I can't believe they sell you the product for $100, and to get the most out of it, you then have to pay $40 a year for an app... It takes a product I'd like to buy, and just puts it as an absolute no.
@@latestagegaming even if they just made it a sensible cost like $1 a month… but 40 for an app that’s fairly integral to the physical product you bought 😳
@@TMANcantsnipe Huh? You don't need the app to play PS remote, I've been playing remote just fine and I never installed their app. You just start remote play through the PS app as you would normally would and the backbone should automatically connect.
You dont need to pay to use it. I have it and use everything on. It has broken on me but I've exchanged it about 5 times warranty is amazing. This guy has no idea what he is talking about.
I absolutely love my Backbone. And you don’t need a subscription to use the device as a controller for other games. Backbone works as a hub which keeps all of the games under one umbrella. You don’t need a subscription to use the controller for PS Remote Play or play cloud games. Also, I have big hands and the controls feel fine. And there are adapters “free” of charge from Backbone themselves which would solve the “wobbly” issue. This is a quality product.
Ver 2.0 quietly came out for the iPhone 15 (Pro Max), it fits the phone with a CASE, which was a deal-breaker on the original BB. Trigger buttons are improved, and the updated BB is on sale for $69.99 for Black Friday. Only gripe is the power jack is still "inset" so some USB-C cables will not fit.
I love mine, Android version with a 22 Ultra. Found one closed box for $50. No wiggle, no giant camera bumps. Love it for COD mobile and Diablo, sometimes stream my PlayStation too. Haven’t had battery issues either, I run native mobile games on Max visuals and can play for hours. 10/10 for me
Hey David good insight, wondering if you could answer this, but is it possible to use the backbone completely offline? Let’s say I’m out in the woods and bought GTA SA in the Apple Store, no reception no nothing, would it still be useful?
The Backbone doesn’t require internet access to use, so it should work providing the game you’re playing doesn’t require a constant internet connection. The only caveat is that the Backbone app might not work as expected, but you don’t need the app to play. Hope this helps!
My question is outside PlayStation games outside Xbox games. Can I play regular app games from my phone on this system? Like for instants I like playing CSR racing 2 would I be able to play with the backbone?
As far as the wobble goes, it looks like you're not using the adapter. I have a 14 Plus which it provides an adapter that makes the phone fit snuggly in the controller. It says you need the adapter for 13 Pro, 14, 13 Pro Max, 14 Plus and 14 Pro Max. My kids have an XR and 12 Pro and theirs fits perfectly without the adapter.
Backbone owner here 1. I have a switch that I put an attachment on so the grips would make the grips deeper and feel better and I also have the standard backbone & PlayStation backbone and it feels completely fine. I love gaming on my backbone 2. It comes with an attachment not seen in this video that comes in the box that makes my iPhone fit perfectly and not wobble around 3. I bought my backbone from Costco for $70 & it came with a $25 PlayStation credit. it’s not this price all the time but you can get it for a better price when on sale 4. I feel like people who buy the the original or the PlayStation model have an idea of what they’re going to be using it for. With emulators now on both android and Apple. The backbone is 10x better than touch controls and if you use it for psp emulation or PS5 remote play you’ve likely played enough PlayStation you know where each button corresponds to
Thats what i was thinking. I already have a ps5 and mount but wanted to know if it was worth getting the backbone over what i already have. From the looks of it the only thing in the Backbone’s favor is travel size. But thats not worth $100s over a normal controller
Controller w phone mounted gets tiring. The controller isnt designed for the added weight and will also affect how u hold it. Ive spent hrs playing like that@Fallen_Angel_6
4:46 yeah but if you also use Delta Emulator for DS games the DS uses a different layout of buttons (XYAB instead of the newer YXBA) and it’s easier to just remember where the letters were directionally than having to decipher whether or not it’s switched or not.
Got a usb c version for my iPhone 15 pro max. Looks like they reduced the free trial to 3 months and the play on any device settings don’t show up when connected to an iPhone.
As for the power problem...your phone is still getting more hours than a Steam Deck or ROG or something. It's not terrible when comparing to those, but maybe still not as good as a Switch or something. That said, I have an old LG G6, one of the last phones LG ever made. Resurrecting old phones, and having them dedicated to this is easily the way to go.
So I have owned or bought and returned quite a few of these usbc controllers. Including the backbone.. which I returned. The quality just didn't feel like a $120. I finally found the perfect controller, though.. the gamevice.. it is the only one that is compatible with a phone case.. and includes a fitting system for basically every phone and case combo. So it has rigidity, and if you drop it your phone is in its case so no damage.. it fits my s23 ultra no problem. And is compatible with every service available.
Dude same 1st one just stopped functioning properly it would keep move the up stick in game then now since I got a 2nd new one it’s not working properly to where I wanna navigate the main stick control
do not forget to mention the poorly designed ribbon cable in the main support bar. over time the wear and tear of putting it on your phone will eventually break this controller. the buttons will stop registering correctly and you will then need to ship it in for repair. i got a razer kishi v2 for my fix.
I agree with the grip issue. After a short while my fingers start to cramp and go numb. For me it's easier just to pair my ps5 controller. The small sticks are also kind of annoying after a while. Kinda of like holding two short chopsticks to play games.
I’ve been looking at this thing for a while and thinking about it. I don’t expect to replace my 13 Pro Max for at least another year so that’s enough time to enjoy this thing, but that subscription bit is a huge turnoff. That alone actually has me waiting for the upcoming PS5 remote play handheld.
You get one year of the Backbone+ subscription for free with the purchase of the device, so if you're only expecting to use the Backbone for a year it might work out for you. But I'm curious how Sony's Project Q is going to play out too. Might be a better solution for PS Remote Play if they get the price right.
This guy's know nothing you can get it at best buy and get warranty for it I've traded this thing in like five times. The other thing he lied about you don't need a subscription. It's literally plug and play.
