Backbone Pro Review: The Ultimate Cloud Gaming Controller
▼ Summary
– The Backbone Pro is a premium mobile controller with significant comfort improvements over its predecessor while maintaining portability.
– It adds wireless Bluetooth connectivity for cloud gaming services and devices, plus remappable back buttons and extensive software features.
– The controller costs $169.99 and requires an optional $3.99 monthly subscription for full app functionality like emulators and rewards.
– While excellent for mobile gaming, its wireless performance has issues with instant pairing and it feels awkward without a phone inserted.
– It faces strong competition from alternatives like the Razer Kishi Ultra, which is cheaper and more comfortable but lacks wireless capability.
The Backbone Pro elevates mobile gaming with a host of meaningful upgrades, delivering a more comfortable and versatile experience while retaining the portability that made its predecessor so popular. Designed with cloud gaming in mind, this controller introduces wireless functionality, premium materials, and customizable features, though its higher price tag and subscription-based software extras may give some gamers pause.
After nearly five years, the Backbone Pro marks a major step forward for the brand. It builds on the solid foundation of the original Backbone One, offering a more substantial grip, refined button feel, and the addition of remappable rear buttons. These improvements make extended play sessions far more enjoyable, especially for titles that benefit from precise input and ergonomic support.
One of the standout features is its Bluetooth connectivity, which allows the Pro to pair with PCs, laptops, tablets, and smart TVs. This makes it an ideal companion for services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, Nvidia GeForce Now, and Amazon Luna. Battery life is impressive, clocking in at around forty hours of wireless use. That said, the “instant pairing” feature can be inconsistent, particularly when switching between devices.
Build quality is exceptional. The controller feels premium in the hand, with a textured grip and high-quality plastics that convey durability and comfort. It uses a USB-C connector, ensuring broad compatibility with modern smartphones, and supports pass-through charging so you can play and power up at the same time.
The accompanying Backbone app adds considerable value, serving as a game launcher, profile customizer, and quick-access hub for cloud services. However, some of its best features, including game emulation, screen recording, and advanced button remapping, are locked behind a Backbone Plus subscription, which costs $3.99 per month. A seven-day trial is included with purchase, but the paywall may frustrate some users given the controller’s already steep price.
Priced at $169.99, the Backbone Pro faces tough competition, most notably from the Razer Kishi Ultra. While the Kishi lacks wireless connectivity, it offers a more comfortable grip, RGB lighting, and a fully-featured app without any ongoing fees. The standard Backbone One 2nd Gen remains a compelling, and more affordable, alternative for those who prioritize portability over pro features.
In daily use, the Backbone Pro excels with mobile games like Call of Duty Mobile and Zenless Zone Zero. The larger thumbsticks and redesigned triggers improve control in fast-paced titles, and the back buttons are well-placed and resistant to accidental presses. It accommodates a wide range of phones, even large models and some foldables, especially with the included adapters.
Where it stumbles slightly is in standalone Bluetooth mode. Without a phone inserted, the controller feels overly wide, and the buttons can seem small compared to dedicated gamepads like the DualSense or Xbox Wireless Controller. Some flex is also noticeable due to the extending mechanism, though it’s minor.
All in all, the Backbone Pro is an excellent choice for gamers invested in cloud gaming or those seeking a premium, all-in-one mobile controller. Its build quality, customizability, and wireless flexibility make it a compelling option, just be prepared to pay a premium upfront, and possibly monthly, to access all its capabilities.
(Source: techradar)
