ASUS ROG Raikiri Pro review: Premium, not Pro

Over the past few years, the definition of the word  “Pro” has become increasingly loose regarding technological upgrades.

It no longer certifies quality and instead tends to be either a simple upgrade or, in some cases, just adding a feature that probably should have just been there from the start. The ROG Raikiri Pro certainly lives up to its name in terms of available features, but just like some other “Pro” iterations, it lacks that bite that makes this upgrade feel like a must-have over your current controller.

How Pro is 'Pro?

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The ROG Raikiri Pro, for the most part, feels identical to that of an official Xbox Series X/S device in the best possible way, hitting all the right features that a controller like this should.

The hybrid D-Pad feels responsive and intuitive. The textured handles offer more friction for intense moments, and it’s reasonably light, coming in at just 300g.

In appearance, the translucent case gives it a stylish undertone that even makes the giant ROG logo not look too out of place. But while on the surface, it looks like a Series X/S controller; this is primarily a PC-based device. 

That’s not to say it won’t work on your Xbox, it will connect almost seamlessly, but it is bound by a constant wired connection that feels incredibly outdated. Thankfully it’s bundled with a 3m long wire that helps alleviate some concerns. Still, if your Xbox is buried in an entertainment system or hidden away, this could be a significant issue for console users. 

Screen Time

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Of course, the main draw to this device is the fancy OLED screen at the top of the controller, and it’s certainly a statement piece. It shows fancy animations throughout and can give you simple info like battery life and profile set-ups. It’s entirely superficial and would not change the controller in its absence, but admittedly it’s hard not to be charmed by its appearance.

Alongside this OLED screen is an essential feature for any modern PC accessory, long strips of RGB lighting. These design choices make the controller feel unique, and that slick line of colour in the centre looks gorgeous in low light. Both the OLED and the colour strips can be customised and assigned to profiles like the rest of the controller. However, all that must be done via the ASUS Armoury Crate application on PC, meaning it’s not that easy to change things on the fly. 

Without a Paddle

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One of the other central features of the Pro compared to the standard Raikiri controller is the addition of two extra back buttons, making four total. These can be remapped using that same Armoury Crate software and take the form of any button you require.

It’s not a new feature from these elite-style controllers but one that offers a new level of customisation that can be useful in certain games. Each button is identifiable thanks to unique shapes and markings, making it simple to use in a timely fashion. While simple, they often get in the way; I found that when not using them, my hand would clumsily clip the buttons by accident more times than I’d like.

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This led to multiple missed inputs and a bit of general frustration until I turned them off. It almost felt like the egregiously large back touchpad of the PS Vita that was prone to accidental taps, and just like the Vita, I found my hand creating a kind of uncomfortable claw to avoid pressing them. Unlike the other prop/elite controllers, these can’t be removed, and the much more prominent button shape could be an issue for people with larger hands like myself.

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Customisation is, of course, a massive part of modern elite controllers. The Xbox Elite controller and PlayStation 5 DualSense Edge both come with detachable parts and button caps to swap components out. Despite the ROG Raikiri Pro rivalling the price of both, detachable parts are nowhere to be found.

For the most part, I’m okay with this as almost everything works as I’d like, but not having the option does make it feel like you’re missing something others are offering. That being said, the ability to remove those back paddles would be greatly appreciated for future iterations. 

While the physical buttons can’t be customised, their usage definitely can, all thanks to the aforementioned Armoury Crate. This incredibly in-depth customisation HUB allows you to get intricate with the changes you desire. The triggers, Sticks and even vibration levels can all be modified to a high degree, giving you a level of control few competitors offer.

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That’s not even mentioning the design control; the OLED screen can be changed to add custom animations or text, and the RGB colours can be attached to profiles for endless design combinations. One particular function that impressed me was the simple setting of changing the RGB strip lights to dictate how much battery was left; green meant full, blue mid and low red. It’s those little details that the Armoury Crate offers that make this product feel unique. 

It’s worth noting that there are tonnes of other features on the ROG Raikiri Pro that are great too. The battery life is fantastic, reportedly coming in at 48 hours, and I’m yet to have it run out on me during wireless play. Bluetooth connectivity is equally tremendous and handles solid range before disconnecting. The device's impulse triggers and subsequent trigger range switches allow for a much greater level of control with haptic feedback inside each one.

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Then the ability to use this with the ROG Ally wirelessly is another feature lost on me but welcome nonetheless. All of these come together to form a fantastic product that is held back by some archaic design choices that are hard to overlook for the price tag. 

The Verdict

When an Xbox Elite Series 2 controller’s RRP comes in at around £40 less and offers better accessibility, it’s difficult to recommend the ROG Raikiri Pro. If you are primarily a console gamer, the need for wireless features will be an instant turn-off, but if you're on a PC, it offers a dense level of customisation that is hard to fault.

If you are the sort of gamer who needs their dead zones to be precisely 33%, the right trigger harder to press than the left and back paddles set up to execute complex combos, then this will offer you that experience.

3.5/5

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