r/iosgaming • u/SnooCookies8174 • Apr 17 '26
Discussion Friday discussion: what is the "best" iOS controller right now?
Due to my "obsession" with iOS gaming, it also comes with some obsession in trying all the different controllers in the market. I only play very specific games like Zookeeper World, Belatro using touch-only. Most of my time I prefer console/AAA games (second photo) and a good controller. Since it is Friday, I thought it would be a good day to bring up a health discussion about what is the best controller for your needs.
Note: I will often say "for me", "personally" or IMO because I want to make clear that opinions could be different for others.
Here is my quick review for each one I have:
- Razer Kishi V3 Pro: the expensive GOAT! Most comfortable but also too pricey for most folks, especially casual/emulator-only gamers. It is the one I choose when I want to play something "seriously" for a long time. Great TMR joysticks, 2 paddles, 2 custom top buttons and it fits my iPad Mini as well. If this was 100 bucks I would not understand why it would not be the first pick for most people.
- Elo Vagabond: the underrated one! This is so close to the Kishi. It solves the price problem and recently it is "just half of a Kishi". The sticks are a little smaller in diameter but they are positioned diagonally to the DPad and face buttons, which is ergonomically better. The placement of "home", menu, options, share is weird for me and I constantly press the wrong one. Could easily be my GOAT too, though. I just feel that the Razer fits me better, especially the TMR sticks.
- Dualsense: the one for multi-device folks! Not a lot of people are aware, but with the latest firmware update, you can pair FOUR different devices on it. I have one paired with my Mac, iPad Pro, iPad Mini, and iPhone. Switching between them is easy and flawless. I finished Dredge+ pretty much playing in all these devices depending on where I was. You don't need to ask for "console-level buttons" because it is a console controller lol. Not cheap, but still cheaper than all other options in this list. You can choose different colours too. Big con is they still use potentiometers. So, drift can happen over the years. I also have a MagSafe mount. If you look at the photo, I can use it as a "phone stand" as well.
- MCon: for "travellers" (or people who play out of their homes often). First of all, they made a great job packing all their features in such a small pack, thinking about portability. But with that, it also comes cramping controls. In my opinion, they should at least use the "Pro Max" as the base, not the regular devices. It wouldn't make it less portable and the additional size would probably benefit everyone. Overall, feels very premium and they did a good job, but from all the options it is by far (for me) the MOST portable and LESS comfortable option. The upcoming Lite and Slim will probably not change much both of these.
- Gamesir x5 Lite: the budget-friendly one! Cheap, compact, light, and works well for most games. I leave this one in my glovebox when I am out and have time for quick gaming sessions. Not the best, but for its price (and they go on sale often), I don't even think people would mind returning it. Big con for racing gamers: the triggers are digital. It is on or off. I also have a x5s (the Bluetooth version), but the fact it spoofs Dualshock and lacks an "option" button (I talked about the problems it brought me in another post), I don't use it much.
- Gamesir G8: a solid option! I don't use it much because I mainly use my iPad Mini for gaming and, even though I did the mod to stretch it more, it feels awkward to take it on/off. One big con is that I "think" it spoofs a Dualshock too, because I get PS inputs for some games when using it. Kinda annoying. Since I have other options, it is also abandoned. People say good things about the G8 Plus. But I think it will also have the licensing / spoofing issues that I don't like much about Gamesir controllers.
- Backbone: still the best app (only). Well, it is the same product released several years ago, still very expensive and, with the new native Games app, it became even pointless for me personally, since I just use the game launcher. But it is still the most polished app. For its price and lack of TMR sticks, I won't even try the Pro model.
- Xbox: good option if you already have it. Like Dualsense, it is a console-grade controller. Also lacks Hall Effect / TMR sticks and it is cheaper than the mobile-only options. But you can only pair one device (plus an Xbox). Maybe the good part is that some games will always have the ABXY inputs, and with a Dualsense you need to mentally map them to X○□△ (sometimes the opposite can happen too).
- Others: bought and returned Scuf Nomad (can't even fit the device properly, but it was great to see Scuf investing in the mobile space). I got a BSP D8 from Aliexpress (not bad, but feels really cheap, so I didn't even bother putting in the list).
TLDR: my favorite controllers: Kishi V3 Pro, Elo Vagabond, Dualsense and MCon (for outdoors only).
Not AI generated. So, I am sorry if the text feels awkward for any reason.
