Since its reveal at Gamescom, my most anticipated Xbox controller has been the Asus ROG Raikiri II. For context, I really wasn't that big a fan of the original Raikiri Pro controller. It had such a cool design, and even helped coin the current trend of Xbox Series X controllers that have small displays on them.
But its flashy design got in the way of it being a good gamepad first and foremost. Its back button placement was all over the place, and it didn't do much to justify its price. Ever since, I've been waiting for a version of this controller that would live up to its potential, and now it's available for $189.99 at Best Buy.
Asus seems to have gone back to the drawing board with this new version. It included features that pit it against the current lineup of gamepad leaders, and it seems to have genuinely improved things compared to the Asus ROG Raikiri Pro.
Like a lot of officially licensed Xbox controllers launching in 2025, the Raikiri II is a wireless Xbox and PC controller that comes with a charging stand. For your $189, which undercuts the $200 controllers that are becoming more commonplace in the Xbox ecosystem, you'll also get a carry case, swappable thumbstick tops, and, like the DualSense Edge, you can even charge it while it's in its case.
Joining the GameSir G7 Pro, it's going to be just the second Xbox controller with TMR thumbsticks, which will give you greater accuracy and speed. Its four back buttons have been reintegrated onto the grips of the controller, instead of high up on its spine at awkward angles.
The Raikiri II abandons the onboard display of its predecessor, which, honestly, might not be a bad thing. I've reviewed a few controllers with these small displays now, and only one has really stood out as more than a pointless gimmick. Even the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited, which is probably my favorite gamepad of 2025, doesn't really make much use of its display menu. If anything, the decision to remove this display from the Raikiri II tells me that Asus is more committed to functionality this time around.
That said, Asus hasn't completely abandoned its aesthetics. The Raikiri line has always had a pretty distinctive look, and now that the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is out and about, those tiny ROG symbols and RGB highlights make it feel like a part of a family of gaming devices.
I haven't had a chance to test the new Raikiri II out yet, but this is one I'm really looking forward to reviewing. With the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded abandoning its undercutting price against all the other $200 controllers, I'm happy there's another option out there that offers a (slightly) more affordable but feature-packed controller for Xbox and PC.
- Asus ROG Raikiri II: $189.99 at Best Buy
- GameSir G7 Pro: $79.99 at Amazon
- Nacon Revolution X Unlimited: $199.99 at Amazon
For more on gamepads, check out the best PS5 controllers, the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers, and the best Nintendo Switch controllers.
