Razer Junglecat + Project xCloud = Xbox Nintendo Switch

Razer Junglecat Source: Windows Central

Those of the states invited to examination out Project xCloud and its Xbox Game Streaming from either the deject or your own panel, have until now been told to pair an Xbox One controller with our compatible Android phones. Just let'southward face it, strapping your phone into a cradle perched atop a controller has never been the almost elegant of solutions.

The dream of many is something like the Nintendo Switch, but for Xbox. It's something we've talked virtually before, but now it's a niggling closer to being a reality. The Razer Junglecat is one of the first third-party controllers we've used with Project xCloud, and it'due south already my favorite way to play later on only a couple of days.

It's basically an Xbox Switch

Razer Junglecat Source: Windows Central

The Junglecat paired with my Razer Phone 2 looks a lot like a Nintendo Switch. There is zero denying that. But that's totally fine, because I love my Switch Low-cal, and I know for sure I'm not alone among Xbox fans with an admiration for Nintendo'due south handheld.

Nintendo did a lot right with the original Switch blueprint, with the detachable Joycons, and it's this that the Junglecat mimics in its own way. The analog sticks and face buttons are in a unlike location, simply the principle is the aforementioned. Right down to the trivial block you can adhere each half of the Junglecat to use it every bit a discrete controller.

Razer Junglecat Source: Windows Central

I don't recommend using the Junglecat in this way considering the pieces aren't as big equally a Switch Joycon, which makes it more bad-mannered to utilise. Merely when snapped to the side of your phone, y'all've got a lightweight, extremely portable games panel. It's comfortable to use, and every aspect of the Xbox 1 controller can be mimicked by this. The ABXY buttons are even in the correct places, not the Nintendo Switch'due south very wrong places.

Operation from the Junglecat is identical to that of an Xbox controller.

Its primary reason to exist, of grade, is Android gaming, but the Xbox Game Streaming app recognizes the Junglecat every bit it would an Xbox One controller and to use is flawless in its performance. The sticks feel incredibly shut to those of the Switch, so they're skilful, and the bumpers, triggers, and face buttons are nice and clicky. Performance-wise there is absolutely no divergence betwixt the Junglecat and the Xbox Ane controller.

The big deviation in using the Xbox One controller is the convenience. Like a Switch, it's much easier to tote effectually in a pocket or bag, and personally, I prefer this form factor tenfold over using a phone strapped to a full-sized controller.

Peachy but not perfect

Razer Junglecat Source: Windows Key

This isn't a review, because I've merely had the Junglecat a couple of days, but at that place are a couple of things that I'one thousand not addicted of, also equally one pretty big elephant in the room.

Starting with the small bits, and at the height of the list is the price. At $100, it's a pretty meaning investment, and right at present, with xCloud limited to but four games and a pocket-sized number of markets, it'southward probably non worth getting just yet if all you want to practise is mess around with game streaming. When xCloud is a more than polished experience and an actual finished product, that becomes less of an issue, though it'due south nevertheless 1 of the priciest controllers for any telephone.

Information technology'southward a shame that most phones can't apply this matter.

In that location are also a couple of pattern choices that I'yard not certain about. At that place'south no way to charge both halves of the Junglecat at the same fourth dimension without using two USB-C cables, for one, and there's also no way to charge your telephone at the same time you're playing a game when they're attached to the side of information technology as there's no ability passthrough.

The biggest problem, though, is that while the design is superb, information technology'south incommunicable to arrive available for every dissimilar Android telephone. The unit I've received from Razer has cases included for the Razer Phone ii, the Samsung Galaxy S10+, and the Huawei P30 Pro. In that location is a version for the Galaxy Notation 9 as well, but that's about your lot for at present. Three of those are pretty pop. Still, there'south so many different handsets on the marketplace that the Junglecat will never exist every bit universal equally just popping a cradle onto a controller.

A future I can get behind

Razer Junglecat Source: Windows Central

The Junglecat isn't perfect, but right now, it'southward the closest affair we're going to get to an actual Xbox handheld. And for that purpose, with xCloud in tow, it'south very, very practiced. The controller feels as high-quality as a Nintendo Switch, and and so while it'southward expensive, it'southward also a quality production.

And I prefer how information technology feels to game in this form gene over having a phone on a controller. I've never enjoyed that class cistron because every telephone I've ever tried it on has issues with buttons clashing with the cradle, which ways either use it off-center or don't employ it at all.

This solves all of that. It's designed from the basis up to exist an enjoyable mobile gaming feel. The biggest problem is that non everyone can enjoy it, and that's a shame, but on Android at to the lowest degree, entirely unavoidable.

What the Junglecat does is amp up my own apprehension for the future of Xbox Game Streaming. I dearest my Switch Light, but if I can pack this in a bag instead and play The Sectionalization 2 or Forza Horizon 4 while I'g out and well-nigh, it'll be incommunicable to put down.

Mobile gaming

Razer Junglecat product render

Razer Junglecat

The Razer Junglecat is a mobile gaming controller that essentially turns your phone into a Switch.

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