Asus ROG Tessen: Two-minute evaluate
The Asus ROG Tessen is a wonderful cell controller that’s well-suited for FPS gaming regardless of some small setbacks. Its general design is usually excellent, with sturdy metallic rear paddles and a novel folding mechanism that makes it even simpler to tackle the go. Its tactile face buttons and d-pad are satisfying to make use of, although the latter is certainly higher fitted to fast-paced aggressive video games than any retro titles or conventional platformers, even whether it is on par with the texture of among the finest PC controllers.
Whereas not using Corridor impact expertise, its thumbsticks carry out nicely and the triggers are a spotlight – delivering a fast however satisfying movement that makes each match of Name of Obligation: Warzone Cellular that rather more pleasant. Throw in some fairly RGB lighting (which is sadly managed by a reasonably underwhelming app) and compatibility with most cell phone circumstances and you’ve got a really sturdy general bundle.
Even so, there are just a few areas with room for enchancment. The extra angular design of its grips received’t be for everybody and I discovered that they may usually be a bit of uncomfortable throughout longer classes, digging into the palms of my fingers. It’s not at all the worst, nevertheless it is without doubt one of the few areas the place the comparable Spine One 2nd Gen takes a transparent lead.
There’s additionally the truth that the Asus ROG Tessen solely formally helps Android regardless of being a wired USB-C controller. I’m positive there’s some nitty gritty technical cause why that is the case, nevertheless it’s nonetheless disappointing now that iPhone 15 (and shortly iPhone 16) sequence telephones use the connector commonplace. The dearth of a 3.5mm audio jack for headphones can be a notable, and mildly annoying, omission. Hopefully, a small {hardware} revision will have the ability to treatment these complaints sooner or later.
General, the Asus ROG Tessen remains to be remarkably near being a best-in-class cell controller at its worth vary. In the event you’re keen to look previous these few minor frustrations, it presents a really succesful and pleasant cell gaming expertise.
Asus ROG Tessen: Worth and availability
- $109.99 / £109.99 / AU$179
- Out there through Asus and Amazon
- Barely costlier than the Spine One
The Asus ROG Tessen prices $109.99 / £109.99 / AU$179 and is offered immediately from Asus or at on-line retailers comparable to Amazon. It is available in barely costlier than the Spine One 2nd Gen which prices $99.99 / £99.99 / AU$179.99. This worth appears fairly honest given the extra options discovered on the Asus ROG Tessen although, such because the rear paddles and folding mechanism.
That mentioned, this controller doesn’t supply any iOS help, so those that usually change gadgets could be higher off saving the money and selecting up a Spine One 2nd Gen as a substitute. I might additionally suggest that those that can stretch for the $149.99 / £149.99 / AU$269.95 Razer Kishi Extremely achieve this, as that controller is considerably extra snug, presents iOS help, and options Corridor impact parts – although loses by way of portability because of its a lot bigger measurement.
Asus ROG Tessen: Specs
| Worth | $109.99 / £109.99 / AU$179 |
| Dimensions | 7.5 in x 3.6 in x 1.5 in / 191.5 mm x 92 mm x 40 mm |
| Weight | 0.29 lbs / 136 g |
| Connection kind | Wired (Sort-C) |
| Compatibility | Android |
| Software program | Armoury Crate (Android) |
Asus ROG Tessen: Design and options
- Nice general feel and look
- Folding mechanism
- Matches most cellphone circumstances
A lot of the Asus ROG Tessen seems and feels premium. It has a really related design to most telescopic cell controllers, although with the addition of two hinges on its extending portion. These enable the controller to be folded cleanly in two for better portability. In consequence, I had no bother becoming the Asus ROG Tessen in a rucksack and will even cram it into the massive pockets of my cargo denims. Regardless of its compact type issue, there’s nonetheless loads of area for a full cellphone case whenever you’re utilizing the controller which could be very handy.
It’s a tad unlucky that, because of the orientation of the mechanism, the thumbsticks are left protruding when the controller is folded, making it straightforward to catch them in your bag when you’re not cautious.
The controller has pleasantly springy triggers with a great degree of journey and shoulder buttons which are clicky and responsive. Thumbsticks are on the smaller facet and have little friction, although I discovered them to be easy and completely snug to make use of. The face buttons and d-pad are mechanical with a really pronounced tactile click on. They’re pleasant to press and the shallow journey distance of the d-pad is good for rapidly organizing your gear in a battle royale like Name of Obligation: Warzone Cellular.
It’s not good in video games that require in depth use of the d-pad for motion, although, and I quickly discovered myself lacking the softer, extra spongy d-pad of the Spine One 2nd Gen after just a few hours of Lifeless Cells. On the again of the controller, you’ll discover two rear paddles, each manufactured from aluminum and sporting a nice grippy texture. They’re straightforward to press and well-positioned and the usage of metallic provides them a extra premium really feel.