I got the D6 off of Temu the grip is about the same issue but I still digg it No issue from the D6 with phone grip And not subscriptions it’s free and stays charged for 48 hours , when disconnected from Bluetooth it turns off compatible with iPhone 13 android I didn’t care to read Only issue you need a secondary app to connect so you may find issues if your phones not updated
It’s interesting that you didnt mention that you generally have to remove the phone from your case to use the backbone. I was one of the early adopters so i got that backbone+ for free, but the thing that stops me from using it most of the time is removing my phone from its case
I guess it wasn’t a big deal for me while making this video because my case is super easy to take off. But I know now that it’s a big deal for many of my viewers. If I ever do another follow up I’ll mention it for sure.
1:57 I'd personally disagree, unless you need a specific application (or a set of them) for your work and there are no alternatives, there are no essential subscriptions.
I’ve had the backbone for awhile - one of the fortunate users who got the lifetime subscription and all the complaints are pretty valid. I recently did a review talking about it as well. My biggest one though has to be you need to remove your phone case in most cases to use the thing. Like you said that grip isn’t very great and now my phone is even more in risk of dropping without the case. As for the grips - I’ve got small hands so it’s not too much of an issue with me.
Cool! I’ll check out your video. I definitely forgot to mention the case issue. Honestly, my phone case comes off super easily so I’ve never been too bothered by it. But for people with more complicated cases that are hard to remove, this is a major issue for sure.
The backbone is meant for your older devices. Also they have adapters that you can plug in the charger port and plug into your pc so you can use the controller on PC.
4:27 The only reason I bought this was because of the build quality and to play PSX and PS2 games. The PS layout was a plus for me. I just wish I knew about how much battery it used.
i’ve had a backbone for like 7 months and the only issue i have with it is the troubleshooting with the controller and it sometimes stops working. the second issue you mentioned can be solved with the little rubber thing that comes with it
I love my controller overall. I use it with an iPhone 13 Pro Max and I have no wiggle issues or anything. The grips ARE kind of sucky. I wish they were larger and a little longer as I have larger hands. I don’t use the Backbone+ so it doesn’t bother me, I use it with RemotePlay so none of the BackBone+ stuff bothers me, can’t imagine using it with my iPad either lol. It’s great on my phone and that’s all I need.
I got the 2gen backbone. There is nothing wrong with it, and the subscription you dont need it unless you want to use the extra feature like screen recording. You can use it on your Playstation and xbox and Android games just fine not sure what this guy is complaining
This video make me realize that this controller is soon getting incompatible with future iPhones with usbc . That for me is the only con that really outweighs my decision of getting it.
Or incompatible because of the camera bumps on iPhones. They made the adaptor for iPhone 14 Pro but I don't trust that it isn't putting undesired pressure onto the lighting port
I recently bought a Backbone controller for my Samsung phone, and I think it's great! I use it to play the PPSSPP emulator. You don't need to sign in to their account or purchase their subscription. That's completely optional!
I wanted to like the backbone controller.. but my palms cramp after some time unfortunately. I bought the PlayStation one for remote play mainly. Sadly I’ll be returning it
Honestly the only complaint I had was the subscription service I didn’t know we had to pay 💀 I got 3 free months but still. Other than that I love it, compact, ergonomic, and overall fun to use! 8/10
Are you just saying buzz words at the end? It’s clearly not very ergonomic if you know what that means. It’s fairly bulky and it’s just a controller it has no bearing on how fun the games you play are.
I personally love the back bone but that is probably because I have tiny baby hands and there is one problem is that the left side stopped working but I sent it in for warnety and they gave me a new
I got one 2 days ago and to be completely honest it’s alright. The right trigger kinda sucks (a bit sticky). The sticks feel a little small but are otherwise pretty decent. All around the backbone is alright just a little small and kinda cheap feeling other than that it is a good way to play on the go.
Hmm. The sticky right trigger makes me wonder if your device is a bit defective. Mine feels smooth, though now that I think about it the travel is a bit minimal. That could be improved in a new revision.
I don’t have those games, but I don’t see why not. The only game the Backbone has issues with that I’m aware of is Astro’s Playroom, because it uses the DualSense’s adaptive triggers and other features which the Backbone doesn’t have. So I’d bet you’ll be totally fine playing 2K and Madden with the Backbone at work.
@Phoenix Gaming is that really what it literally means? I assumed you could use remote play from anywhere as long as you had internet on your phone and your PlayStation was on
This is correct, you can play from anywhere with an internet connection so long as your PlayStation is on (and you can set it to turn on remotely.) But the quality of the stream can be quite variable depending on a number of factors (speed of your home internet connection, speed of your current connection etc.)
Game at 1:30? The only thing I dislike about the backbone is that it won’t work on an iPad unless you get the plus I have a lightning-lightning extender cable and it still recognises it and won’t work with it Meanwhile the gamesir with the extender cable works on iPad That said, the quality on the backbone is wayyy better than the gamesir so… it’s a shame I didn’t buy it when they launched to get the free lifetime +
I mean, fair! Everyone has different levels of price sensitivity. My issue is that Backbone+ is more expensive than some subscription services that offer large game libraries. For example, a year of Backbone+ is worth four months of basic Game Pass. It’s also twice as expensive as a single year of Nintendo Online for one person (the non-Expansion Pass version.)
The backbone is perfect for me! I don't have a PC or Windows so I always thought I could never use Steam. So when backbone came out, I was finally able to play all the amazing games I saw on steam. And by the way, the grip is literally fine.
