Unlocking ASUS ROG Raikiri II on Linux: A Complete Setup Guide

Overview

The ASUS ROG Raikiri II, a premium wireless gaming controller launched recently at $160, has garnered praise for its performance under Windows. Now, with mainline Linux support emerging, Linux gamers can enjoy high-end features like haptic feedback, customizable buttons, and low-latency wireless connectivity. This guide walks you through the prerequisites, installation, configuration, and troubleshooting to get your Raikiri II fully functional on Linux.

Prerequisites

Hardware Requirements

• ASUS ROG Raikiri II controller (wired or wireless model)
• USB-C cable (for firmware updates and wired mode)
• Bluetooth adapter (if using wireless mode without the included dongle)
• PC with Linux installed (see supported distributions below)

Software Requirements

• A Linux kernel version 6.7 or later (support for the Raikiri II began with kernel 6.7-rc1)
• udev rules for controller permissions
• Optional: evtest for testing input events
• Optional: steam-devices or game-devices-udev for Steam integration
• Firmware update tool (available from ASUS, requires Windows; consider dual-boot or Wine)

Step-by-Step Installation

1. Verify Kernel Support

Ensure your system runs Linux kernel 6.7 or newer. Check with:

uname -r

If your distribution's default kernel is older, upgrade via your package manager or install a newer kernel from repositories (e.g., Ubuntu Mainline Kernel PPA). After reboot, verify the controller is detected using:

lsusb | grep -i asus

Or for wireless mode:

dmesg | grep -i raikiri

2. Install udev Rules

To grant user-level access to the controller without needing root, create a udev rule file:

sudo nano /etc/udev/rules.d/99-asus-raikiri.rules

Add the following lines:

# ASUS ROG Raikiri II (wired mode)
SUBSYSTEM=="input", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0b05", ATTRS{idProduct}=="1a2c", MODE="0666"
SUBSYSTEM=="hidraw", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0b05", ATTRS{idProduct}=="1a2c", MODE="0666"

# ASUS ROG Raikiri II (wireless dongle)
SUBSYSTEM=="input", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0b05", ATTRS{idProduct}=="1a2d", MODE="0666"
SUBSYSTEM=="hidraw", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0b05", ATTRS{idProduct}=="1a2d", MODE="0666"

Replace idProduct values with your controller's actual IDs (check with lsusb -v). Reload udev:

sudo udevadm control --reload-rules && sudo udevadm trigger

3. Pair Via Bluetooth (if applicable)

For wireless use without the dongle, pair via Bluetooth:

1. Put the controller in pairing mode (hold the Xbox button until the LED blinks rapidly).
2. Open your system's Bluetooth settings or use bluetoothctl:

bluetoothctl
scan on
# Find the controller (e.g., "ASUS ROG Raikiri II")
pair XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX
trust XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX
connect XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX

After successful pairing, the controller should appear as an input device.

4. Test Functionality

Install evtest and verify button presses:

sudo apt install evtest   # Debian/Ubuntu
sudo evtest /dev/input/eventX  # replace X with your controller's event number

Press buttons; you should see input events. For analog sticks, move them to see axis events.

5. Configure in Steam (Optional)

If you use Steam, enable controller support:

1. Open Steam → Settings → Controller → General Controller Settings.
2. Check PlayStation Configuration Support and Xbox Configuration Support for broader compatibility.
3. Your Raikiri II should appear as a generic gamepad. You can customize button mappings in the controller settings.

6. Adjust Haptic Feedback and LEDs

Advanced features like haptic feedback require userspace tools. Install asustorctl (community tool) or use the Python scripts from the Linux Raikiri project:

git clone https://github.com/user/raikiri-linux.git
cd raikiri-linux
sudo python3 setup.py install
raikiri_ctl --haptic low --led blue

Refer to the project's documentation for full options. Note: these tools are unofficial and may require root.

7. Update Firmware

Firmware updates currently require Windows. Use a dual-boot system, virtual machine with USB passthrough, or Wine (experimental). Download the ASUS Armoury Crate or standalone updater from ASUS support.

Common Mistakes

❌ Kernel Too Old

If the controller isn't recognized, check your kernel version. Many distributions ship older LTS kernels. Upgrade or use a newer distribution like Fedora 40+ or Ubuntu 24.04+ with HWE kernel.

❌ Missing udev Rules

Without proper udev rules, the controller may only work with root privileges. Double-check the vendor and product IDs by running lsusb while the controller is connected.

❌ Bluetooth Pairing Fails

Ensure the controller is in pairing mode (LED flashing). Sometimes turning off the Xbox button shortcut interferes. Reset the controller by inserting a paperclip into the small hole on the back near the USB port.

❌ Steam Doesn't Recognize Controller

Steam may not detect the controller if it's in a mode not supported by the generic gamepad driver. Try connecting via USB first, then test. Also disable Steam Input for the specific game if you prefer native mapping.

❌ Haptic Feedback Not Working

The Raikiri II's haptics are non-standard and require userspace drivers. Ensure you've installed the appropriate tool and that the device node is accessible. If kernel support improves in future versions, this may become plug-and-play.

Summary

Setting up the ASUS ROG Raikiri II on Linux is now feasible thanks to mainline kernel support starting from version 6.7. This guide covered verifying kernel compatibility, installing udev rules for access, pairing via Bluetooth, testing inputs, configuring Steam, adjusting haptic feedback, and troubleshooting common pitfalls. While firmware updates remain Windows-dependent, the controller's core gaming functions work reliably on modern Linux distributions. Enjoy premium wireless gaming with your Raikiri II on Linux!