Razer Kishi V3 Professional XL overview: Flip the iPad into the most important gaming handheld

Worth When Reviewed

$199.99

Greatest Costs As we speak: Razer Kishi V3 Professional XL

$199.99

The Razer Kishi V2 is cool, however it’s a disgrace it doesn’t match an iPad. A short while later, Razer launched the Kishi Extremely, which already suits an iPad mini, and I assumed to myself, “Ah, Razer can learn my thoughts!” (I do know full effectively that it doesn’t work like that._

However now Razer has unveiled the subsequent technology of Kishi controllers, and in some way it looks like Razer is… mocking me? “Effectively, a controller for 13-inch iPads? Are you content now? Have you ever had sufficient now? Have you ever?” Sure, I do know, it nonetheless doesn’t work like that, however the brand new controller with the lavish title “Razer Kishi V3 Professional XL” appears like that. And sure, now I’ve had sufficient. However extra isn’t doable.

Eugen Wegmann

In lots of respects, the Razer Kishi V3 Professional XL is a direct replace of final yr’s Kishi Extremely, even when the title “Extremely” truly seems like greater than “Professional.” Actually, it’s the opposite manner spherical. The design, workmanship, clicky buttons, and lots of fundamental capabilities are virtually an identical. That’s why I’ll focus on the variations beneath. For every little thing else, you need to learn my overview of the Razer Kishi Extremely.

The elephant within the room is, in fact, the dimensions of the Kishi V3 Professional XL, though there’s additionally a Kishi V3 and a Kishi V3 Professional. The Kishi XL (I’ll abbreviate it as such to any extent further) is so massive that it received’t match an iPhone–even the iPhone 16 Professional Max is just too small–and never even the iPad mini.

Because it has a USB-C port, it’s also not appropriate with older iPads with a Lightning port. Nonetheless, it does work with newer iPhones through cable, however this resolution isn’t significantly elegant. The Kishi XL is a pure pill controller. Nonetheless, there’s room for a full 13-inch iPad, i.e. an iPad Air or an iPad Professional, between the 2 controller halves. This makes these two iPads, together with the Kishi XL, by far the biggest gaming handheld available on the market.

For comparability: the biggest handheld presently out there, the Lenovo Legion Go S, has a display screen diagonal of 8.8 inches (approx. 22 cm). With the Nitro Blaze 11, Acer has a handheld with a display screen diagonal of just below 11 inches (roughly 28 centimetres) up its sleeve, however this isn’t but available on the market. The big model of the iPad Air and iPad Professional, then again, has a display screen diagonal of 13 inches, or round 33 centimetres.

Even when the dimensions of the iPad can’t be straight in contrast with the handhelds talked about above, because it has a unique facet ratio, the iPad is solely excellent on this handheld format.

Eugen Wegmann

Other than the dimensions, there are two different notable variations from the Kishi Extremely. The Kishi XL not solely has two further buttons alongside the standard shoulder buttons or triggers (L4, R4), but in addition a button on the again of every grip that you simply press together with your center or ring finger (M1, M2). Like L4 and R4, these two buttons may also be assigned as desired within the Razer Nexus app.

Eugen Wegmann

One benefit of the Kishi V3 Professional XL: each analogue sticks might be exchanged. Two further sticks are included: a concave one with an extended shaft and a convex one, as recognized from older PlayStation Dualshock controllers (as much as Dualshock 3). Though each customary sticks might be changed, solely one of many different sticks is included. If you wish to match two convex sticks, it’s a must to purchase a second one individually.

In comparison with the Kishi Extremely, the Kishi XL lacks one operate: the 2 RGB strips on the edges. Whether or not that is related will depend on private style. I solely seen it once I regarded on the pictures in my outdated check. I’m not a giant fan of RGB gimmicks anyway.

One other factor that isn’t doable with the Kishi V3 Professional XL is to make use of it as an iPad stand. The iPads that match into the system are just too excessive for the entire thing to be secure. Within the case of the Kishi Extremely together with the iPad mini, this was in all probability extra of a cheerful coincidence than a well-thought-out operate. By the way, the quilt image exhibits the set-up leaning towards a wall. Alternatively, the Kishi V3 Professional XL may also be positioned “the other way up”–barely angled, which might work for drawing, for instance.

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Ergonomically talking, the Kishi V3 Professional XL has already reached its limits; it’s unlikely to get any larger. Though a 13-inch iPad suits inside, it brings the set-up dangerously near the boundaries of consolation. The big display screen requires a ways from the face, which, with a complete weight of round 900 grams (Kishi XL and 13-inch iPad Professional), turns into noticeable in the long run, not solely within the arms, but in addition within the shoulders. Tablets bigger than 13 inches are uncommon anyway, so the pure restrict has in all probability been reached right here.

In all probability the most important disadvantage of the Razer Kishi V3 Professional XL is the value: it’s $199.95/£199.95 for the (admittedly excellently crafted) controller. Should you use one of many bigger iPads for gaming and are in search of a high-quality, built-in resolution, the Razer Kishi V3 Professional XL is a wonderful alternative.