What was the manufacturer thinking? After watching a few videos, I searched EXTRA for the 2nd generation variant for “Apple iPhone Android USB-C” when ordering and then ordered accordingly. Even if the manufacturer is probably completely surprised ... I actually have a very rare iPhone 15 Pro. Then I realized that the controller doesn't work with the iPhone at all. To make it compatible, you need an Android phone with USB-C - that makes sense, right? The best thing: I really had to search for a loooooong time to find someone in my environment with an Android phone ... but I managed it. Unfortunately, the controller then shows firmware version 1.2.1 ... along with the note that this is the latest version = no firmware update. The Backbone website then states that the controller for the iPhone 15 only works from version 1.2.2. That's what I call checkmate. I'm sending the space junk back now, and I'm buying a controller that works with the iPhone 15 Pro, just not from Backbone.
I hate how this controller RAPES your charging port with the power connection. Constant insert/removal will wear out your charging port. I have a magnetic nub in mine and use a magnetic charging cable. I guess this controller is not for me.
lmfao I’ve never worn out a charging point, and never heard of one wearing out… broken? Yes. Full of pocket lint? Also yes.
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I disagree with your first point: imho it is small enough for it to fit in your pants pocket while it is big enough to be reasonably comfortable. The Steam Deck is great but not small enough for you to fit on your pocket as I think it is the point with this device.
For the ability to play pc games on it, the type c charger can be used as a link to the pc or laptop, but yes the membership is needed to use for the app, but for me since i dont really prefer mobile pc games i just use a link cable
I bought a backbone for Black Friday because it was cheap enough, high reviews, and on the product page listed Genshin Impact. Only to find out I need a subscription to use the button overlay feature within 5 minutes of taking it out of the box. So yeah, taking it back. Im not spending $40 a year to continue to use something that I already paid for and am supposed to own.
I kinda feel like a phone mount on a regular controller you already own, is the way to go. Because what difference does it make wether you have controllers tacked on the ends of your phone? its not like these things are pocketable anyway.
You can use the Backbone with Farming Simulator 22 on Xbox Game Pass or on PS4/PS5 via Remote Play. And it looks like Farming Simulator 23 on iOS will work with the Backbone controller too.
I bought one recently, and I like it. About the grip, it's true that's nowhere near as good as a real controller or other products, but if you're used to holding you phone, well anything is an improvement, but if you're used to a better grip them Backbone will be a bad experience. What I really hated is that subscription part. When I installed the app it says nothing about it or how much time left I have, I only discovered about it reading the FAQ. And even there it's misleading, it only mentions that X feature is paid on the IPhone FAQ, nothing abiut it on Android FAQ so what's the deal? Android has the feature for free or will I get a nasty surprise 1 year later? But for playing on my phone with steam link, I have been using it daily for the last week.
Many thanks for your video, and yes I was going to get the Backbone controller until I saw a number of videos like yours where I was made aware of the subscription, not good so will look for another controller that does not charge a subscription.
I bought my backbone about a yr ago, for some reason my charging port doesn’t work anymore & when I play COD Mobile, it shoots on its own. Idk if there is some kinda glitching going on w my Backbone but it’s very annoying when I play MP or Battle Royale bc it’s just shooting my g u n on its own! Smh
Oh damn! Sorry to hear that. There is a one-year warranty, so if you bought it less than a year ago you might be able to get it repaired or replaced. No idea how that will work out for you, but it’s worth a look: help.playbackbone.com/hc/en-us/articles/4412063514135-Returns-and-Warranty-Policy
Grips feel fine, especially if you do not have a large hands. What is the biggest issue for me is inserting the phone into USB-c socket. It requires patience and attention so you do not damage either the phone or controller.
Honestly, being Switch sized and much smaller than the Steam Deck is a selling point for me. Hated the size of the Steam Deck enough that I had to sell it as it hurt my hands.
The primary reason I bought the backbone is because it is compact, but still fits my niche phone model better than some other controllers that don't have the titular backbone. Slim grips, while decreasing comfort, also somewhat decrease bulk, and it isn't too atrocious given what I play.
I mean it's $100 and on sale got mine for $60. It's not supposed to be like a Rog or another handheld that's a $300 plus machine. It's designed for the ultra compact and on the go playing. I think for sub $100 it's a steal when I can play my Xbox games on my lunch while at work.
I bought the razer Kishi v2, and it does not fit on the iPhone 15 pro max due to the camera module, and I think that applies for all iPhone pro max models. So not the best option.
I just bought a Backbone and I'm taking it back :(. I wholly agree with the slim grips and that is the number one reason. I have Motorola Moto G Stylus 2021 with a large case which I like. But I had to take it off to use the Backbone just to fit it in, which is a big hassle its hard to do. Then after playing two games with it my hands started to ache weirdly for the first time ever playing Android games (??) Its like the grips are too small for your hands. Must everything be made for baby hands? The arrow controls are baby-sized too. Then the very game I bought it for, pacman256 isnt supported and I was immediately presented with ads about their pay wall. I already put down $100 bucks for this. They all but laid out the game.... you go to them to make games compatible. How long before you have to pay for that? My other issue is I hate disposable, non-replaceable internal batteries. Even if they're rechargable, eventually the device's battery is going to die, leaving you with a useless paperweight. I have an AfterGlow 064-015T that ingeniously runs on AA batteries. Why is this ingenious? Because I can still use rechargeable AAs and when they're dead as all batteries eventually do, just buy new batteries instead of a new controller. This one just has no batteries apparently. But I agree it draining on the cell phone is a real drag. Thanks for any alternative suggestions!
Sorry to tell you but the only thing that I see a problem with the backbone is the sub and price of it. I would recommend if you buy it you go for the Playstation version b/c the other one doesn't work with PS remote play. The PS one does work for Xbox Cloud Gaming though.
I love my Razor Kishi, but it only works on some games. I've found it works on Castlevania but not with Contra or Ocean Horn. Some other games it doesn't work on are Mighty Doom and Tomb Raider Reloaded. Came here hoping this would mention this device works on ALL mobile games from Google Play Store. Not about to buy yet another device with subpar compatibility. If you own one, let me know if it works for ALL your phone games.
