The smartphone gamepad competition just got even more competitive as ASUS steps up to the plate once more with their brand-new ROG Tessen. This surprisingly foldable mobile controller promises to bring a console-grade experience to your Android smartphone. That being said, many have claimed such–and delivered to varying degrees. What exactly sets this collapsible contraption apart from the pack?
The Raikiri, while absolutely compatible with your mobile device, was geared more towards console warriors and the PC master race. The Tessen is geared towards those who are usually on the go. Now, we were able to give this gamepad a spin, test things out, and see just how much of the gaming experience it elevates. Could it be just what your doctor ordered, or something you could easily pass up on? Let’s get right into it.
What’s in the box?
As always, ASUS ROG knows how to make a first impression–by being extra. Make no mistake, it’s something we’ve come to enjoy. While less ostentatious than–let’s say, their ROG Phone series, the box does come with some intricate folding before you can get to the goodies.
What we get are:
- 1 x ROG Tessen mobile controller
- Rubber support pads for adjustability
- 1 x Quick start guide
- 1 x Warranty card
It’s worth noting that you can fold the box into a stand for the Tessen itself. It’s a nice touch, and further reinforces the brand’s campaign towards better sustainability. Aside from that, there really isn’t much else. It’s a snazzy, yet simple unboxing experience.
Fold me once, shame on you. Fold me twice…
Now, here’s a highlight that sets it apart–just a bit, from the usual bunch. The ROG Tessen can be folded in half.
While this may not seem like much at first, just think of all the times you slapped a mobile controller onto your smartphone. It’s safe to say you’ve had one end clamp shut on your finger–at least once, while making sure it stayed extended long enough for you to plug in your phone. That won’t be the case here, as you can simply fold it, install your phone, and easily tug on the other end.
It also helps with portability. Folded up, it’s a compact 94 x 92 x 85 mm that can easily slip into your pocket. Unfolded, it stretches out to a respectable 191.5 x 92 x 40 mm, making it an easy fit for smartphones of all sizes.
The included rubber edges ensure that even smaller phones won’t be wobbling inside the cradle. We tested it with naked ROG Phone 8 Pro, and it fit rather nicely. We also tested it on other, smaller devices. Thankfully, there’s a variety of sizes for the rubber adjustments.
Push my buttons
As for quality control–for your controls, the ROG Tessen’s buttons feel rather nice to the touch. You’ve got your standard face buttons and D-pad, all rocking mechanical switches for that satisfying click. It also sports some programmable aluminum rear paddle buttons which feel premium and responsive. We understand that the clicky nature of these buttons might not be for everyone, but we found no issue with it–especially when it came to latency and the actual gameplay.
Whether it be Genshin Impact or a game from the NES that’s likely older than you (or even us), we had no issues with the control setup. We surmise that the more popular new mobile titles already have dedicated key-mapping, as with the aforementioned HoYo title. Older console games from the retro age only have two buttons anyway, and they’re already programmed to work right out of the box.
MOBA players might find this to be a mixed bag. As far as we’ve experience, MLBB and its ilk have no dedicated keymapping. This means you need to do it all manually. Given how certain moves require more than just a key press (hold and drag, etc.), it might not be as suitable to such gameplay. As for FPS titles like Call of Duty: Mobile, you’ll be happy to know that they do have some controls ready for you.
Now, once you do need to map those buttons–including that mysterious ROG button, you can do so via the Armory Crate app. ROG Phones will have this installed from the get-go, but you can download it from your proprietary app store.
Light It Up
We all know RGB improves your overall gaming experience–from additional frames to an automatic win. Kidding aside, it’s nice to see that the Tessen also sports the brand’s proprietary Aura RGB lighting, even if it’s limited to the edges. Is it absolutely necessary? Debatable. Does it look cool? Definitely. Will it drain your battery faster? Most likely. But that’s where some good old-fashioned charging comes in. Let’s talk power.
Power-wise, the Tessen comes with 18W fast pass-through charging, because nothing kills the gaming vibe faster than a dead battery. That being said, don’t expect your phone to be fully charged in less than half an hour if you’re in the middle of gameplay. The best you can expect is to not have your phone conk out in the middle of a teamfight. Consider it some really decent life support.
To program said lighting, you can also find it in the Armory Crate. Thank goodness it’s available all around, yes?
Is the ASUS ROG Tessen worth it?
The ROG Tessen is a solid piece of kit. It looks great, feels premium, and turns your smartphone into a legitimate gaming device. The foldable design is not just a gimmick – it’s genuinely useful and well-executed. The convenience of having no pain in your fingers, and being able to fold it up into a neat clamshell are great. The capability to charge while gaming, zero-latency connectivity, and ease of use via the Armory Crate are some plus points.
That being The need for button mapping on some newer titles might be a dealbreaker for those who want a pure plug-and-play experience. While the dedicated controls for newer, more popular titles are great, they might feel like wasted potential for those who don’t play it. It’ll also be a bit of a struggle for MOBA players who really want to step up their game.
However, if you’re an Android gamer who wants a more “tactile” experience akin to bigger consoles–without the hassles of your usual plug-and-play mobile controller, this may be worth checking out. It’s a versatile, well-built controller that not only looks good, but also sports some nice ergonomics.
For more information on the ROG Tessen, check out the official website or drop by your nearest ASUS ROG concept store.