Accessory Review: NACON MG-X Controller (Xbox/Android)

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Posted October 12, 2021 by Richard Lee Breslin in Accessory Review, Android, Android Review, Controllers, Featured, Mobile, Peripherals, Reviews, Xbox One, Xbox One Accessory Review, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series X|S Review
nacon mg-x controller

Credit: Nacon

Mobile gaming is forever on the rise and to keep up with demand, Microsoft has adapted with the times offering cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. This means that you can connect your mobile phone to stream from your Xbox console. However, if you have Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you can stream the selected games in its library with a broadband connection via 4G/5G.

It really is an incredible time that we live in. We can play games such as Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Gears 5, and Forza Horizon 4 on our mobile phones. It really is amazing when you think about it. Unfortunately, as much as I would love to play Xbox games on my phone, mobile gaming isn’t usually for me. Not because I don’t want to, but because I have arthritis in both hands. So, within seconds, my hands will be in pain from the word go and that’s even when I am using my compression gloves.

Thankfully, the MG-X Controller offers me a decent shot at playing some of the best games on Xbox, on my mobile phone. While the button and trigger layout closely resemble the Xbox controller by design, when my phone is placed securely in the controller grips, it also gave me Nintendo Switch vibes. Only here, I can play top tier Xbox games. As well as third-party titles. You can also use this to play Android games, but most android games are not my cup of tea. I only play Pokemon Go in terms of mobile games. But Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers a new level of mobile gaming, one that I can get excited about.

So how do you connect your phone to the MG-X? Well, the process is quite simple. You just pair your phone to the MG-X as you would any other Bluetooth device. The device is also connected via Bluetooth 4.2 low energy. The MG-X also supports android phones of up to 6.7” in size, which is pretty close to the size of a Nintendo Switch screen. The MG-X also has “universal compatibility” and will be compatible with all Android smartphones with Android 6 and upwards.

nacon mg-x controller

Credit: Nacon

The MG-X is also said to have a full battery life of up to 20 hours and after many hours of playtesting, I believe I experienced a battery life of around that ballpark. The controller will also charge with a USB-C cable, which comes packaged in the box. USB-C is pretty much the standard cable for most devices nowadays, so at least you know you will likely have other charge cables lying around your house, should you lose the cable provided in the box.

In terms of comfort, the MG-X is reasonably comfortable to use, at least for most people. However, I do have my arthritis to contend with. So, I could only manage gaming spells of around 15-20 minutes at a time. However, depending on the individual, you can benefit from hours of mobile gaming using the MG-X. Thankfully the rubber textured grips on the handles make for extra comfort and protect you from an accidental slip.

The inside of the MG-X that securely holds your mobile phone is also textured for extra grip. Though I still placed my phone in a gel case just to be extra safe from long term wear on my phone’s paint job. Speaking of comfort, as the analogue sticks are the same radius as the Xbox controller, the MG-X will fit your KontrolFreek grips, which is good to know.

If there were some negatives to think of for the MG-X is that the back LT and RT buggers are tighter than a standard Xbox controller, which did not help my arthritis. So, it might be worth keeping that in mind. The MG-X also does not feature a headset jack. However, you can pair more than one Bluetooth device to your phone. So, if you have a Bluetooth headset, you can pair the MG-X and your headset simultaneously.

nacon mg-x controller

Credit: Nacon

Overall, I love my MG-X as it has now enabled me to at least enjoy mobile gaming to some effect. Because much of my body is riddled with arthritis, I cannot help but speak from a disability perspective. But that is great because before now, I could not play console games on my mobile without being inflicted with a great deal of pain in my hands. Granted, as I already said, even when using the MG-X, I can only manage about 10-15 minutes at home. However, that’s about 10-15 minutes more than I was previously able to manage.

On the Nacon Gaming website, the MG-X has an RRP of €99.90, which is about £85. Though I am sure you could find it cheaper if you shop about. This may seem a little expensive initially, but then again, it’s only about £20 more than a brand-new official Xbox One controller. Only here, the MG-X made my android phone feel like a Nintendo Switch, only I was playing Xbox games through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. If you have been looking for a quality android controller for your Xbox gaming, look no further than the MG-X from Nacon. Now that I have the MG-X in my possession, I will quite simply not game without it.