Razer’s PS5 pro controller is built for the demands of competitive gaming
>
Razer has announced its Wolverine V2 Pro PS5 controller, which includes a host of advanced customization features. It is the company’s first-ever officially licensed gamepad made for the latest Sony console and features asymmetric thumbsticks from the iconic in-line thumbsticks of the past 28 years.
According to the official site listing (opens in new tab), the controller will ship on December 31 in the US. No other areas have been announced yet. However, the price has been revealed; it retails for $250 USD / €299.99 / £249.99 / $475.95 AU, making it one of the more expensive options to hit the shelves. With such a price tag, the Wolverine V2 Pro competes directly with Sony’s DualSense Edgeslated for a January 2023 release and will be priced at $199.99 USD / €239.99 / £209.99.
Razer’s upcoming pro controller differs from your standard one DualSense gamepad for its focus on improving the quality of life for people in the competitive gaming scene. Just like the brand Wolverine Ultimate and Wolverine V2 Chroma, this new model features mechanical tactile microswitches for the face buttons and D-pad.
What sets those earlier Xbox controllers apart from the Wolverine V2 Pro is that the PS5 version has 2.4GHz Hyperspeed wireless, while all previous models were wired only. The company’s wireless Hyperspeed has been in everything from Razer’s best wireless gaming headsets to the best wireless gaming keyboards.
Pre-order Razer Wolverine V2 Pro
Since the PS5’s default controller uses adaptive triggers, Razer has implemented its ‘Hypertrigger’ technology. These are essentially the same trigger stops we’ve seen on previous versions of the gamepad; a dedicated toggle switch restricts movement, with shorter pulls ideal for shooting and fighting games, and longer pulls better suited to racing titles. To support different playing styles, there are also interchangeable concave and convex thumbsticks.
Being a Razer product, there’s also the Chroma RGB lighting that also adorns the edges of the Wolverine V2 Pro’s faceplate. We first saw that with last year’s V2 Chroma. If you are a fan of flashing light, this cosmetic feature will undoubtedly help it stand out from the competition.
Who is the Wolverine V2 Pro PS5 controller for?
There’s no denying that $250 USD / €299.99 / £249.99 / $475.95 AU is a steep price. That’s a whole $50 more than the DualSense Edge, a controller we think it is arguably overpriced, even by premium standards. At a time when many people ask whether expensive premium controllers are even worth itthere is certainly a lot to live up to with the features on offer.
In short, the Wolverine V2 Pro is an enthusiast-quality gamepad that will probably only appeal to those on the competitive gaming scene, where milliseconds matter in terms of input. However, for the average gamer, these improvements in quality of life are unlikely to make much of a difference in your day-to-day life. If you want to gain a second or two of your lap time in Grand Turismo 7 or improve your K/D ratio slightly in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2this PS5 pro controller can help you achieve those goals.
How does the Wolverine V2 Pro compare to the Dualsense Edge?
The Wolverine V2 Pro and the DualSense Edge are both high-end controllers focused on customizability. This means you have replacement thumbsticks and paddles on the back. Both controllers also use reassignable buttons, which is pretty standard as pro controllers go. There are also the same trigger stops and dead zones with each model.
As for the major differences, the Wolverine V2 Pro uses an asymmetric thumbstick layout that has more in common with a Xbox Wireless Controller. If you want a more traditional PlayStation layout, the DualSense Edge is the better option. The ergonomics are also very different. You can think of the Edge variant as a slightly larger DualSense. In contrast, in terms of build, the V2 Pro has more in common with the Razer Raiju Ultimate than other Wolverine models.
A critical feature that the in-house Sony-made gamepad takes advantage of is its replaceable stick modules, which only Scuf PS5 controllers, such as the Reflex Pro, have touched upon so far. With the console available for nearly two years on the market, peripheral manufacturers can finally figure out what works for the platform based on player demand.
As for which controller out of the Razer and Sony options is the best, we won’t know for sure until we get our hands on them all. As it stands, the DualSense Edge, which is a whole $50 cheaper, helps in its favor. The fact that it’s an official PlayStation product with similar functionality doesn’t hurt either. A big plus is that they can both be used natively as: PC controllersso if you are someone who plays on a console and a computer there is also a strength of these two.