An Odd Design That Somewhat Works

The game controller resembles an Xbox style design, complete with analog sticks and buttons that seem to be similarly placed. That said, the material is a bit like cheap plastic, though it does hold together reasonably well during some tougher sessions, and with a decent enough grip to boot.

It’s also weird how it can hold a charge being plugged into the device without any sort of internal battery. That does make it somewhat lighter than expected, though if you attach an iPhone or other mobile device to it, it doesn’t really matter since you probably won’t be moving it around much.

The thumb sticks are excellent, with just the right amount of motion read with specific games. We had no trouble playing Gears 5 like a boss through Xbox Game Pass Cloud; and even other experiences through direct iOS titles (like Apple Arcade-supported games) was just fine.

The buttons, on the other hand, could use a little work. They’re not quite as “comfy mushy” as what you’d find on other controllers, but they are responsive, to say the least. And they read pretty accurately when it comes to executing certain functions.

There’s also a neat feature where you can record YouTube videos with button presses on the three dot feature, which is kind of cool, though it really depends on the support of your device. Couldn’t get Twitch to work, though. No biggie.

Finally, the triggers aren’t bad, with enough responsiveness and depth pressing to read your actions, particularly with Xbox games. That’s going to be useful with big releases like Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5. But then we have the D-pad, which is just…average at best. It reads responses, but it’s just too stiff for its own good, making it hard to press in certain directions. Just stick with analog unless you absolutely, positively need it.

A Neat Connection Idea

To connect the controller to your device of choice, you’ll use the included lightning cable. But there’s a cool feature where you screw it in to keep it connected, so it doesn’t accidentally come loose. This is an idea that Razer uses with some of its controllers, and it’s awesome to see RiotPWR go along with it, just to make sure nothing slips loose.

The controller also has a decent sized cable, going about two feet. During short mobile sessions, it might get in the way unless you fold it back. But if you’re playing on an iPad while you’re lying in bed (like I prefer to do), it works pretty well, with some decent room to stretch.

Finally, there’s price. Considering the somewhat mixed quality of the product, I found it a bit surprising to be put at $50. Around $30, maybe even $40, sure, I can get behind that. But $50 is going to make it a little tougher to market, unless there are folks that really need to get their cloud gaming on with Xbox or with particular titles through Stadia. If you’re one of those people, though, this’ll pay off for you.

Not For Everyone, But Mobile Gamers Should Be Pleased

While I would’ve improved a few things with the RR1852 model, particularly with the D-Pad and the front buttons, it’s not bad. It’s a bit pricey, but you get an overall somewhat comfortable feel with your games, and its connectivity is excellent when it comes to keeping your sessions going. Some may prefer the route of a good ol’ DualShock 4, but if you prefer staying connected to your devices with very little hassle, RiotPWR’s latest may just be for you.

RATING: 7.5/10