this post was submitted on 01 Nov 2025
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Looking for controller recommendations (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 days ago by zaxter@lemmy.world to c/games@lemmy.world
21 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Hope this is allowed here, mods feel free to delete if it isn't.

I've been doing some gaming on my phone lately (Android), and touchscreen controls drive me nuts, so I'm looking into getting a portable controller. I'm hoping to find a controller that can snap onto my phone so that I don't need a separate stand, but I'm also hoping to find something small enough that I can just slip it into my pocket. I don't have any sort of bag that I carry with me on a regular basis, so something like a Backbone is too big for me to consider portable.

From the things I've found so far, the front-runners in my search seem to be the Turtle Beach Atom due to its comparatively low cost (especially used) and very portable form factor, and the GameSir X4 Aileron, which looks just about as portable and is much more customizable, but more expensive. The Razer Kishi v1 also looks somewhat compact, and the Asus ROG Tessen folds in half, but those two seem like they might be a bit larger and might not fit in my pocket as easily.

Does anyone have any experience with the controllers I'm looking at and have any thoughts they'd like to share? Any recommendations or anti-recommendations? Do you know of any other controllers I missed that might fit my criteria?

I mainly play emulated retro games on my phone, if it makes any difference, though occasionally I'll check out newer games if they catch my interest.

Thanks for your time!

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[–] NaibofTabr 14 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Depending on what you're emulating, the 8BitDo ultracompact options might work for you:

8BitDo Micro

Basically turn your phone into a Gameboy, good for 90s games where you don't need sticks. The controller and clip together will cost you $35.

[–] zaxter@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

I actually had an 8BitDo Zero 2 a while back, but lost it. That was my first attempt at finding a solution for gaming on my phone, but didn't like how I had to either prop my phone up with something or lean over a table to see my screen. I didn't know about that clip-on device, though! If I can find the controller I lost, this will certainly be the cheapest solution for me. Thanks!

[–] urata@lemmy.world 8 points 2 days ago

I have an 8bitdo zero 2 that I've had for a few years.

I kept it on my key chain for a long time. It would be in my pocket for 8 hour workdays in which I worked outside and got wet. It still works despite having been through all that.

I used to stick my phone to a magnetic mount in my car sometimes and used the controller to play emulated games. Nowadays I use a retro handheld or a steam deck.

I recommend 8bitdo very highly in general. Most of their controller feel really solid and completely nail the retro aesthetic they are copying.

The zero 2 isn't like that though. It feels cheap and light, but it has held up well.