Customer Ratings & Reviews

Tmr sticks and micro switche buttons sofar been great

Best controller ever for xbox ally x its just amazing

Man, this new controller is seriously next level! It feels so good in my hands, and the build quality is just top-notch. Playing games on it is a dream, everything feels so responsive and precise. I'm hitting shots I never thought possible before. Honestly, if you're into gaming, you need to check this thing out.

I've been getting into various "Pro" and "Premium" type controllers, here lately and I was super excited to see that Asus was releasing a new ROG Raikiri II controller refresh to their original (which I never had). Since I already have an Asus ROG Strix G18 laptop (with an RTX 4080), I figured this would pair beautifully with it. Does it? Let's find out... The unboxing experience did feel Premium. Inside the box is a very nice case, which houses mostly everything (minus the little "feet" for the dock, which are stored elsewhere in the box). Inside the case is the controller itself, the dock, two "longer" thumbsticks (mostly for FPS use) and the cable...all neatly wrapped and packaged. The wireless dongle is housed in a small port with cover on the rear of the controller. The case also has a "cutout" in the back for the cable to pass into, if you want to leave the dock inside, with the controller. While the unboxing experience was pretty great, the setup itself can use some work. After connecting the dock to my laptop via the included cable and plugging in the wireless dongle into the front of the dock, I placed the controller on the dock to charge for the day. During the entire day and into the next, it kept flashing "purple", which indicated it was charging, but I never figured out how to know that it was fully charged (more on this, below)...because the charge indicator never changed or did anything different. While this was charging, I opened up my Armory Crate to see if it showed in there - wasn't sure how well it would be built-into Asus's native app. Aside from checking Armory Crate for updates, which did detect some updates for the controller, It's not supported very well, here - it literally shows and identifies the controller, then there's a link to click for "Gear Link", which is the web-based utility to manage the settings. Now, I use Firefox for everything. So, I was surprised to see that, upon clicking Gear Link, I'm prompted that this does not function within Firefox and will only work within Edge and Chrome...YUCK. So, I go begrudgingly go into Edge, create a shortcut for it there for future reference, and am met with the screen at which I need to turn the controller on. Now, this is where the fun starts (this is sarcasm, btw). I do what is typical of like, 99% of controller...press or press and hold the Xbox button for a few seconds. Nothing. Long story short, after a few hours of trying to figure out how to get this thing to power on, I discover there's a very, very tiny 3-way toggle button on the rear side of the controller, off-centered...which toggles between the dongle (left), cable-only (middle and the default) or Bluetooth (right). Now, yes, this is mostly on me for not looking at the manual or a controller diagram, etc (in my defense, I've been going thru the Flu or something similar over the past week and haven't felt well)....but I forgot that some "Pro" controllers have this toggle switch. Most of mine do not, so I didn't even think about that...I switch it over and it magically comes alive like it's supposed to. I did also want to add that once I did this, when docked and charging, the controller icon now glows "green" to indicate that it's charged. Now that this initial hurdle is out of the way, the first think I check in Gear Link is for Firmware updates for both the dongle and the controller. Thankfully, this says it's fully updated (I'm guessing that's what the Armory Crate update did, while it was on charge?). I poked around in the other settings, which are very nice, intuitive and well laid-out. I played around with the Dead Zones, button mappings, etc. Everything is fine and seems to function great, here. I launched Arc Raiders and give it a whirl. Everything feels sleek and fluid. The controller is light-weight and feels great in the hand. Vibration is set to 80% by default and feels fine, there. There's no stick drift or anything similar that I could detect. No noticeable delays or lag with the controller to actions within the game. The bumper stop buttons lock the bumpers properly, enabling hairline presses to fire your gun, etc, instead of having to do a full press. All the buttons have a very nice mechanical click to them. I also tested this with the new Marathon Server Slam (which isn't great on controller, but still, it's something new!), Vampire Survivors, Megabonk, Hades II and Deep Rock Galactic Survivors. No glaring issues in any of those. However, my biggest gripe with this controller are with the 4 buttons surrounding the Xbox button. I know there's special buttons on here for the ROG Ally and Ally X (the upper ones, called "Command Center" and "Library"), but they are in the worst spot possible. My muscle memory reaches for these, every...single...time. The typical Xbox "View" and "Menu" buttons are the bottom two, with the all-important "Menu" button being RIGHT ABOVE the right Analog stick. This is annoying, as this means I've got to work my thumb up, over and around the stick to press it. Oh and there is no way to swap them. I tried using Gear Link to see if it would let me move the bottom "View" and "Menu" buttons to the upper two, and just move that functionality, below - I don't care if the buttons and their icons don't match to their mapped functionality. Nope, can't do. I'm gonna be honest - this will probably prevent me from using this as my primary controller... Some other issues I have - I've not been able to find a quick way to swap the mappings of the 4 rear buttons on the back of the controller, between games. Most FPS games I play, I at least map A and B to the rear paddles for my jumps and crouch/slides, etc. But some other games I play (non FPS), I map L1 and B (like in Nioh 3, for example), or something similar. There's no quick profile toggle that I've found, without having to go into the Gear Link app before playing the game that you need the different mappings for, which I find slightly annoying. Perhaps build in a feature to where we can use one of the useless "extra" ROG Ally buttons (for the 95% of us that aren't using this controller for that) as a "profile switch" option or to cycle between button mapping settings. My final issue is...if the controller is powered on and placed on the dock, it just stays on indefinitely...even with it set to sleep after 5 minutes (the sleep default was 3 minutes, but I changed it to 5). I'd love to see it say, power off automatically when placed on the dock and turn on when removed from the dock - much like my Gamesir G7 Pro does. So, all-in-all, what do I think about this controller? It's nothing ground breaking and I feel like it could have used some fine-tuning and a bit more thought before launching. It's certainly didn't "WOW" me and my final impression was a bit different than my initial impression when unboxing everything, once I started drilling down to the details of things. Overall, build quality, features and functions get a 5/5. Setup is a 3/5, as I felt it was very cumbersome and not very self-explanatory, without having to look things up. As for the app, I'm giving it a 3.5/5 - it looks nice, but is lacking some "duh" options/features, limited programmability (mostly with being unable to remap the useless ROG Ally buttons) and isn't compatible with Firefox, which is a major bummer for me. When compatibility like this is the case, I'd like to see an "optional" program or Windows App for Gear Link...as a web-based software isn't any more convenient, due to this. Total Score: I'm giving this a 4/5, as I feel this is a good middle-ground between setup, the web-based software and the controller itself (build quality, features, etc).

