The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
Page 4 Showing 61-80 of 94 reviews
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great product
|
|
Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Its great for on the go ! Couldnt be happier!!!!!!
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Really comfy and makes mobile feel like a actual console. Sometimes it doesn’t connect right away and feels sketchy removing from phone from the usb port. Still totally worth it!
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I've had this thing since October and today for some reason it stopped working, I've tried everything and it looks like best buy did not apply my membership coverage to it so now I have to buy a new one
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The USB-C is a game changer. I tried a controller I could fit my phone into a year or two ago and it was alright but it connected to my phone via bluetooth. Great for versatility but not great for a lot of other reasons. Now that most phones come with USB-C, this is the way to go forward.
Setup is really simple. Just slide the top of your phone into place and stretch the controller so you can slide the USB-C connect into your phone. That's about it. Your mileage will definitely vary when it comes to what kind of case you have on your phone. I don't have anything super bulky but it's also not the craziest, slimmest case either and I don't have to remove it to fit the device in. My device is an iPhone 16 Pro Max so it's not small, either. There's also an app you can download that gives you some recommendations for games to play and all that but it's not necessary and it felt a little bit cluttered. I might use it to find something new sometimes.
The controller feels good in your hands. You have all the standard buttons and a layout similar to an xbox controller so it should feel familiar. Buttons all feel nice to press. Analog sticks feel good to move and seem to work well. It just feels like you're playing a Switch or SteamDeck like device with your phone as the screen. Although it's a tiny bit awkward, rotating your phone back to portrait mode to check something on your phone or write a test message, the controller doesn't really get in your way of holding or using it for short bursts.
Games functioned as you'd expect on my iOS device. I was unable to test on an Android device so I can't help for how well things work but I assume it's similar. If a game supports a controller, it should work great with this Backbone Pro. Testing out things like Fortnite (came back to iOS just in time for this test) and Hades on my device to feel like I was playing them on an actual mobile console (Switch or SteamDeck). I also started up a couple games on Xbox Cloud Gaming. I don't normally do much cloud gaming but I can see myself jumping into some things mobile with this controller in the future. Everything worked great again but I have a fairly great internet and wifi connection and I think that's where the major pain point is when it comes to cloud gaming at this point.
The thing that sends this device over the edge for me was one of the biggest drawbacks when it came to the bluetooth connection device I had used in the past. There's a USB-C port on the bottom of the controller so you can charge your device while you play. There's even a 3.5mm headphone jack if you want to connect some wired headphones. Being able to play games that are going to drain your battery quickly with an extra battery or two (or just a power outlet) to keep you charged makes this version so much better.
All in all, I see myself playing a lot more games on my phone with this Backbone Pro. It feels like a normal controller and "just works". It also lets me charge my device while I'm playing which is key for any sort of long session. If this is in your budget, give it a shot.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Last week, I had the opportunity to unbox the Backbone Pro, and I can say that it represents a significant advancement in mobile gaming technology. From the moment I held the device, I was impressed by its sleek and balanced design, which combines style and structural integrity exceptionally well. The setup process took approximately eight minutes. My initial gaming experience proved to be highly enjoyable. Whether I use my smartphone, tablet, or smart television, I can engage with my preferred games seamlessly and without inconvenience.
Customization and Backbone App
Customization is another highlight. Through the Backbone App, I created my controller profiles, remapped buttons on the fly, and toggled between devices in seconds. The Backbone App also unifies all my games, across mobile, console, and cloud, into one easy-to-access hub. I no longer have to shuffle through different launchers or apps; I open Backbone and see everything laid out neatly.