A lot of people are dealing with problems the one I have is one side, the backbone stops working the left side I left to go eat I came back to use it but my controller kept saying I was moving forward, even though I wasn’t moving at all then the other side just completely stop working didn’t have to space it out to get to work again then it just broke and stopped working for good how do how does nobody blame Backbone for this I seen a Reddit a lot of people going through the same problem I tried factory to factory reset but you need Backbone plus to do so who would put factory reset behind a pay wall
I sit at a desk all day at work so I can always keep my phone charged, and I’ll be mainly doing remote play so the PS backbone seemed like a no brainer. 40 for a subscription is insane.
What’s the best alternative ? I really like the backbone but I don’t want to take my case off when using it, I’d get the 2nd gen but I have an iPhone 14 Pro so I can’t use it because of usb-c
Just returned my backbone today. $99 plus subscription is not acceptable. And yes, the grips are so slim and the buttons feel like they’ll break with extended use.
Don't have one but do want one now that I have a PS4 pro. I dunno if you guys have tried remote play without a control but the touch screen controls are worse than they are on fortnite.
If you're fine with playing on the smallest green and you get the newer backbone it's not bad at all I bought one at the pawn shop for like 50 bucks here in Alaska and I've only used it three times cuz I just can't stand playing an extended amount of time on a small screen unless I'm playing one of those turn-based games...
I just bought one so i could play death stranding on iPhone. No you don’t need a subscription, yes it’s pricy BUT I tried being cheap and getting the popular knock off. It was inconvenient and not easy to pair. This is just a plug and play device with zero issues! They regularly go on sale for $79 I like the charging pass though. The subscription looks pointless lol
Really the only difference is whether it’s Bluetooth or plugged in and if it has an app. If you don’t plan on getting the backbone or razer app go for a cheaper alternative cus they do literally the same thing
I liked your critical perspective. I am very tired of RUclipsrs failing to mention negative aspects of the products they review (aka shilling).
Glad it was helpful!
yeah. they have this trend to, just as tv commercials, to become review commercials.
Paid reviews probably
@@leejones3061
Almost certainly
Almost 99% of the reviwers are lying straight out for giftbaskets and free stuff. Disgusting
I can't believe they sell you the product for $100, and to get the most out of it, you then have to pay $40 a year for an app... It takes a product I'd like to buy, and just puts it as an absolute no.
Yeah, it’s a gross business move for sure. I know it’s turning off a lot of would-be purchasers.
@@latestagegaming even if they just made it a sensible cost like $1 a month… but 40 for an app that’s fairly integral to the physical product you bought 😳
Actually there’s a brand new PlayStation Backbone for Android! Just came out recently.
You don't. The subscription is completely useless.
It's like saying "i need a Xbox Game Pass subscription to get the most out of my console"
@@TMANcantsnipe Huh? You don't need the app to play PS remote, I've been playing remote just fine and I never installed their app. You just start remote play through the PS app as you would normally would and the backbone should automatically connect.
So tired of every company looking to dig its claws into your monthly expenses.
You accept the Monetary System so you accept all the sideeffects also the bad ones😂
You dont need to pay to use it. I have it and use everything on. It has broken on me but I've exchanged it about 5 times warranty is amazing. This guy has no idea what he is talking about.
But if you want to believe him you are missing out.
I absolutely love my Backbone. And you don’t need a subscription to use the device as a controller for other games. Backbone works as a hub which keeps all of the games under one umbrella. You don’t need a subscription to use the controller for PS Remote Play or play cloud games. Also, I have big hands and the controls feel fine. And there are adapters “free” of charge from Backbone themselves which would solve the “wobbly” issue. This is a quality product.
@mylo4919 Yes
Could I use the backbone to play Apple Arcade games?
Yes, you can definitely use the Backbone to play Apple Arcade games.
@@latestagegamingcan I play normal apple play games? Like brawlhalla if you kno what game that is lol
@@latestagegamingCan i play roblox with it?
I don't use a subscription. I'm playing it on my Galaxy 24 Ultra. Its awesome.
im just getting into it. what mobile games do you recommend? do you play thru the play store app or thru backbones games?
I play arena breakout
@@dapperpenguinghostuse an emulator to play games it’s the best
Ver 2.0 quietly came out for the iPhone 15 (Pro Max), it fits the phone with a CASE, which was a deal-breaker on the original BB. Trigger buttons are improved, and the updated BB is on sale for $69.99 for Black Friday. Only gripe is the power jack is still "inset" so some USB-C cables will not fit.
Will it fit with an otterbox defender?
I love mine, Android version with a 22 Ultra. Found one closed box for $50. No wiggle, no giant camera bumps. Love it for COD mobile and Diablo, sometimes stream my PlayStation too. Haven’t had battery issues either, I run native mobile games on Max visuals and can play for hours. 10/10 for me
Fair! I’m actually a big fan too, but I wanted to explore some of its flaws. I did the same for the positives of the device in other videos.
Hey David good insight, wondering if you could answer this, but is it possible to use the backbone completely offline? Let’s say I’m out in the woods and bought GTA SA in the Apple Store, no reception no nothing, would it still be useful?
The Backbone doesn’t require internet access to use, so it should work providing the game you’re playing doesn’t require a constant internet connection. The only caveat is that the Backbone app might not work as expected, but you don’t need the app to play. Hope this helps!
My question is outside PlayStation games outside Xbox games. Can I play regular app games from my phone on this system? Like for instants I like playing CSR racing 2 would I be able to play with the backbone?
Yeah, that shouldn’t be a problem at all. I play regular iPhone games from the App Store with my Backbone all the time.
