Death Stranding edition Backbone One controller sports a pee-colored semi-transparent body shell

Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding is coming to iOS devices later this month and you’ll need a sharp gamepad to have the tactical advantage in-game. Backbone has got you covered on that front with a BackBone One Death Stranding Limited Edition controller. This comes on the back of the recently unveiled second-generation version of the highly rated USB-C controller for the iPhone 15 and Android controller.

Now the brand has collaborated with the developer of the highly anticipated title to develop a unique-looking gamepad that for you could either be a golden bliss or a piece of piss! That’s because the color is so peculiar, you’ll have your own subjective opinion on it. By the way, this is not the first time such a controller has made its first appearance since there was a DualShock 4 in the same hue.

Designer: Backbone One

Death Stranding is coming to iOS and Mac on January 30, 2024, and on the very same day, Backbone will make the special edition controller available for purchase in the United States. Playing this crazy haunted open-world title with touchscreen controls is going to be difficult, so if you own the iPhone 15 series, you are better off getting this mobile controller before the stock runs out. The new version (limited edition and standard one) has incremental upgrades including magnetic adapters for an ergonomic fit and a revamped D-pad.

The controller is inspired by the peaking technologies of 2000, explaining the transparent plastic casing that exposes the hardware inside. That hue somehow reminds me of the portable jars for carrying Bridge Babies around. While the front sports a cool transparent yellowish hue, the rear has a more standard solid yellow-orange and graphite color scheme.

Get this limited edition Backbone One mobile controller for $150 and you’ll suit yourself to the free iOS download code for the game. Also, the USB-C connection should be good for connectivity with Android devices.

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Unique diorama controllers for Xbox and Switch spice-up your gaming rituals

Video games traverse you to an alternate reality for a brief period. Everything else blurs out as you get lost in the character’s might, aided by the new generation of gear and technologies that make gaming pure fun. A gaming controller is one such accessory that elevates the whole experience of glory in an alternate reality.

Accessories retailer PDP Gaming wants to make you experience the unique side of console gaming with their new line-up of controllers and headsets that are unique in their own rights. Meet the Realmz, a unique set of gear for the Xbox and Nintendo Switch with backdrops of video games adoring the controllers in a transparent housing.

Designer: Realmz

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The captivating shadowbox-like controllers overshadow all the themed gamepads we’ve seen all these years. That fact is obvious from the diorama inside the transparent housing (inspired by the see-through design of the 2000s) fused with the officially licensed characters. In total, there are five controllers for the Nintendo Switch and one for the Xbox Series X|S. Of course, all these accessories are well complemented by the sole headphone that’ll be irresistible for arcade game lovers.

The storytelling of the multilayered diorama captures the imagination like never before, ably honed by the play of built-in LED lights with attractive A, B, X and Y buttons. For now, the major focus of these controllers stays on Sonic the Hedgehog, but PDP promises to introduce multi-layered controllers themed on the Transformers (Optimus Prime-inspired) and Pikmin 4 on October 13 and winters respectively. Boy, they are going to be cool or what!

The focus of each diorama stays on the landscapes of Sonic the Hedgehog, matching the blue and red joysticks against the lush backdrop of the Green Hill Zone. There’s a reinterpretation of the Sonic on the left side with a fish leaping out on the right. Sonic’s friends have not been ignored in another piece where Tails and Knuckles on the Seaside Hill and Sky Sanctuary zones.

Similarly, the Xbox version set for the December 1 release has our hero star in the blue, gray and white landscape with Speed Realmz imagery completing the scene. For keen collectors, the controllers are available right away for a dirt-cheap price tag of $50.

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Eliminate stick drift with the GameSir G7 SE controller that has a paintable faceplate and wired-only option

Pissed off with unreliable joysticks that have the same old stick drift in first-party controllers that shows up after some time of use? A small issue that’s the most likely reason you’ll buy a new one to avoid any in-game disadvantage. Unfortunately, most of the officially licensed gaming controllers are plagued with this problem but at last, GameSir wants to get rid of this for good.

