Xbox Game Pass in combination with Xbox Cloud gaming is a match made in heaven. If your internet connection can handle it, you’re able to enjoy your favorite Xbox games on your favorite mobile phone. As an iPhone user, I was beyond excited when Nacon released the iPhone version of the MG-X Pro controller, a controller that easily transforms your iPhone into a mobile Xbox.
Xbox on iPhone
Playing Xbox games on your iPhone isn’t new, thanks to Xbox Cloud gaming and Game Pass, you can play your favorite games on the go for quite some time now. I personally love the Game Pass games that support touch controls since they are of course a perfect fit for the mobile device. That being said, the more complex games need classic controls to be enjoyable. There are a lot of options on the market ranging from third-party peripherals to the ability to connect your favorite console controller to your iPhone. Sure, it works, but these options rarely offer true mobile gaming. Enter the MG-X Pro, a Nacon controller that instantly transforms your iPhone into an Xbox Proyable Series Cloud.
If you take the controller out of its box, you’ll immediately appreciate the design, which mimics the Xbox controller perfectly. It offers all of the buttons, thumbsticks, and triggers that you’re familiar with, making it incredibly easy to use as an Xbox gamer. I like the fact that this controller is made out of one piece instead of two separate ones. You connect your phone by sliding it in between the controller. It’s really easy and has a high plug-and-play factor straight from the box. You just take out the MG-X Pro, slide your phone between the controller, connect it with Bluetooth and you’re ready to go. It really couldn’t be easier and I appreciate this design a lot.
A perfect fit
When it comes to connecting, there really isn’t any problem at all since it all just makes sense. There isn’t a lengthy tutorial or instruction booklet but that’s not something we’ve missed. The controller can be used with every iPhone starting with the iPhone 6s. I’m using an iPhone 11 Pro myself and this phone really fits the controller perfectly. When I tried using the newer iPhone 14 Pro, I noticed that its bigger back cameras didn’t fit that well. Nothing to really worry about since the newer iPhones still are locked pretty tightly, but they don’t line up as well as the older models. There is room for the phone to rest, so it’s not just squished between the two sides. The support on the bottom of the device certainly helps but just keep in mind that it’s not a perfect fit when you’re using the newer iPhones. Performance-wise or gameplay-wise, that doesn’t really seem to matter at all since the controller performs as it should while keeping your phone safely locked in between the controllers.
Once you’re connected, you’re ready to go. Since you’re using this on iPhone you already know how to access your Xbox Game Pass game through the browser or home screen shortcut. It’s the workaround we know for a couple of months now on iOS devices and still works as it should. While playing for longer sessions, I did notice that the controller might be a bit top-heavy when my iPhone was locked in between the device. This resulted in the urge of tilting the controller a bit more backward. A little more weight inside the controllers might have fixed this small issue.
More than just Xbox games
The controller is created with Xbox and Xbox Game Pass in mind but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it for other games. It also works with Apple Arcade. Once your phone is connected with BlueTooth, you can also use the controller for your Apple Arcade games and since almost every game on Apple Arcade supports controller input, the Arcade games don’t have any issues at all connecting with the MG-X Pro. The buttons get recognized instantly and you’re ready to go. It’s something I hoped would work as well as it does so it’s a nice added bonus when you’re buying this controller. Just like with Xbox Game Pass games, Apple Arcade games play extremely fluently while using this controller. Sure, the weight balance might be a bit off, but this still remains the best and most comfortable mobile controller I used to this date.
It’s also good to know that you don’t need to constantly recharge this device, with a gameplay time of 20 hours, you’re set to enjoy this controller during a lengthy gaming session. Charging is possible with USB-C and you’ll find a cable inside the box, so you’re set from the get-go.
To make it an even more complete deal, there’s also an app but a lot of functionalities are still missing and are confirmed to release at a later date. A nice touch but not really helpful for now.
Conclusion:
It might come at a higher price, but the Nacon MG-X Pro certainly is worth it. There’s room for improvement but all things considered, this is the most comfortable mobile controller without any doubt. If you’re looking for a way to enjoy your favorite Xbox games on the go, this is the device that you need to add to your list.
9/10
Tested with iPhone 11 Pro
