Razer Kitsune Review: The new leverless benchmark?

[@VidVayder]

£299 to get bodied with a fresh controller.

[@d.oconnor4047]

I live in the UK and have been super interested in leverless. Came across Squidbox arcade based in France. They sell stunning boutique leverless controllers that use a PS5 compatible Brook chip. You do have to wait a month or so though...waiting on mine now for late September drop 🙂

[@mr.richard3715]

obv. its the player who get used to a NEW controller what did u expect - also its the players fault i assum leverless pro would be cruisin thru ranked

[@GodzillasTodespranke]

Great review! I ordered mine 2 days ago, shipped from Hong Kong yesterday and is already in Germany. I hope i'll get it tomorrow, would be perfect for a nice MK1 weekend :D

[@VidVayder]

Oooo exciting. Yeah it does move quickly through the system. I ordered both Panthera and Kitsune from the official site and they were delivered incredibly quickly considering the journey from HK. Enjoy MK1 dude.

[@kempatsu2205]

got one and been learning how to play on it - it's great!

[@VidVayder]

It’s different isn’t it? Very satisfying when you can pull off simple bread and butter stuff. Enjoy it mate 👍

[@MunitionsDudTester]

$300 when you could get a Huate T Series for less than 100 is insane. At least half of that price is going towards "Razer" and the PS logo being on it.

[@VidVayder]

Quite insane yes. Haute42 is definitely great for PC players. PS5 players have a more limited choice and at the time the Kitsune came out, Haute42 wasn’t very well established yet. Everyone is getting them now! Still waiting for them to send me one to review 😫

[@MunitionsDudTester]

@@VidVayder I agree, it is just insane to me how these companies can look at these products and go "Yea, $300 sounds good."

[@VidVayder]

Haha tell me about it. What you’re getting for the money is insane!!! Haute42 are definitely showing you can make feature packed, quality controllers for less. Razer getting away with these prices whilst they can 🥲

[@YamatoFGC]

Really great review! I'm going to make the jump and buy the controller because of your video. Also wanted to say that your videos has helped me want to make youtube videos too because your style is very clean and your videos are so well crafted. keep up the videos man and would like to see you play some more street fighter too it was fun watching you play :^D

[@VidVayder]

Thank you, really glad you enjoyed the video. By all means go forth and create! It’s a challenging task but also fulfilling in its ways. I wish you luck on your journey and I hope you enjoy using a leverless.

[@VTriggered88]

Great review. Turn on Button Release Input, then you can DP by just holding forward and tapping down + k. Helped me alot.

[@VidVayder]

Thank you. Wow ok, will give this a try thanks.

[@VTriggered88]

Sorry I actually meant tap down then hit k. So hold forward tap down then hit K while still holding forward.@@VidVayder

[@VidVayder]

@@VTriggered88 No worries, I understood :) I thought BRI option was for negative edge stuff on attack buttons, didn't know it affects directional things too.

[@deanodynamo]

If someone else has not mentioned it, you can shortcut DP on leverless controllers by holding forward and tapping down.

[@VidVayder]

Thanks. I’ve tried this and it works great, although I’m having issues incorporating it into combos. Will just have to use different inputs depending on the situation.

[@bobstarsky]

Great vid my dude. I just don't play enough to warrant a controller any more, but to see how the technology has changed since I had a fight stick in the street fighter 4 days is great.

[@VidVayder]

Yeah, funny how it seemed like fightsticks were the pinnacle back in the day. Curious what the next evolution will be in the future.

[@HeavyMetalfps]

I'm an arcade bullet hell player, i use sticks in particular to play bullet hells, and i definitely prefer sticks for these games because the feeling of directionality and more easy diagonal inputs is a must for me personally The optical switches are interesting though, this might actually be usable even for rythm games

[@VidVayder]

I agree stick seems preferable for bullet hell. Especially due to the placement of the up direction, and yeah trying to imagine precise diagonals in the heat of bullet hell just tangles my brain.

[@DeathSynadate]

Keychron low profile optical switches are the ones that work with the kitsune

[@VidVayder]

Thank you, I'll look into them 👍

[@ten606ixx]

Great review! Waiting for my Chun Li version.

