Nvidia kicked off CES with a bang by announcing Project SHIELD, an Android-powered mobile gaming device with a console-quality controller. It’s not the only company at CES promising a better mobile gaming experience though.
PowerA, the company behind the popular MOGA mobile gaming controller, announced the MOGA Pro controller at CES today. The device, much like the original MOGA controller, connects to any compatible mobile device via Bluetooth to provide an extra layer of precision for mobile titles that require more than just touch screen controls.
The MOGA Pro controller features a number of added benefits that help it compete with the links of Project SHIELD and other console-quality controllers by featuring “full-sized console-style grips, precision dual analog sticks, 4 action buttons, a classic directional pad, two shoulder buttons, two shoulder triggers, rechargeable batteries, USB charging cord and a tablet stand.” The controller also ships with the MOGA arm, a grip that secures any mobile device that’s 3.2-inches wide or less above the controller.
“The response to our MOGA pocket-sized controller from Android gamers has been fantastic, and we’re now excited to give mobile gamers true, console-style control with MOGA Pro,” said Eric Bensussen, President of PowerA. “Now more than ever, mobile gamers will feel at home with a traditional controller while playing the huge variety of games available on the MOGA Mobile Gaming System.”
It’s arguable that iOS is still the most popular gaming platform as developers continue to develop exclusively for the platform. That being said, Android is starting to come into its own as an entirely different gaming platform as it supports traditional controllers. It remains to be seen if core gamers, the intended audience for such devices, will actually take up mobile gaming just because a traditional controller has been added.
Much like Project SHIELD, the MOGA PRo will be made available in Spring of this year. As for price, PowerA has yet to reveal that information. The regular MOGA controller is $49.99 though, so the MOGA Pro shouldn’t be that much more.