Play Everywhere and Anywhere
From the beginning, I was struck by the remarkable ease with which one can play anywhere and on any screen. Utilizing Bluetooth, I have been able to transition seamlessly between my Android smartphone, my Windows laptop, and my tablet without experiencing any disruptions. This efficient wireless connection eliminates the need for cumbersome cables, providing a stable and reliable link that consistently engages me in the gaming experience. For me, being able to play Xbox games remotely (or straight from the cloud) without needing the actual console is just incredible. I launched a Forza Horizon race from my phone while my Xbox was tucked away in another room, with no downloads and no fuss. Universal USB-C compatibility allows me to slide it onto my Samsung Galaxy 24 Ultra, thanks to the included adapters, ensuring a perfect fit every time. And if I want to go wired, it's just as straightforward: plug it into any USB-C port and play.
Battery life has been phenomenal.
I have gotten between 38 and 46 hours of continuous wireless gaming on a single charge. I lost count of how many sessions I squeezed in before needing to recharge; it’s true endurance gaming. The built-in audio support is the cherry on top: I can plug my headset into the 3.5 mm jack for crystal-clear wired audio, or pair Bluetooth headphones through the device I’m streaming from.
In short, the Backbone Pro is a must-have for any gamer on the go. From its seamless cross-device functionality and pro-grade ergonomics to its insane battery life and audio capabilities, it delivers everything I need in one beautifully crafted package. This controller is for anyone serious about mobile and cloud gaming or who wants the freedom to play wherever they are. Trust me, this controller elevates the gaming experience.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Buy this if you have money to subscribe to a lot of apps so you can play your games. False advertisement. Every site you go through *especially if you use steam* wants you to subscribe before you can play the game. Or it will let play one game/campaign but after that the whole thing crashes out and the controller won’t anymore. I was so hyped about this and really saved up money but nah its not worth it.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Backbone is back with a new controller that aims to take everything that was great about the original and take it to the next level.
Design-wise the pro controller follows the same design principle of the original for the most part. The most radical changes are the new thumbstick which are now full sized sticks similar to that of a regular controller and the handles.
The thumbsticks feel good to use and you'll feel right at home if you're used to the xbox design.
For those of you that love having additional buttons, the grips each feature an additional back button on the handles which have been thoughtfully designed to be easy to reach but not in the way of you're grabbing the handles properly.
Moving onto the handles, there's been a bit of a bulk up in size compared to the original. This is important as the new bigger handles were necessary to house the batteries for the next big feature which is being able to use the controller as a standalone wireless Bluetooth controller.
From the time I've spent using the controller, I haven't noticed any sort of lag or drop outs when using the controller and it's very easy to setup with compatible bleutooth devices.
Moving onto the companion app, theres some new additions as well. The app now has support for a variety of emulators to use with more emulators being looked at on the way to be supported. This is big for the platform and gives some extra incentive for buying a backbone+ subscription.
One small thing that I've noticed is that when having your phone connected it doesnt quite seem as stable on the left side which can be somewhat audible and visible as it moves slightly which I dont remember being noticeable on the original backbone.
Also inside the case, there's a compartment with larger magnetic adapters which are intended to be used if you're not using a case on your phone but somewhat paradoxically the small adapter seems to give the room more space to breathe; with the larger adapter the camera bumb of the iphone 16 pro is uncomfortable pressed against the housing which made me feel that it may get scratched.
Overall i think this is a great new addition to the backbone line up and is a worthly look if you don' already have a backbone or value the new features.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Backbone Pro is hands down the best controller for mobile gaming. It feels so premium and well built. The grips are also so very comfortable and it actually feels like you’re holding a full sized controller in your hand.
You get plenty of battery life if you choose to go Bluetooth mode (up to 40 hours) and it charges pretty quick also. It’s really nice to be able to play using just Bluetooth. Allows you to connect it to a PC, console or phone without having your phone docked.
The thumb sticks feel pretty good. I was worried they’d be too short and cramp up my hands but these feel full sized and comfortable. All the other buttons and functions work well. The Backbone app is also very solid. Very well made and I haven’t had any issues with it.
I’ve been gaming for a very long time and never thought I’d see the day where you could use a phone to play triple A games via the cloud or remote play. Absolutely wild.
Overall, I’m very pleased with this controller. If you like to game on the go you should definitely consider this controller.