I’ve by no means been a giant cellular gamer, and that is all Xbox’s fault. I grew up with Xbox; I bear in mind getting the unique Xbox console for Christmas and enjoying Halo and NASCAR for so long as my dad and mom might abdomen. I picked up the Xbox 360 once I went to varsity and, like everybody, performed by way of some robust occasions within the firm’s historical past (I am taking a look at you, Crimson Ring of Dying).
After school, we received the Xbox One, a lackluster course from the corporate that resulted in a management change. When the Xbox One S got here out, I could not wait to change over from the One to the brand new kind issue. And, after all, after they launched the Xbox Collection X, I upgraded instantly.
Xbox has at all times been the place I’ve gamed. I’ve dipped into PlayStation, Nintendo Swap, PC, and cellular gaming, however not one of the others have ever caught as Xbox has. Nonetheless, I’ve at all times needed to have the ability to get pleasure from Xbox once I was away from, properly, my Xbox. Enter the RiotPWR Xbox Cloud Gaming Controller.
When RiotPWR reached out about sending its new iPhone controller that was designed in tandem with the Xbox workforce, I jumped on the likelihood. In my thoughts, I used to be considering, “Lastly, an iPhone controller for Xbox Distant Play and Xbox Cloud Gaming that Xbox truly signed off on.”
Whereas there are many iPhone controllers on the market that mean you can get pleasure from Xbox away out of your console (together with the Xbox Wi-fi Controller), I have been ready for one which was purpose-built for the iPhone and given the blessing of the Xbox workforce itself. So, how does RiotPWR’s controller shake out? Let’s soar in.
RiotPWR Xbox Cloud Gaming Controller: Worth and availability
The RiotPWR Xbox Cloud Gaming Controller is obtainable straight by way of RiotPWR and different retailers like Amazon for $69.99. Whereas some of the costly controllers within the firm’s lineup, it is comparable in value to an Xbox Wi-fi Controller for the Xbox Collection X/S and different competing iOS controllers.
RiotPWR Xbox Cloud Gaming Controller: What I appreciated
After spending a couple of week with the RiotPWR Xbox Cloud Gaming Controller, a number of issues stand out. The primary, and doubtless crucial, is that it is simply merely a fantastic controller. Should you usually play on Xbox and use the corporate’s Xbox Wi-fi Controller, you’ll really feel at house with RiotPWR’s controller.
The structure right here is identical because the Xbox controller, proper right down to the Xbox button within the center. This makes it an ideal companion for the entire finest Xbox Cloud Gaming video games because you need not alter something regarding the bodily controls.
As well as, I discovered that the RiotPWR, similar to the Xbox controller, is extremely snug to make use of. Among the finest issues concerning the controller is that, because you simply dock your telephone within the machine holder, you need not take away your telephone case. I used to be capable of sport for hours with out feeling any fatigue due to how the iPhone is mounted straight above the controller. Different controllers, just like the Spine One, mount an iPhone in between the controls like a Nintendo Swap.
Whereas some folks favor a Swap-esque structure, I’ve discovered that I truly favor RiotPWR’s strategy. That is in all probability as a result of I am an Xbox particular person and never a Nintendo particular person. It is extremely biased, however hey, when a controller skews nearer to what you are used to, you are sure to favor it as properly.
The controller additionally has another good options, like pass-through charging with USB-C and, would you imagine it, a headphone jack! This all makes it tremendous straightforward to play with out having to fret about pointless gadgets or cables.
RiotPWR Xbox Cloud Gaming Controller: What I did not like
Whereas the RiotPWR controller is nice for Xbox Cloud Gaming, it is not excellent. Among the menu buttons, together with the Xbox button, did not at all times garner the anticipated end result once I pressed them.
In some video games, the menu buttons merely wouldn’t work. The Xbox button, which ought to convey up the Xbox house menu, was additionally contact and go and, even when it did work, was very delayed. I am undecided if this was extra of a problem with the controller or with Xbox Cloud Gaming itself, however it was a typical problem that I bumped into in my week of testing. Granted, no web is sweet web within the U.S., so I will not rule out connectivity points both.
Issues additionally received unusual once I tried to make use of the menu buttons outdoors of Xbox Cloud Gaming. They’d work typically, however they have been mapped to arbitrary instructions. For instance, enjoying probably the greatest Apple Arcade video games labored nice however clicking on the Xbox button opened up Sport Middle. That is not a foul guess since it is the closest factor Apple Arcade has to the principle menu for a gaming service, however it’s simply an oddity it’s important to mess around with and… see what occurs.
The one different small problem I had with the controller was the twine. Whereas some folks need a wired controller since you do not have to fret about battery life in your accent, I’m not a type of folks. The wired connection felt odd to me, particularly for the reason that twine for it was for much longer than it’s good to get from the controller to your iPhone. In fact, that turns out to be useful if you maybe wish to hook it as much as your finest iPad or Mac, however I would favor a wi-fi controller altogether. Perhaps that choice will come quickly!
RiotPWR Xbox Cloud Gaming Controller: Competitors
Whereas the RiotPWR Xbox Cloud Gaming Controller will be the first purpose-built iPhone controller designed alongside the Xbox workforce, it nonetheless has a ton of competitors.
Since Apple opened up third-party controller help in a serious manner throughout the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, there is not a scarcity of choices in relation to the most effective iPhone controllers for gaming. From the Razer Kishi to the Rotor Riot, there are many choices to discover a controller that works finest for you.
The Kishi, which we beloved after we reviewed it, is especially standard with many because it takes a Nintendo Swap-like strategy and, in contrast to another controllers, can match a complete vary of telephones attributable to its versatile design. Just like the RiotPwr, it really works with just about any sport and has wonderful construct high quality and controls.
Certainly one of my favourite general controllers for the iPhone is the aforementioned Spine One. Should you favor a controller structure much like the Nintendo Swap somewhat than the Xbox, there is not a greater controller in the marketplace proper now. And, despite the fact that the controller itself is nice, the Spine app takes the expertise to a wholly new stage for gaming on the iPhone.
RiotPWR Xbox Cloud Gaming Controller: Do you have to purchase it?
You can purchase this if…
- You wish to play Xbox Cloud Gaming in your iPhone
- You need a controller purpose-built for the cloud gaming service
- You favor the Xbox controller structure over different choices
You should not purchase this if…
- You need a wi-fi gaming controller
- You need a controller you should utilize throughout iOS and Android
- You favor the PlayStation or Nintendo Swap controller structure
The RiotPWR Xbox Cloud Gaming Controller is obtainable for $69.99 on Amazon and the corporate plans to launch it in extra retailers quickly.
After utilizing the controller for a few weeks, I am actually into the concept of a controller purpose-built for the most effective expertise with Xbox Cloud Gaming. Nonetheless, the latency points are nonetheless there, and the inconsistent expertise with the buttons on the controller makes this really feel just like the first-generation product it’s.
Xbox Cloud Gaming nonetheless has a approach to go to get issues working actually easy and RiotPWR has work to do to get the buttons to do what they are saying they’ll. I think about that additionally means Xbox has some work to do with them.
These couple of issues apart, the promise of cloud gaming is large and RiotPWR is definitely pushing the expertise additional right here. If they will recover from these preliminary hurdles, it is going to quickly be an extremely easy expertise. A lot in order that I would not hesitate about gaming from wherever ever once more.
RiotPWR Xbox Cloud Gaming Controller
Xbox in your iPhone!
The RiotPWR Xbox Cloud Gaming Controller is the corporate’s controller purpose-built for Xbox Cloud Gaming on the iPhone. Should you’re an Xbox fan, this will probably be an ideal match.