While there is no shortage of mobile game controller options to choose from out there, it’s my duty to keep bringing interesting ones to your attention so you can find the best possible model for your needs.

Today’s specimen is the G8 Galileo by GameSir, an extendable gamepad grip for the entire iPhone 15 series and most Android 8.0+ smartphones with a USB-C port.

Its anti-drift joysticks and precision-tuned analog triggers are all outfitted with smooth and responsive Hall Effect sensors for console-level pinpoint control that gives you a competitive edge in any style of game.

Meanwhile, the actual USB-C jack on the controller swivels up and down to allow for easier phone connection/removal, and in this way helps ensure the longevity of both devices.

The G8 allows for passthrough charging for those longer gaming sessions, and you have the choice of using either wired (3.5mm) or Bluetooth headphones for the best in-game audio feedback.

It comes with three extra thumbsticks (small, tall, and dome) that can be changed out as desired, and swappable magnetic faceplates allow you to customize the look of your controller.

As of August 17th, 2024 you can get the GameSir G8 Galileo on sale for $73 on Amazon (down from $100).

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Razer has once again released a new addition to their popular “Kishi” family of mobile gaming controller grips: the Kishi Ultra, which boasts a truly full-sized form factor and more pro-grade console features than its relatively compact predecessors.

This larger size allows the Kishi Ultra to accomodate a wider variety of devices than ever, including small tablets:

• iPhone 15
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPad Mini (6th gen)
• Android phones running Android 12 or higher (and have a USB-C port)
• Android tablets up to 8″ (also with a USB-C port)

Even without a device cradled in it, the Kishi Ultra can be used as a standalone low-latency controller by wiring it to a laptop or iPad via USB-C, in which case you’ll still have support for haptic vibrations and 3.5 mm audio.

Whatever platform you decide to play on, you’ll appreciate the console-sized Hall Effect triggers backed by additional bumpers for greater control, the full-sized pro-grade analog thumb sticks made of medical-grade rubber and with anti-friction rings, programmable L4 and R4 multifunction buttons, and the high amount of customization you have over haptic strength, button remapping, RGB light effects, and more.

Get the Razer Kishi Ultra for $150 on Amazon and enjoy a true console gaming experience on mobile.

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The Backbone One, arguably the world’s best smartphone controller grip in the mobile gaming space, has just introduced their next-generation model for both USB-C and Lightning phones.

With its newly increased bridge extension and the inclusion of swappable magnetic adapter pads, the second-gen Backbone One addresses one of the more common complaints suffered by the original BB1, now supporting a wider range of phones and cases than ever.

Unless the case you use is the chunkiest kind imaginable, you should now be able to pop your phone into the controller grip, game to your heart’s content, and put it back away without ever having to futz around with case removal. It seems a small change but it makes all the difference.

Also new in the 2nd gen is a reshaped D-pad and updated face buttons for enhanced responsiveness and input precision. No matter what genre you play, you’ll feel that much more in control of what’s going on in-game.

Get the Backbone One V2 phone controller grip for $100 on Amazon in your choice of…

• Lightning: Black (Standard ABXY) or White (PlayStation)
• USB-C: Black (Standard ABXY) or White (PlayStation)

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The mobile game controller market is ever growing and increasing in diversity, and Hong Kong-based hardware company 8BitDo certainly hasn’t slouched in this arena. Just before last fall, they released three versions of their “Ultimate” controller at once:

• The Ultimate Bluetooth ($70) — Compatible with Windows 10, Nintendo Switch, and Steam Deck.
• The Ultimate 2.4g ($50) — Compatible with Windows 10, Android, Raspberry Pi, Steam Deck, and now with the latest firmware, most Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV).
• The Ultimate wired ($30) — Compatible with pretty much anything with a USB-C port (barring Apple devices, as far as I can tell).

The first two of those include a charging dock (for obvious reasons, the wired one doesn’t need it) that gives your controller a stable resting place whenever you’re not gaming, and happens to double as storage for the included 2.4g adapter:

All three models can be completely customized to your liking on the software side, including button mapping, stick/trigger sensitivity, vibration power, and yes, button macros — all of which can be saved across three different controller profiles that you can switch between at the press of a button.

