readjust my hands and I’m good again. The Kishi comes with phone grips inside to hold your phone. A “A” and “B” rubber style grip to hold certain style iPhones. The pamphlet inside the box will tell you which ones, but I know “B” is supposed to be for iPhone 11 Pro Max, but in removing my case, ... MoreRazer Kishi, just because it’s Razer, it has to be good right? Well, I’ll be honest. Compared to a Stadia controller, Amazon Luna controller or Xbox controller for XCloud, the Kishi holds up on its own. I don’t have huge hands, so to me it feels comfortable. Sometimes I find myself wanting to move my hands closer together while using this because of playing on controllers but I have to keep remembering I have my iPhone 11 Pro Max in a mobile wide style controller. So I just readjust my hands and I’m good again. The Kishi comes with phone grips inside to hold your phone. A “A” and “B” rubber style grip to hold certain style iPhones. The pamphlet inside the box will tell you which ones, but I know “B” is supposed to be for iPhone 11 Pro Max, but in removing my case, it feels the pads are to hard for the phone to fully connect to the lighting adaptor on the Kishi so it knows to connect. I had many disconnects while using it that caused me to think mine was a lemon and almost returned it. So I removed them both from the controller and just I used my phone with an Apple brand suede case (thin case btw), inserted it on the lighting connector, clasp both sides of the Kishi on the phone and it connects better than the pads. Other phone models may work better, but for me, this was better. Secondly, with the controller, it’s awkwardly uneven in weight. Trying to hold just the right side will cause your phone to fall out and drop to the floor or on you. So FYI, if I wanna grab a drink while I’m playing, I just hold the phone, not the controller to keep hold of it and I’m good. Thirdly, it does have a charge pass through with a lightning jack so you can play and charge. Again, depending on your phone, battery life will diminish quickly. Another good thing, is the triggers, they’yre tight and responsive, quick releasing and feel like they spring back quickly. Used it on Crucible on D2 on stadia and I went super sweaty with a great game. The joysticks have zero to no drift, that I noticed, and zero latency. Very nice for shooters. Works excellent with Stadia, great with xCloud if the servers weren’t crap. Haven’t tried Luna. As a PC gamer, we all like the 1ms low latency, quick responsive equipment. This performs admirably. The buttons don’t feel squishy, the dpad feels sturdy, but rarely use myself unless I emote, but over all I’m pleased with this item. The home button, options or start buttons (whatever you prefer to call them) feel cheap. Hard airy plastic cheap. Nothing against it, they’re totally fine, just feel cheap to me. Overall a 4/5. Main reason being the grips inside the controller not fitting properly and the uneven no grip of the controller to the phone that if handled wrong could cause a phone to drop. Other than that I would definitely recommend to a cloud gamer or CoD/PubG gamer.Pros: great for cloud gaming, mobile gaming in general, easy to pack with you, charger friendly, light and responsive.Cons: not worth the price tag of 99.99$. I have a stadia controller, Amazon Luna controller and Xbox controller, all with their respected phone holders that total together (controller and clip) less than 70$ and work just as great. Plus the zero phone latching securing with uneven weight to hold either side of controller without causing phone to drop.Final verdict, if you have the cash and want to try it, you won’t be disappointed but not thrilled and have your jaw drop. If you want something else, search Amazon or Google for a controller clip for cheap and you won’t have missed anything.

Portable size, good build quality

I really like what Razer did to make this. The Kishi is very compact and portable when stored and provides some decent ergonomics when in use. I really like how they were able to fit all the controls into such a compact package that fits in your jacket pocket when not in use. The compact size though does have some quirks that you have to get used to when coming from a regular console controller.I was coming from an Xbox controller and by comparison the Kishi controls are a little smaller and the hand positions are further apart. I don't think any of these are deal breakers but there is a little adjustment period to get used to these. On the positive side, I have used the Xbox controller with a clip to hold my phone and, while the ergonomics of the controls are ... MoreI really like what Razer did to make this. The Kishi is very compact and portable when stored and provides some decent ergonomics when in use. I really like how they were able to fit all the controls into such a compact package that fits in your jacket pocket when not in use. The compact size though does have some quirks that you have to get used to when coming from a regular console controller.I was coming from an Xbox controller and by comparison the Kishi controls are a little smaller and the hand positions are further apart. I don't think any of these are deal breakers but there is a little adjustment period to get used to these. On the positive side, I have used the Xbox controller with a clip to hold my phone and, while the ergonomics of the controls are great, it was more tiring to hold and use for longer gaming sessions.If you plan to game only for a 20 minutes or so I think a clip is probably fine but if you're gaming for longer then the Kishi is more comfortable.I also think it's a little expensive for what it is and for the price they could have included a soft or hard case to protect the joysticks and keep them from catching on other things while being stored/transported.

Solid, go anywhere, play anywhere controller

Overall, I am satisfied this device.My current cellphone, Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, is a tight fit even without a bumper case.A big peeve for me is that getting things to fit has creased edges of my screen shied at the end corners. Once I pulled the control over the phone though it's snug and not moving anywhere.While I prefer the standard Xbox controller for the thumbstick and button placement, I couldn't get comfortable with the clamp on phone holders. This is a decent compromise. I get the direct controller-phone connection surrounding the screen and a manageable feel for buttons, etc.It's not perfect, for me at least, but solid product. And at a discount price, I do not regret it.

Spend more on a better controller.

This is a discount controller because it's not great.Your iPhone will fall out of this thing and.. you have to take your iPhone out of it's protective case in order to mount it in this controller. So every time you want to play you have to take your phone out of it's case.But that's not my big gripe. I got this in late June 2022 and by late December 2022 it was dead. The left side of the controls slowly starting going.The good news is that it has a 1-year warranty. The bad news is Good Luck navigating Razer's website and trying to send it in for repairs. I've been trying to do it for days and the site just sends you around in circles.Lastly, you can't plug headphones in but you can bluetooth to an external speaker for headphones if you'd like but that's ... MoreThis is a discount controller because it's not great.Your iPhone will fall out of this thing and.. you have to take your iPhone out of it's protective case in order to mount it in this controller. So every time you want to play you have to take your phone out of it's case.But that's not my big gripe. I got this in late June 2022 and by late December 2022 it was dead. The left side of the controls slowly starting going.The good news is that it has a 1-year warranty. The bad news is Good Luck navigating Razer's website and trying to send it in for repairs. I've been trying to do it for days and the site just sends you around in circles.Lastly, you can't plug headphones in but you can bluetooth to an external speaker for headphones if you'd like but that's because you have an iPhone, no thanks to Razer.I wish I had spent more on the Backbone model. Ug, if you decide to buy this from Best Buy, pay a little extra for their extended warranty so you can just return it to Best Buy.