Of course, the device isnt perfect. Bluetooth controllers hit a sweet spot, yet not all Bluetooth controllers are created equal. Choosing the right controller for your needs can be challenging when you're looking to play the best games on Android, so we've handpicked our favorites to share with the class. There are several other mobile controllers we tested that just missed out on a place above, plus a few that we are keen to test soon. Few triple-A Android games actually require third-party peripherals, but there are plenty of remastered titles designed with a controller in mind that respond much better to physical buttons. There's even macro support. The controller comes with a snug, molded, translucent carrying case that just has room for the cable too. Updated December 2022: We added new controllers from GameSir and Riot PWR and an honorable mentions section with several entries,and we updated prices and links throughout. 8Bitdos controllers have a retro vibe thats highly sought after, and its SN30 Pro Bluetooth Gamepad comes with a heavy hit of nostalgia. Remember that the app isn't often updated with new features, so you'll have to be happy "as is" since Turtle Beach is moving slowly with development. This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you'd like). You can also connect the device over Bluetooth and USB-C. And, even though it doesn't look like it, all four shoulder buttons are available on a single row. I played a few hours of Cat Quest 2 on my iPad Mini and found the T4 Mini surprisingly fun to use. Its made of quality materials that feel excellent in hand. However, if you play a lot of FPS games like Call of Duty: Mobile, we recommend investing in a controller like the Razer Kishi V2 that has additional features suited to shooters, like hair-trigger mode (for quick-firing) and options to decrease the thumbstick sensitivity for more accurate shots. (The supplied cable caters to both.) Play just about anywhere with your Android and one of these amazing controllers. There's also a companion app, and you can dial in the dead zones of the controller's thumbstick. All of the features are free for the first year. The app itself is useful enough, but the button's placement above the start button means you're likely to hit it by mistake a lot. On the top right of the layout menu, you can see a + button which you can use for creating a new portrait or landscape layout, or importing a custom layout from your phone's storage. Apple iPad Air 2022 -- $500, was $599 Just like the PS and Xbox controllers, it wont work perfectly with every game. This controller is excellent value for money, in our opinion. When it comes to mobile platforms and their quality of gaming, Android is well ahead in terms of controller support which means there's a boatload of controllers to pick from. Break Phone Addiction With a Smart White Boxor Cardboard. Above all it employs the less common dock form factor, in which a phone sits in the middle with handles on either side of the screen. All the Settings You Should Change on Your New Samsung Phone, Give Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office Chairs, The 12 Best Electric Bikes for Every Kind of Ride, Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller (White), These Are the 13 Android Phones Worth Buying. Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). Below, we've picked out the best phone deals currently available so you can quickly find the ideal deal for you. The M30 is broadly compatible with the Nintendo Switch, PC, macOS, and Android, but its designed with Segas classics in mind. Emulates a simple D-Dpad directional keys / Cursor Keyboard Keys, and four (or six) separate buttons. Luckily, there is no shortage of third-party Android gaming peripherals to choose from. Officially works with Nintendo Switch and Android. This gives your device a Switch-like console touch, and the handles are both ergonomic and console-quality. In your game, you can receive these codes and values and convert them to specific in-game actions. The GameSir X3 Type-C saw a successful campaign on Indiegogo and is in production, with orders already available on GameSir's website for $100, along with Amazon. Officially works with Nintendo Switch, Windows (Steam), Mac, Android, and iOS. It connects through Bluetooth, and iPega claims the internal 380mAh battery can last for up to 20 hours of gameplay. Of course, this all adds up to a clear advantage for those using the Keymander, which may border on cheating. Windows supports many Bluetooth controllers, as long as your PC has Bluetooth built-in, or support via a Bluetooth USB adapter. Mantis Gamepad Pro is the most Modern & Safe Gamepad Keymapper App for Android. Why trust us? Monect PC Remote. There's support for over 400 apps, though you can't play PUBG or Call of Duty: Mobile, so make sure you check the controller's compatibility with the games you want to play before purchasing. It's a PlayStation 5 highlight thats highly responsive, refined, and durable. It feels much like an Xbox Wireless Controller, with a similar button layout, although it has symmetrical thumbsticks with a disappointingly mushy D-Pad offset at the top left. Share Improve this answer Follow answered Jan 7, 2016 at 17:34 Zarphus 11 1 Add a comment Your Answer Map We have an easy pairing guide, and its a cinch to pair with an iPhone, iPad, Android phone, or tablet via Bluetooth. You arent necessarily out of luck if youre stuck on older software most controllers will pair to older Android devices but you can expect them to work unpredictably, unreliably, and sometimes not at all. Other features to look out for include mappable buttons, the ability to connect with a wide variety of devices (not just your smartphone), and a built-in stand. The addition of dual shoulder and trigger buttons mean it has everything you really need. Free Postage. Yes, they are. The design of the DualShock 4 harkens back to the early PlayStation days, but dont let that fool you. Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. The Turtle Beach Atom mobile gaming controller is a Bluetooth controller that can connect to any mobile device, including phones and tablets. Game Controller KeyMapper is a free HID gamepad tester for Android By Doug Lynch Published Oct 20, 2018 Game Controller KeyMapper comes (formally known as Game Controller Test) lets you. It charges via a MicroUSB port in the top, and theres a USB-A port that can be used to plug a cable into your phones USB-C port. Theres an integrated 480mAh battery for up to 18 hours of gaming, and you get a USB cable in the box too, so you can use Bluetooth or a wire connection with a variety of devices including your Android phone and Nintendo Switch. Now scan the QR code and the phone and computer should connect. While the Duo was prone to disconnecting from my Pixel 6, my week with the Stratus+ has been plain sailing. One negative: Its smaller and less ergonomic than modern controllers, so you may have issues using it over long gameplay sessions. - GitHub - Shyri/TouchMapper: TouchMapper is an Android App that lets you map gamepad input to touch events in the . The Backbone One (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a delight. The second Kishi controller improves over the original by removing the stretchy and flopped support band and replacing it with a solid extendable bridge. But if you often play native Android games on your phone, you may be much better off with the GameSir X3 Type-C. So when the app works, it's great. Save money with a plan from one of these smaller providers. These iPhones and Android devicesranging from $150 to $500stood up to WIREDs testing. Even if you're a penny pincher, there are cheap options. He loves trying new custom ROMs and tweaking Android phones, and he's passionate about helping readers by explaining how to master every aspect of the Android OS. He's a person that holds a peculiar yet deep interest in all things to do with handheld gaming and constantly pushes to advance the state of the mobile industry beyond the bounds of its predatory monetization obsession. If you need to map keys, you still have to use the buggy and confusing Gamesir app. Just be aware that only games with controller support work well, and you do need to tweak settings frequently for best results. For example, if you often stream your games through services like of Nvidia Geforce Now, you'll want a low-latency controller that connects over USB. Yes, you can. The Force GC30 controller from MSI is the perfect controller for all your Android games for under $40. Plug the Lightning connector into your iPhone, stretch the controller over it, and play. $48.15. They're free, or you can pay to remove ads and unlock higher quality streams and other features. As mentioned above, most controllers should work with Android devices running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (or Android 3.2 Honeycomb) or newer. What's New in the Latest Version 1.7 Last updated on Sep 12, 2018 Update notification to support Android 7.0/8.0+ Add option for Keypress Previews Theres no Bluetooth connection, as it connects to devices with its USB-C connection. Even if you reinstall. PowerA Moga XP7-X Plus for $100: This controller offers everything the XP-5 X does but you can also remove the stand in the center to slot in your phone (my Pixel 6 Pro fits nicely). From Magnifier to Lookout, you can benefit from features on Android and Apple devices. Enable USB tethering from the phone's setting, It allows you to use sensors like gyroscope and accelerometer for improved control, You can choose between four pairing modes, It offers you full customization of controls. It stretches open to cradle virtually any Android phone in its rubbery embrace, accommodating devices up to 7 inches long. It also worked well with Xbox Cloud Gaming, and, despite the Xbox branding, you can use it with other cloud gaming services. You get all the features you need, and theyre industry standards on which other gamepads are modeled especially the Xbox layout. Brand: Gamevice Platform : Android 300 ratings -17% $4995 List Price: $59.95 FREE Returns Size: Android About this item COMPATIBLE with MOST Android phones including the Samsung S21/S22/S23 ULTRA (without protective case). Shop products from small business brands sold in Amazons store. However, the Razer Kishi V2's low latency really does elevate it above the pack. Theyre somewhat sticky and over-complicated to navigate when playing in vertical orientations. I struggled to get it all working, as the instructions are not the clearest, but once it was hooked up and configured, playing Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Minecraft was a breeze. Our favorites are the Panasonic Eneloop Pro and EBL 2800mAh. Look for a dedicated Bluetooth button, or check the manual for the right button combination if there isn't one. This controller is compact and doesnt need much power, making it ideal for on-the-go gaming. The latest phones can run demanding, graphically impressive titles, so ports of popular PC and console games are increasingly common, but they are not always fun to play with touchscreen controls. So if you tend to game often on tablets or swap phones often enough that you want to ensure your controller will fit, The Turtle Beach Atom mobile gaming controller is easily one of Android's best controllers that shouldn't be missed. If you don't want to spend too much money to get a game controller for your PC, then you can use Monect's PC Remote to turn your Android phone into a joystick. It also worked instantly when plugged into our Red Magic Phone, and didnt require any remapping in the games we tested. Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 -- $150, was $230 The 8Bitdo Pro 2 has a full button set, including R3 and L3 buttons, and has companion software for firmware updates and button customizations. There is also a programmable button for Auto-Pilot Gaming (APG), allowing you to record up to 10 minutes of gameplay and tap the button to repeat. They make it easier on the eyes to read ebooks, watch movies and shows, and play games, as you've got more real estate on their larger touchscreens. A joystick and directional pad take up the left side, and a secondary joystick and four action buttons sit on the right. All this controller lacks is support for PlayStation and Xbox. . For starters, the D-pad is now rounded and more agile. I am sorry for the bad review, but this app has caused me much frustration. Matthew is the Games and Apps Editor at Android Police. If you're looking to purchase a device by Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, or Samsung, you're in luck because we've gathered some of the best tablet deals that you can buy right now. You can use an Android phone as a controller when you're playing PC games. This fan does add some bulk to the controller, whereas the GameSir X2 was much slimmer, but in return, you get better performance in your games, which is a fair trade. It's also Steam-enabled, so you can play any controller-enabled Steam game without any additional drivers or software. Now follow these steps on your phone: If you're having trouble connecting through Wi-Fi, there are a few other methods you can try to get it working. 13.86. The built-in headphone jack is a nice touch. 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