[@VidVayder]

It does look good! Hope the skin is high quality 👍

[@Neoxon619]

As long as the switch you replace is an optical low profile one, you can be swap it out. Keychron is your best bet on this front.

[@VidVayder]

I’ve been doing some research and it sounds like the Keychron switches work fine, but the buttons themselves don’t stay on. Hoping Razer decide to sell their switches separately.

[@savo2kk]

Great review. make sure you update us about switching the optical switches I'd appreciate it

[@VidVayder]

Thank you. I will keep an eye on how that develops and give it a try if possible. Changing the switches will also likely mean that I will have to replace the buttons since the housing for the connectors are different between Razer and Kailh.

[@JELIFISH19]

@@VidVayder You can't switch them with with Kailh. You need low profile optical switches. The only options are Keychron and Razer.

[@VidVayder]

@@JELIFISH19 thanks for the heads up! Do you have the Kitsune too?

[@joeking6762]

@@JELIFISH19are you sure? Another review said you can. With the same switches in the Micro. You can pop the Kitsune buttons up.

[@VidVayder]

@@joeking6762 The bigger issue right now seems to be fitting the buttons to the switches. Kailh requires buttons with two prongs, whilst the buttons provided with the Kitsune don't slot correctly into the Keychron switches (from what I've gathered through research) and will pop off during use. We would need 3D printed buttons for the time being that are the correct size and depth for the Kitsune.

[@Lexim888]

I’m just here for the ASMR 😂

[@VidVayder]

🫦

[@AdversaryOne]

A version with the buttons in a WASD layout would be nice. I'm not a fan of the platformer jump button configuration that seems to be standard now.

[@VidVayder]

Those look very interesting but I don’t think a big company like Razer would ever make something like that. It’s a niche product within a niche product category. I think this platformer jump button became a standard because you can use your left or right thumb for jump. Only one way to use WASD, ultra niche!

[@romzen]

I always found certain motions on leverless a pain in the butt which is why I stick to lever on anything but Tekken. Even for MK and Granblue I prefer being able to do tk-motions quickly and not mess anything up. Love the Kitsune. Prefer it over my hitbox certainly. But both are great. I think the Kitsune's keys are particularly good for Tekken's electrics and wave dashes because you get some tactility and my execution is certainly better with Kitsune than on hitbox or Fightbox.

[@VidVayder]

Not a tekken player but curious about something. Is korean back dash easier on a leverless at all?

[@romzen]

@@VidVayder A lot easier. KBD, wavedashes and electrics are all easier on hitbox/abc/keyboard. It is the most unnatural movements performed on lever but people grind the execution for years and become proficient regardless. KBD is less relevant now as they have progressively nerfed the distance and speed over the years.

[@VidVayder]

@romzen haha typical it becomes irrelevant when I get a controller that makes it easier.

[@ituniski1433]

Hi, cool video. What brand and model the black desk mat you are using on the video, please?

[@VidVayder]

Thank you. The black desk mat is made especially for a desk by @Secretlabchairs called the Magnus Pro. You can see my review for it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnengoydndGbr6c

[@Pichoniix]

I wish the 8 buttons on the right were 30mm don't get why leverless go with smaller diameter. Also the buttons being stiffer is not gon to help for speed. Especially for the ring finger.

[@VidVayder]

Yeah they do feel slower compared to the snackbox buttons. I do enjoy whacking them hard though now that I’m used to the weight.

[@LETHALWEAPONZZZ]

Bought mine a week ago. Excellent controller all round. Worth every penny. Takes a bit of getting used to a leverless controller, so the learning process begins I'm sure it will take awhile but the learning is the best part. My only disappointment with the controller is the usb C cable isn't very long. For most people it shouldn't be a problem, think it's my setup honestly and I need more length to get comfortable playing. If it was only 1 metre longer.

[@VidVayder]

If you find one that fits the slot you can use any. I recommend trying a few from amazon and sending them back if they don’t fit 👍

[@carlosmobley6411]

I can’t decide between this or an arcade stick

[@VidVayder]

If you’re not sure, get a super cheap one on Aliexpress (you will need a Brooke converter if you’re on PS5/4) and play with that for a while. Arcade sticks on the other hand are easier to test if you have a chance to go to some sort of game centre or gaming bar in your city.

