Razer Wolverine V2 Pro Controller Review – So… This Is What It Feels Like

Razer Wolverine V2 Pro Controller Review

Earlier this year I reviewed the PlayStation 5 DualSense Edge controller. I loved it. I still do and I just can’t see myself replacing it anytime soon. It is a premium controller in every way, with all the customizable options I could ever want. Sure, the Edge isn’t perfect but it checked off nearly all the boxes and remains my go-to controller. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve put the Razer Wolverine V2 Pro Controller through its paces. While I am impressed with what Razer has done with their latest wireless controller for the PS5, the Wolverine V2 Pro isn’t quite the DualSense Edge killer I hoped it would be.

Don’t get me wrong, the Wolverine V2 Pro is rock solid. When I pulled it out of the box, I was impressed with the size. It’s a big meaty controller. It certainly has a presence. It has a sleek ergonomic design and feels good in my hands. Its advanced customization options allow you to personalize your controller with ease. The buttons are equipped with Razer’s “Mecha-Tactile” buttons, so each press does feel satisfying. The Chroma RGB lighting is merely the icing on the cake. So what’s not to like about this controller? Not much, but for me, it’s the little things.

Size Matters

Admittedly, I am lazy. Especially when it comes to gaming. I like to plunk my butt on the couch and not move, for hours. So while I appreciate how the dongle ensures a lag-free experience with its 2.4GHz wireless connection, I hate that this controller doesn’t turn on my PS5. This isn’t exactly a deal-breaker. Yet when I drop this much money on a controller, I’d like it to power on my PS5. I get it, this isn’t on Razer. This is Sony’s stubbornness when it comes to third-party controllers. It’s disappointing that here we are in 2023 and Sony still doesn’t allow third-party controllers to power on their consoles. It’s ridiculous actually.

I will say; however, connecting your controller to your PS5 is a breeze. Simply plug in the dongle, turn on your controller and you are good to go. The wireless connection is truly fantastic. I experienced no slowdowns or lag of any kind. I never felt like I was at some kind of disadvantage using a 3rd party controller. There is no question it delivers a stable and reliable connection.

The controller is also a sight to behold. This big sucker features an all-white finish matching perfectly my PS5. The textured grips feel wonderful and not once did the controller slip out of my hands. Even when my hands became a little sweaty, I never felt I was losing any grip. The buttons and triggers are ergonomically positioned, so I never felt any strain when smashing the buttons. It all feels natural. And of course, the Chroma RGB lighting looks amazing, making this a visually appealing controller.

What separates Razer’s Wolverine V2 Pro from the competition is its meticulously designed buttons. Those “Mecha-Tactile” buttons do feel superb. The responsiveness is quick and satisfying with every press. Speed and accuracy are the name of the game when playing games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and the V2 Pro shines in that department. While I mostly used the controller with the default layout, you can remap the buttons. Not to mention, I love the “hair-trigger” mode which allows you to activate buttons with minimal force. This just reduces response time and should give you an edge.

A Lot of Balls in The Air

Granted, it’s a lot to manage. This controller features six more buttons than the Edge: four back triggers and two top bumper buttons. For me, it’s unnecessary, but competitive gamers or those who take their FPS games seriously, you’ll love this. It’s all about having options and you can’t say the Wolverine V2 Pro doesn’t give you a plethora of options.

Yet it all comes at a cost and a rather hefty one. For Canadians, this sucker will cost you $299.99. Granted, it has tons of features and customization options. It’s great looking and feels wonderful. The battery life is also super impressive as you get up to 28 hours per charge. This absolutely crushes the Edge controller’s battery life. Yet for $300 bucks it doesn’t include a case and the controller doesn’t vibrate at all, which is odd. The PS5 is all about that glorious haptic feedback. Unfortunately, you won’t get it here.

This isn’t just a PlayStation controller either. The Wolverine V2 Pro is also compatible with PC. It can be used wirelessly via a USB-A dongle with the 2.4GHz wireless connection, or wired with the included USB-C cable. So there is some versatility here, which I can appreciate.

Razer’s Wolverine V2 Pro is a well-built controller that feels extremely comfortable, is super responsive, durable and the battery life is outstanding. For more competitive gamers looking for a gamepad that can be customized in a manner that is perfect for you, look no further. The Wolverine V2 Pro is a solid long-term investment for you. That being said, it’s expensive and doesn’t do all the things Sony’s first-party controllers can do. It’s hard to recommend this controller to more casual gamers as they likely won’t take advantage of everything the controller offers. Regardless, it’s still a monster of a controller that likely won’t disappoint.

***Controller was provided by Razer for the purpose of this review***