| Price | Amazon & AliExpress |
| Release | August 2025 |
| Compatibility* | PS5 / PS4 / PC |
| Dimensions | 12.5″ x 8.7″ x 1.8″ |
| Weight | 5.47 lbs |
| Cable | 2 m |
Other Colors
Introduction
If you absolutely loved the Varmilo FK2, but you just wished it had a joystick, then you’re in luck—because the Varmilo Kassai does have a joystick!
Unboxing
Before we dive any deeper, let’s mention what comes in the Kassai’s box for free:
- Blank button
- Two extra buttons
- Button replacement tool
- Joystick ball-top replacement tool
- Silicone cover for joystick removal
- Shoulder strap
- Plastic spacer
- Wrist guards
By wrist guards, Varmilo means a pair of gloves with a couple of openings per glove: (1) one opening for your thumb and (2) another opening for all four remaining fingers.
Something that’s not included in the box is a dongle. Basically, you can buy and use a dongle to make the Kassai compatible with more consoles if you want. Without the dongle, the standard version is PC compatible, and the pro version is also PlayStation 5 compatible.
Anyway, it’s nice to see the Kassai in a black Varmilo branded box—not some generic looking cardboard. The box doesn’t have a flap; it has a lid, which is rare.
Even the black foam padding on top of the Kassai is elegant, and the arcade stick itself would be in a classy white sleeve. So, fancy presentation and all, but does this arcade stick actually perform well?
Performance
The Kassai has 11 main buttons. If 11 main buttons are too much for you, you can replace any unwanted button with the blank button. Button mapping is made even easier with the companion software.
Having said that, most of the Kassai editions’ buttons are made of ABS—making them smooth and snappy yet light. We didn’t expect any less from the keyboard specialist, Varmilo, and the buttons have a good size of 22 mm.
The Kassai’s buttons are also quieter than average. In addition, these buttons are enforced by hot swappable Cherry MX Silver switches with an adjustable actuation point.
Those fast switches can last you a whopping 200 million presses. This way, there would be no need to keep spending on new switches every now and then.
As for the Kassai’s five function buttons, they are labeled:
- Start
- Guide
- Unused
- Update
- Reset
Those function buttons are larger and softer than the FK2’s. Anyhow, the Kassai also has a toggle for:
- Controller mode
- Lock mode
- PC mode
To close out the performance review, the Kassai has a similar size to the FK2—making it suitable for both lap and desk play—with a grip pad that covers the bottom. The arcade stick also brings back a similar ergonomic slope for the comfort of your wrists, especially with the wrist guards.
Hardware
The moderately sized yet weighty Kassai is made of durably anodized metal, and there is a magnetic lid at the bottom (where your left leg would be) to store the joystick & buttons. That’s right: even the joystick is detachable, making travel convenient for you.
(Don’t you worry about the Kassai’s joystick popping off mid-game because you really have to be deliberate when detaching it or it won’t come off. This, folks, is good design. As for the buttons, use the included tool to rotate and then remove them if you need to.)
Traveling with the Kassai becomes even easier because of the shoulder strap. For that, there’s a removable loop on the left and another one on the right. Another option is to simply carry the arcade stick by its foldable handle. You can also tuck the cable into this handle.
Something cool about the cable is that it retracts automatically, requiring less effort from you. Back to the handle though, near it is the main USB port, which is tucked neatly into the Kassai’s back right. That said, did Varmilo choose a good color for the cable?
Appearance
Yes, the Kassai’s cable color nicely matches the joystick, buttons, and following color options:
- Sea melody
- Sakura
- Lunar silver
- Obsidian black
- Gold (limited edition)
For example: sea melody & sakura come with a white cable, and obsidian black & gold come with a black cable. Admittedly though, there’s a covered USB-C port in the Kassai’s center back. This cover is removable, and there may be a use for the port.
Otherwise, that port is no longer needed because the retractable cable comes out of the back right instead. To end on a positive note, the shoulder strap mentioned earlier is stylish, and it has both Kassai & Varmilo branding.
Conclusion
Don’t overlook the Kassai if you’re looking for an arcade stick with plenty of buttons—while also looking kawaii! How about you grab one of this arcade stick’s editions for yourself and another edition for your sparring partner?
- Hot swappable switches
- Awesome ABS keycaps
- Three extra buttons
- Detachable joystick
- Retracting cable
- Carrying handle
- Shoulder strap
- Wrist slope
- Storage space
- Moderate size
- Quite weighty
- Full bottom pad
- Metal hardware
- Configuration software
- Extendable compatibility
- Five color options
- Pair of gloves
- More freebies
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Links
- Varmilo (Global)
- Varmilo (China)
- Fumo Shop
- Amazon
- AliExpress