[@oZiiix]

Great review

[@VidVayder]

🙏

[@sgt_major8419]

Rip-off price for this unit... Pay 1/3 and get a Haute42 M16.....solid metal casing, superb leverless, makes this Razor item seem WAY overpriced....

[@VidVayder]

I think at £199 it would make sense. The RRP on release seems like they were taking advantage of low competition. That’s changing very quickly now though.

[@sgt_major8419]

@@VidVayder I think that's still too much, it would be double the price of an item which is built like a tank, solid alluminium casing, excellent buttons and a superior internal board module... For the branding and the buttons, £150 max is fair for their item. That is a fair price which still offers them LOTS of profit margin. £200-300 is just scam.

[@AmeyaWagle-o8h]

@VidVayder great video. Very informative. Can you tell me if this controller would work with the new Mortal Kombat 1 on PS5. Also does it also work on PS5 for Mortal Kombat 11 and the Injustice games from Netherealm studios. Regards

[@VidVayder]

Thank you for the kind words. Yes it will work for any game on the PS5 (although, you wouldn't want to use it for 3D adventure style games) including MK1, MK11 and Injustice.

[@AmeyaWagle-o8h]

May i know the reason why you are recommending against it for these games? @VidVayder

[@VidVayder]

For games like Last of Us and Assassin’s Creed you will have a lot of trouble with movement. The controller is best suited for games that are played on a 2D setting like fighting games.

[@VidVayder]

Yes you can use this for MK1 on PS5. I don’t play MK anymore (since 1 and 2) so I’m not sure on the best way to set the buttons. In the old arcade machines the block button was between the punches and kicks!

[@soysaucehairdye7869]

I will still take my Snackbox micro xl anyday over this. Its easy to switch the SOCD settings to whatever I prefer given that I am not a tournament player and I can also play that with my xbox series x which the kitsune doesn't allow.

[@VidVayder]

Fair. It all comes down to what your criteria is really. My friend also has both the Snackbox and Kitsune and like yourself, prefers the Snackbox overall. In comparison I feel like the Kitsune offers me everything I need.

[@soysaucehairdye7869]

@@VidVayder Yeah it looks nice and seems more widely available. I am mostly an xbox gamer though and also have a hitbox for my PC and PS4/PS3 so the snackbox just fits my needs better. I do like that I can also use the snackbox with my switch which will be cool with KoF XIII releases later this year. The biggest con for the snackbox is the 3 month waiting list or whatever. I got mine at the start of the year and it only took 2 to 3 weeks to get, but with the success of SF6 and MK1, the demand is just much higher which makes the Kitsune a great product for PC and PS5 gamers that want access to this type of controller right away.

[@VidVayder]

@@soysaucehairdye7869 Yeah I unfortunately was late to the party and only started considering a leverless a month into SF6. Everything was sold out! Good to hear the Snackbox has been so good to you. Defo a big plus if you need it for other consoles/PC.

[@LiveSmileD]

The buttons are quiet, please tell me who has such a device?

[@VidVayder]

It’s not as quiet as some of the Haute42 leverless controllers, and I think snackbox is quieter too. But compared to standard arcade buttons (not silent mods) its decent.

[@LiveSmileD]

@@VidVayder Thank you very much for your answer! 👍

[@stephenurkel]

i dont play fighting games as i suck at em but this has got me thinking maybe my elit controll could dod the same thing? it has paddles that are instant wired up to my pc feels as fast as it could hrmmm anybody with any experiences FYI i have up down left right maped to the back paddles. i did it for elden ring with great success as i would miss inputs alot and upped my switch game and menue game 10 fold now i cant thinkd of how to not controll without the back paddles

[@VidVayder]

Using the paddles for SF6? For sure I think it could help with parry and drive impact. Most pad users are fine with the trigger buttons though. I think if you put the time into any controller it will be viable.

[@Zenkai.boost.Kekkei.Genkai]

the problem is that fighting games these days are so mid that it's almost not worth the invetment of such an expensive controller

[@VidVayder]

Interesting take. I personally feel that fighting games are better than ever these days, but I do agree the price of this controller is double what it should be.

