Reviews for Backbone — Next-Level Play

This app needs updates to keep up to date with current games. It needs a key bind feature for games. Recently my sprint sometimes works and sometimes it won't. For 100$ there should be more features that work better. It doesn't charge while using the c port at all. It doesn't have a built in battery for longer gaming sessions. When I record videos it doesn't save it automatically to my phone I have to find it and download it. I've even recorded video and the light was on but it didn't save.

Bought yesterday and will be the returning controller, paying $80-$100 for a controller is steep, but reasonable enough. What is not acceptable is charging people $40 a year for a service that actually makes your product compatible with games that don't have native controller support. That's the ENTIRE point of paying a premium price for the device in the first place. Without giving them an extra 40 dollars, you're 100% better off buying a cheaper 20-30 dollar device that does the same thing.

The backbone hardware is fantastic. Only point off is that it tries to sell me a subscription every time I open the app. I don't use Xbox cloud gaming or Google Play apps, I just stream moonlight off my desktop pc over VPN. The experience is fantastic, and steam just considers it an Xbox controller. Very happy with the whole experience I've had, I just wish I could tell it I'm entirely uninterested in a subscription and to not ask literally every time I open the app. Other than that, no issue.

I have the PS Version of backbone. Unfortunately, either with the games themselves or with Backbone, every game seems to think I have an Xbox version of the controller. This is slightly obnoxious and makes me wish I could swap models. Folks, make sure to grab the Xbox version of the Backbone and not the Playstation version if you're the kind of person who gets easily annoyed matching the buttons on screen to your controller.

(edit after their response, been a few days since my support ticket was submitted, still no response and nothing works since update) original review: worked great before the last update. Now with the last update, the controller no longer works on my S22. The charger works while plugged into the Backbone, but since the last update, I have been unable to use the controller at all, none of the buttons work at all.... what a bummer $100 down the drain...

I loved what I had, I've been playing the heck of my backbone one for 4 months or so, I downloaded a new pixel 7a update played some games at a different house,came back home and the whole backbone controller is now broken The left side is not working and when I put headphones it the jack I get a static noise and I'm extremely disappointed and sad about it because it was super fun!! I wish I could get a replacement or refund

As long as your Internet is decent, this app and device are amazing! Also, you need XBox Game pass to enjoy their games obviously, but there's also many mobile games to play! The controller DOES take a bit of getting used to but handles beautifully! There is no delay or lag between button input and response (thats saying a lot since I have a C-type transfer cable running from my Backbone controller to a tablet works great). This is a must have for gaming in comfort and on the go!

Do Not Buy A BackBone!!! Overpriced, Fells like a $10 device. Mine broke after less than a week of light use and there is Zero support. (UPDATE: yes I have opened a ticket, I even had my Fiancee open one, neither of us have had any response other than an automated AI email, we have both sent multiple follow up emails, our requests have videos and all details. ZERO SUPPORT)

This has been my overall favorite mobile gaming controller ever. Especially with classic emulated gaming. However, the past 2 controllers ive had, have stopped connecting to my phone after about a month or 2. now it will show connected then a few seconds later unconnected. I still have my receipt for the last 1, & will exchange it for another but if this one screws up then I'm done and will look for another brand of gaming controller. It sux because this has a perfect setup of buttons disappoing

The device works but requires a subscription to unlock the ability to map the buttons. I'm not spending an extra $40 per year on backbone+ just to unlock a basic function. I'm very disappointed in the product for this reason. Hopefully the company will come to their senses, and unlock this basic feature for all users who have already purchased their $100 Backbone device. Until then, this device will collect dust from lack of use. I do not recommend it. What a shame because it's otherwise decent.

keeps breaking with almost no use. I purchased the device a year ago November. used it for less than 10 hours in total over a few months. tried to use it on a trip and it stopped working. Got a warranty exchange. literally never used it. took it on a trip in the box. 1st time I tried to use it, it doesn't work with my S25. the lights only come on when plugged in but the app doesn't recognize the backbone. Trash product. now it's been more than a year and I can't do another exchange

The app does make the experience better than without it, though, with the backbone itself, I received one as a gift during Thanksgiving in 2024 (not even having this product for a year yet) and just recently the left side of the controller does not work. I've been completely gentle with the thing because it is quite fragile by itself. If you're going to use it excessively, I don't recommend buying this product because of how expensive this was when I looked at the prices.

The controller doesn't work when you have it plugged in & charging. Making it almost totally useless for long play sessions. The controller is overpriced at 100$ too. Even when all software is up to date. And, even when the backbone companion app is running in the background, you can't use it while charging. Whatever the reason, it's very disappointing for such a high price. You're better off finding a way to strap your phone to your xbox/ps controller

This app is a serious waste of your money. it is completely unnecessary. Not needed at all, and should be 100% FREE as they don't actually offer any useful service. you still need all of the native apps for your games like Xbox etc. The Backbone app only offers a one-stop location to launch your games from. That is all. Oh, and your games don't even play as well when launching from the Backbone app because it hogs your data. Use the Backbone as a controller and disregard the app entirely.

I want to give it a 5 star but I cant. Controller and game options are great. I'm playing through Nvidia, Google play, and Xbox. I'm an avid fps gamer and the aiming on the controller is as bad as trying to things with your not dominant hand. It's possible but not so good. It's like im hitting squares when I aim not Circles. but yeah great app otherwise!!

Every time I launch the app, a little red banner pops up at the bottom of the screen saying "Something went wrong! Please try again." This message often sits on the screen for quite a while before sometimes finally disappearing, only to reappear as I navigate around the app. While games still work fine with the controller and I can still navigate around the app with the controller, clicking on videos in the app will not bring them full up full screen to watch as it's supposed to.

Really great idea, executed quite well too. I have some issues with some Xbox games showing up (that are on the Xbox streaming app), had to find a workaround for those. Otherwise it works great! Absolutely no lag, controls are great too. Also, if you have the same issue I have had, try to open a game you don't own, then it will bring you to the Xbox game streaming app for all the games you own.

great idea.... execution is not always great. the idea of having a game controller is good, but a lot of things are only partially compatible if at all. even some of the games shown in the back bone app as compatible from the Play store aren't. The emulator option with Steam isn't always reliable, esp if you're not close to the computer to be able to reset it. the Nvidia option makes you want commercials while it connects the queue of gamers in front of you with no explanation of what that means

absolutely love my backbone! not too thrilled with the subscription but 1 payment yearly isnt too bad. makes things so much easier for gaming on the go. 1 other downside is gotta have game pass or Playstation plus account active. for Xbox gotta have the ultimate or unlimited or whatever pack which is 20 dollars monthly as well as gotta have remote play set up depending on game as well. beyond that absolutely 100 worth it in the end even with the few downsides!

Do NOT waste your money! One it does NOT work in "ANY" game you want. Take Brawlstars for example, the game itself doesn't allow you to use this. If the screen shot feature in "any" game actually worked, well, that would clearly be a gamechanger and would actually make this controller & it's software a step above the rest. So not only is it one of the more/most expensive controllers out, then they want you to pay monthly(roughly almost 45$ a year) just to use the app that you NEED to use. 👎👎👎