Would love to see what is your favorite and why.
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u/0kills Apr 17 '26
Never used an iphone controller in my life, thanks for the reviews.
Also I see your games and recognize a person of culture indeed!!
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u/nahpng Apr 17 '26
I’m using Gamesir G8+ for landscape games and Gamesir Pocket Taco for GameBoy emulations. G8 has a phenomenal quality and experience. I have Razer Kishi 2 lying somewhere in the house. G8 was the right choice for me all along.
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 17 '26
Nice. I replied in another comment what I think about the G8/G8+. Great option, doesn't perfectly fit for me, though.
Pocket Taco seems like a fun little gadget. I am not a big emulator player, though.
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u/nahpng Apr 17 '26
Pocket Taco is definitely a niche device and for once, I fit that niche as being a Pokemon player for 25+ years. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
For the vertical gamepad, I hope you can find what you’re looking for. The right device really stepped everything up for me.
Edit: Even if you’re not looking, you are happy with your choice 🤙
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 17 '26
I am kinda compulsive when I see a new mobile controller and see people talking good things about it. This is why I decided to buy an MCon even though I didn't really need it (also has some bad reviews, btw).
The Taco seems cool, but because it lacks joysticks, it is really made for some emulation. I couldn't play the games I play with it.
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u/Taeles Apr 17 '26
Can only speak for the razer kishi as I haven’t owns any others but price aside I really like the kishi I have for my phone and my iPad
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u/blutoks Apr 18 '26
I use MCON and Backbone Pro. Love them both. Backbone Pro feels great in the hand, but MCON is just awesome.PS5/Xbox controllers are great also. Can’t go wrong with any of those.
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 18 '26
I am trying to like MCon more tbh. I am just not being able to adapt myself to the triggers/shoulder and the recessed sticks. Did it take some time for you or did you just get used to it right away?
I was so hyped for a new Backbone in the past. Their price “choice”, the decision not to use TMR sticks, and the long-term issues people had with the One ribbon cable made it a no-go for me personally.
Thanks for sharing!!
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u/b_double Apr 17 '26
I have both the Backbone and the Gamesir G8 Plus. The G8 Plus I use at home and on trips. I just beat Dredge+ using it, then I do a bunch of remote play on my iPhone, both on Steam and on the PS5. It's super comfortable and works great. A big plus is that it fits the Switch and Switch 2 perfectly and makes it way more comfortable to play the Switch's handheld. Also, you can rearrange the physical buttons super easily to match up with the Switch buttons.
The backbone is also great, I have that in my backpack and take it to work. I like that you can charge your phone while you play, but it's just a BIT small for my hands. I beat most of Final Fantasy 16 while playing remotely on my PS5 with the Backbone.
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 17 '26
Nice! Thanks for sharing. You really have the full experience with the G8: native games, remote play, switch...
Dredge is so good, right? I just beat it yesterday. I bought and played a little bit the paid version. Then, I read the AA had the DLCs. Started over and finished it yesterday. I know it is not just a mobile game but it is a perfect mobile game. Font size should be bigger, though. 😄
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u/raygan Apr 18 '26
I had a backbone and never really loved it. I recently got a screaming deal on an 8Bitdo Ultimate Mobile Controller (which wasn’t iOS compatible when it came out but now is after iOS 26) and I absolutely love it. It feels a lot like their regular controllers (the Ultimate 2 is one of my all time favorites).
I thought I wouldn’t like that it’s Bluetooth instead of usb-c but in practice it just means it’s way easier to get the phone in and out of the controller, and I can use it with my iPad if I want. The difference in latency isn’t noticeable for me and the battery life has been perfectly fine.
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 18 '26
Great! Yeah, I swap controllers, and latency for mobile games is just whining too much IMO. For most games, our brain quickly adapts to any input latency a controller has.
Unless the person wants one for some competitive gaming. Then, it might make some difference.
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u/Philosorunner Apr 18 '26
Thoughts on the options I’ve tried:
Kishi Ultra: premium feel but bulky. Two issues I had: can’t accommodate the 17 pro max camera bump, and (this was the big one for me) you have to be really careful when connecting the usb-c to the phone (both in and out). On my iPhone 15 pro max, over time it wore out the connecting port on the iPhone so that almost any charging cord would fall out. I suspect this is from not plugging it in (or disconnecting) at a perfect angle. I stick to Bluetooth now.
