Backbone is here with a nostalgic Xbox Cloud Gaming controller — sporting an old-school green transparent shell

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Backbone is one of the top mobile gaming controllers available. It’s especially great for anyone who uses Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Xbox Cloud Gaming, which is included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, has gotten a significant upgrade. It now offers sharper graphics with 1440p resolution and uses a better video technology, making the experience much closer to competitors like NVIDIA GeForce Now. After years of testing, the service is finally out of beta and officially launched in India, marking another step in Microsoft’s plan to make it available worldwide.

Xbox Cloud Gaming lets you play on almost any device, even using just touch controls. However, you’ll have the best experience if you connect a controller. While not all games currently support touch controls, accessories like the Backbone controller eliminate the need for them.

Backbone just released a special Xbox version of its popular Pro controller. It features a cool, see-through green color and is widely considered to be one of the best controllers for playing Xbox games on the go. Here’s a look at what’s new with this edition.

The Backbone Pro Xbox Edition is an “Xbox you can take anywhere”

The new Backbone Pro mobile controller was revealed today. It’s built for gamers who play on multiple devices and offers both Bluetooth and USB-C connectivity. It works with a wide variety of phones and other devices thanks to interchangeable inserts and an adjustable clamp.

Backbone developed their new controller after extensive testing – over 30 user research studies and more than 9,000 design iterations! They focused on making it comfortable and well-balanced. It features precise Hall Effect triggers and is impressively lightweight, weighing only 199 grams.

You can connect it using USB-C – either by plugging it directly into the controller or with a cable – or wirelessly through Bluetooth.

When played connected directly to a TV or in handheld mode with a wired connection, it removes the slight delay that usually happens with Bluetooth, creating a gaming experience similar to playing on a console. This works especially well with recent improvements to Xbox Cloud Gaming that are reducing lag for everyone.

Bluetooth connectivity lets you easily play games on devices like Samsung TVs, Meta Quest VR, Amazon Fire Sticks, and tablets – basically, any screen that doesn’t have built-in space for the device. Plus, when used wirelessly, the battery lasts up to 40 hours.

What really sets Backbone apart is its user-friendly app. It automatically remembers your connected devices, so you can easily switch between them without the frustrating need to constantly re-pair. As someone who’s struggled with the often-complicated pairing process of modern Xbox controllers, this is a welcome feature.

As a gamer, I’m really loving how this app makes it super easy to jump into all my favorite games. It’s got quick links for things like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Remote Play, PlayStation Remote Play, Steam Link, and even lets me play mobile games like Minecraft and Fortnite right from within the app!

The Backbone Pro includes a one-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, letting you try it out before committing to the $30 monthly cost. Xbox Cloud Gaming is also available on cheaper plans now, and there’s talk of a free option launching in 2026. You can use Xbox Remote Play for free, but it needs a strong and stable 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection, plus you’ll need an Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One console.

The Backbone Pro Xbox Edition is available today

The Backbone Pro is now available on Amazon for $169.99, much like the Xbox Edition. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, the Backbone One costs $119.99, but it doesn’t have Bluetooth connectivity.

The standard Backbone Pro is, in my opinion, the best Xbox-style controller for mobile gaming. It feels great in your hands, is really well-built, and has a sleek design. It’s definitely an investment, but if you plan on doing a lot of cloud gaming across different devices, it’s worth the money because it’s durable and comfortable for extended play sessions.

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2025-11-12 18:10