In typical 8BitDo fashion, all three controllers are built to the highest standards, with attention paid to how they feel in the hand, as well as the tactile response of all buttons. They just feel great to play with, and they’ve even got two extra “Pro” buttons on the back (P1 and P2) that are ideal for assigning those aforementioned macros to (or whatever else you like).

Check out the full family of Ultimate controllers on Amazon, where you’ll also notice new editions (sans charging docks) called the “Ultimate C” 2.4g and “Ultimate C” wired that come in bright, Spring-friendly pastel colors but are more simplified in terms of feature set (essentially, they can’t be software-customized like the others).

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In today’s edition of “It’s me, I’m the target audience,” NYXI’s upcoming “Wizard” Joy-Pad for Nintendo Switch is a wireless joy-con that takes obvious inspiration from the original GameCube controller — and it looks awesome.

Now, there are already GameCube-style Switch controllers out there, but the Wizard Joy-Pad has several features to set it apart. For starters, it boasts a split pad design, meaning you can play with it either in standalone controller form (pictured below) or with your Switch or Switch OLED console inserted in the center.

The Wizard also features illuminated ABXY buttons, “Hall Effect” joysticks to eliminate any possibility of stick drift even after heavy use, interchangeable joystick rings (i.e. a set of round ones for racing games and a set of octagonal ones for fighting games), adjustable vibration/rumble, and trigger buttons (ZR and ZL) that are light, quiet, low-resistance, and have short trigger distances for faster shooting.

In short, this controller isn’t just a blast from the past in terms of looks, it’s also designed with modern high-level gamers in mind.

You can pre-order the Wizard Joy-Pad for $70 USD from the NYXI site, after which it should ship to you within 2–3 months (as of January 30th, 2023).

Pre-order

After nearly two years since its release, the original Backbone One game controller for iPhone continues to enjoy its position as one of the mobile gaming controllers to have if you’re going to buy one. It’s certainly gotten a lot of love on r/iosgaming ever since.

And now things are looking up once again as Backbone has teamed up with Sony to release an elegant PlayStation edition of the controller, with a new look inspired by Sony’s own DualSense 5.

As Sony’s announcement post will tell you, you can use the PS Remote Play app in conjunction with the Backbone One to play PS5/PS4 games from your iPhone, anywhere you are in the world…but that’s nothing new really. It’s the look of this controller that will entice gamers to buy, and speaking as a lifelong PlayStation fan, it’s definitely working on me.

Oh, and the Backbone One app also now includes a bit of a customized PlayStation experience for anyone using this edition of the controller, but again, I don’t think that’s what anyone’s here for.

You can buy the PlayStation Edition Backbone One right now for $100 on Amazon, the same price as the original black edition.

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Coming in hot on the tail of Razer’s Kishi V2 gaming controller for Android, PowerA has released their own MOGA XP7-X Plus controller at the same price point to ensure the competition in this space remains fierce (in a healthy way).

Like the Kishi, the XP7-X Plus extends widely to wrap securely around whatever Android smartphone you have, at least up to 7.13” (181.1mm). But unlike the Kishi, it has its own built-in 2,000mAh power bank + wireless charging pad so your phone stays topped up throughout your gaming session and beyond. Compared to the Kishi’s simple passthrough charging feature, this is a true mobile gaming upgrade.

What’s more, the XP7-X Plus comes with a removable stand that you can set your phone or even a tablet (!) onto for tabletop gaming, anywhere you are.

If you choose to, you can also use the controller to play games on Windows 10/11. And whether you play on PC or mobile, because this is an officially licensed Xbox controller, you have access to cloud gaming via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (see this Reddit wiki for all relevant setup guides). Very cool.

On the back of the controller are a pair of mappable “Advanced Gaming” buttons — right and left, labeled ‘AGR’ and ‘AGL’ respectively — that can be programmed on the fly, even in the middle of playing a game. Should make gamers of all stripes happy.

