MCON Pocketable Mobile Controller Details Revealed

Mobile controllers provide a more console-like experience, freeing you from imprecise touch controls. However, most of these accessories require storage in a backpack or at least a case. The Ohsnap MCON is a more portable solution that collapses to fit in pockets. It never detaches from smartphones, staying on devices using a MagSafe magnetic puck. Now the subject of a Kickstarter campaign, the MCON is rapidly gaining supporters at CES 2025.

19-year-old Josh King invented the MCON and soon became a YouTube sensation. After some setbacks, Ohsnap CEO Dale Backus helped produce a more market-ready prototype. The MCON’s slide-out functionality is what distinguishes it from most competitors. With the controller attached, phones remain compact enough to carry in jeans. When it’s time for gaming, a launch button flings phones above the controls.

Operating using Bluetooth, the MCON works with most smartphones. The controller can also connect to phones using USB-C. An included adapter rescues smartphones and cases incompatible with the MagSafe puck. Currently, the MCON is hit or miss with some foldable and flip phones, but King is determined to accommodate all devices.

Any controller with sticks and physical buttons instantly transforms into a mobile gaming experience. However, the slide-out design isn’t the only selling point for the MCON. Hall-effect joysticks ensure that inputs are accurate and eliminate stick drift. Full-sized tactile buttons and triggers are satisfying to press without causing distractions. The MCON has another clever trick to enhance its ergonomic qualities. With a simple gesture, easy-to-grip handles emerge from the bottom of the controller.

How the MCON Compares to the Competition

MCON is not the only mobile controller with a space-saving design. The Turtle Beach Atom splits into two halves and clamps onto the sides of smartphones. Unlike most options, it doesn’t use a sliding backplate design. Gamers can carry each part of the controller in pockets, but not without visible bulk.

Also, each half has separate batteries and must be individually paired to Bluetooth sources. The MCON remains affixed to phones and instantly establishes a wireless connection. Not only is the controller more portable, but it’s also more convenient for sneaking in quick gaming sessions.

Smartphones are critical companions for most CES 2025 attendees. Not surprisingly, the MCON demo is a popular attraction. Even so, the unfinished design still needs polish. Ohsnap promises the final version will use premium materials that can withstand daily commutes. The MCON should be available in black and white, with rumblings about a slimmer version in the works.

Price will also affect how anxious gamers are willing to embrace the MCON. Kickstarter funders can reserve the controller for as little as $99, and it’s projected for an August 2025 release. Retail prices could land in the $100-150 range, so the MCON would be one of the priciest mobile controllers.

The Razer Kishi Ultra has a similar cost but works with large tablets. Software is where many controllers struggle, but the Kishi Ultra benefits from the evolved Nexus app. Nexus is essential to Razer’s PC Remote Play, allowing PC users to stream games to phones. Likewise, the $99.99 Backbone One has an intuitive hub that organizes mobile games from different sources.

Despite some obstacles, the MCON’s unique form factor makes it one of the most anticipated mobile controllers.