The famous gaming accessories brand specializing in gamepads has unveiled its new G7 SE Controller for Xbox gaming consoles and PC platforms. The controller comes with specially designed magnetic anti-stick drift Hall Effect triggers/thumbsticks and much more. Sure, there are ones by 8BitDo and GuliKit that come with Hall effect sensors, but this one steps up the game to the next level.

Designer: GameSir

The gamepad is tested for 5 million cycles before it shows any sign of stick drift with this innovation. The Hall Effect joysticks named after Edwin Hall employ permanent magnets to measure the stick’s position and negate the stick drift that can develop with usage.

It’s based on the G7 controller released this year and is a wired-only version. G7 SE is also the first ever officially licensed Xbox controller with Hall Effect. Another unique perk is its magnetically removable, paint-friendly faceplate for a precisely customized look to reflect one’s personality. To prevent any accidental activation the gamepad has lockout switches for the rear buttons. Other common features include pulse-type vibration trigger motor and asymmetric vibration grip motor.

With a price tag of $50 (just $5 more than the G7) this is an absolute no-brainer option for gamers who are bugged with stick drift. The only thing that would have made it a sweet deal is the wireless connectivity feature, and we presume the predecessor will have this option. Although wired only means there’s less convenience but the assurance your controller won’t have any stick drift means complete peace of mind.

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8BitDo recreates NEO GEO CD controller in wireless version + emulates click-style joystick to perfection!

8BitDo is renowned for making affordable controllers that come with customizable options. For their latest inspiration, they’ve chosen the cult-classic NEOGEO CD controller released back in 1994 and modernized it to be compatible with the current generation of devices.

The gaming accessory is compatible with Windows, Android and the lesser-known NEOGEO Mini miniature home arcade console released back in 2018 by Japanese publisher NSK. As per 8BitDo compatibility with iOS and macOS will follow soon. Without a semblance of doubt, the controller is yet another lucrative fusion of retro-modern in 8BitDo’s lineup.

Designer: 8BitDo

To make sure this gaming controller is compatible with a wide array of games and platforms, there are L/R shoulder buttons, layout customization options and turbo function. According to 8BitDo, they were able to mirror the “click-style joystick” sound and feel of the original one. This attribute of surreal tactile input made the NEOGEO CD controller highly popular among gamers. Apparently, emulating the microswitch joystick is not an easy task, and it took 8BitDo around 3 years to just perfect the joystick of the NEOGEO CD gamepad!

Since were bang in the middle of 2023, the gamepad comes with wireless connectivity option over Bluetooth or a 2.4GHz connection. There’s a rechargeable battery fitted inside to bring wireless functionality for 35 hours to the classic controller. For times when you prefer zero latency gaming or the in-built battery is running low, a physical cable can be attached too for uninterrupted action.

The controller is officially licensed by SNK and can be pre-ordered right away for a price tag of $35. There are four limited edition variants too for $40 each – with respective decals of Iori Yagami, Terry Bogard, Kyo Kusanagi, and Mai Shiranui) – celebrating the King Fighters ’97. NEOGEO CD Wireless Controller will be available on August 15, so you’ll have to wait till then for fun arcade gaming on your favorite gaming companion.

We just hope it has the familiar precise controls and input for fighting games like Metal Slug or classic sports titles!

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How about a compact gamepad for playing online battle arena games on your smartphone

Ask for mobile game controllers and you’ll be spoilt for choices. Be it the Backbone One, Razer Kishi, SteelSeries Stratus+, 8BitDo Ultimate or Sony DualSense – all these gamepads bring better control to your gaming exploits on a smaller screen. No longer do you have to struggle with looking at screens when all the controls are overlayed on the interface, thereby limiting the vision.

While some mobile gaming controllers sandwich your device and turn it into something like a Nintendo Switch, others claw it on top for an Xbox-like in-hand fell. Both these interfaces are well suited for Battle Royale, racing or fighting games. So, when a gamepad dedicated to online battle arena or RPG titles like League of Legends, Glory of Kings and Peace Elite arrives; it is bound to grab our attention.

