: The controller won two Best of CES awards in 2020 for its innovation in mobile gaming hardware.
However, early detractors noted a few minor issues. Some reviewers felt the buttons were "slightly mushier" than a full-size console controller, and the overall footprint, while portable, felt somewhat cramped for gamers with larger hands. Additionally, the passthrough charging, while effective, meant that users could not plug in wired headphones without an adapter.
Crucially, because Gamevice holds the patent, this app can force touch controls to be hidden in unsupported games, rendering a "black bar" interface that turns any App Store game into a controller-native experience.
Previous mobile controllers suffered from top-heavy weight distribution. This new dual-sided design solves that problem. By sandwiching the iPhone between two control halves, the setup mimics the form factor of a Nintendo Switch. Key Hardware Features : The controller won two Best of CES
The control layout itself was standard and familiar. On the left side, users found a clickable analog thumbstick and a directional pad. On the right, there were four action buttons (A/B/X/Y) and a second clickable analog thumbstick. Along the top edge of each grip were shoulder buttons (L1/R1) and analog triggers (L2/R2), mimicking the full button complement of an Xbox or PlayStation controller. All the buttons could be remapped using the Razer GamePad app, allowing for a degree of customization to suit individual gaming preferences.
Upon its release, the Razer Kishi for iPhone received generally favorable reviews, with critics praising its clever design and performance while also noting a few shortcomings.
The iPhone’s Lightning port only provides 3.3V at a limited current. Gamevice’s rigid design required a power-hungry haptic motor (Hypersense). In testing, the controller would drain an iPhone 11 Pro from 100% to 0% in 2.5 hours of gameplay without charging the phone. Pass-through charging was throttled to 5W, leading to battery drain under load. This new dual-sided design solves that problem
The Razer Gamevice iPhone game controller is set to be available exclusively at Razer.com and other select retailers, with a price tag of $149.99. The device will start shipping in late February 2020, with pre-orders available now.
CES 2020: Razer Debuts New Dual-Sided iPhone Game Controller in Partnership with Gamevice Exclusive
— At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2020, gaming peripheral giant Razer made a significant move to dominate the mobile gaming market by announcing the Razer Kishi , a new dual-sided, Nintendo Switch-style controller designed specifically for the iPhone and Android devices. Developed in exclusive partnership with Gamevice , this new, compact gamepad aims to bridge the gap between console-quality controls and mobile portability, offering a superior alternative to Bluetooth-based controllers. a global leader in gaming hardware
At the time of the reveal, Razer kept pricing close to the vest. However, analysts and journalists quickly drew comparisons to the Junglecat, which sold for approximately $100. Given the similar hardware tier, most expected the Kishi to land in that same range. Indeed, later in the year when the iPhone version finally hit the market, it retailed at , while the Android version was slightly cheaper at $79.99 due to the lack of Apple’s MFi licensing fees.
The mobile gaming landscape just experienced a massive shift at CES 2020. Razer, a global leader in gaming hardware, has officially unveiled its newest innovation: a dual-sided, clickable analog mobile gaming controller designed for both iPhone and Android devices. Developed in an exclusive partnership with mobile gaming veteran Gamevice, this new controller—dubbed the Razer Kishi Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
The announcement at CES 2020 highlighted Razer's commitment to "Gaming Anywhere," providing mobile players with the tools to take their skills to the next level.