BACKBONE One Mobile Gaming Controller for Android and iPhone 15/16 Series (USB-C) - PlayStation Edition - 2nd Gen - Turn Your Phone into a Gaming Console - Play PlayStation, Xbox, Fortnite & More

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.

This Backbone for PlayStation is an impressive mobile gaming controller that enhances the gaming experience on your smartphone. Designed to provide console-like controls, it connects seamlessly to your phone, turning it into a portable gaming device that supports a wide range of PlayStation games. The ergonomic design ensures comfort during extended gaming sessions, and the controls are responsive and precise, offering excellent feedback with every press. The Backbone’s compatibility with PlayStation Remote Play allows you to stream your console games directly to your phone, making it an ideal accessory for gamers who want to play on the go. It also supports a variety of other mobile games, offering versatility beyond just PlayStation titles. The quality build, user-friendly setup, and immersive gaming experience make the Backbone for PlayStation a must-have for any mobile gamer or PlayStation enthusiast. It’s a great way to enjoy your favorite games wherever you are, with all the controls you need for a satisfying experience.

There are a lot of neat features to the backbone controller and as long as there is controller support for the game you’re playing, you can use the backbone. Let’s start with the capture button which includes screen and video capture at the click or hold of a button. They include a free iPhone 13/14 pro max adapter so that you can still fit the new phones in to the controller base without messing up your phone camera lens and the phone sits very securely in the middle of the controller arms. The design is sleek and the sizing for buttons and joysticks are superb in my opinion. I’ve had no issue with reach and accessibility to all buttons/joysticks and no issues with cramping like I do with my Xbox One controller. The weight and quality of the controller is really good, it’s not too heavy causing fatigue and it’s not too light where it might come across as cheap or easily breakable. The game play is great, and I have no lagging or latency issues. You can use it for mobile gaming, PS Remote play, Steam link and Xbox remote play. They even offer options for if you don’t have a console but I haven’t really looked into those so I cannot speak on them. It is easy to carry with me on the go, I got a little case for it and I just throw it in my backpack. Because of its compact size and collapsible, spring action middle bar it hardly takes up any space at all. I would say for the compatibility across multiple consoles for game play and the actual quality of the product itself the pricing is top notch, as a regular ps5 controller is $70 all by itself and has to be charged. The backbone barely draws any battery from your phone, and it never has to be charged so as long as your phone has battery your controller will work. That’s one of the reasons why I like it so much because I don’t have to worry about the last time I plugged my controller in to charge and I can take it with me everywhere. Now if you are running low on battery (because you’ve been playing for HOURS) they even included a pass through charging option so you can charge your phone without missing a beat. Lastly, there is also a 3.5mm jack on the backbone itself if you want to plug in a headset to talk to your friends and teammates.There is an app that you can download for the backbone, and it does have a paid subscription option for $39.99/year, but the subscription is not required to use the backbone itself. You do get firmware options with the app as well as button mapping and joystick calibration, factory reset and then system info on your backbone like the model and serial numbers and the version of firmware you are using. Now, you do HAVE to select the free trial to be able to use the app, but they make it really easy to cancel and even send you a reminder to cancel towards the end of your subscription plus, immediate in app instructions on how to cancel if you want to cancel right away. This really annoyed me at first but I bit the bullet and tried it anyway just so I could review it and... I freaking loved it so, I’m going to eat my crow, my original review was only 3 stars because of the app and the inability to use the app without selecting the free trial but it has loads of features including chat areas, adding friends, easy connection to Twitch, a place to hold your captures, an awesome support team in the help section and free 3 months of nitro for Discord(when I joined). So, I came back to update my review. I really have loved the backbone since I got it and I take it with me everywhere! The only feature I didn’t like was the app itself and now that I actually used it (instead of just being mad about a trial requirement) I really like it too. Great product all around at a really good price tag for what you’re getting.