As far as the wobble goes, it looks like you're not using the adapter. I have a 14 Plus which it provides an adapter that makes the phone fit snuggly in the controller. It says you need the adapter for 13 Pro, 14, 13 Pro Max, 14 Plus and 14 Pro Max. My kids have an XR and 12 Pro and theirs fits perfectly without the adapter.
I have a regular iPhone 13, so the adapter is apparently not meant for my phone.
@@latestagegaminggod i really hate this guy now. 😂😂 there is nothing valid he said.
Hello, what's the name of the first game (1:33) please?
gunfire reborn
Backbone owner here
1. I have a switch that I put an attachment on so the grips would make the grips deeper and feel better and I also have the standard backbone & PlayStation backbone and it feels completely fine. I love gaming on my backbone
2. It comes with an attachment not seen in this video that comes in the box that makes my iPhone fit perfectly and not wobble around
3. I bought my backbone from Costco for $70 & it came with a $25 PlayStation credit. it’s not this price all the time but you can get it for a better price when on sale
4. I feel like people who buy the the original or the PlayStation model have an idea of what they’re going to be using it for. With emulators now on both android and Apple. The backbone is 10x better than touch controls and if you use it for psp emulation or PS5 remote play you’ve likely played enough PlayStation you know where each button corresponds to
To anyone thinking of getting a backbone, just get a regular controller and a mount it's the same price, and regular controller is better
What if I want to play while driving
@@gerardoaldana9374 💀
Its not even close to the same tho.
Thats what i was thinking. I already have a ps5 and mount but wanted to know if it was worth getting the backbone over what i already have. From the looks of it the only thing in the Backbone’s favor is travel size. But thats not worth $100s over a normal controller
Controller w phone mounted gets tiring. The controller isnt designed for the added weight and will also affect how u hold it. Ive spent hrs playing like that@Fallen_Angel_6
4:46 yeah but if you also use Delta Emulator for DS games the DS uses a different layout of buttons (XYAB instead of the newer YXBA) and it’s easier to just remember where the letters were directionally than having to decipher whether or not it’s switched or not.
Got a usb c version for my iPhone 15 pro max. Looks like they reduced the free trial to 3 months and the play on any device settings don’t show up when connected to an iPhone.
As for the power problem...your phone is still getting more hours than a Steam Deck or ROG or something. It's not terrible when comparing to those, but maybe still not as good as a Switch or something. That said, I have an old LG G6, one of the last phones LG ever made. Resurrecting old phones, and having them dedicated to this is easily the way to go.
So I have owned or bought and returned quite a few of these usbc controllers. Including the backbone.. which I returned. The quality just didn't feel like a $120. I finally found the perfect controller, though.. the gamevice.. it is the only one that is compatible with a phone case.. and includes a fitting system for basically every phone and case combo. So it has rigidity, and if you drop it your phone is in its case so no damage.. it fits my s23 ultra no problem. And is compatible with every service available.
Nice! Yeah, I’m planning to check it out at some point. I’ll definitely share my opinions on my channel.
Thanks I’m going to look into that one not willing to pay $50 yearly to play phone games.
Dude same 1st one just stopped functioning properly it would keep move the up stick in game then now since I got a 2nd new one it’s not working properly to where I wanna navigate the main stick control
do not forget to mention the poorly designed ribbon cable in the main support bar. over time the wear and tear of putting it on your phone will eventually break this controller. the buttons will stop registering correctly and you will then need to ship it in for repair. i got a razer kishi v2 for my fix.
I agree with the grip issue. After a short while my fingers start to cramp and go numb. For me it's easier just to pair my ps5 controller. The small sticks are also kind of annoying after a while. Kinda of like holding two short chopsticks to play games.
Which game are u using the PS5 controller?
I bought one today and i absolutely hate it! The feel of the controller the toggles are to far apart i took mine back
I’ve been looking at this thing for a while and thinking about it. I don’t expect to replace my 13 Pro Max for at least another year so that’s enough time to enjoy this thing, but that subscription bit is a huge turnoff. That alone actually has me waiting for the upcoming PS5 remote play handheld.
You get one year of the Backbone+ subscription for free with the purchase of the device, so if you're only expecting to use the Backbone for a year it might work out for you. But I'm curious how Sony's Project Q is going to play out too. Might be a better solution for PS Remote Play if they get the price right.
@@latestagegaming1 month on amazon for me
It’s trash man it’s gonna. Break one way or the other
This guy's know nothing you can get it at best buy and get warranty for it I've traded this thing in like five times. The other thing he lied about you don't need a subscription. It's literally plug and play.
If you believed every word this guy said you and the many people are gullible and he his preying on that. This was not an honest review.
I got the D6 off of Temu the grip is about the same issue but I still digg it
No issue from the D6 with phone grip
And not subscriptions it’s free and stays charged for 48 hours , when disconnected from Bluetooth it turns off compatible with iPhone 13 android I didn’t care to read
Only issue you need a secondary app to connect so you may find issues if your phones not updated
It’s interesting that you didnt mention that you generally have to remove the phone from your case to use the backbone. I was one of the early adopters so i got that backbone+ for free, but the thing that stops me from using it most of the time is removing my phone from its case
I guess it wasn’t a big deal for me while making this video because my case is super easy to take off. But I know now that it’s a big deal for many of my viewers. If I ever do another follow up I’ll mention it for sure.
@@latestagegamingthat’s a better paint than you last point. You should’ve used that instead.
Negligible point. I mean really?
That's negligible by a mulviversal mile
Man, you're just fvking lazy bro
1:57 I'd personally disagree, unless you need a specific application (or a set of them) for your work and there are no alternatives, there are no essential subscriptions.
I’ve had the backbone for awhile - one of the fortunate users who got the lifetime subscription and all the complaints are pretty valid. I recently did a review talking about it as well.
My biggest one though has to be you need to remove your phone case in most cases to use the thing. Like you said that grip isn’t very great and now my phone is even more in risk of dropping without the case.
