Backbone has updated its lineup ofmobile gaming controllerswith theBackbone Pro, featuring multiple connectivity options and a new design. The company has been developing the Backbone Pro for about three years and has gone through more than 9,000 part iterations as well as over 30 user studies to finally come up with the design and features, including full-size joysticks.
If you’re looking for the latest and greatest in the mobile controller sphere, checking out what the Backbone Pro has to offer is the right move.
Backbone Pro: Specifications and Features
The new mobile gaming controller from Backbone brings several improvements over its predecessor, as the Pro moniker suggests. Most handheld mobile gaming controllers that have the ability to attach the phone in teh center come with shorter, more compact joysticks, which is not the most comfortable experience. The Backbone Pro fixes this issue withfull-size ALPS joystickswithout making the controller bulky.
With these, the Backbone Pro feels more like a regular controller in the hand and the company has tested the experience with the help of professional players and industry veterans. There are alsoremappable buttonsthat can be customized through the Backbone app that is available on both Android and iOS.
Another standout feature of the Backbone Pro is the two connectivity options. It has a handheld mode where the phone is physically connected to the controller via theUSB-Cand a wireless mode where it uses aBluetooth connection. The wireless connection allows it to be used with phones, tablets, laptops, VR headsets, and smart TVs. This is made possible thanks to the internal battery that is said to lastup to 40 hours. It should be noted that because of the USB-C connection, iPhones with Lightning ports will have to rely on Bluetooth to use the controller.
The Backbone app lets players create and save profiles for specific games and devices, as well as pair with new screens. Furthermore, it supports App Store games (including Apple Arcade, Netflix games), Remote Play services (Xbox Remote Play, Steam Link), and cloud gaming services (Nvidia GeForce NOW). There is also a built-in emulator for those who enjoy playing retro games. The Backbone+ subscription gives users access to a rotating library of free games with enhanced features for the Backbone Pro.
The controller supports Android and iPhone 15/16 with or without a case and has magnetic adapters that allow for a snug fit.
Maneet Khaira, the founder and CEO of Backbone states in the press release, “We believe the future of gaming transcends individual devices. With Backbone Pro, you’re able to experience the excitement and connection of gaming on any screen with just a single device.”
Backbone Pro: Price and Availability
The Backbone Pro is priced at$170and is available via theofficial website, though it is currently out of stock. There is a single black color option. At that price, it is a premium offering and the company has the original Backbone Onepriced at $100, but that does not allow for Bluetooth connectivity. This means those with older iPhones will need to get the Lightning version while others can opt for the USB-C variant. There is no Lightning version with the Backbone Pro.
