Kerry Wan/ZDNET\nFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.\n\nZDNET’s Key Takeaways\nAfter more than a year of iterative refinements and engineering adjustments, Ohsnap has begun shipping the long-anticipated Mcon controller, priced at $150. This compact yet elaborate Bluetooth device can magnetically attach to either an iPhone or an Android smartphone, transforming it instantly into a fully functional handheld gaming console. For those seeking an expanded setup, optional accessories such as a newly introduced $70 docking station enable a more immersive experience by allowing users to mirror gameplay to larger screens such as televisions or monitors.\n\nAt first glance, when you spend your opening days at CES surrounded by enormous displays of Micro RGB televisions and experimental devices like futuristic tri‑foldable smartphones, it’s easy to assume that few innovations remain that can genuinely amaze seasoned attendees. Yet, encountering Ohsnap’s Mcon controller swiftly challenged that assumption. The moment I picked it up, its meticulous design choices and functional subtleties captured my attention, and the device has remained on my mind ever since.\n\nThoughtful Design and User Experience\nUsing the Ohsnap Mcon controller is refreshingly straightforward while still enjoying a sense of refined sophistication. The process begins by placing an iPhone or Android phone onto its magnetic surface, at which point a gentle outward flick unveils a concealed system of joysticks and control buttons. The transformation feels seamless, as if a simple smartphone has evolved into a polished gaming device reminiscent of the nostalgia‑inducing Sidekick blended with the compact ingenuity of the PSP Go—except with the distinct advantage that the powerhouse driving gameplay is not a standalone console, but your own phone.\n\nWhat makes the Mcon stand out amid the crowded market of Bluetooth wireless controllers is not merely its capability but the thoughtfulness embedded in every design element. The extendable grips on both sides ensure natural, ergonomic handling, allowing even prolonged gaming sessions to remain comfortable. A cleverly integrated kickstand provides versatile utility; when the top plate is detached, the phone can rest upright for hands‑free use, ideal for watching videos or streaming gameplay. Moreover, an optional $70 dock accessory broadens the device’s adaptability by connecting your smartphone to a larger external display, thereby granting the convenience of console‑style play from a distance.\n\nCompact Power at the Perfect Moment\nIn essence, the Mcon feels like a distilled version of a Nintendo Switch—offering a comparable degree of gaming flexibility—but distilled into a device small enough to slip effortlessly into a pocket or sleeve. This combination of portability and high‑function design positions it as a timely innovation in today’s rapidly evolving mobile ecosystem. Given the rising popularity of game emulation, cloud gaming services, and the steady introduction of smartphones equipped with Qi2 wireless charging technology, Ohsnap’s release appears impeccably timed to capture the interests of both casual players and devoted tech enthusiasts alike. The Mcon controller is available now for $150, with shipments targeted to begin in late January.\n\nA Return to Functional Innovation\nCES, as always, overflows with remarkable and sometimes bewildering technology—an environment where truly practical inventions can easily be eclipsed by spectacle. The best innovations, however, are those that simply work: no elaborate keynotes required, no celebrity endorsements necessary, and no superfluous features to distract from genuine functionality. The Mcon embodies that principle. Its purpose is clear and refined—it enhances mobile gaming effortlessly, delivering tangible value without pretense or fluff. In an era saturated with overdesigned gadgets, Ohsnap’s creation stands out as an elegantly minimal yet remarkably capable solution for the modern gamer.
Sourse: https://www.zdnet.com/article/ohsnap-mcon-controller-hands-on-ces/
