Don’t bother with mobile cloud gaming controllers that feel like toys — an ‘Xbox Edition’ of the “truly magnificent” Backbone Pro is finally down to a reasonable price

With so many mobile controllers available for cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce NOW, the Backbone Pro consistently ranks as the best.

This high-quality mobile controller features incredibly responsive buttons, a comfortable design, and a battery that lasts up to 40 hours. The Xbox Edition is currently available at Amazon for just $144.99.

Why buy the Backbone Pro?

The Backbone Pro offers a lot of great features, making it a top choice for playing Xbox games on your phone and a fantastic controller for mobile gaming overall.

The controller is really comfortable to hold for extended gaming sessions. It features large grips with a detailed, textured surface and gently curved triggers designed to fit adult hands.

This device features highly responsive, customizable controls, along with dependable Hall Effect triggers. It connects reliably via both Bluetooth and USB-C, and you can even charge it while charging other devices using a single USB hub or dock. Plus, the battery lasts for an impressive 40 hours on a Bluetooth connection.

This mobile controller is great overall, but it has a few downsides. You’ll need a Backbone+ subscription to use Xbox Cloud Gaming with Xbox Game Pass or NVIDIA GeForce Now, it doesn’t have Hall Effect analog sticks, and it’s quite expensive at $179.99.

Good news! Amazon is currently offering it for a limited time at a reduced price of just $144.99.

If you can overlook any minor issues, the Backbone Pro for Xbox is a great gift idea – either for yourself or for friends who often play Xbox Cloud Gaming on their phones or tablets.

FAQ

Which mobile devices is it compatible with?

The Backbone Pro works with iPhone 15, 16, and 17, as well as Android phones, using magnetic USB-C adapters – and you don’t need to remove your phone case to use it.

Do I need an Xbox consoles to use it?

With Backbone Pro, you can play Xbox games through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate without needing an Xbox console. But if you want to play games already downloaded on your Xbox, you’ll still need to connect to your console using the Xbox Remote Play feature.

What is Backbone+ and how does it cost?

As an analyst, I’ve been looking into Backbone+, and it’s essentially a subscription that unlocks the full potential of their mobile controllers. It gives you a central place to launch all your games, and it’s packed with features like live streaming to Twitch, recording gameplay in crisp 1080p at 60 frames per second, and saving everything securely in the cloud. Plus, it includes built-in voice and text chat, making the whole mobile gaming experience much more connected and streamlined.

New users get their first month free, then the subscription costs $39.99 annually.

What are Hall Effect Triggers?

Hall Effect Triggers use magnetic sensors instead of physical contact to sense player actions. This makes them more accurate and long-lasting compared to traditional triggers.

Arrives after Christmas and need a gift sooner?

Need a last-minute gift? An Amazon eGift Card is a quick and easy solution! You can send it instantly by email or text, schedule it for later, and choose any amount from $5 to $2,000. Plus, the balance never expires, so it’s perfect if a gift won’t arrive in time for Christmas.

Amazon eGift Cards make it easy to send a gift! You can choose a design, set the amount, write a personal message, and send it by email or text. You can even schedule when it arrives – instantly, or up to a year in the future. There are no extra fees, and the gift card never expires, giving the recipient plenty of time to use it on millions of items available on Amazon.

2025-12-19 18:40