As more “proper games” make their way to mobile, many are looking for a solid gaming controller. The Nacon MG-X Pro iPhone controller is a new iOS version of its previously released Android pad, and it’s a great piece of kit for iPhone gamers who want to play their games with real controls and not via touch screen..
Priced at $99.99, the MG-X is a wireless Bluetooth controller that offers a full Xbox gamepad for your phone. Whether you’re playing full AAA experiences like Alien Isolation or indie masterpieces like Vampire Survivors, you can simply connect your phone, slide it into the device and play with full Xbox-like controls.
The Nacon MG-X Pro iPhone controller is extremely light, and it’s not particularly premium. A light-white smooth plastic surrounds the controls, some of which are not the highest quality; it’s far from Mad Catz’ lame cheapness but not as nice as, say, a Razer Kaiju V2. Each button is just a tad softer than you’d expect. The controls themselves are perfectly fine for any type of game you want to play. Every button you’ll need is available, including click-in dual analogue sticks. In a time where game streaming such as Xbox Cloud Gaming is commonplace, having every button available is of utmost importance.
As it so happens, that’s where the Nacon MG-X Pro iPhone pad truly shines: Cloud Gaming. Across Xbox Game Pass, Amazon Luna, GeForce Now, Stadia (whoops, RIP), the new Nacon pad works flawlessly for anything you can stream. Well, as long as your internet is good enough to support game streaming.
On Xbox Cloud Gaming, the Nacon MG-X Pro is a perfect fit. In our testing, we played everything from LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga to Halo Infinite to Persona 5, and it was a pretty great experience. No matter what game we through at it, the iOS controller worked as well as a wired gamepad, and it’s low-latency even made it feel like one.
By far the best part of the Nacon controller is its ergonomic design. Sure, its buttons are softer and less satisfying than Razer’s latest controller, but it’s far more comfortable to hold. Furthermore, the fact that phones simply sit in the plastic housing instead of connecting via the charging port makes high-octane gaming feel safer. After all, you don’t want to snap off a lightning connector in your iPhone.
As someone with chronic RSI, the ergonomic shape of the Nacon MG-X Pro allows me to play for hours without feeling too uncomfortable. It’s a refreshing change from the slew of other iOS controllers have tended to make my hands lock up faster than a traditional pad, especially considering the added weight of a smartphone.
Furthermore, the Nacon MG-X Pro is small enough to fit in a pocket — well, men’s pockets — allowing me to take it wherever I want. A little bit of Vampire Survivors on the bus? What about a little bit of Vampire Survivors on the train? In fact, even a little bit of Vampire Surviv— you get it, I can use it anywhere!
There are better quality iOS controllers out there, and the Razer Kishi V2 will likely go on sale cheaper than the Nacon’s retail price. However, this is still a fine Bluetooth controller that works flawlessly on mobile. It’s not a mind-blowing piece of kit, but it’s functional, easy-to-use and comfortable. At the end of the day, that’s all we really need.
