ASUS ‘Raikiri II Xbox Wireless Controller’ review — I had high hopes for this as an Xbox Ally companion … sadly it falls a bit short.
ASUS has released the Raikiri II, a premium wireless controller designed for Xbox and multi-platform compatibility. The controller excels in hardware fundamentals, featuring solid ergonomics that closely match Xbox’s design conventions, excellent battery life, and a respectable set of premium features including back buttons, TMR anti-drift sticks, and customizable RGB lighting. It ships with a convenient carry case, adding to its appeal as a high-end gaming peripheral.
However, the Raikiri II stumbles significantly in supporting areas. The charging dock is poorly designed, held together only by gravity and lacking structural integrity. The controller’s software configuration relies on a web-based interface, which proves problematic for users without internet access or those preferring traditional desktop applications. This creates a frustrating user experience for what should be a straightforward customization process.
Pricing presents another challenge. While the controller delivers quality in core functionality, numerous cheaper alternatives offer comparable performance, making the premium price point difficult to justify. The combination of these drawbacks—a flimsy dock, internet-dependent software, and high cost relative to competitors—undermines the controller’s overall value proposition despite its strong hardware foundation.
Windows Central’s verdict reflects this mixed picture: the Raikiri II gets many things right as an Xbox controller alternative but falls short of being an easy recommendation due to its accessory design and software limitations.