8BitDo has officially unveiled its first dedicated mobile controller in the style of the Backbone One and Razer Kishi V2. The cradle design combined with the signature features of the manufacturer’s great Ultimate controllers for PC and Nintendo Switch makes the 8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Controller a standout option, especially since it only costs $50. The 8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Controller is now available for pre-order from Amazon and will be available in white and black variants from November 29.
Like its high-end controllers, the 8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller features triggers and joysticks with Hall Effect sensors, which prevent stick drift and provide an overall smoother feel. It also has two customizable triggers on the back, a dedicated turbo button, and fits any phone between 3.93 inches (100mm) and 6.69 inches (170mm) in length. That includes the vast majority of modern phones. For reference, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple’s largest phone, is 6.42 inches long. The controller’s design also looks quite comfortable, as it adds a more traditional gaming profile to a phone.
It also supports 8BitDo’s Ultimate Software, an easy-to-use customization package that lets you remap inputs, adjust stick and trigger sensitivity, and more.
The main, and fairly substantial, caveat here: it’s only been confirmed to support Android, but other 8BitDo controllers listed with Android-only mobile support have worked fine on iOS. GameSpot has reached out to 8BitDo to see if official support for iOS is planned and if it will work with iPhones to some extent at launch.
Since the controller syncs via Bluetooth, and not USB-C like the Backbone, we’d be surprised if it didn’t support iOS. 8BitDo’s other controllers do work with Apple devices via Bluetooth, and the Ultimate Software app is available through the iOS Store.
If it works at all – and again, we’re speculating here – the Ultimate Software app is the most important feature that could be missing from iOS. If 8BitDo doesn’t or can’t add the controller to the list of devices that sync with the app on iOS, iPhone users wouldn’t be able to remap the input or make other adjustments – unless they also have an Android device or the controller can sync with the PC app to make changes. Remapped inputs and other adjustments are typically saved to the controller, so if you own an Android tablet or an old Android phone with firmware 9.0 or higher, you can theoretically make these changes on that device before using it on the iPhone .
We’ll update this article if and when we hear from 8BitDo about iPhone compatibility. Considering Apple has given a boost to AAA gaming on iOS with titles like Resident Evil 4 remake, Resident Evil 7, Death Stranding, Assassin’s Creed Mirage and more, the 8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller and its numerous customization features would be a boon for iPhone users.
Nevertheless, Android users have an exciting new controller option to look forward to. 8BitDo’s controllers almost always punch above their price, so the 8BitDo Mobile Gaming Controller should be on your radar. The 8BitDo Ultimate Wireless 2.4GHz Wireless is our pick for the best PC controller in 2024, and the 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Wireless Controller is our favorite third-party controller for Nintendo Switch.
At $50, 8BitDo’s mobile controller is half the price of the Backbone One, the leading cradle-style mobile controller. Backbone One costs $100 and has no rear triggers or Hall effect sticks/triggers. It offers dedicated support for iPhone and Android via USB-C (or Lightning), including a handy app that collects your games into one console-style launcher. The USB-C connection also reduces latency issues, while Bluetooth can add a bit of latency. 8BitDo’s Bluetooth controllers usually work fine over Bluetooth, but it’s worth mentioning here.
8BitDo:
Backbone one:
In related news, the 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth controller is also available to pre-order now for $40 at Amazon. Revealed next to the Analog 3D, a modernized version of the Nintendo 64This controller is also compatible with Nintendo Switch, PC and Android smartphones.