As a fan of everything ASUS, I was pretty excited to give this controller a try with my Xbox. There are a lot of nice features to point out, as well as a few things that could be remedied in future versions. Let’s get into it. ~~~~ First, the very few features that I would like to see changed in a future version. It may be easier said than done, but I would prefer a dedicated Xbox licensed app that could be added to your console through Xbox live, for setup, mapping, sensitivity, RGB effects, etc. As it stands, you can only enter deep customization through the web based tool Gear Link. This is another issue I have. ASUS has a dedicated hardware app called Armoury Crate, but when I initially tried to set the Raikiri II up on my laptop, it forced me to use the web app, instead of the Armoury Crate app. Why?! I do not care for web based apps, because I feel like they are less secure. This was a bit annoying after unboxing, and quickly gave me a bit of a bummer feeling. Once I was forced to open the Gear Link tool, I did find that it worked flawlessly. All of the customization options were present and easy to adjust (see attached screenshots). After a quick few minutes looking around the options, I ejected the controller and went to my Xbox. I plugged the included USB dongle into the front port of my Xbox and fired it up. The Xbox immediately saw the controller and I was off to the races. ~~~~ The good far outweighs the bad with this controller. As a lifelong gamer, I have used about every controller on every platform since the original Atari was introduced. The ASUS Raikiri II is a near perfect piece of hardware. The size is comfortable in my hands and the build quality is among the best of any controller I have ever used. The weight feels much lighter than the standard Xbox controller, but I suspect that is because the ASUS is rechargeable, which I prefer much more over having to replace two AA batteries in the Xbox controller. Not to mention, ASUS have also provided a dock/stand that plugs into any USB power source that cradles the Raikiri and charges it while not in use. ~~~~ The in game action and feel of this controller is tactile and solid in every way. The dual mode triggers allow for shorter, more precise, faster travel clicks, or the standard long travel feel most everyone is used to. The short travel is great when precision and quickness are required in some titles. For the most part, I do prefer the classic feel of the triggers and have left them alone. There are also four custom buttons on the underside of the controller (see photo). You can customize these to make your gaming more personal, but I have honestly found that they are positioned to where I accidentally press them more often than not. As an older gamer that is used to a standard controller layout, I have decided to leave these inactive for now, but I may revisit them in a future title. The RGB logo and side lighting is a nice touch and does look pretty cool when playing in a dimly lit environment. The lighting is also fully customizable via the Gear Link web app if you choose. ~~~~ With a stellar battery life and Tri-Mode connectivity, this controller has your connection covered whether you are playing on a PC via Bluetooth, USB-C wired, or at 2.4GHz with the provided dongle. ~~~~ ASUS have also provided a really nice zippered clam-shell case for travel. The case easily stores the dock, the controller, and the nice braided USB-C cable. Another great feature of the case is the fact that it has a little rubber flap that opens up so you can actually charge the controller while it is inside! The case also has two extra joystick caps in their own slots. ~~~~ In conclusion, I do believe this is the best controller I have used to date. Time will tell if they will release a controller that will be compatible with the PlayStation, or even better, one that is universal for all gaming platforms, but until then, I am satisfied using this with my Xbox and it has exceeded my expectations on what a third party controller can provide for a gaming console. *** PROS *** Excellent build quality and design Tactile feel and fully customizable Extremely long battery life Nice braided USB-C cable included Charging dock included Zippered case included Rechargeable RGB *** CONS *** No dedicated Xbox app App is web based

