ASUS is taking its high-end ROG Raikiri 2 Pro PC Controller beyond China, giving gamers looking for an advanced Wireless Controller another premium option to consider. The controller has started appearing in European markets after initially being announced exclusively for China last month, while US shoppers can already find imported units.
The ASUS ROG Raikiri 2 Pro is priced at EUR 220 in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, which works out to around $255. In the US, Amazon currently lists the controller for about $274, although the listing is marked as a German import. A local US version has yet to appear, but the European rollout suggests ASUS could expand availability to additional regions soon.
The ROG Raikiri 2 Pro is designed specifically for PC, separating it from the standard ROG Raikiri 2 Xbox controller. Its main upgrade is support for an 8,000 Hz polling rate in both wired and 2.4 GHz wireless modes. That puts the controller among the small number of wireless gamepads that can operate at an 8K polling rate.
ASUS has also replaced the monochrome OLED screen found on the older Raikiri Pro with a full-color display. The screen provides a more modern interface while giving the controller a visual element that was missing from the previous generation.
The control layout has received several changes as well. Five backlit buttons sit underneath the D-pad, adding extra inputs for PC games. The thumbsticks now use TMR technology and are hot-swappable, allowing users to replace the joystick modules rather than the entire controller.
Battery life is rated for up to 79 hours when using the 2.4 GHz wireless connection at a 1,000 Hz polling rate. ASUS’ battery figure is based on the lower polling setting, so running the controller continuously at 8,000 Hz will likely reduce endurance.
The ROG Raikiri 2 Pro is available in black and white. At EUR 220, it is priced well above many mainstream PC controllers, but ASUS is targeting users who want features such as 8K wireless polling, TMR sticks, a color display, and additional programmable controls.
- 8,000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz wireless modes
- Full-color display
- Hot-swappable TMR thumbsticks
- Five backlit buttons below the D-pad
- Up to 79 hours of battery life at 1,000 Hz polling
- Black and white options
- EUR 220 European price
- US units currently listed as German imports
The European launch also gives PC gamers outside China their first clear indication that ASUS plans to bring the ROG Raikiri 2 Pro to more markets. With imported units already appearing in the US, an official US release could follow soon.