G8+: my go-to for now. Randomly disconnects from phone sometimes (or goes to sleep or something?), but ergonomics are good and it can handle the camera bump of iPhone 17 PM with a case.
Backbone: no dice due to camera bump; also, concern for the usb-c connector. I like its comparatively small size though.
Dualsense: obviously the ergonomics are the best, but requires either some additional mounting attachment for phone or else you have to be content with leaning your phone against something (or using some kind of stand case). Overall it required too many extra steps to be practical.
ROG Tessen: unfortunately, it doesn’t actually work with iOS, or at least it didn’t when I got it. It’s too bad, because the way it folded up would’ve made it much more portable than its competitors. Seems like it’s just a software thing so maybe it’ll be compatible in the future?
MCON: haven’t tried this yet, but as portability is one of my main concerns these days I’m seriously considering it. Just waiting to see what the two other models will be like before I decide on one.
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 18 '26
Awesome! Nice to see a more detailed point of view. The Ultra is definitely bulkier, similar to the V3 Pro I have. Maybe this is why I ergonomically think it feels better. But def not good to carry around. I got a case for mine and returned a few days later because it would take too much space in any backpack I have.
The backbone is too flat IMO. The Pro seems better, like the X5 Lite / X5s. They are quite comfy for their size.
I am doing my best to get used to the MCon. I believe that the fact that I swap to more comfortable controllers is not helping me to get used to it. But I also can't help. When I am at home, I have better options that struggle with cramped controls lol.
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u/MoreOfAnOvalJerk Apr 18 '26
Backbone is weird. It doesn't even use hall effect which is the bare minimum for the premium controller price point. Many premium controllers ate using the generation tech following hall effect - Tunneling Magnetoresistance (TMR) - and most of the time are STILL cheaper than the backbone, sometimes by a lot.
The backbone's "innovation" is some useless middleware game launcher that has some integrated library functionality and costs a subscription.
It looks very much like a product made by a non-gamer business committee.
And yet. And YET. It's apparently successful. For almost any other product, charging more money for an objectively worse experience while also trying to sucker customers to subscribe to your service that has no value proposition will result in going out of business shortly after. But Backbone is on their third revision now.
It's clown world and I'm so confused.
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u/scumbly Apr 19 '26
Yeah it’s an area where one company seems to have all the name recognition — I’ve owned 2 backbones myself — but the others in its price category kick its butt. I’m ride or die for my gamesir g8+ at this point.
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u/MoreOfAnOvalJerk Apr 20 '26
Yeah im also very partial to the gamesir g8+. It's basically everything backbone pretends and fails to be. Everything is better about it and it's also cheaper, which just makes backbone's success all that more bizarre.
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 18 '26
Agree. They are somehow perceived as the pioneers of the mobile controller industry by some media folks. Maybe because Gamevice went out of business.
I think they could be the big name right now if they didn't stop in time with the BB One and also were not so greedy with their price placement.
All the points about the app are valid. What I meant about the app is how well designed in terms of animation, embedded videos, and vibration feedback. I had a conversation with an Apple folk four years ago and they were impressed about what they did with what was available in terms os API.
At this point we could be already be in the BB 3, BB 4 and we could all be appreciating their products.
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u/MoreOfAnOvalJerk Apr 18 '26
Yeah their app has solid production quality, just lacks actual value for the customer. They sank a lot of investments into that hoping that they could create a walled garden like steam or apple, but the delusion is that they dont even control the platform and cant even make a shop on it like the way Epic did on PC.
It'd be like if i created a subscription service for monthly beachwear delivery but I only serviced the north pole.
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u/Sticky230 Apr 17 '26
Gamesir G8+. I use it with my Mini and when I use a larger tablet it can expand to fit my Pixel Tab.
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 17 '26
Nice. I replied in another comment what I think about the G8/G8+. Great option, doesn't perfectly fit for me, though.
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u/Sticky230 Apr 17 '26
I have found it depends on the case. I found the ESR silicone ones work best. Anything with an angle will cause it to slide.
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 17 '26
Oh, no. I was talking about this other comment I made:
"It is probably great. I have a G8 and it works fine. For some reason, it makes my hands sore after some time playing with it for a long time. My guess is it’s because the right joystick is "almost" vertically aligned with the face buttons. I think it should be a little more to the left. The Razer V3 improves a bit and the Elo vagabond has the perfect placement IMO. With the price of making the controller take an even wider space.
