The Razer Wolverine V2 is the latest controller from the snake-obsessed peripheral and PC maker. I have been using the Wolverine Tournament Edition for the past two years and it has become an essential device for PC and Xbox gaming.The Wolverine TE is phenomenal thanks to its design, mech-tactile switches, customization options, and durability.The Wolverine TE is a It's a controller. I like it so much that I've even given up my standard Xbox controller and choose it over the best keyboard/mouse combination.

As such, my expectations for the new Razer Wolverine V2, which costs as little as $99, were quite high. While not strictly a successor to the Wolverine TE, comparisons are inevitable; the Wolverine V2 is also a wired controller for Windows PC and Xbox, with much the same core functionality. This less expensive controller drops some features of the TE while improving others.

First, it has fewer mappable buttons, no RGB lighting, and uses a fixed USB Type-A cable instead of a detachable one. Despite this, the V2 may be a better option for most gamers looking for a semi-pro controller.

Razer has improved the design of the Wolverine to improve ergonomics. The long, tapered grip has been replaced with a more rounded, bulbous handle that is easier to grasp; Razer has also adopted a new L-shaped handle that sits deeper and more securely in the hand. This makes it easier to reach the trigger at the top. In addition, the grip is now made of a more textured rubber around the grip.

Razer Green piping separates the handle from the center chassis, giving the V2 a more modern, industrial look. The face buttons have also been changed to include the new Xbox Series X/S Quick Share feature. The menu and option buttons have been moved to the top edge of the faceplate and angled. This position is terrible and difficult to reach, even for someone like me with long fingers.

A new volume control button is located below the Xbox share button, which allows you to adjust the volume of wired headphones connected to the controller by pressing left and right on the D-pad while holding it down. This is a great feature because it saves you from having to press a button to pause the game to bring up the Xbox audio control panel.

The main ABXY button and D-Pad use mechanical mechatactile switches rather than membrane switches. As a result, they are clicky and responsive. At 0.65 mm actuation distance, 35% shorter than standard controllers, they feel more responsive; you will definitely notice this when you switch back and forth between the Xbox controller and the Wolverine.

The analog sticks have a target reticle-like texture for added grip. Unfortunately, this cannot be swapped out for a different height or shape. However, the sensitivity and dead zone can be adjusted in the comprehensive Razer app for Windows 10 and Xbox.

At the top of the Wolverine are the standard left and right trigger buttons; unlike the Series X controllers, these triggers are not textured, but that's not really a problem; the toggles on the bottom of the Wolverine V2 allow the LT/RT triggers stop can be adjusted. Doing so shortens the operating distance and allows for great rapid fire in shooters. In other games, such as racer, the full range of motion is more suitable.

Unlike the Wolverine TE, which has four additional mappable M buttons next to the trigger, the V2 has only two. This seems like a downgrade for the V2, but looking back on my own two years of using the Wolverine TE, it is not a substantial loss, as I only used the same two buttons on the TE. Remapping these buttons is very easy with the Razer Controller Setup app, which allows you to create numerous profiles for different games.

One cool trick is the sensitivity clutch feature, which works similar to HyperShift on Razer mice. This feature allows the user to increase or decrease the sensitivity of the analog sticks by simply pressing a pre-assigned button. Professional snipers will find this feature very useful.

While I like most of what Razer has done with the Wolverine V2, there are two things that bother me: first, the beautiful RGB strip around the Xbox home button is gone. Sure that thing doesn't really do anything for me, but no other controller has RGB and I'm pissed that Razer took away my pretty lights.

But the most annoying thing about the Wolverine V2 is the fact that it is a wired-only offering; why stick with a wired controller when Razer has already solved wireless communication without lag with HyperSpeed 2.4Ghz? They could have at least used a detachable USB Type-C cable. My guess is that Razer will prepare a wireless, modular Wolverine V2 Pro like the Xbox Elite Series 2 in the near future.

That said, even with the frustrating cables, the Wolverine V2 is one of the best controllers you can buy right now. It is a superior controller in almost every other respect, so I can live with being tethered to it.