[@sergeantslippery7703]

This is my first time using this type of controller. Is there a certain hand layout I should follow or can you make a video on this if you dont mind. Ive always used default playstation controllers & now using this I cant do a single combo & im all over the place. Ik i have to get used to it since this is my first ever & im willing to learn but how do you position your hands to press all of these? . I feel like the buttons are all in wierd places in contrast to default controllers

[@VidVayder]

Hey, first of all I just want to remind you that it's OK to suck at this for a while. Most people have a hard time getting used to it and I'm still having trouble after nearly a month of usage. For hand placement, I recommend: 1. Left hand - ring finger, middle finger and index for the 3 directional buttons 2. Jump - Use your right thumb for this as a beginner, maybe half a year down the line you might want to try switching to your left thumb, but I've tried both ways for a couple of weeks and using my right thumb feels better 3. Right hand - rest your thumb on X (light kick), index on square (light punch), middle finger on triangle (medium punch), ring finger on R1. 4. When you want to jump, let your right thumb go down to hit the button and immediately return it back up to X. 5. If you're playing SF6, map drive impact (HK+HP) to the L2 button. When you want to use it, just stiffen your little finger and slam it down. Don't try to press it or aim for it. Literally stiffen your finger and slam it down quickly. Your pinky will be hovering over the correct spot and will hit the button with the middle joint of the finger. 6. You might want to try raising your wrist and hovering your hands over the controller, like playing piano. Many people say this gives your hands more mobility. Don't rest your palms on the controller. 7. When doing QCF motions on player two side using your ring finger, roll your hand to the left a bit, this will help if your ring finger isn't very strong in the beginning. 8. Don't be afraid to hit the buttons a bit hard. Hope that helps. I might make a video as you suggested in case other people need some pointers, but so far this is what works for me.

[@sergeantslippery7703]

hey thanks so much for helping. I'm gonna try to break in your recommended hand placement as much as possible. I've been trying it out for almost an hour now your style feels good but it still feels like I'm in a completely different world so it's gonna take some time to get used too. I play chun li & I use her standing heavy kick alot for combos which is R2 when I try pressing that my hand placement gets completely thrown off lol but that's just a small example. Perfect parrying is also so hard to do now I press triangle & circle at the same time to parry but now I cant do that on this controller. I've been trying to slide my thumb off of X & over to circle while pressing triangle with my middle finger to parry but it's tough A visual representation of this on vid would be awesome but ofc no pressure thanks again for the help sorry for the novel lol

[@VidVayder]

@@sergeantslippery7703 Just letting you know I have made the video and it will be live tomorrow Fri 6th at 3pm. It will be uploaded here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKnbaIyVYrSGd68

[@sergeantslippery7703]

Thanks bro I really appreciate you taking the time out to cover this. I really needed this & im sure alot of other completely new fight pad users can benefit from this as well. Can't wait till it drops

[@VidVayder]

@sergeantslippery7703 no worries bro, I come from years of stick usage so I think I take a lot of the hand position stuff for granted. I didn’t cover too much beyond what I described in my reply to you but I hope the visual reference helps!

[@chanbenyamin3527]

I too have probs with dp on leverless!

[@VidVayder]

It’s an issue isn’t it! I know a few ways of doing it but I’m not fast enough to be consistent with the methods.

[@chanbenyamin3527]

@VidVayder did some asking and grinding is the best way to improve. Like it or not

[@VidVayder]

@@chanbenyamin3527 As the saying goes: It is what it is.

[@aplomBomb]

Bro, why do you use tourniquets??

[@VidVayder]

Because I have veiny hands? 😂 always been that way. Or maybe because I pull my sleeves back too often.

[@AbirZenith]

If this is the benchmark, then we are stupid af. The FGC is filled with MUCH better offerings with better layouts, cheaper and with easier replacement parts to find.

[@VidVayder]

Fair. But as a readily available product that embodies the latest trends in this product space, I think it's a great start for anyone wanting to dip into leverless gaming without too much hassle. As a UK customer, everything I looked at was either out of stock, too expensive (after fees), or didn't have the right form factor. I hope Razer does build upon this line with replaceable parts, but I suppose they will wait and see if this pans out for them. I'll be looking into the Keychron switches soon so I hope that works out.

[@BKDDY]

This is only good if you're 100-150lb tiny person

[@VidVayder]

It’s larger than the Snackbox Micro and big alpha chads seem to get along fine with that one.