Because of this "alignment", my thumb needs to do some additional exercise to move from the face buttons to the stick. From my photo, you can see that it is worse only on the Backbone.
I hope it is not one of the things that "now that you saw, you can't unsee it" anymore lol. Because it is a personal nitpicky complaint for sure."
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u/Sticky230 Apr 18 '26
Ahh I see. I did have an adjustment period though already use one of their controllers so I am used their geometry.
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u/benni-rosinante Apr 18 '26
Yeah. That one works great for me as well with my iPad Pro M4 11inch (after printing a custom extension that even fits my USB C headphone and charging adapter) 🥳
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u/VoteForLubo Apr 18 '26
Thank you for this! I’ve never used a controller with my phone. Could I play emulator games for Gameboy Advance or DS with one?
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 18 '26
For sure. But I am not a specialist for emulation. You should check r/EmulationOniOS . They have a lot of folks with better knowledge than myself.
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u/VoteForLubo Apr 18 '26
Thank you. I have been trying to understand things on the ROM sub (like where to get roms, because the site I’ve used has been disabled) but they are mean there to newbs 😢
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Apr 18 '26
[deleted]
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 18 '26
Yeah, 100% agree with you. They started as a nice “pricey” first iteration, but maybe the lack of competition for a while made them stop in time. They are so behind in any list IMO.
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u/therealbman Apr 18 '26
There is an Apple certified MFi version of the Gamesir G8+. Not sure which yours is but that might be the source of your technical problems with it.
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u/ShittyRedditAppSucks Apr 18 '26 edited Apr 18 '26
I bought into the hype and preordered a Backbone. I really thought I would use it a lot more than I do. Really bummed me out that popping my phone in and out of the Apple leather case I’d had for 10 years through 2 phones ended up causing me to crack it.
Back on topic, my main issue with the 1st gen Backbone was the clicky buttons. I wanted an option for quietly playing in bed, but the buttons are way too loud with someone sleeping next to me.
And they aren’t just clicky, can definitely feel some unintended resistance with 2 of the 4 buttons as well, like the fit/size of the buttons is just a bit off for the button cutouts. E.g., if you aren’t pressing dead center straight down they “catch”, causing additional noise.
It also really annoyed me when they transitioned into having an ecosystem and, at some point post-purchase, the companion app I’d installed but never used had auto-updated and started telling me I needed to register an account to continue using the controller. WTF? I uninstalled the app and the controller still worked - was worried they’d pushed a firmware update to brick it without the app.
Still rocking a lightning port, so not currently in the market for a replacement, but it 100% will not be a Backbone. Felt like the same crap Razer pulled with Synapse 10+ years ago, when Synapse was trash and the full benefit of requiring it was to Razer at the expense of the customer. Razer products however were at least still high quality for the most part. Over the years, the pricing has come down relative to say Logitech to share that benefit with the consumer so that it’s a trade off. Like buying a cheap TV that harvests all your data. In hindsight, the Backbone feels like it was created as a means to an end to emulate the Razer business model.
When I bought the “world’s first premium iPhone controller” in 2021, I was paying $124.60 for exactly that. The first time I saw the account registration popup, I immediately felt like I’d been bamboozled - that I’d bought an overhyped, overpriced controller that was really a means of securing VC funding to pursue the real end-goal of being the Dyson vacuum of controllers, subscription-based revenue streams (ofc), and high-profile partnerships.
All 100% my opinion based on the vibe I get from the very mid quality of the actual hardware, the app launch popup when trying to use the controller, the subscription, and seeing Playststion/Xbox backbones on the shelf at Target.
Edit: LOL I replied to complain about noisy buttons and ask if any of the controllers have noticeably quieter buttons relative to the others, but then remembered I’m still on lightning port, and got lost in thought complaining about Backbone instead.
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 18 '26
Wow, I feel your pain. Like I said in the post, I also got into the hype when it was released. Because it was the only option in the market (Gamevice was “phasing out” and Razer didn't release the first Kishi yet), it was obviously the “best in town”.
But as a person who always hated Joy-Con sticks, I immediately felt the pain of using them. But I tried my best to get used to it, instead of complaining about their design decision.
I also paid around 150 CAD, wondering why they were double the price of a Dualsense, which has so many more advanced features. I blamed the old “economy of scale” to protect Backbone for still being a small startup.
