Backbone gaming controllers launch in trendy pink and purple exclusively at Target

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Target will soon be the exclusive retailer for two special edition Backbone controllers. The Dream Purple Backbone One is priced at $99.99, and the Mauve (pink) Backbone Pro will cost $169.99. You can order them online starting October 5th, and they’ll be available in Target stores on October 6th, as long as supplies last.

Backbone creates a mobile controller that lets you play games from Xbox Cloud Gaming, NVIDIA GeForce Now, and other similar services.

Both the Backbone Pro and the original Backbone One received excellent reviews. Jez Corden gave the Pro a 4.5/5 star rating in June 2025, and Matt Brown awarded the One the same score back in 2022.

Let’s explore the special colors you can find only at Target, and what makes these controllers so popular with users.

Features and design

The Backbone Pro is designed for comfort, with large, comfortable grips and responsive buttons. You can play games with a wired USB-C connection for minimal lag, or connect wirelessly via Bluetooth for up to 40 hours on a single charge.

Plus, it features two buttons you can program to do different things, a standard headphone jack, and USB-C charging that lets you charge while you play. There’s also a special button just for quickly capturing screenshots or video clips.

The Backbone Pro uses innovative Hall Effect triggers that detect movement with magnets and sensors, avoiding the wear and tear of physical buttons – making them more durable. However, it still uses traditional analog sticks, so stick drift – where the game thinks you’re moving the stick even when you’re not – can still occur, as reviewer Jez Corden pointed out.

While the Backbone One doesn’t have every feature of the more expensive Backbone Pro – like its advanced hall effect joysticks – it’s more affordable. Backbone says it’s the easiest way to turn your phone into a handheld gaming console.

Cloud gaming adoption and why controllers matter

Cloud gaming is rapidly becoming a major force in the video game industry. It brought in approximately $3.5 billion in 2023, and experts at Bloomberg Intelligence predict it could grow to a $40 billion market over the next ten years.

Growth in mobile gaming is being fueled by quicker internet connections, the increasing availability of 5G, and more people wanting to play games on their phones – particularly in places like India, where gaming consoles aren’t as common.

Bloomberg reports that Xbox is expected to take the lead with around 40% of the market, surpassing PlayStation and NVIDIA, both of which continue to be significant players.

Cloud gaming still has some drawbacks, like potential lag, high data consumption, and limited access in certain areas. However, it’s rapidly gaining popularity, and using a controller such as the Backbone Pro or Backbone One can significantly improve your experience whether you’re gaming on the cloud or your phone.

New Target-exclusive colors

Backbone is launching new color options for both the Backbone Pro and the Backbone One, giving gamers more ways to personalize their controllers.

The Backbone Pro is now available in a new Pink Edition for $169.99. It’s ideal for those who love the color pink! While it’s not personally my style, it would be perfect for someone like my sister, who has a whole pink gaming setup and enjoys playing games on her phone. It’s a fun addition to the Backbone Pro family.

I’m really excited about the Backbone One Purple Edition! Purple is a color I love – though I also like blue, orange, and yellow, so it’s definitely a top contender. The best part is, it’s much more affordable than the Pro model, costing just $99.99.

The new Pink and Purple Backbone controllers will only be sold at Target, starting online on October 5th, 2025, and in Target stores the following day, October 6th, 2025.

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2025-10-03 21:40