You can’t deny the video game industry has become extremely popular over the years, gaming used to be for the so-called nerds that live in their mothers basement to now the business men waiting for the train. Handheld systems such as the Nintendo DS, 3DS and PS Vita have taken a hit, people are looking to play games on their tablets and phones rather than spending 200 dollars on a handheld system, but not all games on the tablets and phones are comfortable to play. With Mobile gaming on the rise the company Power A decide to get in on the action, with the mobile controller called MOGA.
DESIGN
At first look it reminds me of a thin Xbox 360 controller you have a joystick on the top left, you have the power, start and select button under the joystick. On the right you have the joystick, followed by the A,B,X and Y buttons The right analog is lowered to make room for the face buttons, which will have you stretch to press the buttons more than you might normally on a regular controller. The right analog stick is short and pretty stiff to move. Once you play for a while you will get use to the controllers. In the middle where the MOGA logo is a latch lift it and that’s where the stand is, that’s where your smart phone will go, you have two chigger buttons on the back just like PS3 and Xbox controller, the back has a nice rub grip to it.
The controller still manages to be smaller and lighter than the major mobile gaming consoles on the market like the PlayStation Vita or the Nintendo 3DS without that cheap feeling in comparison. With the controller being so lightweight it’s not a smart idea to just the leave phone on the controller, it will fall over.
SET-UP
The set up for the MOGA controller connects wirelessly via Bluetooth to Android smartphones or tablets, allowing it to be held at a distance while playing a game in case you want to place the devices up on a table or desk. The controller runs on two triple AAA batteries that can last over 15 hours, It literally took 2 minutes less if that, The adjustable arm that holds the smart phone only locks in two positions face forward or leaned back at around a 75 degree angle as where the 3DS, can be bent a full 180 degrees.
GAMES
I tested out a couple of games that will be included in the console’s starting package, several partnerships have been established with game developers such as SEGA, Namco, and Gameloft. The first game I tested out was Nova 3, a first person shooter the graphics are impressive and the gameplay felt just like I was playing on the PS Vita. The games can be purchased at the Goggle Play Store.
Here are the list of games:
3D Hunting: Zombies
3D HuntingTM Alaskan Hunt Plus!
Asphalt 7: Heat HD
Atari’s Greatest Hits
Dead Trigger
Death Rally
Dink Smallwood HD
Doom GLES
Drift Mania Championship 2
Duke Nukem 3D
Dungeon Hunter 3
Expendable Rearmed
Final Freeway 2R
Galaxy NGC3D
Gangstar Rio: City of Saints
GnarBike Trials
Heretic GLES
M.U.S.E.
Medieval
Mike V: Skateboard Party
N.O.V.A. 3
Need For Speed Most Wanted [T-Mobile Exclusive]
NFL Pro 2013
PAC-MAN by Namco
Painkiller: Purgatory HD
Real Soccer 2012
Return Zero
Riptide GP
Rocket Fox
Satellite Assault
Shadowgun
Shadowgun: DeadZone
Six-Guns
Sky Gamblers: Rise of Glory
Sonic CDTM
Sonic The Hedgehog 4 – Episode II
Stealth Chopper 3D
Tanked
The Dark Knight Rises HD
Tiki Kart 3D
Tiki Kart Beach
Trial Xtreme 2
Vendetta Online
Virtua TennisTM Challenge
Wild Blood
CONCLUSION
Now I don’t play games on my tablet or my phone for the simple fact, I hate the controls they are uncomfortable and annoy me to the point that I no longer want to play. Games like the first-person shooter “N.O.V.A. 3” and the racing game “Asphalt 7: Heat HD” give the console experience seamlessly to any smart phone.
After playing them on the MOGA for several hours, there was not much of a difference from the 3DS or PS Vita, yes the other handhelds have more of the mainstream titles, but I’m sure it’s a matter of time before we see Call of Duty or Mass Effects on our mobile devices.
Now the question is would I trade my 3DS or PS Vita no I wouldn’t why you ask? One I’m a hoarder, Two they still don’t have titles I play on a daily basis (e.i. Mortal Kombat, The Legend of Zelda and Halo to name a few), now would I add this to my gaming collection..yes. The graphics are just as good as the handhelds and the gameplay is on point, for $50 it’s a must buy. Is Moga the first company to make an Android controller..no, but they are by far the best in the market
Price: $49.99
Available: October 22, 2012
Software: Android 2.3 and up
Retailers: BestBuy, Amazon.com, Gamestop, Walmart, Target and Toys”R”Us
