BACKBONE One Mobile Gaming Controller for iPhone (Lightning) - 2nd Gen - Turn Your iPhone into a Gaming Console - Play Xbox, PlayStation, PC, & App Games (3 Months Apple Arcade Included)

I’ve been using the Backbone One Mobile Gaming Controller for a few weeks now, and I have to say, it’s been a fantastic upgrade for my mobile gaming experience. The build quality is solid, and the controller feels premium in your hands. It’s comfortable for extended gaming sessions, and the buttons are responsive with great tactile feedback.Setting up was super easy, especially with the USB-C connection that works seamlessly with my Android phone. I’ve played everything from Fortnite to Call of Duty, and the performance has been flawless. The controller instantly connects to my phone, and there’s no noticeable input lag. The joysticks are smooth, and the triggers feel just like a console controller.One thing to note: the controller is a bit on the smaller side, so if you have larger hands, it might feel a little cramped after long sessions. That said, it’s still comfortable enough for most people, but something to keep in mind.One of the standout features is the Backbone app, which integrates perfectly with my gaming library. It also lets you stream Xbox and PlayStation games directly to your phone, which is awesome for cloud gaming on the go. Plus, it’s lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry around.If you’re into mobile gaming and want to take it to the next level, the Backbone One is a must-have. I can’t recommend it enough!

I rarely write reviews, but the performance of this product truly surprised me, so I wanted to share my thoughts.First, this controller completely meets my expectations. It works well for playing various games on a mobile phone, is lightweight, and provides a comfortable grip. However, the buttons require more force to press compared to a standard controller. This is particularly noticeable when using it with a PC, as I usually rest the controller on my lap while playing. Due to its slim design, pressing the buttons in this position can be slightly inconvenient. That said, this issue doesn’t occur when playing on a mobile phone, as the controller is supported by your hands, which provides better leverage.This controller is lightweight and portable, and I carried it with me every day during the first week after purchasing it to play during my free time. However, despite being lightweight, its relatively large size makes it less convenient to carry around without a bag. Even if you use a bag, you’ll need to be cautious to avoid damaging it.The biggest downside is the additional costs. Besides the nearly $100 price tag for the controller, you may need to pay an annual subscription fee of $40 to unlock extra features, such as connecting it to devices like an iPad or PC. Additionally, to play most PC games, you’ll need a GeForce Now subscription, which costs $20 per month. Altogether, this adds up to around $160 for the full experience. If you’re only planning to play mobile games, you can save the extra $60, but you’ll still face limitations. In comparison, traditional controllers cost between $60 and $150, offering better value and more functionality.Another drawback is the lack of vibration feedback, which diminishes the overall gaming experience. Overall, if there weren’t additional costs, I would be more inclined to recommend this controller. Therefore, before purchasing, make sure to clarify your needs. If your primary focus is on PC gaming, I recommend choosing a traditional controller. It’s more durable, doesn’t require additional subscriptions, and offers a better overall experience.

The following critiques will be faily split between PS Remote Play testing results and the Backbone peripheral itself, which is an A+ highly recommended device for Playstation/Xbox players, and maybe the small (?) population of Steam users who aren't quite on board spending >$500 on the impeccable Steamdeck yet would like an occasional time away from the keyboard and mouse. It may not be a return to the days of the underrated Playstation Vita, but it's close enough.Pros- Controller is an almost 1:1 of the Switch joycons in terms of scale and layout (not ideal for big boy hands like mine) which took alot of adjusting to despite the brand's console-specific face buttons(ABCs for Xbox, XYOs for Playstation) and matching triggers to emulate the respected controller aesthetics. Analog sticks match the feel of the standard first party joycon so least it doesn't have a cheap click to it but time can only tell.- The Backbone app is very user-friendly and comfortable. More or less an imitation of the Gamepass and PS Network UIs put together but you can easily switch between Playstation, Gamepass, and Steam apps via the dedicated red home button on the right handed grip. Navigating is simple and the app offers an in-house directory for platform game streaming, F2P base games, and even social media features if you're into that sort of thing. Pretty cool stuff and although I'm only going to go straight to PS5 play or Steam Link, I appreciate the effort they put into making Backbone a serious companion to all platforms.- Concerning actual gameplay, latency is rock solid for most games sans a few exceptions, maybe a few milliseconds off. On remote play, I ran at 720p to maintain steady frame rate without harsh drops. It's been reported here and there that the Backbone SORT OF has a hand in making the remote experience as smooth as relatively possible compared to a non-Backbone method. Might be a theory but point is, had practically no major issues. Tested games such as GRID Legends, Returnal, Doom, NHL 22, Resident Evil 4 in addition to some older 3D games and turn-based RPGs which this is perfect for.- Compatibility with PS+, Gamepass, Steam Link, Google Play, annnnnd yes, the wide wide world of emulators. A tremendous positive it shares with the Steamdeck. Enough said.Minor Cons- Going back to the controller design, the thumbsticks could be a little larger because shooters will lead to some sore appendages for bigger hands like mine after maybe half an hour of constant playing. So this is purely subjective; I tried applying removable thumb attachments but they didn't fully fit and they fell off easily.- Touchpad optimization is non-existent for the controller for obvious reasons however a little back button could remedy this. Otherwise, given the wide length of the attachment plus phone it is a real chore holding the Backbone in one hand so you can press the middle of your smartphone's touchscreen with the other. Not a design or manufacturer flaw and I don't know if there's a solution for it either considering the way Sony implemented that in their own dedicated app (which Backbone mirrors via its own app). It is the only noticeable tangible problem though.- Lastly, from an exclusive streaming/remote play experience, the Backbone's peak of its potential completely hinges on your router distance and ISP plan. The farther away you are from the gateway, the more hangups you'll get not to mention stuttering pixelation quality. I read that using a smartphone's data and wi-fi still does plenty of heavy lifting to run decently unlike the stupid >$400 Playstation Portal which operates way worse on very specific hardware only on wi-fi.This is in no way influenced by the hardware whatsoever BUT be cautioned if you are purchasing the controller for entirely streaming.So to conclude, for what is an official Sony and Microsoft endorsed $60 (Black Friday sale) peripheral that is compatible with any USB-C smartphone and functions with the premier gaming services (plus Google Play emulators)...Backbone is not a bad investment at all to say the very least.Highly recommended, just make sure it's suitable to your gaming needs.