The partnership with Gamevice is the "secret sauce" of the Kishi’s design. Gamevice has long held a reputation for creating the most ergonomic mobile controllers on the market, particularly for Nintendo Switch-style play. The Kishi inherits this pedigree, featuring a collapsible center bridge that expands to cradle the iPhone.
Once the phone is docked, users are presented with a layout that rivals the Nintendo Switch or the Razer Junglecat for Android. The face features a full suite of console-standard controls:
The build quality leans heavily into Razer’s "gamer" aesthetic. The thumbsticks feature the signature Razer rubberized texture for grip, and the tactile buttons offer a satisfying clickiness that touchscreen controls simply cannot replicate.
While Razer has previously dabbled in mobile controllers—most notably with the Raiju Mobile—the Kishi represents a refinement of form factor that iPhone gamers have been craving for years. Unlike Bluetooth controllers that often introduce input lag or clip-on cradles that block the charging port, the Razer Kishi utilizes a direct, wired connection via Apple’s Lightning port. The partnership with Gamevice is the "secret sauce"
This decision is a game-changer. By connecting directly to the iPhone, the Kishi eliminates the latency issues that have long plagued mobile competitive gaming. It also draws no power from the controller’s side, preserving the phone's battery life during marathon sessions. Better yet, the design includes a passthrough charging port, allowing users to charge their iPhone while they play—a crucial feature for power-hungry titles like Call of Duty: Mobile or Fortnite.
Hardware is useless without software. Razer announced the Razer Nexus app for iOS (exclusive to this controller). It allows for:
Crucially, because Gamevice holds the patent, this app can force touch controls to be hidden in unsupported games, rendering a "black bar" interface that turns any App Store game into a controller-native experience. The build quality leans heavily into Razer’s "gamer"
While Gamevice traditionally uses membrane-style buttons, Razer insisted on its proprietary Mechanical-Membrane Hybrid switches. The face buttons (ABXY) feature a tactile click of 0.65mm actuation. In practice, it feels like a Razer Wolverine controller shrunk down.
Razer and Gamevice held private demo suites at CES 2020 (not a main floor keynote). Key claims:
Exclusive leaked detail from a former Razer product manager (2021 interview): The device was internally called "Project Rafale." It was designed in 10 weeks to counter the announcement of the Backbone One (which was also in stealth development at the same time). Crucially, because Gamevice holds the patent, this app
Date of Announcement: January 6, 2020 (CES Pre-Show) Product Codename: "Razer x Gamevice" Target Device: iPhone (Lightning connector) Current Status: Canceled / Vaporware (Never released to market)
Apple’s subsequent release of Call of Duty: Mobile esports leagues and League of Legends: Wild Rift (late 2020) validated Razer’s timing. This controller wasn't for casual Candy Crush players; it was for the hardcore audience demanding a "Switch Pro" experience on iOS.
Razer confirmed the final retail price would be $99.99 USD—significantly cheaper than buying an Xbox controller ($60) plus a separate clip ($15) and a battery pack.