Hope this is allowed here, mods feel free to delete if it isn’t.
I’ve been doing some gaming on my phone lately (Android), and touchscreen controls drive me nuts, so I’m looking into getting a portable controller. I’m hoping to find a controller that can snap onto my phone so that I don’t need a separate stand, but I’m also hoping to find something small enough that I can just slip it into my pocket. I don’t have any sort of bag that I carry with me on a regular basis, so something like a Backbone is too big for me to consider portable.
From the things I’ve found so far, the front-runners in my search seem to be the Turtle Beach Atom due to its comparatively low cost (especially used) and very portable form factor, and the GameSir X4 Aileron, which looks just about as portable and is much more customizable, but more expensive. The Razer Kishi v1 also looks somewhat compact, and the Asus ROG Tessen folds in half, but those two seem like they might be a bit larger and might not fit in my pocket as easily.
Does anyone have any experience with the controllers I’m looking at and have any thoughts they’d like to share? Any recommendations or anti-recommendations? Do you know of any other controllers I missed that might fit my criteria?
I mainly play emulated retro games on my phone, if it makes any difference, though occasionally I’ll check out newer games if they catch my interest.
Thanks for your time!
Do not get the Razor! I got one and have had nothing but problems and now it flat out just doesn’t work. I bough the 8bitdo equivalent and it’s awesome. https://amzn.eu/d/b1tmLi9, neither are that compact though. It looks like there are a fair few recommendations so I’m sure you’ll find something, just dont get the Razor.
The new MCON seems to be the best solution currently available.
Oh that’s very interesting, thank you for posting this. Seems like it’s only preorder for now and a tad expensive, but definitely something I’ll keep an eye on.
Depending on what you’re emulating, the 8BitDo ultracompact options might work for you:
Basically turn your phone into a Gameboy, good for 90s games where you don’t need sticks. The controller and clip together will cost you $35.
I actually had an 8BitDo Zero 2 a while back, but lost it. That was my first attempt at finding a solution for gaming on my phone, but didn’t like how I had to either prop my phone up with something or lean over a table to see my screen. I didn’t know about that clip-on device, though! If I can find the controller I lost, this will certainly be the cheapest solution for me. Thanks!
I have an 8bitdo zero 2 that I’ve had for a few years.
I kept it on my key chain for a long time. It would be in my pocket for 8 hour workdays in which I worked outside and got wet. It still works despite having been through all that.
I used to stick my phone to a magnetic mount in my car sometimes and used the controller to play emulated games. Nowadays I use a retro handheld or a steam deck.
I recommend 8bitdo very highly in general. Most of their controller feel really solid and completely nail the retro aesthetic they are copying.
The zero 2 isn’t like that though. It feels cheap and light, but it has held up well.
If you already have a BT controller (like any modern console’s controllers) you could just get a thing that lets you attach the phone to that controller. That’s what I did. They can be purchased for cheap, or printed yourself if you have a 3D printer.
Sounds hard to fit in a pocket…
Cargo pants usually have big enough pockets 🤷♂️
Those have been a little out of fashion since something like circa 2005.
Utility never goes outta fashion. 😤
I don’t have any small form factor recommendations, but I can recommend - if you’re comfortable going AliBaba/AliExpress - the Ípega brand. It’s about £10, requires an app to configure, but extremely long-life battery and switchable modes. But the best controller for the rare few mobile games that support controller input natively is an Xbox One… one, and any other made after that point
I do not have experience with any of those, but I do have a Backbone controller. It is a great inexpensive option and fit my iPhone 13 ProMax.
+1 for backbone working nice
Gamesir hasn’t done wrong by me yet. I can recommend the x5 lite over what you posted for size factor alone. I got a little case for it on the cheap and it can fit in sweatpants pockets (though not jeans). I think the bluetooth x2 comes with an even smaller case for free, though i prefer the usbc connection for pass through charging.
I have the GameSir X2 Pro and I love it. It doesn’t fit your criteria as it doesn’t fold into pocket size but maybe this is a recommendation for the brand?
I did this same controller search earlier this year, and I can’t really compare it to any similar controllers because it’s the only one I’ve used, but I ended up going with the Abxylute S9 and I’ve been happy with it. I really wanted usb-c power passthrough and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
It’s probably too big for what you’re considering, but I think they sacrifice too much of what makes it usable and comfortable to go much smaller.
I too have been looking for something like this, for quite a while actually, and have been unable to find anything that is suitable. The 8Bitdo Micro looked great except it didn’t have thumbsticks, and anything else was either way too big to be pocketable, or didn’t have the proper amount of controls. Also, I would especially prefer something that keeps the device horizontal.
I did look at the GameSir Aileron X4, which seemed like a decent option but it seems too big to fit in my pocket. Has anyone tried this controller before?
I shall watch this thread closely.
I have a Razer Kishi and I love it, on mobile I use it with a pair of Hammerhead wireless buds to play xcloud. It is one of the most compact options and the USB connector supports power through to the phone. The small size also means the sticks, buttons and triggers are also small. If you use a case on your phone it will have to come off when you slot it into the pad, there’s no room unless the rubber holders are removed, when I did this the setup became wobbly. One last thing will be to check that your phone will fit, a Galaxy S23 Ultra is too big.
