Its available in two distinct flavors, a plain Black and the white PlayStation Edition.
There have been some choice upgrades this time around, though, including improvements to its d-pad and buttons.
Although it looks largely unchanged, the d-pad is also a vast improvement.
(Image credit: Future)
Its much less stiff and is absolutely butter-smooth in its motion.
There have also been improvements to how the controller fits around your phone.
The Backbone One 2nd Gen can extend a little further, letting it comfortably clasp my iPhone 15 Plus.
(Image credit: Future)
There wasnt much competition when the Backbone One first launched in 2020.
This includes the licensed PlayStation Edition, not to mention the Lightning and USB-C variants of each.
Even without that offer, the controller is frequently available on sale.
The biggest changes here are in the buttons which are extremely tactile and have a pleasant, audible click.
The same was true of the original model, but they are now a little firmer and more consistent.
The d-pad has also received an overhaul and is vastly improved.
Its less stiff and has quite a bouncy feel to it.
The closest point of comparison is the d-pad of theNintendo 2DS, minus all of the sponginess.
The little adapters, located on either side of the extending back, have been upgraded too.
The Backbone One 2nd Gen is also compatible with the Backbone app.
Its a decent hub, but the optional Backbone+ subscription leaves a sour taste.
Being able to use the controller with a phone case attached is also a bit of a game changer.
Should I buy the Backbone One 2nd Gen?
Its an excellent feature and makes this portable mobile controller even easier to use when youre on the go.
Its full-size controls, iPad Mini compatibility, and brilliant software make it well worth the extra cost.
I tried a wide variety of compatible mobile games, sourcing suggestions from the Backbone App.
For my audio, I relied on the wiredFinal VR500earbuds and a pair ofBeats Solo 4headphones.
Read more about how we test
First reviewed August 2024