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The mobile device in your pocket can serve as an unexpectedly adaptable gaming appliance, although admittedly, touchscreen controls aren’t ideal. Luckily, there’s a vast selection of accessories you can attach to your phone, and this innovative magnetic case from MCon seems poised to achieve the perfect balance between practicality and compact design. Now available for preorder at $145 (originally $150), the MCon is tailored to accommodate “most” smartphones using its magnetic clamps.
MCon Magnetic Smartphone Gaming Controller
$145 (originally $150)
Beyond being a convenient device, the MCon boasts advanced technology within. It features foldable grips for ergonomic support, Hall-Effect analog triggers, GameSir anti-stick drift joysticks, and an integrated gyroscope for motion controls. Another impressive characteristic of this controller is its button-activated slider that elevates your phone into gaming orientation with a single fluid motion. Kickback Mode permits you to detach the control cover and tilt your phone for tabletop gaming.
The controller is compatible with games played in Portrait Mode, and it includes all the inputs one would expect for contemporary gaming. The device also has silent face buttons and connects to your phone using two magnetic pucks to prevent your camera bumps from interfering with the controller, guaranteeing a stable fit. When not in use, the MCon measures only 5.67 inches long, 2.67 inches wide, and under three-quarters of an inch thick, making it easy to store in your pocket. It comes in preorder options of white or black.
The MCon was initially funded through a Kickstarter initiative that surpassed its original funding target of $25,000, amassing over $1.7 million in crowdfunding. Part of the attraction of the device is its user-friendly construction, as manufacturer Oh Snap crafted it to be moddable, upgradeable, and reparable. Smartphone controllers have gained traction over the last few years, partly owing to subscription services like Netflix and Crunchyroll providing a library of games for members to access, and numerous brands offer high-quality accessories like this.
One of the largest is Backbone, which currently markets controllers that are also portable and enhance mobile gaming experiences. The company recently announced a collaboration with Hideo Kojima’s studio to create a Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Backbone controller, but if you’re in a hurry, the Backbone One featuring a USB-C connection is offered for $100, and for older iPhones, the Backbone One with a Lightning connector is available for the same price.
The Backbone Ones have a robust design, but if you seek a more premium controller with superior components inside, the company’s elite smartphone controller–the Backbone Pro–deserves consideration, featuring Hall Effect triggers, quiet face buttons, and full-sized ALPS analog sticks.
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