Razer Wolverine V2 review: A premium wired PC controller

Price When Reviewed

$99.99

Best Prices Today: Razer Wolverine V2

Razer is thought for keyboards and mice, which stay the first arsenal of most PC avid gamers. However, it additionally produces a line of premium, competition-ready recreation controllers. The Wolverine V2 is out there in a number of flavors, together with the PS5-optimized Pro and the colourful Chroma version. The base mannequin Wolverine we’ve been testing presents a lot of the premium Razer options for half as a lot as these gamepads. Still, at $100, the Wolverine V2 is dearer than Microsoft’s Series X controller or the Sony DualSense, and it’s not even wi-fi. Add-ons just like the mechanical buttons and adjustable triggers assist to justify the value, however you actually need to watch for a sale on this one.

Razer Wolverine V2 design and construct high quality

Ryan Whitwam / Foundry

Razer doesn’t do something outlandish with the fundamental design of its controller. It’s recognizable as an Xbox/PC controller with asymmetrical thumbsticks and customary ABXY button cluster. However, upon nearer inspection, you’ll discover just a few uncommon facets. For instance, there are two further buttons on the highest edge, which you’ll program to do no matter you need. And what’s this subsequent to them? Switches to vary the set off journey distance, much like the triggers on Microsoft’s Elite Series 2 gamepad. However, Razer solely presents brief and lengthy choices, whereas Microsoft’s dearer controller has three set off settings.

The USB-A cable is non-removable and connects to the highest of the controller. It’s moderately lengthy at slightly below 10 toes (3 meters). If you’re going to be caught with one cable, USB-A might be nonetheless the best way to go, however in just a few years, you would possibly find yourself needing a USB-C adapter.

Ryan Whitwam / Foundry

Perhaps the strangest design selection is the position of the choice and menu buttons, that are method up on the high of the face. You get all the opposite Xbox buttons of their ordinary association, together with the share button that debuted with the Series X/S. There’s additionally a button beneath share that, when utilized in live performance with the d-pad, enables you to management the sport and chat quantity for wired headphones. You can plug these in with the 3.5mm jack on the underside fringe of the Wolverine V2.

The general form of the controller may be very hand-friendly, with L-shaped grips lined in textured soft-touch plastic. A strip of Razer inexperienced separates the grips from the face of the gamepad, however there aren’t any glowing lights like with the DualSense or the Chroma Wolverine V2. This controller has Razer’s customized “Mecha-Tactile” buttons for the ABXY cluster in addition to the d-pad. They make slightly extra noise than different buttons, however the faster response may enchantment to many avid gamers.

Razer Wolverine V2 options and hands-on expertise

Since the Wolverine V2 lacks wi-fi connectivity, all it’s important to do to get began is plug within the USB cable. The Wolverine has a barely wider footprint than Microsoft’s customary controller, however the Razer gamepad can be lighter due to the shortage of an inner battery. The thumbsticks are easy, quiet, and have the correct amount of resistance. They have the identical rubberized really feel because the grips, however they aren’t replaceable just like the Xbox Elite controller or Razer’s dearer Wolverine variants.

We can’t say sufficient good issues in regards to the controller’s Mecha-Tactile buttons. Other recreation controllers use membranes beneath the buttons, however Razer’s buttons are extra just like the switches on a mechanical keyboard. They have very brief journey (0.65mm) for a fast response, and the audible click on and tactility make them very satisfying to press. They click on on the press and return, and so they’ll make that noise for a lot of hundreds of presses. The noise is price it as which means they’ll even have the identical wonderful tactility even after uncountable hours of gaming. Membrane buttons are typically loud at first, however then get softer because the controller is damaged in.

If you’re taking part in a shooter, the adjustable triggers might be a godsend. The switches on the again are straightforward to make use of and out of the best way, so that you don’t by chance snag them whereas taking part in. With the set off journey restricted, you’ll be capable to press a lot quicker and with much less motion. Not solely is that this good for fast-paced gameplay, however it’s additionally simpler on the joints.

Ryan Whitwam / Foundry

Razer Wolverine V2 compatibility

The Razer Wolverine V2 is an formally licensed Xbox accent, so it’s detected as an Xbox controller on each Windows and the Xbox. You can take screenshots with the share button and open the Xbox information display screen or Windows recreation bar with the Xbox button. There’s no Bluetooth, so the Wolverine received’t be helpful to cellular avid gamers. We examined with a USB-C adapter and had been unable to get the Wolverine engaged on an Android cellphone. 

Configuring the additional buttons requires a Razer Controller Setup app, which is out there for each Windows and Xbox. The app is a bit clunky—it forces a full-screen Modern UI interface on Windows—however it solely takes just a few clicks to vary the button mapping.

Is the Razer Wolverine V2 price it?

The Razer Wolverine V2 has just a few issues going for it. For one, the mechanical buttons really feel nice and may stay simply as exact after years of use. Maybe it’s simply affirmation bias, however our in-game efficiency was higher with the Wolverine than with the inventory Xbox controller. The adjustable triggers and remappable buttons are additionally helpful extras that we’ve seen on way more costly gamepads.

On the opposite hand, the Wolverine V2 lacks Bluetooth connectivity, and the USB-A cable is non-removable. The $100 MSRP can be robust to justify when the usual Xbox controller is $60 or much less on sale and has Bluetooth. Despite that, we actually like the best way this controller feels within the hand, due to the decrease weight, clicky buttons, and adjustable triggers.

Most folks in search of a brand new Xbox-style controller ought to look elsewhere—most avid gamers worth wi-fi connectivity greater than mechanical buttons or the Razer model title. That stated, there’s nothing flawed with the Wolverine V2 if you would like a wired controller for PC or console use. $100 is an excessive amount of, however fortunately, it does go on sale comparatively typically. If you will get the Wolverine for nearer to $70, it’s a strong buy.