BACKBONE One Mobile Gaming Controller for iPhone 14, Lightning, 2nd Gen

The Backbone is nearly perfect for what it's designed to do. The controller is comfy, lightweight and the buttons/analogs feel snappy and responsive. It attaches and detaches to the iPhone simply and quickly, and immediately goes to work once attached. I gave this five stars because I am loving it and having a blast, but there are actually a few (very minor) drawbacks: 1. Even with the adapters that come with the Backbone, I have to take my phone out of its case. I'm even using a low-profile Spigen hard case, and the lightning plug just won't reach all the way with the case on. Not a huge setback but a little disappointing. 2. The "Start" and "Select" buttons (ellipsis and stacked lines) are accompanied by an orange system button and a screenshot button on the right and left sides, respectively. If you're doing Xbox Remote Play and you try to pause a game or bring up a menu in-game, you're very likely to hit one of the Backbone buttons (orange or screenshot), which immediately kicks you over to the Backbone app and ends your Remote Play session. I accidentally do this about half the time. It's REALLY annoying. As I get used to the Backbone I am doing this less, so it's really a personal preference thing, but still. I kill my Remote session constantly and have to reconnect while I'm in the heart of the action playing a game. You might be able to re-map these buttons but I haven't gotten that far yet. Overall, I love the product and recommend it. Worth the money and very very fun!

I'm going to preface this by saying my son has only been using this for 4 days so I can't speak to durability, but so far, it seems to be a good product. I bought this on Black Friday for my son after his the screen on his Switch went out as a cheaper alternative that would allow him to play more of the games he enjoys as he gets older. A couple of things I want to clarify because it either wasn't addressed in the reviews I read or there was back and forth in the reviews I read: 1. My son has an iPhone and X-Box, so those are the devices and platforms he's working with. 2. You DO NOT need the Backbone app or subscription to use the Backbone. 3. You can play SOME games like Fortnite and Roblox by just connecting your phone and opening the game. 4. To use this with the X-Box gaming app, you DO need an X-Box Game Pass *Ultimate* subscription to have cloud gaming. 5. My son has not had any issues with lagging once the game is open, but does sometimes have issues getting the games to open with the Backbone connected. We haven't really figured out why it's doing this, but closing everything out, disconnecting, and reconnecting *usually* works.

Great gaming device. Super compact and easy to travel with. I just wish I would have gotten the USB-C one instead of the lightening one because I upgraded my phone after I received my backbone. You have to pay for their backbone subscription if you want to play most games. Thankfully Fortnite is an apple app now so you can play that free but the backbone server is faster than regular service. Overall great product with no complaints. I usually play games on XBOX and the buttons and sticks translate well. Great price.

This was an accidental purchase that I came to love. It made playing my mobile games a bit more enjoyable. I will say there is a bit of a learning curve when getting it set up but once you do, it’s great. PROS: -Fits comfortably in your hands -Doesn’t need to be charged -Doesn’t require much energy from your phone -Works well with PS app, Xbox cloud play, and other mobile games -Collapsable and takes up little space in your bag -No input lags CONS: -Cannot be used with a phone case (having to take a case on and off does get annoying. Speaking towards IPhone 14 Pro Max) -Requires a subscription to use as a standalone controller (I.e. plugging it into an IPad or computer) -A subscription service through backbone is required for cloud play. If not for the subscription services that are required, it would be a 5 star product. I personally am not that hardcore of a gamer to pay an extra fee to play my games on the go. Otherwise it is worth it.

Google joystick drift issues, as I should have. They are fairly common and unfortunately, I had it happen very early (purchased may 11th, stopped working July 7th) on in the ownership of this product. One day it works, then you have a button hitting it self without your input. Then the joystick drifts and you’re SOL. The calibration doesn’t help much in their app, but it’s nice for lesser issues I’d imagine. I personally would put your money into “cheaper” alternatives. I didn’t game on this for more than 10 hours a week and I stored it on its back without the joysticks being pressed upon anything. Very very disappointing after paying $100ish dollars for this.

Works really well and makes gaming on the phone much more comfortable. Controls feel responsive and easy to use. Definitely worth it if you like playing on your phone.

Stellar handheld device for 12 months, then shortly after the 12 month warranty, half of the left side became inoperative and the joystick would not calibrate. Forums indicate the ribbon connector that connects the sides can become damaged. With less than 50 hours on the controller, this is unacceptable. I can’t get support from Amazon and the Backbone store does not have customer support on the Amazon app.

I’ve had a few of these phone controllers and they always feel like McDonald happy meal toys. The backbone feels like an actual Xbox controller and not just a cheap knock off. It may be more expensive than the other phone controllers on the market. But non of the other controllers have a market place like the backbone. The option to play my PC games on my phone is also incredible, they don’t look as good as they do on the PC. But it’s nice to have the option. Overall I would say this controller was worth what I paid for it. I was pondering buying it for year because I wasn’t sure if it was worth it, but I can say it was.

excelente

Good! Recommend!

Su iPhone funziona benissimo, è riconosciuto da quasi tutti i giochi e cambia totalmente l'esperienza di gioco. Molto solido e di qualità. Per gli appassionati è un acquisto imprescindibile.

Gamepad sensacional, deixa nada a desejar comparado com os controles do Playstation, Xbox e Nintendo. Na minha opinião o único ponto "negativo" são os botões não serem retro-iluminados, mas isso não interfere em nada na experiência do jogador! O controle é facil configurar, tem excelente ergonomia, tamanho vai cada um, pra mim está ótimo! Estou muito muito feliz com a minha, no início achei que era mais um daqueles controles Xing-ling mas eu surpreendi totalmente! Com certeza eu recomendo esse produto, estou muito feliz com minha compra!

I have absolutely zero regrets buying one of these I love it Allows me to play my Xbox games anywhere in the house Seems like very good quality Very straightforward Couldn’t ask for better Literally turns ur phone into a gaming system