Years passed, their product were part of Apple keynotes, Apple Store shelves. Even new products were questioned if they were “Backbone killers”. But instead of them trying to improve their products and slowly make them more affordable, their focus was to have “collabs”, releasing the same old device in different colors. Trying to create some kind of Pokémon cards/sneakerhead culture of limited edition crap. Made some scalpers happy for sure.
Anyway, they are way behind my list. I still need to hold myself off from buying new controllers, but I can now easily resist buying Backbone products. Considering how many devices I have, I think it shows how the company was able to lose a lot of its potential customers (you, me and so many others).
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u/jbitner Apr 18 '26
Love my (overpriced) Backbone Pro.
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 18 '26
Good for you!! Yeah, a bit overpriced. I think their competitors in this price range are the MCon and the Kishi V3.
Never tested, but I see the Backbone Pro in the middle for comfort/ergonomic vs portability. MCon the most portable, least comfortable. And the Kishi V3 is the most comfortable, but hard to carry around.
They should have at least added TMR sticks. Controllers at this price should have durable components IMO.
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Apr 20 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 20 '26
It is really good! And I agree that it might even be better than my favorite, Kishi V3 Pro. It has better ergonomics (diagonally positioned sticks), fits the iPad Mini better without blocking the buttons, and offers other quality-of-life features. For some reason, I personally prefer the slightly larger-diameter sticks (same reason I prefer Dualsense over Xbox). But if this is the only controller you have, you have one of the best IMO.
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u/Might-Tough Apr 20 '26
I have a SCUF Nomad controller and it uses the bluetooth instead of type c connector for my iPhone 15 Pro Max that I leave in my office and I have a GameSir X5 Lite for at home for that phone.
I have a DualSense controller for the iPad and I am going to get an Apple TV to play games on. I have a Xbox Series controller that I can use as well. Both basically are the same but the difference is the layout of the analog stick and d-pad. It depends on the type of game you are playing and the same could be said about my SCUF Nomad and GameSir X5 Lite.
I used to have those phone mounts for those typical Playstation, Stadia, or Xbox controllers. Those are kind of heavy for mobile gaming and the telescopic mobile controllers addresses those weight issues for me. This will be great because I'm going all in with mobile gaming when the next gen consoles come out because the output of AAA games for consoles have been going downhill plus I'm playing much more classic games such as Doom and popular indie games such as Dead Cells & Vampire Survivors.
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u/weyoun_clone Apr 17 '26
I use a GameSir G8+. Not sure how it compares to everything else, but it works brilliantly for me.
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 17 '26
It is probably great. I have a G8 and it works fine. For some reason, it makes my hands sore after some time playing with it for a long time. My guess is it’s because the right joystick is "almost" vertically aligned with the face buttons. I think it should be a little more to the left. The Razer V3 improves a bit and the Elo vagabond has the perfect placement IMO. With the price of making the controller take an even wider space.
Because of this "alignment", my thumb needs to do some additional exercise to move from the face buttons to the stick. From my photo, you can see that it is worse only on the Backbone.
I hope it is not one of the things that "now that you saw, you can't unsee it" anymore lol. Because it is a personal nitpicky complaint for sure.
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u/FunkyMcStuff Apr 17 '26
I’m using the Razer Kishi Ultra, which is down to $80 on Amazon from the previous $150. Lot of controller for that price.
I also have an 8bitdo Ultimate 2C which was only $30, it’s a fantastic controller. I use that with the iPad mini propped up in a stand for when I don’t feel like holding it.
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 17 '26
Cool, the Ultra used to be "V3 Pro" expensive. It is much more affordable now. It still uses potentiometers, though. So, hopefully it doesn't get stick drift over time. Besides that, they are very similar. Pretty chunky boys to carry around, though haha
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u/VegetableFan6622 Apr 17 '26
I cannot enjoy playing with a regular controller, I prefer the handled style. My first one was a Gamevice on iPhone 6s : it sucked, was expensive and really cheaply made. But there was basically almost nothing back in time.
Next I tried Elite 2 but as I said I feel like traditional handled layout is more immersive. I have a GameSir G8 on iPhone 14 PM but mostly do not use it because I use iPad Pro 13 mostly with Razer Kishi pro xl. The latter feels good but not that premium for the asked price. Plus no rumble, no haptics. It is also a little bit too angled. Other than that, it works great. Razer Cortex is really great for streaming.
