Among the many mobile controllers available for mobile devices designed for Xbox Cloud Gaming and other services like NVIDIA GeForce NOW, one stands tall above the rest — the Backbone Pro.
This is a premium-grade mobile controller with extremely responsive controls, top-notch ergonomics, and a long battery life of 40 hours, and its Xbox Edition is now on sale for $144.99 at Amazon.
Why buy the Backbone Pro?
The Backbone Pro has plenty of enticing qualities that help transform your mobile phone into one of the best Xbox cloud gaming controllers and one of the best controllers for mobile gaming in general.
It's immensely comfortable to wield for long hours of playtime thanks to its large grips with laser-etched texturing. and very subtly curved triggers fit for adults.
It also has extremely responsive controls (which are remappable) with reliable Hall Effect Triggers, sturdy Bluetooth and local USB-C connectivity, pass-through USB-C charging so you can recharge alongside other devices using a single dock or hub, and it has a long-lasting battery of 40 hours when Bluetooth mode is in use.
The only major drawbacks of this mobile controller are that you need to sign up for the monthly Backbone+ service to access Xbox Cloud Gaming via Xbox Game Pass and NVIDIA GeForce Now (as stated by my colleague, Jez Corden, in his review of the Backbone Pro), it has no Hall Effect analog sticks, and it has a steep MSRP of $179.99.
That last sticking point has, fortunately, been stomped down to $144.99 at Amazon for a short time as part of Amazon's discount.
If you can set aside those other quibbles, then the Backbone Pro for Xbox would make a fine Christmas present for yourself or your fellow Xbox buddies if you all frequently indulge in Xbox Cloud Gaming on your mobile devices.
FAQ
Which mobile devices is it compatible with?
The Backbone Pro is compatible with iPhone 15/16/17 and Android devices via magnetic USB-C adaptors that don't require a case.
Do I need an Xbox consoles to use it?
The Backbone Pro doesn't require an Xbox console to access and play Xbox games from Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. However, you will need an Xbox console to use the Xbox Remote Play feature to play games installed on it with the Backbone Pro.
What is Backbone+ and how does it cost?
Backbone+ is a premium subscription service for Backbone mobile gaming controllers that grants users access to a unified game launcher, the ability to stream games on Twitch, record gameplay clips at 1080p/60fps and save them in cloud storage, in-app voice chat and text chat, and much more.
The subscription is free for the first month for new users, but after that, it will cost you $39.99 per year.
What are Hall Effect Triggers?
Hall Effect Triggers are triggers outfitted with magnetic, contactless sensors that detect player input with greater precision than normal triggers and increase their durability so they last longer.
Arrives after Christmas and need a gift sooner?
If your item won't arrive in time for Christmas or you're looking for a quick and easy add on, buying an Amazon eGift Card is a fast, flexible way to give purchasing power now—send instantly or schedule delivery by email or text, choose any amount from $5 to $2,000, and the balance never expires, making it ideal when a deal’s item won’t ship until after the holidays.
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