Razer Wolverine Tournament Edition test: A price difficult to justify - Comparison: 34 controllers / gamepads on trial, for consoles or PC

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Editor's note

The Razer brand, although best known for its PC accessories, between mice, headsets and keyboards, has for some time entered the world of consoles with rather high-end controllers. range, and destined to shine in competitions. On Xbox One, it is the Wolverine range that opens the ball for our comparison, with in particular this “Tournament Edition” version which, as its name suggests, is above all aimed at players looking for performance. But for what results?

While Sony has trusted third-party manufacturers to expand its range of official controllers, on the Microsoft side we are entitled to an Elite version well installed in the landscape and offering not only a high level of services, customization, but also wired and wireless operation. Suffice to say that for Razer, coming to tackle such a reference and what is more with a cable that is necessarily connected, remains a damn high challenge, especially when the difference in price is played out at a few euros. But then, what could this Tournament Edition have to offer that the others don't? Razer's know-how in terms of switches, ergonomics and software support? Because by presenting a controller dedicated to competition, we expect the manufacturer to surprise us, and in a good way.

Except that four buttons on the front, two joysticks, a directional cross, slice buttons, lockable triggers and four additional keys that can be assigned to the functions you want, here is a list that is not surprising Really. On paper, the Wolverine TE does not do any better than the Elite since it lacks all the customization component including interchangeable sticks and crosses or removable paddles, and even wireless transmission. The only meager visible consolation, an area lit in RGB to give a little personal touch of color, the kind that has nothing to do with the gameplay. We will also cry a little in front of the only accessory in the box, namely a 3-meter braided cable, offering on the side of the controller a micro USB port on proprietary mounting, and therefore rather difficult to replace. Let's say that a cover or shell would have been nice, especially for a model that is intended for tournaments. And the optional stick grips, at €4.99, are a bit mean all the same.

Looking for ergonomics, there is no real advantage either. The format remains extremely close to what an Xbox One S controller offers, with nevertheless a more marked grip inside the handles, for a slightly better grip. The sticks, although placed in exactly the same place, benefit from a wider hat and a smoother rubber feel. Thumb control does not really gain, especially in extreme positions where this coating struggles to match the relief of Microsoft's joysticks. We are therefore very far from what an Elite can offer, with or without a change of stick.

It is finally at the level of the directional cross and the front buttons that we feel the most difference. Buttons A, B, X and Y are indeed smaller, although of the same height, which gives a not necessarily pleasant impression of emptiness between them, with some difficulty in associating two buttons simultaneously. For once, the difference in comfort with an Xbox One S controller, or even more with a Nacon Revolution 2, is quite significant, to the disadvantage of the Wolverine TE. However, Razer defends its buttons with a technology that was previously reserved for gaming keyboards, namely tactile mechanical switches, really responsive and with a perfectly marked click. With their fast spring, they offer a higher striking speed than their competitors, allowing a precise and nervous batting.

On the directional cross side, we would find some similarities with that of the DualShock 4, the four directions being separated in the center by the plastic of the hull although the pad is made of a single piece. The feeling is nevertheless drier, more nervous, with less marked directions leaving the player with an impression of blurring during circular movements, even though we hear perfectly the clicks resulting from our movements. Difficult, for example, to ensure in a fighting game where there are many quarter circles. This cross nevertheless remains very effective for platform games or Shoot'Em Up, the sequences of opposite directions being done really naturally.

But as we know, premium controllers are often typed and optimized for certain styles of play. The Wolverine TE is no exception to the rule and is therefore naturally equipped with triggers with a stroke reducer. And for once, the reduction is truly effective. When the switch is in the released position, the trigger travel is comparable to that of the Xbox One S, only slightly shorter, and offers good precision for racing games. When the reducer is engaged, we end up with a dry button, quick to press and return to position, ideal for controlling a shot and even capable of double-tapping, with a little practice. . It is mainly on this point that the controller differs from its competitors and particularly from the Elite which, in comparison, seems a little too loose and soft to us.

Another argument allowing him to distinguish himself, the Wolverine TE adopts an alternative position for its M keys, with M1 and M2 placed at the back, more in the center than the triggers, and M3/M4 at the base of the handles, under the handle. And if the first are ultimately very practical, perfectly dry and more accessible than it seems for those who still have sufficiently large hands, the handle buttons will be criticized for being placed a little too far back. . They are also surprisingly soft, with a sometimes destabilizing pressure for their activation, especially when the right stick is requested.

The customization of its keys is done with the help of a Windows 10 and Xbox One version of the Razer Synapse software for Xbox. It is therefore possible to modify several parameters directly from your console or PC, as you would for an Elite controller. And if the possibilities of adjusting the curves of the sticks or remapping are not really at the level of the competition, we appreciate finding two rather nice options, and for the moment new, allowing to assign reduction functions to two M keys and increased stick sensitivity. What make the movements more nervous or on the contrary more precise. Just a pity that we cannot use these keys as switches and that it is compulsory to leave them on all the time of the manipulation. We will also criticize the Wolverine TE for only carrying one memory at a time, even if its software allows it to change profile on the fly, or for not offering communication in D-Input or Xinput which would have allowed for wider compatibility.

Clearly, this Wolverine Tournament Edition is an interesting controller in more ways than one, offering some definite advantages such as the reactivity of its buttons and its triggers once locked, or the management of the sensitivity of the sticks. We cannot, however, help thinking that its wanderings and its faults are far too numerous to justify its price level, especially in the face of an Elite which is more versatile, more complete in terms of customization, less divisive on its ergonomics, with the added bonus of wireless operation. It will be criticized above all for its too dry directional cross, its buttons that are too far apart and its sticks which, still in comparison with Microsoft products, struggle to offer sufficient grip. The account is therefore not there to shake the references and we frankly expect better from a manufacturer of the caliber of Razer.

Strengths

Weaknesses

It's not easy for a device manufacturer to find space for expression between Microsoft's two flagship controllers, both of which are very successful. And Razer has the bitter experience here. Certainly, this Wolverine is rather well born, but the little added value it brings compared to the Elite model, and the few small defects that we note here and there, are all arguments that play against it.

Editor's note