Designer: 99 City 8

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Unlike all the popular gamepad configurations, this one has a different layout and a less intrusive physical presence. There are four buttons in total – two on the top, one on the front and one on the back. The controller dubbed Game Remote Sensing allows users to operate more conveniently and quickly, and improves the overall gaming experience.

While the left-hand side is purely the tactile input of the controller, the right side is free for configuring of the on-screen buttons for more tactical gameplay. Doing away with the right-hand side physical buttons and triggers keeps the overall footprint of the controller down and also consumes lesser battery since it is connected via Bluetooth.

 

When not in use the gamepad folds down to the size of a retro flip phone – both in length and thickness. This makes it ultra-pocketable and easy to carry around. Indeed the perfect gaming accessory for users who love gaming on their phones.

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Dreamy gamepad designs only purist gamers will appreciate under the sun

Gamepad design has changed with each generation bringing advancement in technology and improvements in function. It all started with the Atari 2600 in 1977, then Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985, Sony PlayStation in 1994 and Xbox in 2001. Since then, Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox have had a three-way battle for supremacy.

Gaming controllers and gamepads have been in the mix of things all this time, and bringing gamers the most ergonomic and function-laden gamepad has been an unending quest. This adventure continues with these thoughtful gamepad concepts sparking my imagination wild.

Designer: Evolution Lab

Things start off with this dreamy AI-crafted gamepad collection in the form of a ceramic-coated controller with buttons comparable to that on a Formula-1 steering wheel. The gamepad gets a creamy colored texture and the Xbox-inspired analog sticks, D-pad and buttons. The concept gamepad has a fat character to it, and I imagine how it would feel ultra-secure while annihilating my opponents playing open-world titles.

Then comes the very cheesy furniture-inspired gamepad that feels like a Lincoln Continental’s interior dabbed onto a themed NES controller. The button layout has not been tampered with much, and hitting the trigger buttons during intense zombie-firing action will injure a nail or two… ouch! That wooden finished back panel on the controller is too close to comfort for slamming the trigger buttons and holding this one is going to give anyone sweaty palms… yuk!

Next up is a downsized gamepad ideal for carrying along for quick portable gaming skirmishes on a capable gaming device. Yes, I imagine this controller to be a holy grail accessory in a purist gamer’s bag. Nintendo SNES Controller influence is spilled all over here, as the AI picks the minimalistic elements of the classic controller in its logically evolved form.

This Xbox 360-inspired gamepad is a luxe version of the original, and I can’t walk away from staring, it’s that classy. The D-pad and the shoulder trigger buttons have the definitive chrome treatment, something that you would do on a Supra for aftermarket drifting modification. Just pondering over the thought of smoking up the rubber in a Dirt rally or a Car X drifting game gets me high enough, already…

A gamepad with overemphasized shoulder buttons is perfect for battle royale action as you hit the fire and aim buttons in tandem like a pro shooter. Again the Xbox 360 is the canvas on which this caped gamepad builds on, keeping things to basics and colors muted. A no-nonsense gamepad nobody will go wrong with.

Then comes the flashiest of them all. A Nintendo 64 controller getting the animated treatment it seems. Jumping right out of a Pixar animated title like The Incredibles, this concept gamepad will be so much fun to have. To hit those bubbly buttons and maneuver that warship-like analog button is going to be such a blissful feeling.

Last but not least, a gamepad that would ideally go with a modern portable gaming console. Built for a demanding and sophisticated gamer who likes to flaunt those collectible Nike Air Jordan sneakers, the gamepad is one of the most eye-candy iterations of the Nintendo Super NES you would ever see. Everything right from the D-pad to the buttons are so cleanly crafteded. This one I would choose for life out of them all!