Along with the usual house, menu, and begin buttons, the Asus ROG Tessen incorporates a devoted button to open the Armoury Crate software program. That is, sadly, extraordinarily fundamental, with an unpleasant UI and few options past button remapping and the flexibility to configure the intense RGB strips positioned on the underside of every grip. These lighting components, on high of some delicate printed graphics and loads of totally different textures, lend the controller fairly a particular aesthetic – which is appreciated.
Asus ROG Tessen: Efficiency
- Greatest for fast-paced video games
- Suitable with native titles and cloud gaming
- Grips might be uncomfortable
The Asus ROG Tessen is a unbelievable match for fast-paced video games, notably first-person shooter (FPS) titles. I used to be impressed with its snappy responsiveness in each Name of Obligation: Warzone Cellular and Name of Obligation Cellular. Using a wired connection additionally eliminates any potential latency and facilitates pass-through charging through a USB-C port on the underside of the right-hand grip.
I used to be pleasantly stunned by the efficiency of the thumbsticks, which have greater than sufficient movement for navigating tight corners in Asphalt Legends Unite and energy by way of dungeons in Zenless Zone Zero.
As beforehand talked about, the d-pad could be very shallow so might be fairly harsh in your fingers when you’re enjoying very d-pad-centric titles. Along with native video games, the Asus ROG Tessen carried out nicely when it got here to cloud gaming, with full compatibility with Amazon Luna and Xbox Cloud Gaming.
The rear paddles are straightforward to achieve and might be totally custom-made by way of a variety of doable inputs. My solely actual criticism with the Asus ROG Tessen is that the very angular form of its grips might be uncomfortable over prolonged enjoying classes. Spending just a few lengthy prepare journeys with the controller, I discovered that they uncomfortably dug into the palms of my fingers after just some hours which wasn’t superb.
This received’t be an issue when you intend to play in shorter bursts, however may very well be a really compelling cause to decide on one other product when you like to pour hours into cell video games at a time.
Ought to I purchase the Asus ROG Tessen?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Additionally contemplate
Not totally bought on the Asus ROG Tessen? Listed here are two very sturdy alternate options to contemplate.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Asus ROG Tessen | Spine One 2nd Gen | Razer Kishi Extremely |
| Worth | $109.99 / £109.99 / AU$179 | $99.99 / £99.99 / AU$179.99 | $149.99 / £149.99 / AU$269.95 |
| Dimensions | 7.5 in x 3.6 in x 1.5 in / 191.5 mm x 92 mm x 40 mm | 6.93 in x 3.70 in x 1.34 in / 176mm x 93.98mm x 34.03mm | 9.63 in x 4.36 in x 2.53 in / 244.6 mm x 110.75mm x 64.26 |
| Weight | 0.29 lbs / 136 g | 0.30 lbs / 138 g | 0.59 lbs / 266 g |
| Connection kind | Wired (Sort-C) | Wired (Sort-C / Lightning) | Wired (Sort-C) |
| Compatibility | Android | iPhone 15 Collection, Android / iPhone 14 sequence, and earlier | iPhone 15 Collection, iPad Mini, Android |
| Software program | Armoury Crate (Android) | Spine App (iOS / Android) | Razer Nexus App (iOS / Android) |
How I examined the Asus ROG Tessen
- Examined for over a month
- Tried with high cell video games
- Instantly in comparison with different cell controllers
I examined the Asus ROG Tessen for over a month, utilizing it as my primary Android gaming controller. I paired the controller with a Samsung S23 Plus and performed all kinds of video games. This included native cell titles like Name of Obligation: Warzone Cellular, Name of Obligation Cellular, Vampire Survivors, Don’t Starve: Pocket Version, Diablo Immortal, Asphalt Legends Unite, Zenless Zone Zero, Genshin Affect, and extra.
I additionally tried the controller with numerous sport streaming companies, comparable to Amazon Luna and Xbox Cloud Gaming. On Amazon Luna, I performed Watch Canines Legion, Mighty Change Drive Assortment, River Metropolis Women, and Star Wars Outlaws whereas Xbox Cloud Gaming noticed me take pleasure in just a few hours of Forza Horizon 5.
Throughout my time with the controller I relied on a pair of Beats Solo 4 and Beats Studio Buds+ headphones for audio and in contrast my enjoying expertise with my hands-on testing of many different cell controllers such because the Spine One 2nd Gen, Turtle Seaside Atom, Scuf Nomad, and Razer Kishi Extremely.
First reviewed September 2024
