I should start with a confession: I don’t own a PlayStation… which is odd, considering I’m reviewing the PlayStation Razer Raiju V3 Pro. I don’t even have one hiding in a cupboard. But a friend does, and since the Raiju V3 Pro works on PlayStation (and PC), I thought, why not give it a try at his place? And that’s my official statement.
Okay, fine… it wasn’t just testing. Truth is, a good mate suggested a “healthy” gaming session, and somehow that turned into a 15-hour marathon. Honestly, I just needed an excuse to visit him, and the gaming was just a bonus. I regret nothing. Well, maybe the sore thumbs, as it’s been a few years since I’ve gamed that long in one session, but it was worth it.
What’s in the Box
Cracking open the Raiju V3 Pro package feels like unwrapping a piece of kit built for serious play. Front and centre is the controller itself, with its chunky grips and sharp lines making it clear this isn’t a casual pad. Beneath it, Razer includes a braided USB‑C cable, sturdy enough for wired sessions or charging without feeling flimsy. And as someone who has a draw full of these flimsy cables and often rebuys more sturdy ones, it was nice to see this.
You’ll also find a set of swappable thumbstick caps, giving you options to tweak height and feel depending on your playstyle. The removable back buttons and claw grip bumpers are neatly tucked inside, ready to snap on if you want extra inputs. To keep everything organised, Razer adds a carrying case, which holds the controller and its modular parts securely. There’s even a small tool included to make swapping thumbsticks and attachments quick and painless.
Finally, the box rounds out with the usual manual and warranty card, straightforward, no gimmicks, just the essentials. Altogether, it’s a package that feels complete and purposeful: every item inside has a role to play in customising or protecting the controller, reinforcing the sense that this is gear designed for performance. So much so that my clumsy, chubby hands don’t feel worthy of something so beautiful.
First Impressions
The Raiju V3 Pro looks serious. Like, “I’m here to win tournaments” serious. At 370 grams, it’s heavier than the DualSense (around 280 grams), but not in a bad way. That extra heft gives it a reassuring presence, the kind of weight that makes you feel like you’re holding something premium rather than a hollow plastic shell. It’s the difference between a tool and a toy, and honestly, at only the weight of two Mars bars more, that’s a difference I can live with.
The buttons? Crisp. Almost too crisp at first. I kept second-guessing whether I’d pressed them hard enough. Spoiler Alery: I had. Once I settled in, that sharp actuation became addictive, like snapping through inputs with zero wasted motion. I’m not someone who would ever cheat, but there were moments where the Raiju V3 Pro felt like it was flirting with the line, just that snappy, that responsive.
If you’ve ever been a PlayStation user, the layout will feel familiar, especially if you’ve tried other pro controllers. But there’s a subtle difference in the grip. It’s chunkier, and that extra girth actually helped during long sessions. My hands didn’t cramp once, which is saying something because I’ve had controllers that felt like medieval torture devices after two hours. The rubberised grips add traction without crossing into sticky territory, and the overall balance makes it feel planted in your hands, solid, stable, and ready for marathon play.
This isn’t the kind of controller that just sits in your hands; it anchors them. It feels like it’s built to keep you locked in for the long haul. And the funny part? I hadn’t even started playing yet.
Build Quality
What struck me most once I really started paying attention was just how solid the Raiju V3 Pro feels. There’s no creak when you twist it, no rattle when you shake it, everything is tight, deliberate, and confidence‑inspiring. The matte finish does a great job of resisting fingerprints, which is a blessing after a 15‑hour session where snacks were definitely involved. The rubberised grips aren’t just for show either; they stay cool and comfortable even when the controller’s been in constant use.
The triggers and bumpers feel reinforced, with a satisfying resistance that makes them feel like they’ll hold up under pressure. I’ve had controllers in the past where the triggers started to feel loose after a few weeks, but the Raiju V3 Pro gives off the impression it could survive being tossed into a backpack, dragged to a LAN party (we still do those, right? Or am I just that old?), and still come out tournament‑ready. Even the swappable thumbsticks lock in firmly, no wobble, no drift, no cheap plastic click; just a clean, secure fit.
It’s the kind of build quality that makes you trust the controller. You don’t think about whether it’s going to fail mid‑match; you just focus on the game. And after that marathon session, I walked away sore‑thumbed but impressed. The Raiju V3 Pro feels like it’s built to last, not just to impress on day one. Even if it did just that!
Performance and Feel
Here’s where things got fun. The triggers have adjustable stops, and honestly, I didn’t think I’d care or even bother with them. Turns out, I did. Switching to shorter pulls in shooters felt… faster, almost, and I said, almost, cheating. Maybe it’s all in my head, but I swear my reaction time improved. Or perhaps I just got lucky. Either way, it felt great. Being able to flip between full‑pull precision and short‑pull speed gave me a sense of control I didn’t realise I was missing. In racing games, I stuck with the longer travel for smoother throttle control, but in shooters, the shorter stop felt like shaving milliseconds off every shot.
