Turn Your Phone Into a Gaming Console With This $90 Snap-on Controller
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Mobile gaming has come a long way from the endless swipes of Fruit Ninja. Today’s games feature open worlds, complex combat systems, and even the ability to stream full console games, and the weak link is usually the controls. Touchscreens get boring fast. That’s where a clip-on controller makes all the difference, and the Razer Kishi Ultra is one of the more serious options. At $89.99 on Woot (for the next three weeks or until a sale), it’s a remarkable deal compared to Amazon’s $132 listing (down from $149.99) and even lower than the lowest price it’s ever reached ($99.99), according to price trackers . Prime members get free standard shipping, while others will have to pay $6, though shipping isn’t available to Alaska, Hawaii, or P.O. Boxes.
The Kishi Ultra feels less like a mobile add-on and more like a standalone Xbox controller. It’s larger than most competitors, with proper grips and full-sized controls that make long sessions less risky on your hands. The triggers use Hall sensors, so they’re smoother and more precise than the typical soft plastic ones you’ll find elsewhere, and the mechanical buttons click with satisfying feedback. There’s also a proper 8-way D-pad for fighting games or retro gaming, plus a couple extra bumper buttons you can map however you like. Razer has even added its signature Chroma RGB lighting around the edges if you want a little flair. And unlike other portable controllers, this one isn’t just for phones ; it can stretch wide enough to hold an iPad Mini , making it more versatile.
You’ll need a USB-C device to use it, though, so anything older than the iPhone 15 won’t work. The upside is that the same port lets you use it as a wired PC controller, expanding its functionality beyond mobile devices. Also, on iOS, cloud streaming support can be a bit clunky with services like Xbox Game Pass , and there’s no virtual gamepad option, but for Android users or those streaming through Razer’s own Remote Play service, it works well, as noted in this PCMag review .