- Ohsnap’s MCON is a new magnetic Bluetooth controller for smartphones that attaches to the phone’s back via MagSafe (or an included adhesive adapter) [1].
- Unlike bulky clamp-on gamepads, the MCON uses a spring-loaded slide-out design. When not in use it sits flush against the phone, and with the press of a button it “shoots out” to reveal a full gamepad layout without blocking the screen [2] [3].
- It offers console-grade controls: full-size, drift-resistant Hall-effect (TMR) analog sticks, analog shoulder triggers, responsive face buttons, and dual flip-out ergonomic grips for comfort [4] [5].
- Three play modes: handheld (attached to your phone), tabletop (using the built-in kickstand after removing a cover), and TV mode (via an optional MCON Dock that connects the phone to a big screen in 4K/60Hz) [6] [7].
- Wireless connectivity over Bluetooth 5.4 with multi-device pairing (up to 3 devices switchable at a tap) and also supports wired USB-C. It is compatible with iOS (MagSafe-ready) and virtually all Android phones (adapter included), plus PCs, Macs and even the Nintendo Switch [8] [9].
- The MCON’s Kickstarter campaign raised about $1.75 million from 16,000 backers [10]. It is now available for pre-order at $149.99 [11] and will start shipping in mid-January 2026 [12].
From Basement Prototype to Official Launch
The MCON started as a student’s hobby project and became a viral sensation. 19-year-old Josh King originally 3D‑printed a slider gamepad prototype in his parents’ basement, frustrated by the lack of integrated controllers for modern phones [13]. His video demonstrations garnered huge online support, but rising costs stalled production. Eventually King partnered with Dale Backus, founder of phone accessory maker Ohsnap, to turn the concept into a manufactured product [14]. They launched a Kickstarter in early 2025 that raised roughly $1.75 million from about 16,000 backers [15] – making it one of the most successful mobile controller campaigns ever.
As King himself says, “It has been an incredible journey evolving MCON from my initial 3D prototype to the masterfully engineered gaming controller that it is today,” and he “cannot wait for gamers to get MCON on their phones so they can have a console-level experience anywhere” [16]. Ohsnap’s team agreed. According to Ohsnap CEO Dale Backus, “OhSnap MCON eliminates the bulk and hassle of traditional controllers, making it a must-have for every mobile gamer” [17]. In practice, that means the controller can remain attached to your phone even during ordinary use (calls, texting, etc.), and simply slides out when it’s time to play [18] [19]. In fact, gaming press note that the MCON is “less than an inch thick,” so it truly can stay on your phone all day – you don’t need to remove it for a call or to slip the phone in your pocket [20] [21].
Innovative Slide-Out Design
Technically, the MCON is a thin shell that magnetically snaps onto the phone’s back via MagSafe magnets (or an adhesive adaptor for phones without MagSafe) [22] [23]. Underneath is a spring-loaded rail system often called a “switchblade” mechanism: press the quick-launch button and the controller plate smoothly slides out horizontally [24] [25]. Gizmodo’s review describes it vividly: “With the press of a button, the spring-loaded front plate shoots out to reveal twin thumbsticks, four face buttons, and a D-pad” [26], creating a Nintendo DS–like handheld interface. Two side grips then fold out for a more comfortable gamepad feel, and the act of sliding the phone up angles it toward the user’s face – a bit like a Game Boy Advance SP or Nintendo DS hinge [27]. When a call or notification interrupts play, the device simply closes back down: the phone snaps to its original flat form “without the hassle of detaching or reconnecting anything” [28].
According to tech reporters, this design stands apart from other mobile controllers. Most modern phone pads either split in two (like an Xbox controller halves) or clamp over the phone. The MCON, by contrast, attaches magnetically and never has to be removed [29] [30]. It even includes little rubber spacers to avoid hitting camera bumps, and it works with third-party magnetic mounts (like Pixelsnap) and magnetic cases [31]. Game critics note it’s essentially the size of the phone itself (thinner than many thick battery packs), making it much more pocketable than, say, a Backbone or Razer phone clip [32] [33].