Get the PowerA XP7-X Plus for $100 on Amazon.

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We don’t put a whole lot of focus on Android-specific stuff around here at Blanc Media, seeing as our whole team is a bunch of Apple nerds through and through. However, we also know Android users make up the vast majority of the global smartphone market, and just as there’s a pretty healthy iOS gaming ecosystem, Android has its own fanbase of diehard gamers — and a larger one, at that.

That’s why today we’re pointing out the new “V2” release of Razer’s Kishi controller, currently available only for USB-C Android phones (with an iOS/Lightning version slated for release in Fall 2022).

Like the original version, the Kishi V2 brings console-class gaming to your smartphone, but they’ve made some improvements to the overall design and feel, featuring…

• Cutting-edge tactile microswitch buttons and an improved D-pad with mechanical clicks, all brought over from their own Wolverine V2 console controller.
• A new dedicated Share button for capturing stills or recording game footage that can be shared elsewhere.
• Dual multifunction buttons (each one placed next to a respective shoulder trigger) that can be programmed with macros that replicate other buttons on the controller so you never have to take your thumb off the right analog joystick to access ABXY functionality. Perfect for you more competitive gamers out there.
• A more stable and snug-fitting ‘bridge’ behind your phone, which happens to offer compatibility with more devices than the old Kishi.

Essentially, every component of the V2 is an evolution over the previous model. Get yours for $100 on Amazon and try it for yourself!

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If you enjoy gaming on your phone and happen to own a wireless Xbox controller that could be used for that purpose, then OtterBox’s mobile gaming clip is an accessory you really ought to have around. It’s a sturdy arm that attaches to the controller and presents a “floating” phone grip above the buttons, creating a kind of portable console experience that you can carry anywhere.

One nice thing is that when detached from a controller, the clip can act as a standalone…er, stand:

Get this well-made mobile gaming clip for $30 on Amazon.

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The world of mobile gaming controllers is heating up once again: Today marks the release of the new Pro 2 controller by 8BitDo!

Smartphone clip not included.

Like the SN30 Pro+ before it, the Pro 2 sort of resembles a cross between the original PS1 controller with the classic SNES one — except now, they’ve added two rear buttons (P1 and P2) that, like all the existing buttons, can be mapped to any function or macro you desire.

There’s also a button between the two front joysticks that lets you switch between three custom profiles on the fly, along with a 4-way mode switch on the back that lets you instantly swap between paired devices like the Nintendo Switch, Mac, etc.

As part of this launch, 8BitDo is debuting an accompanying smartphone clip (pictured above) and a carrying case (below) that can hold both that clip and the Pro 2 controller, along with cables and such.

Carrying case sold separately.

Get the 8BitDo Pro 2 controller for $50 on Amazon in your choice of Gray, “G Classic” (white with magenta input buttons), or Black.

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Released a few weeks ago near the end of October 2020, the Backbone One is a new controller that transforms your iPhone into a next-level gaming device.

Let’s start with their launch trailer, which is pretty great:

Similar to the Razer Kishi, the Backbone One extends to fit any sized iPhone running iOS 13 or later, from the 6s all the way up to the 12 Pro Max. However, the BB1 looks and feels even nicer, with a svelte profile that feels more akin to playing on a Switch, and they claim it uses less power than a pair of Lightning earbuds would.

But it doesn’t just stop at the hardware.

The Backbone One was designed to be an all-in-one gaming platform, and they achieve that through the Backbone companion app, which acts as a live gaming service where you can…

• Launch straight into your favorite controller-supported games.
• Voice chat with friends across games.
• Get push notifications when any of them gets online so you can effortlessly join them in-game.
• …and more.

It’s slick as all get-out.

The controller has an orange Backbone button that opens the app instantly to make this all as seamless as possible. It also has a built-in Capture button for easily screenshotting and/or recording your gameplay (at 1080p/30fps HEVC/H.265), which you can then share with anyone or publish anywhere you like. It even auto-highlights the most action-packed parts of your clips for you!