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Jacknife Gamer is a gamepad for your phone that easily slips into your pocket

Handheld gaming is hip again, even after the demise of popular devices like the PlayStation Vita and the Nintendo 3DS. Of course, modern portable gaming handhelds like the Nintendo Switch and the Valve Steam Deck PC have made gamers dream once more of the ideal portable gaming system they can take with them anywhere. To some extent, that device does already exist, and it’s called a “smartphone.” While the mobile games industry has become a lucrative business in its own right, there are games that just don’t feel to be a good fit with touchscreen controls only. Game controllers for smartphones exist for that very purpose, but this gamepad takes portability very seriously by taking on a form so small that it’s only a little bit larger than your car’s keyfob.

Designer: Duncan Mao

It’s almost amusing how dedicated Android gaming devices are starting to pop up again after disappearing nearly a decade ago. After all, carrying yet another device in your pocket or bag might not appeal to those who already have a powerful Android phone or an iPhone that could run those same games without breaking a sweat. The problem, however, is that you’ll have to carry with you some form of a portable Bluetooth controller to snap onto your phone, something that is really not as convenient to bring along if you don’t carry a bag all the time.

The Jacknife Gamer is a rather innovative and cute accessory that solves that problem by shrinking the gamepad down to a 64mm x 29mm x 27mm block of plastic, something that you can easily slip into any of your pockets. It is actually made of two parts that swivel in and out of each other, with a phone holder that clamps onto your phone the same way many selfie sticks do. What makes it different from other Bluetooth gamepads, aside from its size, is that the controls sit below the phone in landscape rather than being split into left and right sides.

This design might seem odd, but it more easily supports the natural way you would hold a phone. The buttons are admittedly on the small side due to size constraints, but it’s actually impressive that it supports almost all the standard ones. There are even two bumpers on the back, though you’ll be missing out on left and right triggers, presuming you play games that require those extra controls. In most cases, that won’t be a problem for the majority of mobile games that have controller support unless you start wading into game streaming territory.

The Jacknife Gamer’s compact design makes it ideal for a brief interlude while waiting for someone or for your next schedule. It will probably feel a bit cramped for long periods of gaming, so it’s probably best for those short, unexpected moments of free time. The bigger problem is the number of mobile games that have full controller support since most presume the use of a touchscreen and only a touchscreen. A companion app that maps button presses to screen areas could help alleviate that problem, but the JKG, as it is nicknamed, just covers the basics for now.

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8BitDO morphs NES Gamepad into a wireless charger – because why not!

The classic gamepad with the Nintendo Entertainment System was hard to live with due to its boxy corners, but gamers loved it to the core because of the gaming goodness in the era. The nostalgia factor of the gamepad still lives on, and reason enough for 8BitDO to morph into a utility wireless charger.

8BitDO is already known for its impressive third-party accessories, especially controllers like the Pro 2, Zero 2 and OG NES gamepad. Now, with the NES gamepad-like wireless charger, they promise to bring home a gadget that’ll evoke sweet old memories while juicing up your device. To top it off, the price tag of $20 is the icing on the cake for all you NES lovers.

Designer: 8BitDO

Since your smartphone will sit flush on the surface of the wireless charger, the physical buttons give way to convincing graphics, and the D-pad is also gone here. Gamers will instantly recognize the infamous Konami code from the 80s replacing the control buttons for a fuller look. Yes, I’m talking about the “up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A” code list. In place are the classic black and gray color schemes, along with the red buttons to brush up the iconic look without hindering the wireless coil underneath the pad. One nifty inclusion I really love is the addition of red action buttons as the wheels to make the accessories roll forward or back. Now, that’s going to be yet another nifty fidget toy to fiddle with on your work desk.

For nerdy gamers, the charger will juice up compatible devices at 15W speed. While most of the phones from major IEMs like Google, Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, OnePlus and more are supported; some newer devices are still not on the list. So better go through the list before making a buying decision right away. These phones include the latest Google Pixel, Samsung’s 2022 flagship, and OnePlus’ freshest premium device. That however is expected to be sorted in the coming months.

8BitDO has made it a point not to overload the charger with unwanted gimmicks – just a LED that lights up when the phone draws power from the cool gadget. For the more skeptical lot, the NES gamepad wireless charger comes with voltage and current surge protection, and also shield against overheating.