I’ve used many various controllers, from cheap Bluetooth only controllers to moderately priced 8BitDo controllers, to the pricey Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller. The ASUS Raikiri II Xbox Wireless Controller may be one of the nicest gaming controllers I’ve ever used. Its features, long battery life, and versatile connectivity make for a compelling contender amongst other pro level controllers. Right from the get-go, you get an impressive number of items within the box. The controller comes in a hard padded case. While that case may seem both standard and boring, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the case not only fits the charging cradle within it, but also features a passthrough hole so that you may charge your controller while the case is zipped shut. I’m not on the go enough with my controller that I would take advantage of such a thing, but it’s a welcome and thoughtful feature. Additionally, the case contains two extra, longer thumbsticks, and enough room for the charging cable itself. The box itself contains riser stands for the charging cradle when used outside the travel case, some basic documentation and a sticker pack. The 2.4GHz wireless USB-A dongle sits in a compartment on the back of the controller itself, so it’s hard to lose. The controller itself, compared to the Xbox Elite 2, is slightly smaller but felt comfortable in my medium-to-large hands. At no point did I feel it was too small or had to contort my fingers to reach any button. It’s got all the standard buttons for a controller, plus a few more. There are two extra face buttons on either side of the Xbox button itself. These are defaulted to the R3 and L3 stick presses by default unless you are using it with an Ally handheld console, in which case it maps to the Commend Center and Library buttons. On the back of the controller there are four programable trigger buttons and toggles for your left and right shoulder triggers to travel full range or act like buttons. There are also toggles for connectivity modes: wireless with the dongle, wired USB, and Bluetooth along with PC or XBOX. All the buttons feel very comfortable with a tactile and audible click just like a mouse button. The button click sounds aren’t terribly loud, but if you are in a quiet space – say, using headphones – others near you will definitely hear the clicks of the controller. The four back grip buttons I find are easy to access and not easy to accidentally hit. I think these are a massive improvement over the paddle style back buttons on the Xbox Elite 2 controller. I clicky feel of all the button presses just feels good. The lighting on the controller isn’t too extreme. There’s a center logo in the middle of the controller and a thin line on either edge of the controller grips. This lighting is fully customizable from a PC. The charging cradle is also a nice addition. On the back it has a USB-C port so it can charge and a USB-A port on the front so you can put the wireless dongle in, letting you both charge and connect to your PC wireless and only take up a single port. There are two little risers to place on the bottom of the cradle when using outside of the travel case that lifts up the controller and tilts it slightly towards you at an angle. Both of the above, again, are small but thoughtful features. The controller fits perfectly into the cradle and while I don’t think I’ve had issues with it seating properly, it doesn’t drop in and sit well and sturdy enough that I have confidence it has been placed in correctly. It’s very minor, but it does make me do a double check wiggle every time I place it in there to ensure the charging pins are lined up correctly. Setting up and using it is pretty straightforward. My gaming PC recognized it right away using the 2.4Ghz wireless dongle and all my games and gaming clients saw it as an XBOX controller. I will say that my gaming desktop is also an ASUS ROG brand, so my desktop’s ASUS Armoury Crate Software instantly saw and updated the firmware on the controller, something I think you would need to manually deal with without having a computer in the same brand. That said, that particular software cannot be used to edit any controller features. In order to customize the controller, you must go to the Asus Gear Link web portal. For better or worse, there is no downloadable software. Personally, I don’t have a problem with a web based system for customizing features, but I do understand that not having a software download could potentially limit functionality if the website is ever taken down or you have a lack of internet access. It is also worth noting that there is no mobile app or access to this site – something that also can limit you. That all said, the web portal works great and provides a vast amount of customization options. You can adjust the trigger sensitivity, the curvature on each sticks dead zone, threshold, and response, vibration, power settings, lighting and calibration. Lighting, if you also happen to have an ASUS ROG desktop or handheld, can be synced in the Armoury Crate software. And, of course, you can adjust not just the two extra front buttons, but all four back trigger buttons. It should be noted that the button mappings can only replicate other existing button mappings – as of now there’s no macro support. The Gear Link web portal also sports different profiles but there is a big however here: there is no way to edit or adjust profiles from the controller itself. While there is a method for mapping the back triggers to other buttons manually, that’s not quite the same. So, if you are using it on an XBOX console and want to swap profiles, you would need to connect it to a PC first. I hope a firmware update can fix this in the future. Speaking of using this with an XBOX console, it is worth noting that to use it wirelessly you will still need to use the 2.4Ghz wireless USB dongle. Of course, this is a small area where the first party Xbox Elite controller has home advantage – along with being able to customize on the console itself. Yes, this is officially Xbox licensed and works as if an Xbox controller in every other regard, but it sems that Microsoft only keeps their proprietary wireless protocol to themselves. Lastly, ASUS claims an impressive 50-hour battery life. While I’m sure the presence of lighting, vibration, and if you’re connecting headphones to it will affect that, I can say that with some heavy use I’ve not had to charge it in over a week. That said, the presence of the cradle on my desk also makes it easy to keep it fully charged and ready to go. This is undoubtedly not a cheap controller and it’s hard for me to say if the price tag is worth all the features. I think if you’re a more casual gamer, you would need to really look at everything and decide for yourself. If you’re a bit more of a hardcore gamer, I think it’s worth the price. Comparatively, it’s about the same as the Xbox Elite 2 – the full setup, not the core - but it does have far more PC compatibility and features. If you’re in the market for an Xbox console and PC controller, I feel ASUS ROG Raikiri II excels and beats the competition.