It’s kind of unbelievable how much polish has gone into this controller + app experience, start-to-finish. This is truly best-in-class stuff like you’d expect from console gaming, but for the iPhone. The app alone feels like what Apple’s Game Center should’ve always been.

I recommend reading The Verge’s review for more details.

Get the Backbone One controller for $99.

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As of a few days ago, Razer’s long-awaited “Kishi” game controller for smartphones is finally on the market and ready to help take your mobile gaming to the next level.

This company is known for their gaming hardware and accessories, so it’s no surprise that they brought a high level of polish to the Kishi. With models compatible with both iPhone and Android, the controller connects directly to your device’s charging port rather than via Bluetooth (like PS3 and Xbox One controllers do), so there’s absolutely no latency between you pushing a button and the thing happening onscreen — it’s instant and buttery smooth, as it should be.

Since the controller expands and collapses to fit your needs, it should fit most iPhone models just fine. If you have a case on it though, you may find that it doesn’t fit just because of that. Something to keep in mind.

Being able to squeeze down so small makes it very easy to keep in your bag when you’re not gaming.

Like any console controller, the Kishi has the full array of face and bumper buttons you need, along with clickable analog joysticks (L3/R3) for games that support such things.

They’ve got a total of three models to choose from:

• iPhone ($100)
• Android ($80)
• Android (Xbox) ($100) — Features Xbox-style buttons. No telling yet if they’re going to release a version like this for iPhone.

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Introduced a little over a month ago, Anker’s PowerCore Play 6K is essentially an iPhone/Android power bank in the shape of an ergonomic gaming grip. It’s not a ‘controller’ per se, as there are no buttons on it anywhere. The point is more to keep your phone battery topped up while you play certain games (meaning, those in landscape orientation) more comfortably than if you were holding the device alone.

The “6K” in its name refers to the 6,700mAh of juice the battery can hold, which is enough to fully charge all iPhone models at least twice. The handgrips can be extended to accommodate phones of various sizes, and an integrated fan on the back keeps your device cool while you play even the most graphic-intensive titles.

On the top of the gamepad are a USB-A port and a USB-C port (both 15W), either of which can be used to recharge the battery pack between gaming sessions.

Get the PowerCore Play 6K for $40 on Amazon.

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Back before the iOS 13 update opened up access to using PS4/DualShock 4 controllers and Xbox One wireless controllers for gaming on the iPhone and iPad, the SteelSeries Nimbus was considered the best MFi-certified game controller. The major downside of the Nimbus was that its joysticks couldn’t be clicked (L3/R3).

Now SteelSeries have introduced their Nimbus+ controller to be more on par with its PS4 and Xbox cousins.

The Nimbus+ not only adds clickable joysticks, but also new “Hall Effect” magnetic-sensor triggers, two more dedicated navigation buttons (“Options” and “Menu”) in addition to the “Home” one, and a new 50-hour battery (up from 40).

The Nimbus+ also includes a mount for attaching your iPhone directly onto the controller so you can play more comfortably and seamlessly:

Like the previous model, the Nimbus+ can be charged via the Lightning cable you already have. It’s really the full package, so if you’re truly into gaming on the go, do yourself a favor and pick one of these up for $70 on Amazon.

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As fun as the Nintendo Switch is to play, it’s not the most ergonomic of handheld gaming devices. With the addition of the Ergo Grip by YōK, you get a much more natural-feeling, cramp-free hold of this portable console, especially if you’ve got larger hands than most. A few hours playing with this add-on, and you’ll never want to pick up the Switch again without it.

I appreciate the five game cartridge slots on the back, which make it easy to always have your favorite rotation of games with you. The only major caveat is that you can’t dock the Switch while it’s on, so you’ll want to be careful of breaking any plastic tabs if you’re going to be installing and removing it a lot.

Get the Ergo Grip for just $15 on Amazon. (Note: It is not compatible with the Switch Lite — only the standard model.)

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