From the moment I encountered the ASUS ROG Raikiri Pro controller at CES 2023, I was pulled in by its customizable lighting and OLED display. The controller supports use on both PC and the latest generation of Xbox consoles. Offering three connectivity options, a suite of customizable features, and an attractive overall build, I thought that this was a controller that I simply had to check out.
So, lets dive into the ASUS ROG Raikiri Pro to see what this controller has to offer.
Build and Feel
The purchase of the ASUS ROG Raikiri Pro controller comes with a USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable and a USB wireless dongle.
The ROG Raikiri Pro employs your standard Xbox layout of buttons and controls, almost exactly matching the silhouette of a standard Xbox Elite controller. The controller features trigger locks, textured grips around the handles, and a 3.5mm jack for connecting a wired headset.
When a wired headset is connected to the bottom of the controller, the Raikiri Pro’s built-in ESS DAC powers the sound being delivered to and from the headset. Near that headset jack, you have a button for muting your connected headset. The controller connects to the Xbox using its removable USB cable, or to the PC via wired, 2.4Ghz wireless, or Bluetooth connections. However, there is more to this controller that makes it unique.
On the front, you have a 1.3-inch OLED display with a 128 x 40 resolution and customizable LED lighting. The menus and features shown on the display are navigated using the two buttons that are situated above the screen, between the controller’s bumpers.
The screen can be used to display packaged or user-created wallpaper, toggle between custom profiles, change connection modes, or check the controllers’ various status indicators.
On the back of the Raikiri Pro, you have four customizable paddle buttons and trigger locks for managing trigger travel distances. The paddle buttons can be either remapped to mirror main controller buttons or set to tweak thumb stick sensitivity on the fly. Near the bottom of the back, there is a snazzy compartment for storing away the 2.4Ghz wireless dongle when it is not in use.
Starting off with the controller’s build, ASUS’ ROG Raikiri Pro controller is probably the most visually stunning wired Xbox controller that I have used to date. Its standard Xbox controller shape does not break the mold, nor does it need to. However, this controller gets top marks in the style department with its slick black and gray ROG-branded shell coupled with LED lighting and an animated OLED display. From a visual standpoint, this controller excels when it comes to personalization.
From a feel and comfort standpoint, the controller’s familiar shape and layout allows it to be easy to handle and use, with no learning curve whatsoever. The textured grips near the rear of the handles promote a comfortable and secure grip throughout hours of gameplay. The thumb sticks have a nice level of resistance to them and are easy to manage. The four remappable buttons in the back are very accessible for your fingers while still placed nicely out of the way, avoiding accidental presses.
Having reviewed many controllers of all kinds, I found it refreshing that the ROG Raikiri Pro had a stow-away space for its wireless dongle. Surprisingly enough, this is a welcomed feature that I do not see often enough in controllers and gamepads that support 2.4Ghz wireless connectivity. This simple feature allows the Raikiri Pro to be quite portable while keeping that dongle safe during your travels.
The ASUS ROG Raikiri Pro sports a very impressive build that is easy on the eyes, functional and comfortable to handle.
Features and Performance
When it comes to customization and performance tweaks, all of the Raikiri Pro’s customization features can be accessed using the free ASUS Armoury Crate software. Here you can manage analog stick and trigger dead zones and actuation limits, customize the LED lighting, remap the rear paddle buttons, save custom profiles, and access various quality of life options.
The Armoury Crate software is straightforward and easy to use, giving you all of the kinds of options you would expect from a controller out today. Unlike other competing Xbox controllers that offer both PC and console apps , the customization software is only available on PC. However, all of the edits you save to the controller’s profiles are saved directly onto the controller. So, you still have full access to all of your personalization tweaks, regardless of whether you are playing on the PC or Xbox.
The OLED display on the Raikiri Pro was a feature that I did not initially think I would appreciate at first. On the surface, it adds a nice cosmetic touch, allowing you to upload your static or animated image to display when it powers on. The Armoury Crate even does a decent job at converting your images as you load them into your controller’s profiles, further encouraging you to explore the feature.
However, it is the on-the-fly options and feedback that the display offers that make it handy. On-the-fly features like profile swapping, connection mode toggling, and status feedback are present in many controllers out today. Many controllers usually employ a special button combination to access such non-basic options. Here, the Raikiri Pro’s OLED display and its two accompanying buttons make navigating and accessing these features a much more direct experience.
As for the Raikiri Pro’s handling, accuracy and responsiveness, the controller did not disappoint. The concave dome d-pad played well in fighting games that were driven by command inputs. Inputs such as Dragon Punch, quarter-circle or half-circle motions were executed accurately and with ease.
The controller handled especially well in first-person shooters, like Apex Legends and Destiny 2. During the Arsenal season in Apex Legends, the controller powered me through ranked matches. As such, I was able to join the absurdly large portion of players that reached Master rank last season. In Destiny 2, the Raikiri Pro carried me through several Trials of Osiris flawless runs. I was even able to properly unlock the “flawless flawless” emblem using the controller, weeks ago.
The ASUS ROG Raikiri Pro performed nicely throughout all types of gameplay.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are looking for a feature-rich wireless controller for PC gameplay, the ASUS ROG Raikiri Pro is indeed a very nice controller. The controller provides solid handling and performance while offering the behavior customization options you would expect in a controller out today. On PC, the controller gives you connection flexibility through its Bluetooth, 2.4Ghz wireless and wired connectivity options. It then tips the scale in the looks and style department with its customizable lighting and OLED display. On Xbox, the controller grants you all of the same functionality but over a wired connection.
Selling for $169.99 at Best Buy, this is a solid buy if you are a PC gamer, whether or not you also play on Xbox. As I play on both platforms, I am able to fully appreciate such a purchase. However, if you are looking to buy this controller for an exclusively Xbox gamer, you may find that $169.99 as a bit of an oversell for a wired controller. Nevertheless, the ROG Raikiri Pro is still a very solid and attractive that won’t disappoint you once it is in your hands.
You can check out the ASUS ROG Raikiri Pro for yourself by clicking here.
The controller’s $169.99 listing on Best Buy can be found by clicking here.
† There are no affiliate links contained within this post. We were provided a ASUS ROG Raikiri Pro controller for review purposes and were not compensated for this review.
