Pros
Bluetooth plus some in-controller processing means you do not have to play together with your cellphone inserted
Software now offers entry to emulators for retro video games
Much higher, ergonomic grip than Backbone One and different “flat” controllers
Rear buttons
Cons
Expensive
Can nonetheless solely use USB for charging (now each controller and cellphone), not audio
Some options, together with the emulator assist, livestreaming, clip recording and extra require a $40 annual subscription
A controller that desires to be wherever you are gaming? The Backbone Pro units out on that path and covers a good bit of floor — for a nontrivial $170 price ticket (thanks, tariffs).I examined the iPhone model of the app; it additionally helps Android.The authentic — and nonetheless obtainable — Backbone One is designed to run solely with a cellphone snapped into it, which obviates the necessity for built-in wi-fi or batteries; the Pro has its personal Bluetooth radio and batteries, so it could possibly function independently like a typical Bluetooth controller. For the Pro, Backbone retronyms the unique operate as “handheld mode,” differentiating the Bluetooth as “wireless mode.”That’s the practical distinction between the 2 controllers. The Pro was additionally considerably redesigned from the unique, each to accommodate the brand new capabilities and to make it really feel extra upscale; sorry, previous iPhone house owners, it should solely include USB-C, not Lightning connectors (so iPhone 15 or later). Along with the launch of the Pro, Backbone modified the options obtainable within the app versus these solely obtainable through its Backbone Plus subscription service, making the controller itself a greater worth. The Backbone Pro on an iPhone 16 Pro Max. Lori Grunin/CNETDuring my pre-announcement briefing, Backbone’s CEO, Maneet Khaira, defined his philosophy about the place his nook of gaming was heading. “Our view is that in the future […] all you have to do is buy just one device and you can play games on any screen. And maybe you could be a kid who doesn’t own a console, and you could […] play Fortnite on a TV, because that’s just the TV you can buy at Best Buy, right, and you can play games on it. So our goal is to make one device that works [on] every single screen, so you can move from screen to screen. That way, we can bring gaming to a lot more people and expand […] the addressable market of gaming.” But it is the software program that permits what he is describing — the {hardware} is sweet, however there are a whole lot of competing controllers — and probably the most tough half to tug off, because of all the sport launchers and repair fragmentation. A extra conventional, natural designOne drawback with the preliminary technology of on-phone controllers, together with the Backbone One, was that they had been designed to be as small as doable. That meant really feel and options had been regularly sacrificed. With the Pro, Backbone tried to maintain it small, however reinstated a whole lot of the design traits that gamers need, resembling grips you could really grip, full-size thumbsticks, rear buttons and Hall Effect triggers.Backbone additionally modified the switches on the ABXY buttons to carbon pill-type to make them quieter, somewhat than the crisp clickiness of these on the older controller. They’ve received deeper journey, which to me registers as barely much less responsive, however I’m a button masher, so after some time, I received used to them. I did not really feel a whole lot of latency in native video games — actioners like Carrion and Hades on the cellphone — however over wi-fi, I do assume I skilled occasional lag (in Lies of P on a Mac, Dead Cells on an iPad and extra). Bluetooth has gotten lots higher, however it’s nonetheless not good. You can nonetheless join through wire if it turns into a problem. The Backbone Pro’s grips have a refined ergonomic curve, and their bigger measurement makes the controller much more snug to carry. Lori Grunin/CNETThe grips supply a stable handhold. They have just a little extra texture than the Backbone One however lower than the Xbox Wireless controller, and so they really feel just a little softer than the opposite components of the controller. Overall, they’re fairly comfortable for lengthy hours of gameplay. Because they’re skinny and the controller is just a little shorter than I’m used to, I discover the left and proper buttons tough to hit shortly in video games the place they’re actively used for gameplay (versus simply navigating menus and the like). Lori Grunin/CNETI’m not loopy concerning the left and proper buttons. Because of the controller and button sizing, I’ve bother utilizing them with out having to consider it — which makes the rear buttons so helpful for me. Those are just a little bit tougher to press to stop unintended activation, however not so arduous that I am unable to function them with weaker fingers (my ring fingers), so I remapped them as default within the software program. The rear buttons are important if, like me, you discover the left and proper buttons awkward to function shortly. Lori Grunin/CNETThat