As for the grips - I’ve got small hands so it’s not too much of an issue with me.
Cool! I’ll check out your video. I definitely forgot to mention the case issue. Honestly, my phone case comes off super easily so I’ve never been too bothered by it. But for people with more complicated cases that are hard to remove, this is a major issue for sure.
My bad not messing for you for the veido
1:24 well in Canada, one dollar is worth less than a usd, I don’t really know why but for example: 50 USD ≈ 60 CD (Canadian dollar)
I will still get it as my family uses the tv a lot. So having this will be nice to still play fifa while my family can watch tv
I was gonna get it but now I’m not sure, any advice?
Dont
The backbone is meant for your older devices. Also they have adapters that you can plug in the charger port and plug into your pc so you can use the controller on PC.
True, but the connection to PC or other devices only works if you have the paid Backbone+ subscription.
4:27 The only reason I bought this was because of the build quality and to play PSX and PS2 games. The PS layout was a plus for me. I just wish I knew about how much battery it used.
my mom thought it was the new PSP so she got me it(I didn't want to seem ungrateful).
I feel like the backbone joysticks are not sensitive at all and moving them in one direction makes it go all the way over full force.
what is the name of the game he was playing @ 3:45 because I remember I used to play it but I cant recall the name
It looks like sky
@@Akatsuki-000 no I would know if it’s sky it’s not
@@mhmadmatar9835 oh okay
What games did you play?
i’ve had a backbone for like 7 months and the only issue i have with it is the troubleshooting with the controller and it sometimes stops working. the second issue you mentioned can be solved with the little rubber thing that comes with it
Too bad that it stops working sometimes. I haven’t had any quality control issues so far, so I guess I’m one of the lucky ones.
I had mine for a year and a half. It's lightly used. But it stopped working. I tried it in different phones and still the same problem.
I love my controller overall. I use it with an iPhone 13 Pro Max and I have no wiggle issues or anything. The grips ARE kind of sucky. I wish they were larger and a little longer as I have larger hands. I don’t use the Backbone+ so it doesn’t bother me, I use it with RemotePlay so none of the BackBone+ stuff bothers me, can’t imagine using it with my iPad either lol. It’s great on my phone and that’s all I need.
Good stuff! Yeah, I definitely wish the grips were better too.
@@latestagegamingthey will probably have bigger grips maybe someday
This is a recent product so plans are yet a come
I got the 2gen backbone. There is nothing wrong with it, and the subscription you dont need it unless you want to use the extra feature like screen recording. You can use it on your Playstation and xbox and Android games just fine not sure what this guy is complaining
Screen recording is an Extra feature? Since when? I thought ever since 7th Gen screen recording has been standard
This video make me realize that this controller is soon getting incompatible with future iPhones with usbc . That for me is the only con that really outweighs my decision of getting it.
Yeah, it’s too bad. Hopefully there will be a dongle or something to help with compatibility.
Or incompatible because of the camera bumps on iPhones. They made the adaptor for iPhone 14 Pro but I don't trust that it isn't putting undesired pressure onto the lighting port
I recently bought a Backbone controller for my Samsung phone, and I think it's great! I use it to play the PPSSPP emulator. You don't need to sign in to their account or purchase their subscription. That's completely optional!
Never understood how the backbone could be more expensive than a dualsense
Right?!?
I wanted to like the backbone controller.. but my palms cramp after some time unfortunately. I bought the PlayStation one for remote play mainly. Sadly I’ll be returning it
just got my subscription for this always love someone giving honest opinions hope to see you continue with the work bro
1:33 what is the name of the game?
Honestly the only complaint I had was the subscription service I didn’t know we had to pay 💀 I got 3 free months but still. Other than that I love it, compact, ergonomic, and overall fun to use! 8/10
Glad to hear you like it! And yes, that subscription needs to be better advertised.
Are you just saying buzz words at the end? It’s clearly not very ergonomic if you know what that means. It’s fairly bulky and it’s just a controller it has no bearing on how fun the games you play are.
@@latestagegamingdo you need to get a backbone membership just to connect to your Xbox account?
I personally love the back bone but that is probably because I have tiny baby hands and there is one problem is that the left side stopped working but I sent it in for warnety and they gave me a new
The price competitor is the Game Vice flex. Imo it’s the best hand held controller
Good point! I should have included that as well
Yup, i just bought the Gamevice flex, it fits perfectly with my case on.
I feel like power and port problems are an issue with any and all accessories that use power from the ports so it should not be too much of a concern
I got one 2 days ago and to be completely honest it’s alright. The right trigger kinda sucks (a bit sticky). The sticks feel a little small but are otherwise pretty decent. All around the backbone is alright just a little small and kinda cheap feeling other than that it is a good way to play on the go.
Hmm. The sticky right trigger makes me wonder if your device is a bit defective. Mine feels smooth, though now that I think about it the travel is a bit minimal. That could be improved in a new revision.
Can you play any and all ps5 games on it ? So I could play 2k or madden my career ? While at work on my phone?
I don’t have those games, but I don’t see why not. The only game the Backbone has issues with that I’m aware of is Astro’s Playroom, because it uses the DualSense’s adaptive triggers and other features which the Backbone doesn’t have. So I’d bet you’ll be totally fine playing 2K and Madden with the Backbone at work.
@Phoenix Gaming is that really what it literally means? I assumed you could use remote play from anywhere as long as you had internet on your phone and your PlayStation was on
This is correct, you can play from anywhere with an internet connection so long as your PlayStation is on (and you can set it to turn on remotely.) But the quality of the stream can be quite variable depending on a number of factors (speed of your home internet connection, speed of your current connection etc.)
Game at 1:30?
