With the increasing availability and adoption of PC gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck, Lenovo Legion Go, ASUS ROG Ally, and more, remote play (being able to play your games anywhere) is becoming more commonplace. However, the main caveat here is that you have to purchase an entirely separate (and pricey) device. Everyone has a smartphone these days, and while cloud gaming platforms like Xbox Game Pass exist, you’re still limited to the games that you can play.
Remote play isn’t a new concept, but Razer, a global leader in gaming devices and peripherals, has officially launched Razer PC Remote Play — “the ultimate platform for streaming PC games directly to mobile devices.” That’s right, you can now stream any PC game you own and have installed on your home gaming PC from anywhere you have an internet or mobile data connection. By playing your games in such a way, you are leveraging your gaming computer system to play while on the go and through less capable devices.
Using the Razer Cortex PC app and the Razer Nexus app for Android or iOS, gamers can stream directly from their home gaming desktop PC or laptop to their smartphones, tablets, or other internet-connected devices. While it works best with mobile controllers like the Razer Kishi Ultra, Razer PC Remote Play supports iOS and Android-compatible game controllers and supports the AV1 video codec for “improved quality and lower latency.”
Once you have the Razer Cortex PC app configured, setup on mobile is easy according to the instructions provided by Razer:
- Install Razer Nexus and Razer PC Remote Play on your mobile device.
- Enable Remote Play in Razer Cortex on the PC.
- Sign in with your Razer ID. Your PC and mobile device will automatically pair.
- Connect your Razer Kishi or other iOS or Android-compatible controller to play controller-supported games.
- Stream your entire PC game library directly to your mobile device.
Other key features of Razer PC Remote Play, as per Razer, include:
- Expansive controller compatibility: Full support for Razer Kishi and all iOS and Android compatible controllers for an uncompromised console-class mobile experience with the power of your gaming PC.
- Unlock more play styles on the iPad, with full keyboard, mouse, and trackpad compatibility.
- All your PC games within Razer Nexus: Browse, configure, and launch PC games directly from your mobile device. Instantly launch your PC games, customize your controls, record and share gameplay, and keep your controller updated- all with one app.
- Automatic optimization that takes full advantage of your device’s powerful display: Enjoy incredibly sharp, smooth visuals on your device. Razer PC Remote Play automatically optimizes the device’s maximum resolution and refresh rate without locking gameplay to fixed aspect ratios.
- Immersive play with Razer Sensa HD Haptics: Experience realistic tactile sensations that sync with in-game actions—from explosive gunfire to rumbling vehicle engines—when pairing Razer Kishi Ultra controllers with Android devices.
The only downside, per se, is that your PC must be turned on for Razer PC Remote Play to work. Aside from that, Razer PC Remote Play currently supports Steam, Epic Games, PC Game Pass, and more, works with iOS 18 and Android 14+, and requires Windows 10/Windows 11 (23H2). Razer recommends having 30 Mbps of bandwidth, with 15 Mbps being a minimum. You will have to be on the same network as your gaming PC for the initial setup, but after that, you should be able to use Razer PC Remote Play on other Wi-Fi and even cellular networks as long as you have UPNP enabled on your home network.
Be sure to check back in the next week or two for our full review!
