BACKBONE One Mobile Gaming Controller for iPhone (Lightning) - 2nd Gen - Turn Your iPhone into a Gaming Console - Play Xbox, PlayStation, PC, & App Games (3 Months Apple Arcade Included)

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.

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.

I’ve tried a ps portal , switch, streaming from a laptop. This thing is awesome. My internet isn’t that great and I was even able to play my ps5 remotely with very little lag . Probably wouldn’t be as efficient with online versus but ps5 requires online connection even for single player so it probably would do okay. I’ve played stream games already, ps5, and it comes with a year of backbone+ membership which has many benefits. Worth every penny . Can sit with the family and play my games while they watch whatever they want with my AirPods. Fits with my magnetic case. Little knowledge required to set up

I picked up the Backbone One (white edition) for mobile gaming, primarily for native games like Apple Arcade, Netflix Games, and emulated retro titles via Delta. I don’t use cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud or PlayStation Remote Play, so my focus is on how well it handles local gaming.Pros:✅ Great App Experience – The Backbone app is well-designed, with a smooth UI and excellent integration with Netflix Games. Searching for games is intuitive, and everything feels well-organized.✅ Solid Build, But Not Quite Pro-Level – The overall build quality is decent, but the analog sticks don’t have the premium feel of a full-size console controller. They remind me of the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons—functional, but not as satisfying as a Pro Controller or DualSense.✅ Looks Great in White – Aesthetic-wise, I love the white version. It has a clean, modern design that pairs well with an iPhone.Cons:❌ Button Layout Feels Off – This version uses a PlayStation-style button scheme (△○×□), but the asymmetrical analog stick placement feels awkward if you’re used to PlayStation controllers.❌ Most Games Favor an Xbox Layout (ABXY) – Even though this controller has PlayStation-style face buttons, a lot of games still use an Xbox button scheme (ABXY and RB/RT). This mismatch can be disorienting, especially when button prompts don’t align with what you’re used to.❌ Not Built for Serious Gamers – Serious gamers out there might feel that the Backbone doesn’t quite have that high-end, “pro” feel—especially the analog sticks, which lack the precision and resistance of a proper DualSense or Xbox controller.❌ Not Ideal for Primary Console Gamers – Since my main platform is PS5, mobile gaming is more of a side activity. The Backbone is great for quick sessions, but it won’t replace the feel of a full-size controller.Final Thoughts:The Backbone One is a well-made controller with an excellent app and strong integration for mobile gaming, but it doesn’t fully bridge the gap between casual and serious play. The fact that many games default to an Xbox button layout, despite the PlayStation-style markings, adds another layer of inconsistency.