The only thing I dislike about the backbone is that it won’t work on an iPad unless you get the plus
I have a lightning-lightning extender cable and it still recognises it and won’t work with it
Meanwhile the gamesir with the extender cable works on iPad
That said, the quality on the backbone is wayyy better than the gamesir so… it’s a shame I didn’t buy it when they launched to get the free lifetime +
I don’t think 39 dollars for a whole year is that bad, a month yeah but a year I can say is fair
I mean, fair! Everyone has different levels of price sensitivity. My issue is that Backbone+ is more expensive than some subscription services that offer large game libraries. For example, a year of Backbone+ is worth four months of basic Game Pass. It’s also twice as expensive as a single year of Nintendo Online for one person (the non-Expansion Pass version.)
Yeah 1 year ps plus subscription is 60 dollars
I think this thing will muffle the right speaker on my phone as it is on the side. But maybe you are supposed to play with headphones?
The backbone is perfect for me! I don't have a PC or Windows so I always thought I could never use Steam. So when backbone came out, I was finally able to play all the amazing games I saw on steam. And by the way, the grip is literally fine.
Glad you’re enjoying it
No they aren’t you just have small hands
I have big hands and they are fine. Dont be such a sook@@riptaiyo
recently bought a backbone for my iphone 13 for 43 bucks (brand new) I do like the device its very fun to use and easy to transport
U just saved me from buying one I literally had it in my Amazon cart. Removing from cart now
Glad I could help! It’s not for everyone.
It’s one the best controller. Definitely buy it
What was the manufacturer thinking?
After watching a few videos, I searched EXTRA for the 2nd generation variant for “Apple iPhone Android USB-C” when ordering and then ordered accordingly. Even if the manufacturer is probably completely surprised ... I actually have a very rare iPhone 15 Pro.
Then I realized that the controller doesn't work with the iPhone at all. To make it compatible, you need an Android phone with USB-C - that makes sense, right?
The best thing: I really had to search for a loooooong time to find someone in my environment with an Android phone ... but I managed it. Unfortunately, the controller then shows firmware version 1.2.1 ... along with the note that this is the latest version = no firmware update. The Backbone website then states that the controller for the iPhone 15 only works from version 1.2.2.
That's what I call checkmate.
I'm sending the space junk back now, and I'm buying a controller that works with the iPhone 15 Pro, just not from Backbone.
I bought a backbone for WZM and the inability to reconfigure the button layout makes playing so awkward I’m most likely going to be returning it
I hate how this controller RAPES your charging port with the power connection. Constant insert/removal will wear out your charging port.
I have a magnetic nub in mine and use a magnetic charging cable. I guess this controller is not for me.
Don’t I know it. My lightning port doesn’t work at all anymore, and I’m pretty sure the Backbone is the culprit. But I can’t conclusively prove it.
lmfao I’ve never worn out a charging point, and never heard of one wearing out… broken? Yes. Full of pocket lint? Also yes.
I disagree with your first point: imho it is small enough for it to fit in your pants pocket while it is big enough to be reasonably comfortable. The Steam Deck is great but not small enough for you to fit on your pocket as I think it is the point with this device.
For the ability to play pc games on it, the type c charger can be used as a link to the pc or laptop, but yes the membership is needed to use for the app, but for me since i dont really prefer mobile pc games i just use a link cable
Mine had just stopped working the left side has completely died! Only had it a few months.
I bought a backbone for Black Friday because it was cheap enough, high reviews, and on the product page listed Genshin Impact.
Only to find out I need a subscription to use the button overlay feature within 5 minutes of taking it out of the box. So yeah, taking it back. Im not spending $40 a year to continue to use something that I already paid for and am supposed to own.
I kinda feel like a phone mount on a regular controller you already own, is the way to go. Because what difference does it make wether you have controllers tacked on the ends of your phone? its not like these things are pocketable anyway.
Truth! And a phone mount is a hell of a lot more affordable!
@latestagegaming what mounts do you recommend for a ps5 controller?
I went on the Backbone site. The membership isn't nessicary. You can choose the free. The membership is just an option.
True. I realize now I completely forgot to mention the word “optional” in this video, though I did in others. Good catch.
Do you know if you can play farm simulator on this? I gave my son, my old iPhone 13 instead of lugging the Xbox around.
You can use the Backbone with Farming Simulator 22 on Xbox Game Pass or on PS4/PS5 via Remote Play. And it looks like Farming Simulator 23 on iOS will work with the Backbone controller too.
I bought one recently, and I like it.
About the grip, it's true that's nowhere near as good as a real controller or other products, but if you're used to holding you phone, well anything is an improvement, but if you're used to a better grip them Backbone will be a bad experience.
What I really hated is that subscription part. When I installed the app it says nothing about it or how much time left I have, I only discovered about it reading the FAQ.
And even there it's misleading, it only mentions that X feature is paid on the IPhone FAQ, nothing abiut it on Android FAQ so what's the deal? Android has the feature for free or will I get a nasty surprise 1 year later?
But for playing on my phone with steam link, I have been using it daily for the last week.
Many thanks for your video, and yes I was going to get the Backbone controller until I saw a number of videos like yours where I was made aware of the subscription, not good so will look for another controller that does not charge a subscription.
Glad I could help!
I bought my backbone about a yr ago, for some reason my charging port doesn’t work anymore & when I play COD Mobile, it shoots on its own. Idk if there is some kinda glitching going on w my Backbone but it’s very annoying when I play MP or Battle Royale bc it’s just shooting my g u n on its own! Smh
Oh damn! Sorry to hear that. There is a one-year warranty, so if you bought it less than a year ago you might be able to get it repaired or replaced. No idea how that will work out for you, but it’s worth a look: help.playbackbone.com/hc/en-us/articles/4412063514135-Returns-and-Warranty-Policy
I am actually returning mine, I really did not like how hard and clicky the buttons were. too noisy.