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This gamepad concept looks like a vacuum cleaner chopped and reassembled

Gamepads or game controllers have evolved over the decades to accommodate more controls as well as apply new lessons in ergonomics. That said, their core design hasn’t exactly changed that much. It’s still a horizontal piece of plastic held in both hands with buttons and whatnot on each side. That leaves the design a bit open for experimentation, with some more successful than others when it comes to hitting the sweet spot of power and comfort. There are also a few unusual designs that deviate from the norm, like this game controller concept that tries to apply Dyson’s distinct design language, whether it actually works or not.

Designer: Shivendu Verma

Dyson is a brand best known for appliances revolving around spinning fans, whether it’s for sucking up dirt or blowing your hair dry. More than just the kind of appliances it makes, however, it is known for the design style that its modern products embrace. These products are marked by their elegant industrial design and a penchant for using plenty of cylinders in their forms.

That’s exactly what this gamepad design concept looks like, even if it adheres to that design language in a rather odd way. The overall shape of the controller is formed from the intersection of three cylinders, almost as if you chopped a Dyson vacuum’s tube into three pieces and glued them together. It admittedly looks like it would be at home in Dyson’s catalogue, especially with its shiny glass surface and accents that lie on the blue to purple range of hues. It might, however, not be the most usable gamepad design if it were to be sold in the market.

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Instead of “wings,” the two cylinders on each side act as grips, but they might not be the most comfortable nor the most stable, especially considering the slippery glass material of this design. The extruded parts of the horizontal cylinder that join the parts together could also get in the way of reaching the controls that might it be far too high. There are also no visible shoulder or trigger buttons that have become standard by now.

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Still, it’s an admittedly interesting design, at least visually speaking. It does, however, drive home the fact that products like these aren’t supposed to just look good. In fact, older game controllers might look hideous by today’s standards and are unsurprisingly less comfortable to use as well. Even today’s gamepads, though, still have a lot of room for improvement, and hopefully, designers won’t quit challenging the status quo to come up with something that is both usable and attractive even to a non-gamer.

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Pro BFG modular controller for PS5 is tailored for fighting games, turns into Xbox configuration without much fuss

Fighting game enthusiasts who always wanted a bit more out of their Sony DualSense have got their wish granted in the form of a wireless controller. This is the officially licensed gamepad for PS5, PS4 and PC (X-Input) controller that brings swappable analog sticks and directional pads to the equation. It comes at a perfect time since Street Fighter 6 is set to reveal next year.

The gaming accessory dubbed Pro BFG is developed by PDP a sub-brand of Victrix, and this ultimate customizable controller promises more functionality than the DualSense. Although it might not be as good-looking as Sony’s original accessory, still it will allure gamers who don’t bother that much about the looks if they are getting extended functionality.

Designer: Victrix

The default layout on the Pro BFG is somewhat similar to the PS5 controller – as in, the analog sticks are adjacent to each other underneath the touchpad. If you don’t like that setting, the configuration can be changed (flipped around) via the included hex screwdriver. So, players who like fighting games with Xbox-like arrangement can replace the right stick with six microswitch buttons while the D-Pad, analog stick caps, and analog stick gates can all be swapped.

There are four mappable back buttons with the ability to map the buttons in a jiffy thanks to the Profile buttons. Players can save up to 3 unique profiles for this purpose. PDP’s modular controller also brings to the fore 5 stopping points that are essentially patented clutch triggers to tune trigger pulls as per need. Things like hair triggers, standard triggers, or anything in between.

Pro BFG wireless also supports wired mode with USB-C connectivity for players who can notice even the slightest latency in audio. Thankfully there’s the 3.5 mm jack too, so Dual Sense lovers don’t have any reason to shy away from this accessory. One thing that’s missing compared to the DualSense is the rumble or adaptive triggers, but that is offset by the extra function that the controller comes with.

The controller gets rubberized grips on the front and back, which goes all well for the accessory. There’s a toggle switch on the top to make the easy switch between PS5., PS4, and PC platforms. You can pre-order it for $179.99 and it will be shipped right in time for the holiday season in December.

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