Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma review

Our Verdict

70%

A excellent-quality, wired-only gamepad, but it’s expensive for the features it provides.

While Razer has produced wireless gamepads in the past, such as the DualShock-alike Raiju Tournament Edition, the reptilian peripheral maker currently only offers wired gamepads. Moreover, it only offers a single model, but which is available in two different variants. The Razer Wolverine V2, then, is an official Xbox licensed controller, with the Xbox logo on its front, and it has the standard Xbox thumbstick layout. However, it actually sports a slightly different shape from the official controller, and both versions include quite a few extras.

The standard Razer Wolverine V2 (currently $75) includes two additional buttons next to the triggers and bumper buttons. It also has a couple of sliders on the underside for converting the triggers to a hair trigger mode. Meanwhile, the Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma adds two extra buttons on the underside for your middle and ring fingers, along with interchangeable thumbstick caps.

The extra features are very useful, with the extra bumper buttons being a seemingly obvious addition that few other gamepads have ever included. The hair triggers aren’t quite as precise as the name suggests – like most such modes, they just shorten the throw of the triggers, so the buttons still feel quite mushy – but they work well enough.

The extra buttons on the rear are our least favourite implementation of this feature we’ve tested, though. The simple vertical stack of one button above the other in the centre of the rear feels quite difficult to reach. It’s good to have them, and they will work well if you have large hands, but other implementations feel more natural in your hand.

Another factor that sets both the standard Wolverine V2 and the Chroma version apart from the competition is that both pads have Razer’s ‘Mecha-Tactile’ buttons. These feel lighter and more clicky than typical gamepad buttons, giving a more mouse button-like feel. They do feel precise and crisp in action – though not revolutionary – and Razer claims a three million activation lifetime, which is impressive.

Back to the shape of the Wolverine, it feels a little like a combination of an older Sony DualShock 4 and an Xbox Series X controller. The grips have the same thicker, rounder ends of the DualShock, as compared to the pointy Xbox-style grips. Otherwise, it largely feels as comfortable to use as a standard Xbox controller, and the rubber coating on the grips secures the pad well in your hand too.

So far so good for the Wolverine V2, but its main drawback is its wired-only connection. A plentiful 3m cable is included in the box, but for the price Razer is asking for both versions, being limited to always using a wire is a significant downside. For PC use it’s certainly not essential to go wireless but it’s a slight inconvenience, plus the lack of a Bluetooth connection means you can’t use it for mobile gaming.

Combine this omission with the limitation of only two colour options – black or white – and fairly limited options for customisation elsewhere and the Wolverine V2 doesn’t leap out as great value. The RGB lighting strip that wraps around the controller does look great, though.

Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma pros and cons

Pros

• Good build quality
• Plenty of extra buttons
• Cheaper than premium wireless models

Cons

• No wireless connection
• Rear buttons awkward to reach
• Very high price

Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma specs

The Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma specs list is:

Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma price

The Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma price is $130 (£130) making it a feature-packed but very expensive controller that’s wired only.

Price: Expect to pay $130 (£130).

Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma review conclusion

The limitation of being wired-only makes the Wolverine V2 Chroma a tough sell given its premium price. Other high-end controllers that include wireless connections, such as the Microsoft Xbox Elite Series 2 and Scuf Instinct Pro, feel even better made too. There’s still a lot to like with this controller, such as its extra buttons, comfortable shape and responsive Mecha-Tactile switches but it really doesn’t feel like good value. The non-Chroma version is a more compelling option at around $70, though.