What racing game were you playing about 3 minutes in. You were driving a blue car
That subscription service is what I hate the most. Or, the fact that it is not advertised to help you with your purchase decision.
Grips feel fine, especially if you do not have a large hands. What is the biggest issue for me is inserting the phone into USB-c socket. It requires patience and attention so you do not damage either the phone or controller.
Thank you for getting straight to the point.
Real mvp
I did notice there were no grips but honestly the device is thick enough to the point it didnt matter
It work with moonlight game streaming (subshine)
Honestly, being Switch sized and much smaller than the Steam Deck is a selling point for me. Hated the size of the Steam Deck enough that I had to sell it as it hurt my hands.
Sorry to hear that! Yeah, the Steam Deck is a beast. I like its chunky grips, but I can completely understand why it’s not for everyone.
The primary reason I bought the backbone is because it is compact, but still fits my niche phone model better than some other controllers that don't have the titular backbone. Slim grips, while decreasing comfort, also somewhat decrease bulk, and it isn't too atrocious given what I play.
I mean it's $100 and on sale got mine for $60. It's not supposed to be like a Rog or another handheld that's a $300 plus machine. It's designed for the ultra compact and on the go playing. I think for sub $100 it's a steal when I can play my Xbox games on my lunch while at work.
After just one year the left joystick just stopped working. Out of nowhere and the day before it was perfectly fine!!
I bought the razer Kishi v2, and it does not fit on the iPhone 15 pro max due to the camera module, and I think that applies for all iPhone pro max models. So not the best option.
What would be the best controller to work with an iPhone 13 Pro Max?
I just bought a Backbone and I'm taking it back :(. I wholly agree with the slim grips and that is the number one reason. I have Motorola Moto G Stylus 2021 with a large case which I like. But I had to take it off to use the Backbone just to fit it in, which is a big hassle its hard to do. Then after playing two games with it my hands started to ache weirdly for the first time ever playing Android games (??) Its like the grips are too small for your hands.
Must everything be made for baby hands? The arrow controls are baby-sized too.
Then the very game I bought it for, pacman256 isnt supported and I was immediately presented with ads about their pay wall. I already put down $100 bucks for this. They all but laid out the game.... you go to them to make games compatible. How long before you have to pay for that?
My other issue is I hate disposable, non-replaceable internal batteries. Even if they're rechargable, eventually the device's battery is going to die, leaving you with a useless paperweight. I have an AfterGlow 064-015T that ingeniously runs on AA batteries. Why is this ingenious? Because I can still use rechargeable AAs and when they're dead as all batteries eventually do, just buy new batteries instead of a new controller.
This one just has no batteries apparently. But I agree it draining on the cell phone is a real drag.
Thanks for any alternative suggestions!
I bought a back bone at my job because we were $17 away from sales and they had the last one in stock for $30
So which one would you recommend for IPhone (iOS) users without subscription?
I have a razer kishi and it doesn't work basically with any game on android. Basic games yes, but it won't work for ps remote play or even cod mobile.
Sorry to tell you but the only thing that I see a problem with the backbone is the sub and price of it. I would recommend if you buy it you go for the Playstation version b/c the other one doesn't work with PS remote play. The PS one does work for Xbox Cloud Gaming though.
Thanks for your review. I’m not buying this because of the sub service. What a shame
Same
I love my Razor Kishi, but it only works on some games. I've found it works on Castlevania but not with Contra or Ocean Horn. Some other games it doesn't work on are Mighty Doom and Tomb Raider Reloaded.
Came here hoping this would mention this device works on ALL mobile games from Google Play Store. Not about to buy yet another device with subpar compatibility. If you own one, let me know if it works for ALL your phone games.
A lot of people are dealing with problems the one I have is one side, the backbone stops working the left side I left to go eat I came back to use it but my controller kept saying I was moving forward, even though I wasn’t moving at all then the other side just completely stop working didn’t have to space it out to get to work again then it just broke and stopped working for good how do how does nobody blame Backbone for this I seen a Reddit a lot of people going through the same problem I tried factory to factory reset but you need Backbone plus to do so who would put factory reset behind a pay wall
PS I use voice so you might see a lot of errors
I've genuinely been considering this but then you pointed out the subscription and i changed my mind
Also you can just resell the backbone for less, so people who still use lightning based one can buy a somewhat used on for less.
I sit at a desk all day at work so I can always keep my phone charged, and I’ll be mainly doing remote play so the PS backbone seemed like a no brainer. 40 for a subscription is insane.
What’s the best alternative ? I really like the backbone but I don’t want to take my case off when using it, I’d get the 2nd gen but I have an iPhone 14 Pro so I can’t use it because of usb-c
Wow, I didn't know about the subscription. Thanks for the information!
I got the Xbox one and I love it for traveling
Just returned my backbone today. $99 plus subscription is not acceptable. And yes, the grips are so slim and the buttons feel like they’ll break with extended use.
Don't have one but do want one now that I have a PS4 pro. I dunno if you guys have tried remote play without a control but the touch screen controls are worse than they are on fortnite.
I have heard that a generation 2 backbone has come out, wether it is better or not i dont know
What are the name of the games? :)
If you're fine with playing on the smallest green and you get the newer backbone it's not bad at all I bought one at the pawn shop for like 50 bucks here in Alaska and I've only used it three times cuz I just can't stand playing an extended amount of time on a small screen unless I'm playing one of those turn-based games...
I just bought one so i could play death stranding on iPhone. No you don’t need a subscription, yes it’s pricy BUT I tried being cheap and getting the popular knock off. It was inconvenient and not easy to pair. This is just a plug and play device with zero issues! They regularly go on sale for $79 I like the charging pass though. The subscription looks pointless lol
Really the only difference is whether it’s Bluetooth or plugged in and if it has an app. If you don’t plan on getting the backbone or razer app go for a cheaper alternative cus they do literally the same thing