BACKBONE One Mobile Gaming Controller for iPhone 14 & Older (Lightning) 2nd Gen, Phone Controller, Play Xbox, PlayStation, PC, App Games & More (With 3 Months of Apple Arcade Access)

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.

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 is it. This is the one. Just read the descriptions to see what I’m talking about. The thing that got my interest was when it was said it feels like the switch control buttons, quick and not loud. This is correct as it does feel like a controller made for a console and not cheap. Anyway great quality device, quiet buttons not loud, headphone jack, and it can fit on your phone with a case. Only things to note, no turbo button and the R2 + L2 buttons are analog. Yeah get this if you’re looking for something that doesn’t feel like a toy controller. But no turbo button …

I purchased my backbone USB-C gen 2 back in January of 2025 and just last night the left side became glitchy and eventually stopped working. I loved the build and feel of the product, and even liked that the product company is based in my home state of Oregon, however after the about 9 months of use the left side was no longer functional. I never charged using the controller as charging while playing a game is never the best idea for a battery anyway. I attempted to blow dust out at first thinking it was just the joystick as they appear to be the same as the joysticks in the Joy-Cons. This worked briefly when the D-Pad began to not function or the left stick would act like it was being moved, despite being in the neutral position. When the Product was stretched out (like to put phone in) the issue would stop. It appears that there is a design flaw with the ribbon cable that connects the left and right sides and likely has become pinched or causing some short within the bridge itself. I was considering reaching out to support for a replacement, however after several reviews and reading on Reddit, it appears that this is a common trouble that is still needing addressed. I give 4 stars as I love the overall build and the functionality, however due to the product not lasting a full year. I was able to purchase some replacement cables https://a.co/d/5y1rYLa Which allowed me to repair mine for next to nothing

Absolutely love this, super fun and easy to use. Had to buy this one with a c-type after I changed phones from a lightning charger phone. Great for car rides and any mobile gaming.

This product works even better than I could have hoped for! I haven't had it for very long, but overall, I'm quite impressed with it. The only downside I had with it was putting my phone inside for the first time. I have a phone case with a magnetic part that sticks out slightly, which made it difficult to fit by default. But then I learned that you can remove part of the grip, and then it fit perfectly after that. You can also change out the grip to hold better for people who don't use a phone case, which is a nice option. While I've tried it with some modern games, I mainly wanted to get it for emulator use and it worked right away without any long setup or tedious button mapping required. I think the sticks might take a little getting used to, but the d-pad feels really good to use, same with the trigger buttons. The face buttons are a bit stiffer than I would have expected, but not overly so. I was curious if the controller would drain my phone battery quickly or not, but that didn't seem to be an issue. I highly recommend it!

I recently purchased the Backbone One Mobile Gaming Controller, and it has completely transformed my mobile gaming experience. The setup was straightforward—just plug in my iPhone, and I was ready to play. The controller feels very comfortable in the hand, and the tactile feedback from the analog sticks is excellent—responsive and satisfying to use, much like a traditional console controller. Pros: Seamless Integration: Works flawlessly with my iPhone, providing a console-like gaming experience. Ergonomic Design: Comfortable to hold during extended gaming sessions. Tactile Analog Sticks: Great feedback that enhances control and precision. Low Latency: Responsive controls with minimal input delay. Pass-Through Charging: Allows me to charge my phone while gaming, ensuring uninterrupted play. Backbone App Access: Provides a hub for all my games, game recommendations, and social features. Cons: Price Point: Slightly on the expensive side, but the quality justifies the cost. Final Thoughts: If you're a mobile gamer looking to elevate your gameplay, the Backbone One is an excellent investment. It offers a seamless and immersive gaming experience that enhances every game I play.

Parfait pour jouer à son téléphone Produit ultra bien fini

Hasta que no se usa y lo tienes en tus manos puedes darte cuenta de lo necesario y práctico que es el control para disfrutar tus juegos móviles al máximo, literalmente este artículo convierte el celular en una consola portátil del más alto nivel y la funcionalidad de la aplicación es simplemente impresionante. Una maravilla.

انا العب بلاستيشن ريموت بلاي وستيم ريموت بلاي جدااا ممتازه للي يحبون يلعبون العابهم قبل النوم بعيد عند الاجهزه طبعا كله يعتمد على سرعت اتصالك اما العاب الجوال مالي فيها فاماجربتها للأمانه

Ce n’est pas ce que je voullais