RiotPWR Xbox Edition Cloud Gaming Controller for iOS
EXCELLENT
The controller improves gameplay and is easy to use. The price is comparable to other mobile game controllers for consoles. The companion app is not required for gameplay, but does provide a list of confirmed compatible games for the controller. The controller is lightweight and since the Lightning cable is built in, a connection without delay is guaranteed during gameplay.
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DESIGN
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EASY TO USE
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PRICE
Console style game controller enhances your gaming experience.
In recent years, the mobile game industry has become very popular. More and more people are playing games on their smartphones and tablets. While some mobile games can be played with a touchscreen, others are better suited to a physical controller.
So, has mobile gaming improved with a controller? The answer is yes and no. It depends on the type of game you play. I also think it depends on the type of the controller you are using. There are currently two main types of game controllers: gamepads and console controllers.
The gamepad style controller provides the user with an extension of their mobile device while the console style controller is a separate device. There are some console controllers that connect wirelessly, while others — like the RiotPWR Xbox Edition Cloud Gaming Controller for iOS — offer a wired gaming experience. So, how does the RiotPWR Xbox Edition perform for mobile gaming?
Details
The RiotPWR Xbox Edition Cloud Gaming Controller for iOS is a console-style controller designed for use with iOS devices.
“This classic design offers a solid comfortable grip, while the two clickable joysticks, a D-pad and a host of buttons offer enhanced control. This is the first and only MFi controller to feature a dedicated Xbox button, meaning your mobile gaming experience is now as close to console gaming as ever before.”
The controller works with plug-n-play technology, but does have an accompanying app. Thanks to the Lightning connection, there’s no lag during gameplay and pass-through charging is available to keep your device powered during gameplay.
Most important features:
- Superior Precision and Control: The mobile cloud game console comes with Xbox, menu and option buttons, an upgraded 8-way D-Pad, L3 R3 triggers, joysticks and a removable support pole that allows you to exercise enhanced control and tactical accuracy. It comes with a new share button that lets you stream and record gameplay to social media, along with Audio DAC and a headphone jack for chatting while you play.
- Uninterrupted Gaming: Avoid frustration from lagging screens and game latency that completely ruin the gaming spirit. With the lightning fast wired gamepad, you can enjoy smooth gaming sessions without being interrupted by annoying glitches and lags.
- No more dead batteries: what could be more annoying than breakdowns? Dead batteries can force you to abandon a furious battle. The mobile controller’s pass-through charging technology allows you to play for hours on end while the phone charges as you play!
- Redesigned ZeroG Stand: The portable game console comes with a removable mobile support pole for more comfort while playing. The ergonomic ZeroG stand provides a “zero gravity” effect, so you can play for extended periods without straining your hands. It’s all about enjoying the ultimate gaming experience!
My experience
I admit I’m not a typical ‘gamer’. I enjoy video games and my gaming history goes back to the 1980s. My family had a Commodore 64 system that was destroyed by an unruly couple of pets who often argued. I also lobbied my parents for a Super Nintendo when the game system was first released. That said, I don’t normally play games on a daily basis. I’m only mentioning that because I think some of my physical comfort levels are a little skewed in the sense that my hands are out of shape. With that in mind, let’s take a look at this wonderful gaming accessory.
Xbox Edition vs ESL
Several months ago I reviewed the RiotPWR ESL iOS gaming controller. It is designed to mimic the design of the Xbox controller, but it is not an exact replica like this controller. The main design differences between the two are the home button and the LED indicators on the front of the controller. In addition, the Xbox controller is white, green and black, while the ESL controller also has yellow accents. Finally, the Xbox edition controller comes with a month of free Xbox Game Pass.
RiotPWR has several console-style controllers available for both Android and iOS devices. They are very similar and they are designed to be clones of Xbox controllers rather than a Playstation layout.
Installation & Ludu App
The controller, like the ESL controller, is powered by the bus and once connected to your device, it will power up. The cable is 26 inches long and is permanently attached to the controller. This is one of the features that sets it apart from a standard Xbox wireless controller.
I’ve used both wired and Bluetooth controllers with my iOS device and I’ve actually found the wired option better for me. With such a long cable, you don’t necessarily have to have the phone on the controller while you play.
For example, I have a MagSafe charging stand on my desk that I also mount my phone on, and then I just plug the controller into the phone and lean back in my chair. I would be careful if you choose this option to play. If you move around a lot while you play, this may not be the best option as you don’t want your phone to be tossed around.
The mounting fixture simply snaps into the mounting port which, when not in use, is covered by a silicone flap. While very secure during use, it can be easily removed for storage or if you want to use the controller without the iOS devices mounted on it.
The Ludu app is a companion app for the controller. It’s not obliged for gameplay, but it does make it easy to determine which games are compatible with the controller. The app is free to download and use and is available for both Android and iOS. When you open the app, you can scroll through the available selections to use with the controller.
If the game is already installed on your device, a pop-up window will appear stating that the game can be opened. If it is not installed, you can select ‘Get’ and the game will open in the App Store of the device. Although the Ludu app shows users what is confirmed if compatible with the controller, other games can still work with it. I also noticed that the Ludu app shows which titles are available through Apple Arcade.
One thing I will note is that some games have restrictions built into which controllers can be used while playing. One of those games is Call of Duty: Mobile. There are many iOS controller options available, but not all of them work natively with COD. In fact, COD only lists Xbox and Playstation controllers as the “approved” controllers supported by the game.
That said, many of the other third-party controllers that have been released do work with the platform, including the RiotPWR controller. However, there are some controllers that require additional settings to be fully usable with the game. To make sure I didn’t have any controller/game compatibility issues, I opened it through the Ludu app. It worked perfectly.
Comfort
One of the things about this controller that strikes me as odd is how light it is. Because it’s designed like an Xbox controller, it fits well in the hand and the grip feels natural. But the controller is very light and when you add the phone to the holder it sometimes feels a bit top heavy. This wasn’t a deal breaker for me, but something to keep in mind if you’re playing for a long time. I also noticed that my hands got a little stiff after playing for a while. However, I think this is more of a symptom of my hands being out of shape for gaming than a controller error.
Power consumption
Since the controller runs on bus power, I wasn’t sure how to approach the ‘battery life’ as it doesn’t really have its own battery. So I’ll denote this as: power consumption. The controller draws power directly from the device it is connected to. This will of course affect the battery level of your device.
I don’t have a good basis for comparison on how different controllers affect iPhone battery life, but I can say that after 2.5 hours of consistent gaming, my iPhone 12 Pro’s battery was down to 60%. I know it was very close to 100% when I started. With a power consumption of 40% after 150 minutes, that’s about 0.27% of your battery you spend every minute.
Based on the specs for the iPhone 12 Pro (up to 17 hours for video playback), you should expect about 0.09% per minute when watching videos. Gaming is more intense, but I didn’t expect to run out of battery 3 times faster than with standard video playback.
Conclusion
The RiotPWR Xbox Edition Cloud Gaming Controller for iOS is a lot of fun and I definitely felt like my gaming experience was enhanced by using it. As is the case with all controllers, there are pluses and minuses to weigh. Personally, I love that it feels like an Xbox controller and that you have a wired connection to it – without having to use a gamepad-style controller. Based on other third-party console-style controllers for use with iOS devices, I think the price is very reasonable ($70 at the time of publishing this article).
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