The smartphone in your pocket can be a surprisingly versatile gaming device, but admittedly, touchscreen controls aren’t the best. Fortunately, there’s a wide range of accessories that you can equip to your phone, and this new magnetic case from MCon looks like it’ll hit the Goldilocks zone for functionality and compact design. Now available to preorder for $145 (was $150), the MCon is designed to fit “most” phones using its magnetic clamps.
$145 (was $150)
In addition to being a pocket-friendly device, the MCon features some high-end technology inside it. It has deployable grips for ergonomic comfort, Hall-Effect analog triggers, GameSir anti-stick drift joysticks, and a built-in gyroscope for motion controls. Another cool feature with this controller is that it has a button-activated slider that raises your phone into playing position with a single smooth motion. Kickback Mode allows you to remove the control cover and prop your phone up for tabletop play.
The controller also supports games that are played in Portrait Mode, and it features all the inputs you’d expect for modern-day gaming. The device also has silent face buttons, and it attaches to your phone with two magnetic pucks to keep your camera bumps away from the controller, ensuring a level fit. When not in use, the MCon measures just 5.67 inches long, 2.67 inches wide, and under three-quarters of an inch thick, to make it easy to store in your pocket. It’s available to preorder in white or black.
The MCon was originally funded through a Kickstarter campaign that blew past its initial funding goal of $25,000, earning over $1.7 million in crowdfunding. Part of the appeal for the device is that it has a user-friendly design, as manufacturer Oh Snap designed it to be moddable, upgradeable, and repairable. Smartphone controllers have become popular over the last couple of years, thanks in part to subscription services like Netflix and Crunchyroll offering a library of games for members to access, and there are several brands out there that offer high-quality add-ons like this.
One of the biggest is Backbone, as it currently sells controllers that are also portable and make mobile gaming a more pleasant experience. The company recently announced a collaboration with Hideo Kojima’s studio to produce a Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Backbone controller, but if you’re in a rush, the Backbone One with a USB-C connection is available for $100, and for older iPhones, the Backbone One with a Lightning connection is available at the same price.
The Backbone Ones have a solid design, but if you’re looking for a more premium controller with better parts inside, the company’s premium smartphone controller–the Backbone Pro–is worth considering, with Hall Effect triggers, quiet face buttons, and full-sized ALPS analog sticks.
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