The thumbsticks are swappable too, which is cool, though I didn’t mess with them; I was too busy trying not to get wrecked in Rocket League. Still, knowing I could swap them later for taller sticks if I wanted more precision was reassuring. The feedback is solid: snappy without being harsh. That isn’t easy, as I’ve found very few controllers that get that resistance right. There’s just enough resistance to make aiming feel precise, but not stiff or shocking when it does fire. It’s the kind of resistance that rewards finesse, letting you feather inputs instead of overcorrecting.
The face buttons deserve a shout‑out. They’re sharp, responsive, and consistent across the board. At first, I kept second‑guessing whether I’d pressed them hard enough, but once I got used to the crisp actuation, it became second nature. Every press felt deliberate, no mush, no wobble. Paired with the removable back buttons and claw‑grip bumpers, I found myself pulling off combos and quick swaps way more fluidly than I expected. Who knows, maybe all these years of me blaming my tools were for a reason! As the Raiju V3 Pro is the kind of setup that makes you feel like you’re bending time, even though you’re just playing smarter.
After hours of play, what struck me most was how the Raiju V3 Pro seemed to disappear in my hands. Not literally, of course, but in the sense that I stopped thinking about the controller and focused entirely on the game. For someone not used to a Pro or PlayStation-style controller, that was a shock. That’s the hallmark of great design: when the hardware fades into the background, and all that remains is the experience.
The PC Detour
After that marathon, I couldn’t resist trying it on my PC. I’ve been loyal to my Razer Wolverine for years. It’s been my go-to for everything: shooters, racing, even the occasional indie game binge. I love that controller. It’s solid, dependable, and feels like home. So I did it mostly for the review, rather than anything else. As I hadn’t planned on using it on the PC.
But the Raiju V3 Pro? It’s better. Not just a little better, noticeably better. The wireless freedom alone felt like a luxury. No cable tugging at the edge of my desk, no awkward angles when I leaned back in my chair. Then there’s the triggers. Adjustable stops sound gimmicky until you actually use them. Suddenly, every pull feels tuned for speed. And the buttons? They have this crisp, satisfying snap that makes the Wolverine feel… well, a little dated.
I didn’t expect to say that. Honestly, I thought I’d miss the Wolverine. I didn’t. Not for a second. In fact, after a few hours, I started wondering if I’d ever go back. Spoiler: probably not.
Battery Life (and My Regret)
Wireless mode lasted through most of the day, which honestly surprised me. I expected it to die halfway and force me to grab a cable. It didn’t. That said, by hour ten, I was nervously watching the battery indicator like it was a countdown timer in a bomb movie. Every percentage drop felt dramatic.
Somewhere between hour 10 and 11, I started doing mental math: how long does 8% really last when you’re hammering buttons like your life depends on it? (Yes, I’m a button masher at times) Spoiler: not long enough to feel safe. I kept the cable within arm’s reach, like some kind of lifeline, but stubbornly refused to plug it in. Pride, I guess. Or stupidity.
If you’re planning a marathon like mine, maybe keep the cable handy. Actually, scratch that, just plug it in when you hit single digits. Trust me, the anxiety isn’t worth it.
The Downsides
It’s not perfect. Nothing ever is. The first thing that hits you is the price. It’s steep, no way around that. This isn’t a casual purchase; it’s an investment. But here’s the thing: it feels worth every cent. Even if you don’t own a PS5. I know that sounds strange, but after using it on PC, I’d argue it earns its keep. The build quality, the responsiveness, the sheer comfort, it all adds up to something that feels premium in every sense of the word.
That said, there are quirks. The Razer software setup? A little clunky. I had to fiddle with profiles more than I wanted, and the UI looks polished, but it isn’t as intuitive. It’s not broken, just… inelegant. Then there’s the touchpad. Honestly, I didn’t use it. Maybe that’s on me, but it felt like an afterthought, more there because it had to be, not because it adds much to the experience.
And if I’m nitpicking, the weight might not be for everyone. I like the heft, but if you’re used to feather-light cheap controllers, this will feel substantial. Not bad, just different.
So yes, there are downsides. But none of them feel like deal-breakers. When you’re holding something this well-built, this responsive, and this adaptable, the flaws fade into the background.
Final Thoughts
After spending way too many hours with the Razer Raiju V3 Pro, both on PlayStation and PC, I walked away impressed. It feels like a piece of kit designed for people who take their gaming seriously, even if they’re pretending to “test” it during a 15-hour marathon.
The build quality is rock solid, the performance is sharp, and the comfort during long sessions is undeniable. Yes, the price is high, but honestly, it earns it. Every cent. Even if you don’t own a PS5, this thing shines on PC. It’s not perfect, the software could be smoother, and the touchpad feels like an afterthought, but those quirks fade when you’re in the middle of a match, and everything just works.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. If you want a controller that feels premium, performs flawlessly, and might even make you a little better at your favourite games, the Raiju V3 Pro delivers. Just… maybe keep a cable handy for those marathon sessions.
Recent Comments