iPad mini USB-C game controller for iPad mini 6

[leifp]

hey folks, i got the S9 today for my mini 6. working with Delta and Retroarch out of the box. the fit feels solid -- way better than the razer kishi i was using on my phone. as for the buttons and sticks, it feels about the same as 8bitdo gear i've used. the rubber part on the left that goes against the top of the ipad is sized to fit juuuuust between the volume and lock/power button, like millimeters clearance. i use a smart folio so would take it out of that to use this, but i might get a slim case so those buttons are depressed and the S9 is less likely to hit them. it has another inch or two of stretch so i don't think even a bulky case would be a problem.

HOWEVER don't consider this an endorsement, the thing is pretty damn expensive (i paid $65 on kickstarter, it's $70 and that's supposedly an early price before it goes to $99) and i totally expect bugs to come up. passthrough charging is working now but was a little weird initially. i might come back and edit this in a week or so after using it, but in the meantime if you guys have any questions or want pictures let me know. i'm gonna be playing some SNES/GBA games, which look so gorgeous on the mini's screen.

At the moment I use an 8bitdo Bluetooth controller for those tasks (and TG-16) and I find it great with my iPad but not great with my iPhone: I need to snag myself a tripod again, perhaps… or this controller. Looking forward to your update(s)!

 

[Abazigal]

You can also consider this.

GameSir G8+ iPad mini and iPhone Controller Walkthrough

The new iPad mini is the first model with Wi-Fi 6E support, which makes it the best mini for game streaming yet. Of course, it’s a great size for playing App Store and Apple Arcade games too. Last weekend, I did an in-depth review of the GameSir G8+ for Club MacStories Weekly, which included an

www.macstories.net

Whoops, didn’t realise it had already been recommended above.

 

[atonaldenim]

Appleinsider has a good review of the Abxylute S9 controller today. It looks like this is the one to beat for a wired iPad Mini controller under $100.

I tried the Galileo G8 modded to open up wider for the iPad Mini, it's not ideal. It's physically awkward to get on/off the iPad without feeling like I'm going to break something. It works but I don't love it. Also, the headphone jack worked initially, but didn't work after modding. Really weird and disappointing, have to use bluetooth headphones now. The wider G8+ bluetooth model looks good if you want a bluetooth controller.

Abxylute S9 doesn't have a headphone jack either, so it's a draw there. I don't have a USB-C iPhone yet, but on the original Backbone I have yet to find a phone case that works with its lightning port, so the deeper USB-C port on the Abxylute should be helpful for phones with cases on.

EDIT: slu9 confirms Abxylute S9 does have a headphone jack, fantastic! Sounds like the perfect low-latency controller then.

 

[slu9]

Appleinsider has a good review of the Abxylute S9 controller today. It looks like this is the one to beat for a wired iPad Mini controller under $100.

I tried the Galileo G8 modded to open up wider for the iPad Mini, it's not ideal. It's physically awkward to get on/off the iPad without feeling like I'm going to break something. It works but I don't love it. Also, the headphone jack worked initially, but didn't work after modding. Really weird and disappointing, have to use bluetooth headphones now. The wider G8+ bluetooth model looks good if you want a bluetooth controller.

Abxylute S9 doesn't have a headphone jack either, so it's a draw there. I don't have a USB-C iPhone yet, but on the original Backbone I have yet to find a phone case that works with its lightning port, so the deeper USB-C port on the Abxylute should be helpful for phones with cases on.

Just for the record the S9 actually does have a headphone jack, it's on my unit from the campaign and you can see it on the bottom of the right grip in the review photos. I haven't even tried it though, I'll come back and edit this if I do.