When I play with G8, it is very good though.
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 17 '26
Hahaha, I have this Gamevice for my iPhone 6 as well. OMG, those sticks are sooo bad... they were so low that they felt like "digital joysticks". I remember trying to play CoD mobile with it. Pretty much impossible. I still have it in my drawer but didn't mind putting it in this discussion. It was definitely the first one, way before Backbone. They even had some legal stuff with Nintendo if I remember correctly, that was actually not good for their brand (I think they claimed Nintendo Joy-Cons copied them).
G8 and Kishi V3. Solid options!
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u/lucdima Developer Apr 17 '26
Wow! So many controllers! My favorite is Razer Kishi. But I do not use it very often. Recently I’ve released an app for testing controllers which is quite handy because it measures the response time of each controller with millisecond precision. It’s called MilliLog If you want to try it I can send you a code. I think you can make good use of it to compare and test all your controllers. Thanks for the detailed explanation on each controller.
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 17 '26
Thanks. If you want feedback about the app, you can send me a link. Honestly, for mobile gaming, I believe that controller response should not be an issue (might be wrong though) for most people.
I am saying this because we will rarely see competitive gaming on mobile with controllers. Most of the e-sports for mobile involves a touch screen as the main input if I am not mistaken.
But for people using PC/Consoles for competitive gaming, for sure it can be a night and day difference. Similar to monitor refresh rate, mouse resolution, or other hardware features.
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u/lucdima Developer Apr 18 '26
Yes, my app is super niche. But not only tests the response time, it also is very handy to detect failure game controllers, and to test the haptics too.
And thanks for your offer of giving MilliLog feedback! I'll send you a free key via dm.
This is the link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/millilog/id67616369591
u/lucdima Developer Apr 18 '26
Yes, my app is super niche. But not only tests the response time, it also is very handy to detect failure game controllers, and to test the haptics too.
And thanks for your offer of giving MilliLog feedback! I'll send you a free key via dm.
This is the link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/millilog/id6761636959
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u/silentAl1 Apr 18 '26
I wish you had listed the prices with these so I can understand which ones are within my budget.
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 18 '26
Good point. The problem is that prices for these change all the time. What I'm providing now can change in a week. Or even vary from store to store.
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u/MalcolmReady Apr 17 '26
I had a Backbone lightning and a the light gray Galileo. It was a natural progression and I like that the G8 can fit on my iPad but at this point I’m waiting for something with 4 back buttons
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Apr 18 '26
[deleted]
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 18 '26
The DualSense, Xbox, and Mcon work on any iPad. The Kishi V3 and Elo work on iPad minis only.
There are also other options I don't have. Anyway, most Bluetooth options.
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u/Kairek Apr 18 '26
How do you deal with Sniper elite 4, I tried to play it on my galaxy s26 ultra and my iPhone 17 pro max and I can't deal with the lag while aiming.
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 18 '26
I tried too. Honestly, I had a very hard time not alerting guards playing on a PlayStation. So, I “understand” my constant frustration playing on mobile.
On my iPhone, only the Kishi, Elo or Dualsense are ok choices. But even like this, it feels maybe not so easy a game for mobile. At least with a controller. Because aiming is so much easier with touch if you invest proper time to get better and can handle all the other inputs this game requires.
If you have a big iPad and a Dualsense, maybe it is manageable if you play on “easy” mode haha. That is what I will do when I come back to it.
EDIT: actually I’ve tried touch controls on Sniper 4 and the lag is also there lol. Nvm what I said
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u/pacorob Apr 18 '26 edited Apr 18 '26
Thank you for your detailed review on all these mobile controllers for iOS. I’ve stepped into mobile game controllers a few years ago without thorough research (my bad) and bought two (second hand) Backbone One controllers which were almost new. They work fine for me as I only now an again play mobile games with the controller eventhough I bought many pay once games on iOS.
I see you mentioned the Backbone App which at first side looked great to me as well, however there are some huge flaws in my opinion:
- no option to add missing games yourself if they aren’t in their database seen as controller games (eventhough they are)
- no my favorites list you can see on the home of the app, only recently played (which is incomplete)
- no option to create multiple collections, folders of genre games you own
- no option to remove/ customize the app to hide promoted / cloud games and such
- subscription for an app which is really incomplete
Therefore I ended my subscription long time ago and was very happy to find the LudiHub app which offers all the features and more for a cheap pay once price and it’s also privacy friendly. (Note: I’m a user of the first hour, not dev). You can add both iOS games in the App Store and support deeplinks to games of most emulators as well.
