The latest version of this overkill console controller brings back the one feature I’ve been waiting years for

Competitive console gamers have been the Razer Wolverine’s bread and butter for multiple generations at this point. I still use the Wolverine V3 Pro for pretty much all of my gaming that isn’t done on a mouse and keyboard, on account of its precise and customisable controls, though choosing it over an official Xbox pad did mean missing out on a few fun features like force feedback.

The all-new Wolverine V4 Pro fixes that, adding Sensa HD haptic vibrations to keep single-player gamers engaged – while also stepping up the pro-grade inputs aimed purely at professional players.

Visually little has changed from the old model, but underneath Razer has added new, high-resolution capacitive sensors to the analogue sticks for greater accuracy. They register six times as many steps as a TMR or Hall effect sensor, while also using less power to help prolong battery life. Stick drift won’t ever be an issue either, thanks to the non-contact design.

Hyperspeed wireless then lets PC players set a ridiculously quick 8000Hz polling rate for up to 32x more frequent data reporting than an Xbox console (which is hardware-limited to 250Hz), so hardware can’t ever be an excuse for missing a shot or dropping a combo.

It keeps the same button layout as before, with each one backed by a mechanical switch rather than a membrane layer for clicky physical feedback. The four face buttons are now 25% lighter than before, making inputs even faster. While I rarely needed the extra two bumpers at the top, anyone that uses a claw grip for gaming will be grateful to see them make a return. I’m more excited by the two-stage triggers that can be swapped into hair trigger mode with the flick of a switch; these were simply fantastic for first person shooters on the Wolverine V3 Pro.

Customisation remains king, with six alternative thumbstick caps included in the box, plus full compatibility with Razer’s Synapse 4 software to customise things like stick dead zones and trigger range. The four back buttons are now magnetic, just like the PS5-focused Raiju V3 Pro, so you can remove the ones you don’t use on the regular. Razer also made the face plate removable for the first time, opening the door to colourful and custom replacements both official and third-party (though the firm hasn’t got any prepped for launch).

I’ve been told to expect up to 27 hours of game time between charges, though that depends on things like polling rate and how often those Sensa HD vibration motors whir into life.

The Wolverine V4 Pro is on sale right now, directly from Razer, for $200/£200/€210. That’s more than you’ll pay for Microsoft’s official Xbox Elite Series 2, but refreshingly the price hasn’t gone up at all between Wolverine generations. There’ll also be a wired-only Tournament edition for $100/£100, though it’s unclear if that will also include vibration motors.

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