LG Electronics has introduced a new hardware certification initiative aimed at improving controller compatibility and responsiveness on its smart TV gaming platform. Announced at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, the “designed for LG gaming portal” certification program sets a technical baseline for third-party controllers intended for use with LG’s webOS-powered televisions. The first product to carry the certification is the Razer Wolverine V3 Bluetooth controller, developed in collaboration with LG and demonstrated publicly during the show.
The certification program is positioned as a way to standardize performance expectations for cloud and TV-based gaming, particularly as more users shift away from consoles and PCs toward app-driven gaming experiences on large screens. According to LG, certified controllers are evaluated for latency, wireless stability, and functional integration with the LG gaming portal interface. The goal is not to lock users into proprietary hardware, but to reduce the friction that often comes with pairing external accessories to smart TVs.
The Wolverine V3 Bluetooth is notable primarily for its use of ultra-low latency Bluetooth technology, which LG and Razer claim delivers response times under three milliseconds when paired with compatible LG TVs. While latency figures can vary in real-world conditions, the emphasis reflects a broader industry push to narrow the performance gap between cloud gaming and traditional console setups. In addition to wireless performance, the controller includes built-in TV navigation controls, allowing users to move between games, menus, and streaming apps without switching devices.
LG’s focus on controller optimization aligns with its broader gaming strategy for televisions. Recent LG OLED models have been marketed heavily toward gamers, with features such as high refresh rates, variable refresh support, and cloud gaming services built directly into the TV interface. Select 2025 OLED models were among the first to support 4K 120Hz HDR cloud gaming through services like NVIDIA GeForce Now, signaling LG’s intent to make the TV a standalone gaming endpoint rather than a passive display.
From an industry perspective, the launch of the “designed for LG gaming portal” program reflects growing competition among TV manufacturers to differentiate their gaming ecosystems. As cloud gaming libraries expand and Bluetooth controllers become the primary input method, consistency and low latency are increasingly important. Certification programs like this may help clarify expectations for consumers, though their long-term value will depend on how open the program remains to multiple hardware partners.
Demonstrations of the certified controller and LG’s gaming portal were available throughout CES 2026 at both companies’ exhibition spaces. More certified devices are expected to follow as LG opens the program to additional controller manufacturers.
