The Backbone One 2nd Gen Controller offers significant improvements over the original, including wider compatibility with different phones and cases, especially for newer iPhones and Android devices. Some features are locked behind a subscription, including using the controller with PCs, Macs, iPads, and higher frame rate video capture. This has caused a lot of negative feedback from the gaming community.
Design
The controller retains a similar design and feel to the original, with responsive sticks, a high-quality D-pad, and satisfying buttons, making it suitable for both modern and retro gaming. New features include replaceable magnetic spacers for better phone fit, and an accompanying app for calibration, button mapping, and firmware updates on both iOS and Android.
Performance
The Backbone One 2nd Gen is now compatible with the iPhone 15 series and Android devices, thanks to its new USB-C port, ensuring future compatibility with upcoming iPhone models. The contol panel buttons are responsive with satisfying feedback, and the analog sticks have been improved for better precision. The D-pad is also well-designed, offering a good balance between clickiness and smoothness. The addition of customisable profiles is a significant improvement, allowing users to tweak controls for different games. It offers responsive analog triggers and accurate joysticks, with good compatibility for games via Apple Arcade, PlayStation Remote Play and Xbox Remote Play.
Battery Life and Charging
The controller’s battery life is decent, providing several hours of gameplay on a single charge. However, the charging time is relatively long, which might be inconvenient for users who want to quickly get back into gaming. The USB-C charging port is a welcome addition, as it is more universal compared to the micro-USB found in some older model
Subscription Model
A major downside is the hiddden subscription model that locks certain hardware features within a dedicated app. The Backbone One app offers additional features, but a $34.99 yearly subscription is required after the first complimentary year, which some may find a drawback. After the first complimentary year, features such as PC compatibility and touch sync for non-controller games are locked behind a paywall.
For dedicated mobile gamers looking for a premium experience, it’s a worthy consideration, but casual users or those on a tighter budget might find better value in alternative options. Despite the subscription issue, the Backbone One 2nd Gen is still considered one of the best mobile gaming controllers available, especially for those who enjoyed the first version.
