I’ve been taking a close look at Razer gear for roughly two years or so now. As such, I have a decent idea of what makes them tick and if an item is good or bad. Thankfully, Razer has largely knocked each accessory out of the park. Earlier this year, I took a swing at the 20th Anniversary Boomslang, and it’s a crazy product. Razer’s Signature Editions aren’t as bougie, but still exhibit an extravagant nature. The Raiju V3 Pro is the latest one, and while it’s certainly a magnificent piece, the actual controller is what I’m excited about.
Opening up the box, which collapsed outwards to show an amazing leather-clad box. I often talk about how presentation is everything, and Razer has taken that to heart with their Signature Editions. Delivering anything in a high-end box, especially one like this, which also has a metal clasp holding it together, screams elegance in the best way possible. I do miss having a true carrying case, but you probably aren't buying this just for function.
Inside, of course, is where the magic lies. Right away, your eyes are drawn to the foam insert sporting the “Signature Edition” shiny metal plate that also has your controller’s serial number on it (only 1337 have been made). If you wanted something rare, you get to show that off here. Underneath the Raiju V3 Pro is the USB dongle and charging cable, an extra set of different style thumbsticks, and four back button covers if you aren't into that sort of thing. The small screwdriver for removing your back buttons is also premium, an all-metal tool. It's everything you'd get in the regular package, but a bit fancier.
The Raiju V3 Pro controller is the pièce de résistance of it all. Made of magnesium alloy, the metal shell feels sturdy but is light as a feather. You wouldn't be wrong thinking it was plastic at first sight, but the second you touch it, you know it's something stronger. The honeycomb design adds to the ambiance, giving you a view of the insides in a tasteful way. I love how it looks on a gaming mouse, and the mimicry works here as well. The finishing touch (no pun intended) might be the best one: a glass touchpad adorning the top. Razer’s efforts to make this worth the extra coin are appreciated.
That said, you'd be remiss to ignore the masterful, PlayStation-certified controller below the lustrous exterior. While I don't want to belabor things I've already gone over in our review of the actual controller (which I'll bookmark link below), I do hope to drive home how great of a controller the Raiju V3 Pro is. Even if you can't get ahold of one of these Signature Editions, you need to have a regular one in your arsenal.
David Burdette
It's hard to describe just how awesome this controller feels in your grip. At only 260g, which is near one-to-one with the original Raiju V3 Pro, it’s like nothing in your hands. The textured grip on the handles, which extends all the way around them and up to the triggers and bumpers, is tremendous and keeps the Raiju V3 Pro steady as you play. It’s just comfortable, something that matters during a long gaming session.
TMR thumbsticks continue with this controller instead of the new capacitive sensors that arrived with the Wolverine V4 Pro. To be clear, this is not to the detriment of the Raiju, as these thumbsticks are more than capable of handling the rigors of whatever twitchy game you are playing. I’ve had no issues adjusting back to them – the aim is as crisp as I’d expect from one of Razer’s premier controllers. Even better has been the 2K polling rate backing me up on PC, allowing my flicks to be as smooth as butter.
Razer’s buttons, bumpers, and HyperTriggers really round out the whole package. Each of the face buttons, bumpers, the M-buttons, and the D-Pad is PBT, ensuring quality and durability. They’re also mecha-tactile, bringing that mouse-click responsiveness you know and love from other Razer gear. As good as these are, the HyperTriggers and back buttons take the cake. The trigger locks have a perfect pull to them, with just enough give to make it feel like you’ve clicked them but fast enough that you’re getting that extra millisecond of a shot off. Similarly, the back buttons are clicky and accurate, sitting right in the grip to offer the extra control you need to pull off a clutch when you need it.
Battery life might alone be worth the heavy price, as the DualSense really phones it in there. Where that controller gets like six hours of play time, the Raiju dwarfs it. Getting upwards of thirty-six hours makes this upgrade worth your money. While I dislike the missing immersive element of the haptics and adaptive triggers, at least Razer makes up for it with insane longevity. With on-controller button remapping and Synapse available to work through more customization options, the Raiju V3 Pro really is of stellar quality.
I know this has been a lot of talk you’ve heard before, especially if you’ve read my Raiju V3 Pro controller review in the past. That said, after using this controller again, this time in Signature Edition form, my love for what this controller does has been reaffirmed. The Razer Raiju V3 Pro Signature Edition goes on sale at the time of this writing, with 1337 up for grabs at the link bookmarked below this line.
If I was rating the standard Raiju V3 Pro controller a second time (I gave it an 85 last year), I’d bump it up to a 90. Sure, this version is costly, landing at a steep $349.99, but that’s not exactly the point of what I’m talking about. If you’re a tech collector and want a piece that honors the attributes Razer esteems, the Raiju V3 Pro Signature Edition is a good purchase. That said, if you came here interested in the controller at all, I couldn’t more highly recommend giving the regular model a shot. You’ll be happy you did.