Excellent purchase, there's no drift in the joysticks!

The build of the controller is great. It’s made of a durable plastic. The grips are textured which is great if you get sweaty hands while you play. Ergonomically, it feels very comfortable to hold for long periods of time. The thumbsticks are great. The texture on them feels like they would last a long time, but also they are easily replaceable. Asus even includes a second set of joystick tips. The joystick click is satisfying but responsive. Speaking of clicks. The buttons are great and feel very responsive. One thing to know about this controller is that all of the clicking mechanisms are similar to a mouse and not what you may expect from a controller. At first I was skeptical, but over time I’ve really come to really appreciate it. The downside is that the controller is a lot louder, but the upside is tactical feedback. There are also 4 programmable buttons on the back of the controller. One place I don’t love having the mouse click style mechanism is the D pad. For the dpad I prefer the more “membrane” feel. The triggers are great. They are ergonomically shaped which makes them comfortable to pull. They have a long travel but also have a locking mechanism to switch to short travel. I found this great for games where I didn’t need to partially pull the trigger like super battle golf. If you like RGB, this controller does not disappoint. There are rgb strips along each side of the grips and the main logo also has rgb. For connectivity, there are 3 different options. A USB dongle that uses WiFi bands, Bluetooth, or direct USB connection. I didn’t have any wireless connection issues during my testing. Asus claims a 1k polling rate and I believe it—it feels super low latency. The controller includes a long USB cable which makes wired play not a problem. One other feature I really appreciated is that the controller has a headset jack. The included dock is much appreciated. The controller cradles without a fuss. The dock also has a USB port to plug the WiFi USB dongle into. The case is also excellent. The dock and the controller fit perfectly into the case. The case has a pass through charging port so you can charge the controller while it is in its case. Overall, great controller with lots of features and premium accessories.

I’ve been using the Asus ROG Raikiri II wireless controller for about a week now, and it’s become my go to for all my Xbox sessions. I have a Victrix controller as well as a handful of original controllers, and without a doubt, the Raikiri is more comfortable to hold and use for long sessions. I really like how short the travel is on the buttons. Rapid use of the buttons is made easier due to that short travel, and fingers don’t feel so worn out after extended sessions. The TMR sticks are without a doubt a game-changer; I haven’t gotten any drift at all and aiming feels precise and smooth without any of the annoying stick wobble I’ve dealt with on the OG controllers. The back paddles come in handy. I told myself I would never use such things, but after trying them out, I find I use them all the time for jumping or reloading without taking my thumbs off the sticks. There is a switch that allows for an adjustable short pull for the triggers that makes rapid firing in shooters way more responsive. Battery life is really good (I’ve gone days without charging), the RGB lighting around the edge looks awesome, and switching between 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, or wired is seamless. The software customization requires a PC, but once set up, it stays put. I’m impressed with the Raikiri II. It is the best controller in my gaming room right now.

