(BUNDLE) BACKBONE One Mobile Gaming Controller + Case
$69.99
$124.98
44% off
Reference Price
Condition: New
Color: Black
Model: 2nd Gen USB-C
Top positive review
88 people found this helpful
Taking Your Console Experience Into the Portable Realm
By PropaneSalesman on Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2023
The following critiques will be faily split between PS Remote Play testing results and the Backbone peripheral itself, which is an A+ highly recommended device for Playstation/Xbox players, and maybe the small (?) population of Steam users who aren't quite on board spending >$500 on the impeccable Steamdeck yet would like an occasional time away from the keyboard and mouse. It may not be a return to the days of the underrated Playstation Vita, but it's close enough. Pros - Controller is an almost 1:1 of the Switch joycons in terms of scale and layout (not ideal for big boy hands like mine) which took alot of adjusting to despite the brand's console-specific face buttons(ABCs for Xbox, XYOs for Playstation) and matching triggers to emulate the respected controller aesthetics. Analog sticks match the feel of the standard first party joycon so least it doesn't have a cheap click to it but time can only tell. - The Backbone app is very user-friendly and comfortable. More or less an imitation of the Gamepass and PS Network UIs put together but you can easily switch between Playstation, Gamepass, and Steam apps via the dedicated red home button on the right handed grip. Navigating is simple and the app offers an in-house directory for platform game streaming, F2P base games, and even social media features if you're into that sort of thing. Pretty cool stuff and although I'm only going to go straight to PS5 play or Steam Link, I appreciate the effort they put into making Backbone a serious companion to all platforms. - Concerning actual gameplay, latency is rock solid for most games sans a few exceptions, maybe a few milliseconds off. On remote play, I ran at 720p to maintain steady frame rate without harsh drops. It's been reported here and there that the Backbone SORT OF has a hand in making the remote experience as smooth as relatively possible compared to a non-Backbone method. Might be a theory but point is, had practically no major issues. Tested games such as GRID Legends, Returnal, Doom, NHL 22, Resident Evil 4 in addition to some older 3D games and turn-based RPGs which this is perfect for. - Compatibility with PS+, Gamepass, Steam Link, Google Play, annnnnd yes, the wide wide world of emulators. A tremendous positive it shares with the Steamdeck. Enough said. Minor Cons - Going back to the controller design, the thumbsticks could be a little larger because shooters will lead to some sore appendages for bigger hands like mine after maybe half an hour of constant playing. So this is purely subjective; I tried applying removable thumb attachments but they didn't fully fit and they fell off easily. - Touchpad optimization is non-existent for the controller for obvious reasons however a little back button could remedy this. Otherwise, given the wide length of the attachment plus phone it is a real chore holding the Backbone in one hand so you can press the middle of your smartphone's touchscreen with the other. Not a design or manufacturer flaw and I don't know if there's a solution for it either considering the way Sony implemented that in their own dedicated app (which Backbone mirrors via its own app). It is the only noticeable tangible problem though. - Lastly, from an exclusive streaming/remote play experience, the Backbone's peak of its potential completely hinges on your router distance and ISP plan. The farther away you are from the gateway, the more hangups you'll get not to mention stuttering pixelation quality. I read that using a smartphone's data and wi-fi still does plenty of heavy lifting to run decently unlike the stupid >$400 Playstation Portal which operates way worse on very specific hardware only on wi-fi. This is in no way influenced by the hardware whatsoever BUT be cautioned if you are purchasing the controller for entirely streaming. So to conclude, for what is an official Sony and Microsoft endorsed $60 (Black Friday sale) peripheral that is compatible with any USB-C smartphone and functions with the premier gaming services (plus Google Play emulators)...Backbone is not a bad investment at all to say the very least. Highly recommended, just make sure it's suitable to your gaming needs.
Top critical review
218 people found this helpful
Be aware of the Subscription Service to the Backbone+ features, but Great Controller.
By Beans Romeo on Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2022
To start, the controller is absolutely fantastic, the only drawback is the expensive $50 annual subscription service just to use the console like features I think personally should come with the controller. The controller itself works without this subscription, and the first year is free for Backbone+, but be advised that it is not apparent on the surface level that some of the extra features and the UI are locked behind this annual fee. The backbone device itself fits on my phone perfectly due to the sliding mechanism and the lightning header secures in the phone and keeps the whole controller sturdy. I was excited over this controller because I use remote play on PlayStation periodically and this controller does the job for that very well while keeping the familiarity to the PlayStation controller. The backbone is also great in mobile games like Minecraft and Call of Duty Mobile. It makes these games feel more like their console counterparts and adds a wonderful amount of comfort. This version of the backbone has the triangle, cross, circle, and square buttons of the PlayStation controller, so translating the button bindings for A,B,X,Y is something muscle memory has to kick in for. Along with it, the UI of the Backbone app is fantastic. The backbone button functions like the home button on the PlayStation and takes you to the UI where all of your connected apps and games are available in a nice central hub to quickly switch to, but the love and practical use of this amazing UI is something that is disappointingly hampered by the subscription to it. This controller is great, it is the highest quality controller for a phone that I have ever used thus far, but the only thing that completely bums out the experience is the Backbone+ subscription to use the console like functionality. Again, THE CONTROLLER WORKS WITHOUT THE SUBSCRIPTION, but this subscription adds the features that make the experience so much better, faster, and easier. The thing that is suspicious about this controller that I wish was written on the box or something to forewarn the consumer on the description is that the fabulous UI that makes my phone into a game console is locked behind a subscription. It cost $50 annually to use and I think that it is a bit unfair to the consumer that nothing is explicitly mentioned about this on the description of the Backbone controller or even on the retail box. It comes with one full year of Backbone+ but after that year of loving it, you have to decide on paying a subscription or to just go without the UI software and features and just use the hardware of controller by itself alone. Again, the hardware of the controller is able to be used without the Backbone+ subscription, it just stings a bit that the UI and twitch streaming is locked behind this subscription. I have nothing wrong with the quality of the controller, but the not too obviously advertised subscription is the thing that is lost in the experience if you cannot afford it. I just also have the issue with the all or nothing approach on the sofware. Without subscribing, practically you keep the app for the firmware updates for the controller, thumb stick recalibration, and button mapping and that is pretty much it. It is basic and the controller works, but even a basic use of the console like UI would've been appreciated at that level. (Personal Input and Suggestion Alert :0 ) My personal input is that I feel like the UI and the streaming features should have some basic functionality without the subscription. Like perhaps the UI is free and if you want to stream at a higher fps or quality then the subscription is required, like the subscription structure of Discord. I feel like there should be some free tier to have the most basic UI functionality like being able to choose games from the UI to play so that there is some convenience. I just find locking almost everything good about the app behind the subscription is preposterous. Overall, this is a really high-quality controller that I can imagine using years to come for mobile games and PlayStation Remote Play, but I am going to shed a tear when I cannot afford to keep using the Backbone+ features. The software and UI is fantastic and intuitive, it just bites all of the fun good functionality is locked behind the Backbone+ subscription.
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