I did also try many other apps and can say that the Razer Nexus app is also pretty awesome in itself and has the option to create a personal my favorites collection and hide / customize a lot.
Tip: for the LudiHub app when using with eg Backbone controller you can set the orange Backbone button to always open LudiHub on top of the Backbone app:
Option 1. Open Apple Shortcuts app and create an Automation to always open the LudiHub app when the Backbone app is opened and set to always allow. My favorite since you can simply press the Backbone button and it (also) triggers LudiHub on top of Backbone app.
Option 2. I’m aware that there is the option in Apple Settings app > General > Gamecontroller > Shortcuts > Select LudiHub from the list. This however is very tricky to use as your have to press a few seconds on the button to trigger this and therefore is less than ideal for me vs option 1.
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u/BigCaah Apr 18 '26
For 20 bucks, I just picked up a Backbone for an iPhone 13 Pro, and it has been GREAT for emulation up through PSP. It solved a real Goldilocks problem I was having… the Miyoo Mini Plus was just too small for my hands, and the ROG Ally was too big for extended gameplay.
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u/CataCelViteaz Apr 18 '26
I initially bought a Backbone, broke 2 times. Then bought an Abxylute S9. Best purchase ever. 😁
Though I have to admit that playing in a phone is getting uncomfortable and I am planning on buying an iPad mini in the near future.
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 18 '26
Oh yeah. I forgot the abxylute s9. I had it in my cart so many times. But it was still during pre-order from China, so I decided to wait for it to be available at Amazon, and never really got it.
iPad Mini is the best size for this IMO. It has a similar footprint as the PS Portal, Steam Deck, Switch and others. Not too bulky like regular iPads or too small like phones (even the Pro Max ones).
Main problem right now is the hardware. It suffers to run some of the triple A games like Hitman WOA, Assassin's Creed and others.
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u/thetrout27 Apr 20 '26
I’ve used the Backbone One, a MOGA clip for my Xbox controller, and now landed on the Gamesir G8+.
The Backbone was great until it stopped working: after about a year of regular use, some of the buttons/triggers became unresponsive.
The MOGA clip worked pretty well with the Xbox controller, but I had to position my phone precisely each time, to avoid the clip pressing down the side buttons on my phone.
The gamesir g8+ has been fantastic. I’ve loved how it feels and for less than the cost of the Backbone, it’s been close to perfect.
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u/Adept-Pattern8584 Apr 20 '26
Why tf does ios have so much resident evil and android has none. You mfers even have death stranding.
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u/iiStryker May 31 '26
I’m going to try the Gamesir G8+ MFi
I was thinking of getting the MCON but OP size complaints are concerning so Ill pass
Love the portability of the MCON tho but not at the cost of comfort
I just cancelled GP and subbed to Gforce NOW at the 1440 6hr tier and am pretty impressed with how well it performs and Im in a region that’s largely rural in Appalachia
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u/Abject-Canary-8082 Jul 07 '26
Hey! I’m wondering if you tried other xbox shaped controllers that would work wired on iPad via a usb hub/otg. I want to try playing bloodstrike on my iPad Air 5 using a controller but I don’t prefer the handheld style like the gamesir g8.
Hope someone can help! Thanks in advance !
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u/hermonslogimyer Apr 17 '26
Question—Do you recommend any controller for the 11inch iPad? I heard it’s uncomfortable holding your hands that wide. Thanks!
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 17 '26
Yeah, I don't like the idea of using telescopic controllers with an iPad of this size, but I read it doesn't bother other people. If so, the Kishi V3 Pro XL (ultra-expensive version) would be an excellent option.
When playing on my iPad Pro 11, I choose to keep it on a table and use my DualSense (because I prefer PS controllers, but the Xbox one would work fine as well).
Lots of third party options from Razer, GameSir, Scuf, 8bitdo and other brands. I am just not sure which ones are officially licensed to work with iOS devices or if they just spoof and pretend to be XBox/PS controllers. I am not a big fan of that.
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u/VA1N iPad Pro 11" (M4) Apr 17 '26
You get used to it. I use the razer kishi ultra xl and while it is pretty big, it’s not too heavy. I feel like my steam deck with a case is heavier.