With an Xbox Elite Series 3 controller nowhere in sight, I came to the Raikiri II in hopes that it could be a sort of spiritual Series 3 controller and, aside from a few minor quibbles, it mostly fits the bill. It’s a lightweight and well-built controller that’s customizable in all the ways you’d expect from a high-end gamepad. In terms of what you get with the Raikiri II, it’s very similar to what you would see from the Xbox Elite controllers. The case includes a charging dock that allows for charging inside the case or it can be removed and placed on a desk or entertainment center, like the Xbox Elite Series controller. There is also a set of risers for the charging dock included, which is a nice addition but mostly unnecessary in my opinion. There are 2 tall thumbsticks included in addition to the standard short ones that are installed on the controller and the thumbsticks can be pulled off and replaced without any tools. The braided USB-C to USB-A cable for charging and wired usage is nice and long at about 2.5 meters. The Raikiri II feels about the same size as a standard Xbox Series controller, which means it’s very easy to get your hands around. The grips have a nice subtle rubberized finish and in general it feels very good to hold. The overall build quality is good, especially considering how lightweight it is, though I have held better from other brands. The buttons and D-pad all use micro-switches and feel good with not much wobble. The TMR thumbsticks have a non-adjustable tension that feels about the same as what a standard Xbox Series controller would offer. Around the back, there are 4 programmable buttons and some mode switches, and 2 switches for adjusting the trigger. The triggers can either be full travel or short. The short travel essentially turns them into digital buttons like the bumpers. I have used other controllers that offer more steps in between, but I personally never got much use out of those half-steps so I don’t miss them here. For wireless connectivity, the controller uses a USB-A receiver that’s very small and stores in a compartment on the underside of the controller. It can also connect via Bluetooth. It’s worth noting that while the Raikiri II is an officially licensed Xbox controller, it does not have the Xbox wireless connectivity built in and you do have to plug the receiver into your Xbox to use it wirelessly. In addition to the standard view/menu buttons next to the Xbox button, there are 2 more buttons for accessing Asus’ Armoury Crate and the Xbox Library. Unfortunately, neither of them seem to work on any device that I have, including my non-Xbox ROG Ally X and 2 other Asus PC’s. I’ve had no issues using this controller. It’s comfortable, responsive, and for the most part I more or less forgot about it while I was using it, which is a good thing. The thumbsticks feel particularly smooth. I do accidentally press the rear buttons quite a bit, but this is an issue with how I grip controllers and not unique to the Raikiri II in particular, so I keep those disabled, which they are by default. The wireless connection has been rock solid on both PC and Xbox. The only issue I’ve had is with the View/Menu buttons. Since they are so close to the (for me) non-functional Armoury Crate and Library buttons I find myself pressing those instead of them. I think it would have made more sense to swap their positions so that the View/Menu buttons were on top instead. The controller is customized inside a web-based app called Gear Link. It’s nice that there isn’t any software that needs to be installed. The app is laid out well and it’s easy to customize button mapping and dead zones. You can save up to 5 custom profiles. The Armoury Crate and Library buttons can also be remapped to make them usable in Gear Link as well. It’s unfortunate that for an Xbox controller there isn't an Xbox app to accompany it though since this is an Xbox controller. I haven’t been able to fully run down the battery yet - Asus rates the battery life at up to 50 hours, but this is with lighting, audio, and vibration disabled. I can sort of understand rating the battery life based on turning off RGB and in general I’m not using the built-in 3.5mm on this controller, but there really isn’t a scenario where I’d be disabling vibration and I think the battery rating should take that into account. That being said, it feels like at least 20-30 hours can be reasonably expected if you’re just disabling the RGB. The RGB lighting is fine, but I ended up just leaving the ROG logo illuminated so I had an indication of whether the controller was on or off. So overall I think the Raikiri II is a great Xbox or PC controller, especially if you’re pairing it with an Xbox Ally for a type of ‘docked’ mode setup. Maybe one of these days Microsoft will come out with a proper successor to the Elite controller, but for now this feels like the closest modern equivalent.

TLDR: The ROG Raikiri 2 is a very well-designed controller. With Tri-Mode connectivity, it is a serious contender for best controller on the market, especially if you have a ROG Ally. PROS Micro Switches in D-Pad and Buttons Programmable back buttons Up to 50hrs of battery life No Missed Inputs from 2.4GHz CONS RGB design is practically pointless No options to change polling rates Switching required for PC and/or XBox SET-UP / INTIAL CONFIGURATION I find the Asus offerings for apps hap-hazard. It is not clear and concise like its competition. The Raikiri 2 is a perfect example. It is not natively supported via Windows without the Gamepad Companion. To make matters worse, if you want to make any changes to RGB etc. you have to use the Armoury Crate. Then, after downloading what you think you need, Asus prompts you for a mandatory firmware update that once complete, tells you that the Raikiri now supports Gear Link on-line customization. How confusing. Is it manageable? Yes. But it shouldn't be like this. Asus combine your apps and utilities. If you want to push Gear Link, make sure it fully supported without having to guess what apps and utilities you need to make it happen. USE Though initially frustrated with the set-up steps, those frustrations quickly subsided the more I use the Raikiri. First, I am thoroughly impressed with the tri-mode connectivity option of the Raikiri. Featuring the ability to connect via Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, or hard-wired USB-C, the Raikiri is sure to be a versatile companion. I find the SpeedNova tech built into the 2.4GHz dongle particularly impressive. I'm not sure what the Raikiri is using for a transport protocol, but I have yet to have a missed input from the Raikiri. Something I cannot say for some of Asus' competitors, as I've noticed this issue in the past with others' technology. I find myself still trying to get used to the microswitches in the D-Pad and buttons. I've never had a controller using microswitches. I have to reprogram my brain every time I switch from another brand of controller to the Raikiri. At first, it seems the buttons are defective and ready to break, until I remember that these use microswitches for actuation then I find myself enjoying the unique experience. The Raikiri sports all the latest and greatest design elements for controllers nowadays. Dual mode triggers and programmable back buttons are the norm and expected on high-end gaming controllers. The Raikiri 2's button placement is absolutely spot on. I've criticized others' offerings of being just a bit off and unnatural feeling while playing. The Raikiri 2's back buttons and trigger placement are 100% spot on. At least for me, as my hands and fingers fall perfectly in-line. CONS The RGB lighting is pointless. Why? Well, the RGB strips built-in to the Raikiri 2 are in the sides of the hand grips. Using the Raikiri? You aren't going to be able to see the RGB lighting. Your hands cover them up. I know the RGB lighting was added because some folks find it essential, but this implementation is an afterthought to an otherwise nearly perfectly designed controller. I don't like the 2, separate switches on the back to change modes. There is one switch for Xbox and a separate switch for transmission mode. If you want to use Xbox, you have slide a switch to the Xbox setting and then choose the connection method and vice versa. More than once I've experienced connection issues with the Raikiri. Thinking it was malfunctioning, only to find out the switches weren't in the right setting. FINAL THOUGHTS Every time I get a new controller for testing, I think there is no way this product can be topped. The Raikiri 2 falls into my trap once again. Dethroning my previous go-to controller as my favorite. The TMR joysticks and unique use of microswitches make it just different enough to find it appealing, unique, and quite premium. This is a great controller for the PC and an absolute must-have if you are using a ROG Ally as it is designed with special buttons specifically for the device. RECOMMENDED