Console-Grade Controls and Connectivity
Despite its slim profile, the MCON packs high-end hardware. Its analog sticks use magnetic Hall-effect (TMR) sensors, which are known for precision and no drift over time [34] [35]. The sticks are full-size gamepad sticks (unlike the tiny thumbsticks on many smartphone grips) and feel far more console-like. The controller also has analog triggers (hall-effect as well) on the shoulders, full gyro/motion sensing for tilt aiming, and large silent face buttons that provide tactile feedback without loud clicks [36] [37]. Reviewers specifically praised the TMR joysticks: Gizmodo notes the “full-size drift-resistant TMR joysticks” felt unconstrained and precise [38]. In short, every control on MCON is built to “console-grade” standards, suitable for anything from retro emulators to fast-paced shooters [39] [40].
Connectivity is equally versatile. The MCON runs on Bluetooth 5.4, so it can pair wirelessly with your phone or any Bluetooth device. In fact it supports multi-device pairing: you can link it to up to three devices at once and switch among them by double-pressing a button [41] [42]. For zero-lag gaming, it can also be used as a wired controller via USB-C. Importantly, the backing plate not only holds magnets but also doubles as a kickstand: after ejecting the controller, pop the phone into that kickstand for stable tabletop play [43]. (In bench tests, the spring mechanism is fast and smooth, though early prototypes needed two hands to close – Ohsnap says that will be refined in production [44].)
Versatile Play Modes and Docking
The MCON truly works three ways. In handheld mode, it is attached and slid out, turning your phone into a self-contained gaming handheld. In tabletop mode, you remove the controller section and prop up the phone on its kickstand (called “Kickback Mode”) to play like a mini portable console [45]. Finally, there’s TV mode: the MCON can connect to the optional MCON Dock ($69.99 accessory), which acts like a charging TV stand. Plug your phone into the dock, snap on the controller, and you can game on a TV or monitor at up to 4K/60Hz [46] [47]. The dock also charges the controller when not in use. This means you can take advantage of cloud gaming services or remote-play apps on a big screen – something that Ohsnap explicitly highlights as a feature [48].
Notably, The Outerhaven tech site emphasizes that MCON’s design is akin to classic slider gadgets – it’s a modern successor to devices like Sony’s Xperia Play and PSP Go. As FindArticles put it, MCON is a “magnet-mounted gamepad” that “lurks behind your phone while you’re texting and leaps out into full controls when you want to play,” a “contemporary homage” to the Xperia Play era [49]. In other words, it brings back that nostalgic convenience (remember flipping out controls on the go) with 2025’s hardware.
Kickstarter Success and Launch Details
After months of previews, Ohsnap has now officially opened preorders. The MCON launched on Ohsnap’s website in mid-October 2025, priced at $149.99 [50] [51]. That puts it at the premium end of mobile controllers – comparable to things like the Backbone Pro or Razer Kishi V3 Pro – but Ohsnap believes the unique form factor justifies the price [52] [53]. Early adopters can join Ohsnap’s “Blueprint” program for a $5 discount, insider perks and a sticker pack (MCON is even mod-friendly and repairable, says the company). Shipping is slated for mid-January 2026 [54].
This timeline makes sense to some analysts: mobile gaming is a huge market. According to Newzoo, global mobile game revenues top $90 billion per year [55], and many of today’s top games natively support controllers. With phones getting more powerful and Bluetooth latency dropping, add-on peripherals are now more viable than ever. In fact, Ohsnap’s Dale Backus notes that smartphone improvements (like better Bluetooth codecs and sensors) have “narrowed the gap between phone-based play and dedicated handhelds” [56]. Early press response has been mostly positive: reviewers call the controls precise and praise the handy slide-out design (with only minor quibbles about closing speed) [57] [58].
As Josh King said on launch, MCON aims to give gamers “a console-level experience anywhere” [59]. Whether it truly starts a new mobile era remains to be seen, but the initial buzz is clear. By combining nostalgic ideas (the Xperia Play spirit [60]) with cutting-edge MagSafe tech, the MCON has captured attention. If Ohsnap’s Kickstarter success and preorder demand are any indication, mobile gamers are excited for a more integrated way to play anywhere – potentially changing how we treat the phone’s gaming capabilities for years to come.
Sources: Technology and gaming news reports from RetroHandhelds [61] [62], Android Authority [63] [64], The Outerhaven [65] [66], FindArticles [67] [68], Gizmodo [69] [70], and others. These provide official details and expert commentary on the MCON controller and its impact.
References
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