Trusting your phone to Abxylute’s mobile controller requires a big leap of faith
- The author was excited to find a mobile controller for retro gaming on their iPhone, but was disappointed by the Abxylute M4.
- The Abxylute M4 is a compact wireless gamepad with a magnetic mount that attaches to the phone, but it has some design flaws.
- One of the main issues with the Abxylute M4 is its stiff thumbsticks, which make it uncomfortable to use for extended periods.
- The author also found the magnetic mount to be unreliable, sometimes not securely holding their iPhone in place.
- The Abxylute M4’s design and functionality fall short of what the author was hoping for in a mobile controller for retro gaming on their phone.
As a retro gaming fan, I was thrilled when Apple opened its App Store to emulators in 2024, but I’ve yet to find a controller that makes me want to fully embrace retro gaming on my phone.
Clamp-on controllers like the Backbone Pro are a bit too bulky, and I don’t want to prop my phone up somewhere to use a standalone gamepad. The Abxylute M4 seemed exactly what I was looking for when it debuted a few months ago. It’s a compact wireless gamepad that uses a magnetic mount to attach to my iPhone. It’s a clever design, but one that’s let down by stiff thumbsticks and a magnetic mount that doesn’t always feel like it’s securely supporting my ph …
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Q. What was the author’s initial reaction when Apple opened its App Store to emulators in 2024?
A. The author was thrilled, but has yet to find a controller that makes them want to fully embrace retro gaming on their phone.
Q. What type of controllers did the author initially consider using for retro gaming on their phone?
A. Clamp-on controllers like the Backbone Pro, which are bulky and require propping up the phone.
Q. What was the author looking for in a mobile controller when they discovered the Abxylute M4?
A. A compact wireless gamepad that could attach to their iPhone without being too bulky or requiring additional setup.
Q. How does the Abxylute M4’s design differ from what the author expected?
A. The magnetic mount is a clever design, but it doesn’t always feel securely attached to the phone.
Q. What feature of the Abxylute M4 did the author find disappointing?
A. The stiff thumbsticks, which made gameplay less enjoyable.
Q. Why didn’t the author want to use a standalone gamepad with their iPhone?
A. Because they wanted a more integrated and compact solution that wouldn’t require propping up the phone.
Q. What was the Abxylute M4’s magnetic mount used for?
A. To attach the controller to the author’s iPhone, providing a secure and wireless gaming experience.
Q. Did the author find the Abxylute M4 to be a good fit for their retro gaming needs?
A. No, due to its stiff thumbsticks and inconsistent magnetic mount.
Q. What was the author’s overall impression of the Abxylute M4?
A. It was a clever design that fell short due to its flaws, such as stiff thumbsticks and an unreliable magnetic mount.