Razer Launches New Wildcat Xbox One Controller And New Version Of The Nabu Smartband
by Brett Howse on August 28, 2015 5:00 PM EST
Today at PAX Razer announced a refresh of the Nabu smartband which they first announced at CES in 2014. They also announced that they will be selling the Razer Wildcat controller for the Xbox One, which is their third generation Razer Xbox controller.
First, the Nabu, which Razer dubs a Smartband. This wearable can track your steps, display notifications, and share with other Nabu bands. Razer has redesigned the band based on user feedback including moving the interaction button to make it more accessible. The OLED display is still a single color, low resolution, but the trade-off is up to six days of battery life. Razer is also promoting a new companion app for the Nabu and Nabu X (X has no display) with a new, cleaner UI than the outgoing app. Current Nabu X owners can get the app at www.razerzone.com/nabu-x starting today.
The new Nabu will be available for pre-order on September 15th for $99.99 USD, and shipping will be in October.
The next item announced is a new Xbox One controller from Razer. The Wildcat controller is labeled as tournament grade, and it includes quite a few tweaks to help give an edge. The controller itself is not going to get lost in a room, with some pretty distinct styling, but under the covers is a controller which Razer says is 20% lighter than other tournament grade controllers. It has four mult-function buttons added, and gamers can re-bind any button on the controller.
The analog stick is made of high carbon steel for durability, and the triggers are aircraft-grade aluminum. You can swap out the optional palm grips and analog stick grip caps. All in all, the Wildcat has the following features listed:
- 2 shoulder Hyperesponse Multi-Function bumpers
- 2 removable Hyperesponse Multi-Function triggers
- 4 Hyperesponse ABXY action buttons
- 4 button Quick Control Panel
- Optional trigger stops for rapid fire
- 3.5 mm audio port for stereo audio output and microphone input
- Optional rubber palm grips
- Optional analog stick grip caps
- Carrying case
- Detachable 3 m / 10 ft. lightweight braided fiber cable with Micro-USB connector
- Approximate size : 106 mm / 4.17 in. (Length) x 156 mm / 6.14 in. (Width) x 66 mm / 2.60 in. (Height)
- Approximate weight (without cable) : 260 g / 0.57 lbs
The Wildcat controller will be available starting in October for $149.99
Source: Razer
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SeannyB - Saturday, August 29, 2015 - link
Razer's previous controller, the Sabertooth, was such a piece of junk. Ergonomically it was fine, but it would fall apart in a matter of months— take a gander at the Amazon reviews (and also a friend & I owned two between us; they're both busted). I wonder if that'll be the case with this "Wildcat" as well, or maybe they've actually wear-tested the controller this time. Time will tell, I suppose, but from brand name I'd rather trust Microsoft with my $150 for a fancy Xbox One controller.Morawka - Saturday, August 29, 2015 - link
and microsoft's is wirelessFlunk - Saturday, August 29, 2015 - link
It's a lot of money for a 3rd party controller. 3rd party console controllers are universally worse than the real thing. How are they going to sell fake controller for twice the price of the real one?Shadow7037932 - Sunday, August 30, 2015 - link
It looks like Razer is going the way of MadCatz quality wise lol. The funny thing is, MadCatz is getting better. The MadCatz fightstick is quite good.themule1406 - Monday, August 31, 2015 - link
The MS Xbox One Elite controller looks much nicer. The paddles underneath the Elite seem better laid out than the triggers in the Razermeacupla - Saturday, August 29, 2015 - link
Hey, Anandtech.Instead of giving Razer free press, why don't you actually give their peripheral products reviews?
I'm sure that if you've ever actually used any of their products, you would quickly realize just how poorly they are designed and how cheaply they are made.
etamin - Saturday, August 29, 2015 - link
I agree. The build quality is reminiscent of The Sharper Image spraying all their plastic toy gadgets silver, except with Razer it's black.khanikun - Tuesday, September 1, 2015 - link
The sad thing is, their products use to be really nice. Now the quality is lower and the price higher. I bought a $40 Razer mousepad. It's already fallen apart after less than a year. The mousing surface is separating from the hard plastic base. I superglued it back down, but now the surface is starting to deform and it doesn't lay flat.My last Razer mousepad made it like 4 years. Now the surface has worn smooth, but it's still useable. The rubber feet are coming off, but I glued those back on.
BMNify - Saturday, August 29, 2015 - link
This will be DOA with Xbox One Elite controller available at the same price.althaz - Saturday, August 29, 2015 - link
Can't decide if I love it or hate it. Wouldn't buy it though - the XB1 controller is nigh-on perfect and Razer products tend to be extremely shoddy quality (except for their laptops, which are awesome).