Razer Wolverine V3 Professional Overview – Razer’s First Wi-fi Xbox Controller Is Implausible

Razer’s console controller line has expanded with its first wi-fi mannequin for Xbox, and it is simply the very best Wolverine controller but. The V3 Professional retains the core options present in earlier Wolverine controllers–clicky mecha-tactile buttons, 4 again triggers, and two additional bumpers–while making a couple of impactful adjustments that resolve the less-than-stellar features of PS5’s V2 Professional and the V2 Chroma for Xbox. The Razer Wolverine V3 Professional is accessible now at Amazon for $200–$50 lower than the V2 Professional, and solely $50 greater than 2021’s wired V2 Chroma. Should you’re out there for a wi-fi Xbox or PC controller and are prepared to spend this a lot, the Razer Wolverine V3 Professional is actually distinctive. Razer has additionally launched a wired-only V3 Event Version for $100.

Wolverine V3 Professional is the newest Xbox Elite Collection 2 challenger

The Wolverine V3 Professional is the newest controller to benefit from Xbox’s latest choice to open its wi-fi protocol to third-party producers. On the finish of the day, each pro-style controller for Xbox finally competes with Xbox’s Elite Collection 2 controller, which has been the gold customary within the premium controller marketplace for years. Every of its primary opponents to date have excelled in their very own methods, with the Victrix Professional BFG providing a singular modular design and the Turtle Seashore Stealth Extremely sporting probably the most sturdy inside customization options. The Wolverine V3 Professional is an all-around success that surpasses its third-party opponents and stands toe-to-toe with the Elite Collection 2.

Wolverine V3 Professional’s most impactful adjustments

Naturally, the largest surface-level change with the V3 Professional is its wi-fi connection. Razer has launched a number of Wolverine controllers for Xbox over time, all of which had been restricted to a wired connection. The producer typically talked about latency as a cause why wired was higher for a pro-style type controller, however it additionally wasn’t capable of make one as a result of Microsoft’s in-house wi-fi protocols. Wi-fi connections have come a great distance lately, and whereas wired controllers nonetheless technically provide the quickest response occasions, applied sciences similar to Razer’s HyperSpeed wi-fi make latency with wi-fi controller, synced with protocol, just about inconceivable to note.

Razer utilized its HyperSpeed wi-fi reference to the V2 Professional, a PS5 and PC controller, and the V3 Professional communicates the identical method with the two.4GHz USB dongle. I examined the controller for over 30 hours the previous couple of weeks and did not discover any enter latency. However for discerning gamers who take competitors significantly, you possibly can nonetheless use a wired reference to the braided 10-foot USB-C cable. On PC, there is a devoted characteristic for wired play referred to as Event Mode. As soon as enabled, the V3 Professional has a 1000Hz polling charge. I did not discover a efficiency distinction, however possibly you’ll. Regardless, in case you’re used to wi-fi controllers on Xbox, you will not be disillusioned with the wi-fi connection right here. I maxed out at round 20 hours of battery life on a full cost.

The dearth of a wi-fi connection has at all times been the largest draw back with Razer’s Xbox controllers, however the V3 Professional additionally addresses a couple of different essential points. Although Corridor Impact analog sticks are rapidly turning into a routine characteristic in pro-style and even finances controllers, that is the primary Wolverine controller to utilize the know-how that forestalls analog stick drift. Sticks that activate by way of Corridor Impact sensors aren’t the identical high quality from controller to controller; the V3 Professional’s light-weight sticks have the smoothest vary of movement I’ve tried. They’ve simply the correct amount of resistance for exact actions. It is not likely a good comparability for the reason that know-how is completely different, however the distinction between these sticks and people of the Wolverine V2 Professional is sort of noticeable.

It isn’t a brand new characteristic, however you possibly can swap out the default sticks with two different kinds: one taller stick that is sometimes used for first-person shooters and a dome stick. It might’ve been good to get two dome sticks, however it solely comes with one among every.