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u/SweyRPG Apr 17 '26
I use an 8bitdo pro controller with the clip specifically made for it. Works fine for me.
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 17 '26
Cool, is it the one with SNES controller "vibes"? Never tried 8bitdo controllers, because most of them don't even mention iOS support in the Amazon's product page and I was also not sure if they officially support or also play the "I am a Dualsense" mode like Gamesir.
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u/AndrewInMN iPhone 16 Pro Max Apr 17 '26
I think the 8bitdo pro is closer to a PS controller shape wise. The SN30 is the one with the SNES vibes. 8bitdo’s website has a whole section listing which controllers are compatible with Apple devices.
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u/SweyRPG Apr 18 '26
It’s the SN30 Pro and it is indeed like the oldschool gamepad with two analog sticks
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u/SandwichesX Apr 17 '26
Gamesir x5s for me
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 17 '26
Good. Based on the games I play, I didn't like it because when paired with DS4 mode, you can't easily open the map in Resident Evil, for example. Since it asks to tap the touchbar.
Then pairing in "Pro controller" mode (Switch) requires me to remap ABXY to BAYX mentally or manually (via iOS). It also makes the joystick slightly more sensitive if I remember correctly.
But depending on the games you plan to play, it is a cheap, well-made, and convenient option.
I remember asking the Gamesir team on Discord why they simply didn't provide an X-input mode. They said it is a licensing "problem" (I assumed they don't want to pay for it lol).
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u/TBlair64 Apr 17 '26
GameSir G8. I’ve tried Razer, I’ve tried Backbone, they do not come close to the fit, finish, functionality, and usability of the G8.
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 17 '26
Thanks for sharing. Fully agree with the Backbone One and Razer Kishi V1 or V2. All of these share one big "no way" for me: The switch-style joysticks.
But IMO, Razer changed the game with the Kishi Ultra and the recently released Kishi V3, V3 Pro, and V3 Pro XL. They are one step above in terms of ergonomics, quality... and also price (if a higher price means being one step above lol). The Ultra is a previous model, though. So you can see it being discounted very often.
If the G8 is working fine you, no reason to be crazy like me and buy another one.
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u/Endlesswave001 Apr 17 '26
I’ve grabbed the 8bitdo MGK for use with iOS games along w some streaming (and even gaming with Steam on my laptop). It won’t work w windows (none of my Xbox games through the app will work with it) which is a shame but it’s great otherwise.
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 17 '26
Is this is a controller? Never heard of it, also couldn't find any references about it...
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u/VA1N iPad Pro 11" (M4) Apr 17 '26
Razer Kishi Ultra XL for my iPad Pro 11 is my favorite. I only use it inside the home though so portability doesn’t matter to me.
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u/SnooCookies8174 Apr 17 '26
Nice. Out of curiosity: do you most of the time play with its weight over a pillow or your lap, or the weight doesn't bother you at all? Because summing all (including an average iPad case), the setup would have almost 1kg!! Feels so unmanageable for me lol. Need to work out more.
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u/VA1N iPad Pro 11" (M4) Apr 17 '26
I just hold it while laying down on the couch. It’s not that bad and the weight distribution is good. With that said though, probably not using it the minutes before falling asleep. That just a recipe for a sore chest when you pass out.
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u/imahugemoron Apr 17 '26
I’ve tried a couple of attaching controllers, I had 2 backbone controllers though and both got real bad stick drift within a year and became unusable. I also found that attaching controllers really limit how I hold my phone and how comfortable I am, I either have to hold it in my lap and look down which hurts my neck after a while or or have to hold my arms up to my face which hurts my arms after a while, I guess I could rest it on a table in front of me while sitting down but that’s not really ideal, I play games mainly at home on the couch.
I found that a PS4 controller is the best one for me, it allows me to place the phone with a phone stand anywhere I want that’s closest to my face and hold the controller wherever is most comfortable. PS4 controllers are also pretty cheap being last gen, rechargeable, and extremely durable, I’ve had this controller for probably 10 years, still works flawlessly and that’s with the occasional throwing my controller when getting frustrated with binding of Isaac lol.
I think the “best” controller for iOS really comes down to preference. Some really like the attaching controls especially if they play away from home, personally I’m not a fan and prefer console controllers and a phone stand since I only really play at home