stated, they’re nonetheless just a little larger than these on the Backbone One, as are the triggers, and nonetheless comparatively clicky. I’ve combined emotions concerning the triggers, although. They’ve received a comparatively deep pull, which will be nice for aiming however not as responsive as I like for taking pictures. The software program permits you to set digital set off stops and deadzones (in addition to joystick deadzones), however with out the bodily cease, it is solely partially efficient for me. But you’ve got received the management if you wish to strive it. While the spine of the Backbone does not appear to rub the lenses on the iPhone Pro Max, it does cowl considered one of them (I imagine it is the telephoto). Lori Grunin/CNETThere’s a devoted Bluetooth pairing button and analog jack for audio on the left grip and USB-C charging on the correct. In addition to charging the batteries within the controller, it could possibly cost your cellphone, and when it is doing that, it nonetheless trickle costs the controller battery. (Backbone charges the battery at 40 hours, however I by some means drained it lots quicker on the primary cost. Now it is draining extra slowly.) But as with the Backbone One, you may’t use the USB-C port for audio, video or information. On the left grip are a Bluetooth pairing button and analog jack for audio. Lori Grunin/CNETWhen you pair the controller with one other system, however the cellphone is related, it offers you a selection as to which system you need to management. But as soon as you’ve got set the profile through the cellphone — I want it had been doable to cycle by means of profiles in {hardware} so the cellphone wasn’t vital — you most likely need to take away it. I discovered that it disconnected Bluetooth after I went to the Backbone app utilizing the touchscreen, for instance. If you need to preserve the cellphone in, you are higher off connecting to the second display through USB. Like the One, the Pro comes bundled with adapters to accommodate a wide range of cellphone sizes. Lori Grunin/CNETSoftware and $oftwareThe free Backbone software program delivers the perfect capabilities I’ve seen for a cellular controller. In addition to the everyday button mappings (for the iPhone, it refers you to system settings, anyway). The subscription service nonetheless provides assist for streaming, clip recording and chat, plus perks and reductions. In addition, Backbone’s added retro video games and emulators to the hub to its subscription plan.Now, the power to hook up with different screens through USB-C does not require Backbone Plus, and particular to the Pro throughout the primary app, it helps recreation profiles with button remappings and deadzone/set off cease settings on a per-game foundation. The Backbone app now integrates ROMs and retro video games. Lori Grunin/CNETIt additionally permits you to save totally different system connections within the app for simple switching (which Backbone calls “FlowState”), which is without doubt one of the slickest points of the software program particular to the Pro. For occasion, as soon as I’d paired to my iPad, I merely needed to go to the record of paired gadgets and choose it to attach and management. You also can choose the profile you need to use. After that, take away the cellphone from the controller.It’s as seamless as I’ve ever seen, and when it is not, it is due to the Byzantine methods you must arrange issues on Apple gadgets or how the providers work — internet app shortcuts to play Xbox Cloud gaming and GeForce Now’s painful login course of spring to thoughts.I typically just like the software program, and yesterday I needed there was an possibility to show off the audio whereas scrolling by means of the sport thumbnails, which autoplay. But typically you do get what you would like for: The firm has already up to date the app to have the ability to flip off autoplay. The Backbone app permits you to check your sticks and triggers to seek out the deadzone in addition to nearly modify them. Lori Grunin/CNETCompatibility claims can get complicated as effectively. For occasion, Backbone claims it could possibly work as an Xbox controller, however there isn’t any Bluetooth assist within the console: You have to make use of Remote Play or cloud gaming, which are not at all times possible. In my case, Remote Play is not supported by my community configuration — a double NAT setup — and cloud is hit and miss (even an Xbox Cloud Gaming light-weight recreation like Blue Prince ran nice for some time after which began to degrade, whereas Expedition 33 barely ran). Neither of these is inside Backbone’s management, however can nonetheless have an effect on the Backbone Pro expertise.The {hardware} is compelling when you just like the on-phone controller idea or need one thing just a little smaller to tote in your Bluetooth gaming, however it’s definitely not for the budget-minded, given you’ll find tons of alternate options for a fraction of the value. If you play on a whole lot of totally different Bluetooth-equipped gadgets, although, the Backbone Pro’s most likely the slickest possibility on the market.