As soon as I held the ROG Raikiri, one major thing stood out versus all of the comparable controllers that I've owned, including those from Turtle Beach, Corsair, etc. The rear paddle buttons naturally align with my fingers as if that's where they were meant to go. In fact, the controller itself looks like it's the same size as other comparable controllers, but there's something slightly different that makes this one fit much better in my hands. Asus really nailed the ergonomics with this controller, at least for the most part. Starting with the build — perfect. It has a great weight, the buttons are tactile and give the right amount of feedback that I prefer, and everything about it feels sturdy. I also appreciate that it has a space for the dongle in case I want to travel without putting it in a separate location. Which brings me to something else that's worth mentioning: the case that it comes with can fit everything, including the extra joysticks. That sounds minor, but it's great because I can toss out everything else and keep everything in one package without worrying about storing other components. It all fits nice and snug in the case. The main system that I'm using this with is an actual Asus ROG OLED laptop. When I combine this controller with the laptop and sync all the lighting, it's beautiful. The RGB lighting is perfectly placed and complements all aspects of my system instead of being an eyesore. That's my personal opinion, and I love what they've done with it. I tested this across several different games, including fighters, first-person shooters, and RPGs. It's very responsive with no lag. The box mentions 1K polling. I have seen this before, but usually it's only available if you use a USB-C cable. Here, it works on USB-C and on 2.4 GHz through the dongle. Very useful to me, as my PC is connected directly to my computer as both a main unit and also as a remote unit to my desktop PC. With past controllers, to get the best performance I had to use the cable, and that can be an extra tedious step — finding the right cable and setting it up — where I prefer to have everything wireless. Now for the nuances. Number one: I'm not a fan of a raised D-pad. In games where you use quarter circles, I prefer the D-pad to be flatter with smoother motion. While the Raikiri D-pad is indeed smooth, the raised portion can irritate my thumbs. This may not be the case for you, but it's something I experienced while playing. It's almost as if I'm building up a callus as I get used to it, but it is a stark difference once I start using it for a game like Street Fighter. The second is the companion software. Asus has decided to make the companion software work in a browser. While you have the Armoury Crate software installed on your computer, when you click to manage your controller or my keyboard, you're opened into an internet browser where you can make your choices. That's not my preference, as I would prefer everything to be onboard to the PC in case I'm not able to reach a window for some odd reason. This is not a deal-breaker because I don't need to change many of the buttons, but it is a bit of a hindrance when I'm trying to keep everything contained within one system and I just need to reach things and make quick changes. This is a choice by Asus, and I'm not sure why they do this, but it is not something I find favorable. Once you get in and see all the options you can change and all the customizations, the software is complete — it's just its location outside of the application. Those are my only two nuances that hold this back from being perfect in my opinion, but they definitely wouldn't stop me from purchasing this excellent controller. It has plenty of buttons for customization, great tactile feedback, excellent control, no latency or lag, excellent RGB lighting, and it feels great. This is now one of my favorite controllers.