My longstanding criticism with the Wolverine line has been the again triggers. Merely put, they by no means made sense. Up till now, Razer organized the 4 triggers in two columns near the middle of the controller, forcing many gamers like myself to tweak their grip to relaxation our fingers on the triggers. Razer has lastly ditched that design, utterly retooling the form and placement of the 4 again triggers to comply with customary conventions. The 4 built-in triggers are formed like paddles and curve throughout the handles. This design mixed with a wonderful kind issue and textured handles–it’s similar to the V2 Chroma in form and chassis feel–makes holding the V3 Professional for hours a persistently comfy expertise.

When Razer launched the V2 Professional for PS5, I used to be fairly stunned it did not include a hardshell carrying case, particularly because it was the priciest formally licensed PS5 controller at $250. Fortunately, the Wolverine V3 Professional does include a hardshell carrying case with a formfitting recess for the controller, cosy compartments for the additional sticks and dongle, and a mesh pocket for the USB-C cable.

The return of the microswitch king

Microswitch inputs would possibly quickly develop into a pattern. Turtle Seashore featured them in its Stealth Extremely, and PowerA used them in its upcoming OPS V3 Professional–the prolific producer’s finest and most premium PC controller. But when microswitches over membranes turns into a pattern, Razer could be the pioneer of that shift.

The Wolverine V3 Professional retains Razer’s “mecha-tactile” face buttons, D-pad, and bumpers–RB and LB in addition to the small M1 and M2 bonus bumpers subsequent to them. They really feel nice and provide a speediness you will not discover in controllers with conventional buttons. I do know some individuals who cannot stand the mouse-click sound of those buttons, however in case you get pleasure from them, it might be laborious to return to membrane inputs. Razer’s microswitches are nonetheless the very best I’ve utilized in a controller. An extended historical past creating a number of the finest gaming mice definitely provides Razer an edge with this know-how.

Although I actually benefit from the eight-way D-pad, which has a “unfastened” really feel to it–Razer calls it a “floating D-pad”–it does take a while getting used to. And in contrast to many different pro-style controllers, you possibly can’t swap the D-pad for a distinct type. This is likely one of the areas the place the Elite Collection 2 nonetheless wins. The 2 additional analog sticks are the one swappable elements, so bodily customization could be very restricted with the Wolverine V3 Professional. It does have built-in set off locks, although with solely two pull settings, full or prompt (primarily turns RT and LT into bumpers).

Many of the customization is finished contained in the Razer Controller App for Home windows and Xbox. The software program suite has an easy-to-navigate interface and allows you to make tweaks to quite a lot of settings, together with stick sensitivity, haptics energy, and RGB lighting results for the Razer brand. That is additionally the place you remap the six additional buttons and create customized profiles that may be cycled by on the fly with the controller’s multi-function settings button.

The underside line

The Razer Wolverine V3 Professional is a aggressive controller that is troublesome to knock in any space. The Elite Collection 2 has extra bodily customization choices, Bluetooth assist, higher battery life, and stays unequalled in relation to common feel–there’s simply one thing concerning the weightiness of the Elite Collection 2 that makes it laborious to beat. That stated, the V3 Professional has superior analog sticks, buttons, remappable rear triggers, and comparable software program customization options.

In comparison with earlier Wolverine Xbox controllers, it is actually no contest. The V3 Professional is vastly superior to the V2 Chroma and V2 Professional. Even if you would like a wired controller, it’s best to most likely go for the Razer Wolverine V3 Event Version. We did not check this different new mannequin, however it has the identical common design with a wired-only connection for $100. The V3 Event Version is suitable with Xbox and PC, too.

$200 | For Xbox and PC

• 2.4GHz Wi-fi on Xbox and PC
• Wired Event Mode with 1000Hz polling charge on PC
• 4 remappable again triggers
• Two remappable claw bumpers
• Swappable Corridor Impact analog sticks (Two additional kinds)
• Mecha-tactile face buttons and D-pad
• Hardshell carrying case
• 10-foot braided USB-C charging cable