Over the past few months, I’ve been following creators who don’t have the courage to solve problems I know. Finding a solid video game controller for smartphones has always been a struggle. There are many Bluetooth controllers on the market, as well as some that plug directly into your phone. The problem with this controller is that you have to lug around a separate accessory with you everywhere. MCON solves the problem.
Now available to back on Kickstarter, the MCON is a mobile controller that attaches to the back of your phone magnetically. When not in use, the MCON slides onto the back of the phone, allowing you to keep it attached at all times, even when you’re using a case.
Once you have attached the controller to the phone, you can quite literally “open” at any time by pressing down on the two buttons that will spring the phone up. The controller features A, B, X, and Y buttons as well as a D-pad, two Hall effect joysticks, function keys, and right and left triggers. There are also two folding grips that improve ergonomics during long gaming sessions and make the device look like a traditional controller.
To support many phones, the controller ships with two 2.5mm discs attached with a MagSafe magnetic array. If the iPhone has a camera bump, you can stack one or two pucks on the MCON to make sure there is enough clearance. If you have a case, you can probably do enough cleaning yourself.
On the other hand, if you have an Android phone or a device without MagSafe, you can use the included adhesive MagSafe adapter to make the controller fit your phone.
The MCON controller will cost $149, but there are some early bird promotions available for those who build the product on Kickstarter, at a price of $99. It will come in white and black colors, and should ship in August 2025.
If you want to pick it up, inside the box, you will find the MCON controller, a USB-C cable, two magnetic pucks, and an adhesive MagSafe adapter.
