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With smartphones with more powerful processors and built-in graphics, mobile gaming is now firmly established. However, while the touchscreens on most smartphones are great for performing phone tasks, it’s not the most productive gaming interface (and having your hands hiding the screen can make some games difficult to play). If you spend a lot of time playing games on your device, a dedicated gamepad can make a big difference, leaving you with something similar in shape to a Nintendo Switch.
Of course, you can also pack a portable gaming device like the Lenovo Legion Go, Valve Steam Deck, or Nintendo Switch, but that’s just another piece of gear that you don’t forget to load up and buy in your gear bag. both someday. Gaming on a cell phone is convenient and eliminates the need for a separate, standalone device, and with cellular silicon getting faster both one and both years, especially on the iOS side, where this year’s iPhone 15 projects lightning, you get rich graphics in an easy-to-use form factor.
The Backbone One mobile gaming controller is a counterfeit accessory. The buttons are crisp and satisfying to press, and provide console controller-like responses. When betting on a game (in my case, Chrono Trigger for iOS), the D-pad allows for simple maneuvers and doesn’t combine inputs like some reasonable controllers do. A detachable component also allows the Backbone One to be compatible with a phone with or without a case, which is a great addition. (We tested the USB-C edition of the driver for this guide; it’s also compatible with Lightning devices. )
Another major app allows you to record gameplay and connect with other Backbone users, but luckily, the app is required to use the product. The app also allows you to connect to your favorite gaming platform (Xbox, PlayStation, PC, and Steamlink), so you can enjoy the console gaming experience with you when you’re on your mobile device.
With its responsiveness, great design, and solid build quality, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better mobile gaming controller accessory.
Razer is known for making talented accessories, and the Razer Kishi V2 mobile gaming controller for iPhone (Lightning) is no exception. The gamepad is powered by the built-in Lightning connector, so you can start playing as soon as you plug in your phone. It also has detachable spacers to accommodate phones with or without a case.
Although this product looks pretty wrought, the buttons are just as crisp as the Backbone One’s, especially the L1, L2, R1, and R2 buttons, which feel quite shallow and mushy. Not the console accessory I was expecting. However, latency is very low, making the input experience feel like a genuine driver. It’s a solid choice if you’re loyal to Razer. Otherwise, I’ll stick with Backbone One.
If you are looking for a less expensive solution to solve your mobile gaming problems, the Megadream Wireless Mobile Game Controller joystick can have maximum compatibility with any device thanks to its adjustable design. This includes a maximum of iPads (excluding the 12. 9-inch iPad Pro) and Android tablets (only those with screens smaller than 11 inches). Unlike the other two products in this guide, this controller connects via Bluetooth, which has advantages and disadvantages.
Plugging and pairing was a bit of a hassle, unlike USB-C or Lightning controllers. In addition, a transfer is required to transfer between other types of devices, which is rarely as intuitive as it can be. This product also has a built-in battery, which needs to be charged before use, creating an out-of-the-box anticlimactic experience. If you want a universal cellular gamepad, this is a decent option. Otherwise, I’d suggest one with a USB-C or Lightning connector to reduce the latency of a stressed connection and no separate charging requirements.
If you own an iPhone or iPad, you can also use any number of Bluetooth game controllers. Apple has also worked with Microsoft and Sony to make Xbox and PlayStation controllers compatible with their phones, tablets, and Apple TV. And while those controllers are portable like the ones on our list, which reflect the Nintendo Switch experience, having a separate gamepad from your device has its own perks, such as the ability to connect your phone to a larger screen and play with the controller from the couch.
Keep in mind that not all games are external game controllers. Even if the titles are supported, some games may also not allow you to remap buttons, so your experience with a game controller may possibly be more limited until developers incorporate more arrays into the Android side, controllers may open the doors to games and titles that aren’t officially published on Google’s Play Store, adding the use of emulators for games.
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