Razer has unveiled the Wolverine V4, its latest high-end controller designed for competitive gamers on Xbox and PC. The controller focuses on optimizing polling performance and thumbstick sensor architecture.
A significant change in the Wolverine V4 is Razer's adoption of capacitive contactless sensors for the thumbsticks, paired with a 16-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC). This technology aims to provide the same resistance to drift as traditional Hall Effect sensors, which use magnetic fields and are known for durability but can be susceptible to magnetic interference. Razer's capacitive approach intends to offer finer control and smoother signal tracking.
The controller also features an exceptionally high polling rate, reaching up to 8,000Hz in both wired and wireless configurations when connected to a PC. This specification is comparable to high-end esports mice and keyboards, promising minimal input latency. While the Wolverine V3 Pro also supported 8,000Hz polling, the V4 extends this capability. It's important to note that this extreme polling rate is exclusive to PC; hardware limitations on the Xbox Series X|S cap the refresh rate at 250Hz.
For enhanced customization, the Wolverine V4 includes four removable magnetic back buttons and two top claw-grip bumpers. This modular design allows players to quickly swap or remove components, reducing weight and tailoring the controller to their playstyle. First-person shooter enthusiasts can utilize a physical toggle switch on the back for software-tunable actuation points, enabling precise adjustments to hair-trigger click thresholds.
The wireless version of the Razer Wolverine V4 is priced at $200, positioning it slightly above the Xbox Elite Series 2 and on par with the DualSense Edge. A wired variant is available for $100.
In related news, the Genki Manta controller, which combines extensive customization with an OLED display, recently surpassed $1.1 million on Kickstarter. It is slated for release next year with a projected MSRP of $279.