Switching controllers in fighting games is never a small decision, but the arrival of the Razer Kitsune 2XKO Edition made it hard to ignore the leverless conversation any longer. It is no secret that I love fighting games, particularly those in the 2D genre. From Street Fighter to Marvel vs. Capcom, I have spent thousands of hours playing both casually and competitively. For the past few years, I have also been closely following Riot’s upcoming fighting game, formerly known as Project L. This tag-team fighter immediately caught my attention. Fast forward to today, the game is now live, and Riot has announced a range of products to celebrate its launch. Among them is a new, updated Razer Kitsune featuring 2XKO branding.
This arcade controller stands out because it is leverless, meaning it does not use a traditional joystick. I am very traditional when it comes to fighting games and have always relied on a fight stick. Still, when the opportunity came to finally try a leverless arcade controller, I felt compelled to give it a proper test.
The original Razer Kitsune launched in August 2023. At the time, the only major competitor in the leverless market was the Hit Box. One of the key advantages of a controller like this is its ability to reduce input errors and improve precision. With a traditional fight stick, it is easy to miss directional gates while performing a combo, which can result in dropped inputs and leave an opening for an opponent to capitalize.
“The arrival of the Razer Kitsune 2XKO Edition made it hard to ignore the leverless conversation any longer.”
Having used a traditional fight stick for most of my life, switching to a leverless controller was, at first, a challenge. I essentially had to retrain my brain, as my muscle memory was deeply tied to joystick movement. Directional inputs are handled by individual up, down, left and right buttons, and their placement initially felt awkward. The up button, which controls jumping in most games, is positioned along the bottom row near the face buttons. Early on, I frequently pressed it accidentally while attempting combos. After a few days of focused practice, however, that habit faded and proper muscle memory began to take over.
One aspect I particularly appreciated about the Razer Kitsune 2XKO Edition arcade controller is its size and weight. Measuring 11.6 inches long, 8.2 inches wide and just 0.76 inches thick, it is the smallest fighting game controller I own, and that is a major advantage. Travelling to a friend’s house or local fighting game community meetups has been easy, as the controller fits comfortably in a backpack. It is also deceptively lightweight, weighing just 1.7 pounds, or about 800 grams. Its compact dimensions and low weight make it an ideal travel controller for players who attend local events and tournaments.
The Razer Kitsune uses low-profile linear optical switches known for their speed and accuracy. These switches are also found in Razer keyboards widely used by esports teams, thanks to their near-instant actuation and lack of debounce delay. In fighting games, precise button inputs can determine the outcome of a match. With switches like these, any dropped combo is far more likely to come down to player execution rather than controller limitations.
“After several weeks with the Razer Kitsune 2XKO Edition arcade controller, I can confidently say that by the third week, things began to click.”
At first glance, this may seem like an expensive accessory for a single genre. In reality, it is reasonably priced for a limited-edition product. Priced at $329.99 US, it sits between competing leverless controllers such as the Victrix Pro, which retails for $399 US, and the popular Hit Box, priced at $299 US. Leverless arcade controllers are generally built for long-term use, and any of these options should hold up well over time. In that context, the Razer Kitsune 2XKO Edition offers solid value, particularly given its exclusive branding tied to Riot’s rising fighting game, 2XKO.
Switching from a traditional fight stick to a leverless arcade controller presents a number of challenges. For players willing to invest the time to properly learn the controller and relearn their favourite fighting games, however, it can be a rewarding experience. After several weeks with the Razer Kitsune 2XKO Edition arcade controller, I can confidently say that by the third week, things began to click.
Will I commit to using this controller full time? At this point, I cannot say for certain. That said, I see clear value in sticking with it, particularly given how effortless certain movements feel in games such as 2XKO and Street Fighter 6. This controller will not be for everyone. Still, for players willing to give it an honest and patient trial, the experience is likely to be worth the effort.
