Mobile gaming has grown from quick distractions to console-level adventures, though touch controls often miss the mark on precision and ease. Step up the Backbone Pro, a $169.99 controller from a Portland outfit that’s been sharpening mobile gaming gear since 2020.
Boasting dual-connectivity, ergonomic upgrades, and a companion app that’s more a central hub than an add-on, the Backbone Pro stands out in a packed field. Backbone’s debut, the Backbone One, wowed with its sleek look and direct USB-C link, mimicking a Nintendo Switch vibe for phones. Now, the Pro levels up that base with some solid upgrades. It keeps the familiar stretchy design that grips your phone, but it’s a bit bigger at 4.1 by 7 by 1.4 inches and 7.02 ounces sans rubber bits.
GameSir G8 Galileo Type-C Mobile Gaming Controller for Android & iPhone 15 Series (USB-C), Plug and Play…
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The grips are chunkier and cozier, packing dual rechargeable batteries that stretch playtime to 40 hours. “The future of gaming breaks beyond single devices,” says Backbone founder and CEO Maneet Khaira. “Backbone Pro lets gamers feel the thrill and link-up of gaming on any screen with one gadget.”
The Pro’s dual-connectivity edge sets it apart: Handheld Mode hooks up via a lag-free USB-C tie to phones, while Wireless Mode taps Bluetooth to sync with PCs, smart TVs, and even VR headsets. This adaptability rides on what Backbone dubs FlowState Technology, a perk in the revamped app that swaps between paired devices on the fly.
The app doubles as a universal launchpad, pulling in games from the App Store, Xbox Remote Play, Steam Link, and cloud spots like Nvidia GeForce Now. It even tosses in a built-in emulator for retro fun, though some reviewers say free emulators elsewhere pack more punch.
Comfort got a big focus. The Pro ditches the Backbone One’s sunken thumbsticks for full-size ones, using classic ALPS-type sensors instead of the Hall effect triggers some rivals sport. The face buttons and D-pad get a softer, quieter tweak, edging closer to the feel of Sony’s DualSense. Two remappable back buttons per grip add flexibility, letting you tweak controls for specific games through the app’s profile setup. Bigger triggers and a plus-shaped D-pad cap the tactile upgrades, giving the Pro a pricier vibe than its forerunner. “We’ve rebuilt it from scratch,” Khaira notes, highlighting its leap to a cozier, console-like feel.
Beyond switching devices and remapping, it now supports a wider platform range, making your game library a breeze to access. Still, some perks, like deep customization, sit behind a $39.99 yearly subscription, which has raised eyebrows given the already hefty $170 cost.
Who’s the Backbone Pro for? If you’re hooked on mobile gaming and seek a top-tier mobile controller that also works with PCs or TVs, Backbone Pro might be it. The comfort, dual connectivity, and app features craft an intuitive ride that hints at gaming’s future. But if touch controls suit you or your phone’s your only stage, the Backbone One or a budget pick might do.