I've owned an Asus ROG Ally for several years and have always used my Xbox Elite controller to play when connecting the Ally to an external display. The Elite controller is great for PC and Xbox play but is missing some seamless customizations and integrations with Asus hardware and software. Enter the new ROG Raikiri II. At first glance, I thought this was just an Elite controller copycat, but it has quickly become my preferred controller for both ROG Ally and desktop PC gaming. === PROS === - The controller looks and feels very premium. It has a nice weight to it, but feels significantly lighter than the Xbox Elite controller. And that's fine with me -- the Elite controller often feels too heavy after long gaming sessions. The Raikiri II feels just about perfect, and the face buttons and rear paddles have a satisfying amount of clickiness. I'm also a big fan of the textured grips on the back and sides of the controller. - The controller comes with a very nice travel/charging case. There's an opening in the back of the case that allows you to plug in a USB-C cable to charge the controller while it's in the case. Additionally, the charging stand can be removed from the case so you can display or charge the controller on your desk. - Asus says that the joysticks and triggers on the Raikiri II have "Tunneling Magnetoresistance" to reduce drift and and increase precision even after years of use. Time will tell, but so far, I have not noticed any joystick drift and both the joysticks and triggers seem incredibly responsive and accurate. - The controller can be connected to your device in multiple ways: via the included 2.4 GHz dongle, via Bluetooth, or via USB-C. Asus says that the Raikiri II has a 1,000 Hz polling rate over both the dongle and a wired connection -- so this is a very low-latency controller. - The Raikiri II integrates seamlessly with ROG Ally devices via the Armoury Crate software. There are even dedicated buttons on the controller meant to bring up Armoury Crate and your gaming library in the Xbox "full screen" experience. === CONS == - If you're using this controller on a non-Asus device or PC, those extra buttons do nothing. You can use the Asus "Gear Link" tool to set up and customize the controller on a PC, but this is a web-based tool and doesn't integrate directly into Windows. - Similarly, you basically can't customize any part of the controller or switch controller profiles via an Xbox console. You have to connect it to a Windows PC to be able to change the settings via Gear Link. === OVERALL === If you're deep into the Asus ecosystem or own a ROG Ally device, this controller is a no-brainer since you'll be able to take full advantage of its features and customizations. I also find it considerably more comfortable to use for longer gaming sessions compared to the heavier Xbox Elite controller. If you're strictly a PC or Xbox gamer and don't regularly use Asus's Armoury Crate software, then you might want to look at other options that are easier to customize. But regardless of the platform on which you use this controller, you'll still get the incredible low-latency performance, comfort, and satisfying buttons.

The ASUS ROG Raikiri II Wireless Controller for ROG Xbox Ally, PC, Xbox Series X/S is a quite nice gaming controller. I have small hands and it feels like a perfect fit for me. It is a little rubberized at the back which gives it a secure, anti-slip feel while I am playing. It is lightweight and functions well. Connection is very easy because there are 3 options: bluetooth, wired (with included USB-C to USB-A cable) and you can connect via the included dongle. ASUS includes a small charging dock that can charge your controller and you can also place the dongle in it if you prefer, instead of another device. By the way, if you are unable to locate the dongle, it is stored in a small covered slot on the back of the controller. You are also able to conveniently charge your controller while it is in the really nice provided case via the little port at the back of the case. They also included 2 extra longer thumb sticks. The joysticks are TMR, anti-drift, which is a nice upgrade. They are very easy to remove and put on. The 1000Hz polling rate really helps with latency. I like the way I am able to change the travel on the triggers from full to short travel. I thought I wouldn't care for the short travel setting, but I am really getting to like it more than full. There are 4 programmable multi-function buttons on the back, but it looks like they are only able to be programmed with existing settings - no macros. For the time being, I am keeping those 4 buttons disabled because I do sometimes find myself hitting them in error when I am playing. ASUS does boast 30 hours of playtime using the 2.4GHz wireless. Overall, the ASUS ROG Raikiri II Wireless Controller for ROG Xbox Ally, PC, Xbox Series X/S is an exceptional controller. No, it hasn't made me a better game player, but I've only had it about a week now - just give me time! I would definitely recommend this controller to anyone looking for a new lightweight, outstanding controller with a great hand feel.

Got for my tv and other Bluetooth devices and it Saids Bluetooth and doesn’t want to connect to anything

The ASUS ROG controller is hands-down the best gaming controller I’ve ever used. Its ergonomic design delivers unmatched comfort for marathon sessions, while ultra-responsive buttons and pinpoint-accurate analog sticks elevate every game. Premium build quality, lightning-fast connectivity, customizable RGB lighting, and exceptional battery life make it a true masterpiece. ROG has redefined perfection in gaming peripherals—nothing else comes close.

I play a lot of BO7 and warzone. I tested out the scuff valor, GameSir, and this controller. This controller by far was the best one, once I got the settings figured out. Only for fps though, the vibration is pretty weak for immersive games. I turn it off for COD. This controller has the best back buttons and it sits perfectly in my hands. It does feel kind of cheap, it being lightweight does help with long gaming sessions but some rubber grip would have been nice. It’s super responsive, I’ve been called a cheater and couple times while using this lol. Overall I’ll give it a 5/5 for fps games but anything other than that, you might be disappointed especially for the price. GameSir will be your best bet if you’re on a budget.

