Microsoft has taken another bold step in redefining the gaming experience with the announcement of the Backbone One Xbox Edition, a mobile controller designed to bring the power of Xbox to your fingertips.
When Microsoft talked a big game about revolutionizing mobile gaming, many imagined an ambitious future filled with a dedicated app store brimming with exclusive titles and cutting-edge, AAA gaming experiences on the go. Instead, what do we get? A phone controller. Sure, the Backbone One Xbox Edition is sleek and practical, but it’s hard not to chuckle at the contrast between the lofty visions of a mobile gaming utopia and the reality of, well, adding buttons to your smartphone.
The Backbone One Xbox Edition transforms your smartphone into a portable gaming console, offering seamless integration with Xbox Cloud Gaming, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and remote play from your Xbox console or PC.
The Backbone One Xbox Edition is not just a controller; it’s a tribute to Xbox’s iconic design. Featuring a stunning translucent green shell inspired by the original Xbox, the controller combines nostalgia with modern functionality. The enhanced D-pad ensures precise control, while magnetic adapters securely hold your phone in place—even with a case on. The Xbox button provides quick access to your dashboard, allowing you to jump straight into games like Halo Infinite and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
This controller is designed for gamers on the go. Whether you’re streaming games via Xbox Cloud Gaming, playing natively on your phone, or using remote play, the Backbone One Xbox Edition delivers low-latency, responsive controls for an immersive experience. The Backbone app further enhances the experience by unifying your gaming library, streaming services, and social features into one intuitive hub.
To sweeten the deal, each purchase of the Backbone One Xbox Edition includes a complimentary one-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for new members. This unlocks access to hundreds of games, making it easier than ever to dive into the world of Xbox gaming.
Availability and Compatibility
The Backbone One Xbox Edition is available now in the U.S. for $109.99 and will expand to additional markets in April 2025. It is compatible with iPhone models featuring USB-C (iPhone 15 and up) and Android devices running Android 6.0 or later.
With the Backbone One Xbox Edition, Microsoft continues to blur the lines between console and mobile gaming. This device not only enhances the gaming experience but also underscores Microsoft’s commitment to making Xbox an identity that transcends platforms.
Microsoft, the perennial underdog in the console wars, seems to have decided that instead of sprinting to catch up with PlayStation dominance, it’ll casually sidestep onto an entirely different track: mobile gaming. In its quest to blur the lines between console and mobile, Microsoft might not so much be innovating as it is—let’s be honest—strategically reinventing itself out of necessity. After all, why spend endless hours battling it out for supremacy in a crowded console market when mobile gaming offers a chance to start fresh, unencumbered by past missteps?
And this new starting point couldn’t come at a better time. Mobile gaming is a lucrative frontier, with billions of players worldwide hunched over their phones, tapping furiously through worlds that rival those found in traditional gaming. Microsoft might still have a ways to go before mastering the mobile realm, but with moves like the Backbone One Xbox Edition controller, it’s trying to frame its pivot as a bold leap rather than a quiet shuffle away from console shortcomings. The subtext? “Hey, we didn’t lose the race; we just changed tracks.”
What do you think—clever strategy, or just hedging bets?