ASUS has given gamers a pro controller that rivals the best controllers out there. Excellent triggers, sticks, low latency, and a great grip make this one of the best controllers I have ever used. On top of that, ASUS has given us a package that includes a case and charging stand. It is a bit of a shame that some of the software features can be a bit buggy to use. Key mapping is limited. I also experienced some charging issues with my controller that I was never able to fully resolve. If those qualms are addressed by software updates in the future, this would be my favorite controller. As is, it is still surprisingly good and easy enough to recommend. Experience: Let’s get the good stuff out there: the low latency and joy sticks on this controller make this one of the best PC controllers out there. The button presses for the face buttons (A, B, X, Y) have less travel distance than a traditional controller and instead function more like a mouse click. It works very well but took me a bit of time to get used to. The ability to store the controller’s wireless USB dongle in the controller itself is great. The connectivity options for the controller make it truly versatile. And I love that Asus provides a travel case and charging stand. I love the ability to change the travel distance for the left and right trigger. The grip feels great. Some of the additional buttons only benefit gamers who are hooking this controller up to ROG Ally X. For instance, there is an Armory Crate button and a library button on the top front of the controller’s face that are all but useless for XBOX and PC gamers. Even on PCs that have Armory Crate like my Asus desktop and laptop, the Armory Crate button does nothing. It does not bring up armory crate on the PC. It is worth noting that Armory Crate has been replaced with Asus Gear Link, a web-based utility for configuring the controller. In theory I like the idea of not having to download a full software suite or a bloated desktop application for the controller. But I found Gear Link to be extremely buggy and laggy. It often did not work as I expected with delays or features that simply did not. Elements of the website would just not react to mouse clicks or attempts to change a setting. I tried this on multiple PCs with the same experience. Once changes are made, the changes will be saved to the controller. As said above, you can customize programable buttons on the back and top of the controller. But you are limited to remapping existing buttons for instance, you can set the back buttons to be a single D-Pad, trigger, or face button press, but you cannot set up macros. Also, there is a capture button on the front of the controller same as any XBOX Series X controller, but the capture button only works on Windows if the controller is in the XBOX controller mode. I am unsure if you lose some of the PC connectivity features in XBOX mode, but I do not understand why the capture button fails to work in PC mode. Lighting works but is limited. You have light strips on the side of the controller and the ASUS logo which will also change to a pulsing light while charging. Another nitpick for me is that the D-Pad feels a bit less precise than I would like. For instance, in Helldivers 2, you must make precise button presses to call in stratagems with the D-Pad. I found myself making mistakes more often than I would with a standard XBOX controller. The D-Pad has a fast response, but it just felt less precise. Comfort: As mentioned above the face buttons took me a bit to get used to. Also, the ability to adjust the trigger distance and map buttons on the back of the controller is great, but, at least at first, I found myself rubbing my fingers a lot on the adjustment knobs on the back of the controller. I eventually got used to it, but first few gaming sessions were a bit rough on my middle fingers. Charging issues: As mentioned, the Raikiri 2 comes with a charging stand which you can keep in the travel case to charge the controller on the go, or you can plug the controller in directly to charge. I found the charging stand to be too slow to be ineffective. After hours of charging on the wireless pad, the controller’s battery charge barely moved. Plugging the controller in via USB-C did charge but was slow. At this moment, my controller is maxing out at 97 percent charge, and I have no idea why it will not go any higher. I tried different USB ports and chargers. One thing that did seem to improve charging times was to make sure the controller’s lighting was turned off. But then you lose the charging indicator via the logo. I guess what I learned was to make sure lighting on the controller is turned off before charging. Wireless charging, while nice in theory, can be extremely slow if it works at all. Conclusion: This is a mixed bag for me. I really like many aspects of this controller. I am hoping that my nitpicks can be addressed via software updates in the future. Because if they can be addressed (especially the weird charging issues) then this will be my favorite controller. As it is right now, it is a good one. 4/5 Recommended.

I adore this controller, I've used the xbox elite, razer wolverine v3 pro wireless, 8bitdos, and the scuff envision pro. This is my favorite of the bunch due to how nice this controller feels in the hand. I rather enjoy the rgb on the controller itself and it changes color based on charging status docked. The Bluetooth, 2.4ghz dongle and wired mode are welcome and lowkey my favorite feature. None of these other controllers in the pro category seem to offer bluetooth and the 2.4ghz dongle that i tried and listed. This makes compatability great! I use it on my legion go s with steam os, and my windows 11 pc. The actual downside here is i expected more customization with the macros and buttons theres very little so far. It could be an update but i would go in expecting just a nice xbox controller with a soild feel.

Fantastic controller. Fast response time, absolutely no stuck drift whatsoever. The RGB lights go perfect with my Asus Rog Strix Gaming laptop. Super lightweight and the battery last a very long time.