Ipega Gamepad Controller review: How to make an 'Xbox Nintendo Switch'

Ipega Android Game Controller Xcloud Source: Windows Primal

Xbox Game Pass is awesome, providing admission to dozens of games for a relatively low monthly fee. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate as well gives access to streaming games from the cloud, letting yous play the best Xbox Game Pass games like Skyrim and The Witcher iii from anywhere with a stable net connection. The main drawback is, well, squinting into a tiny smartphone display, using Xbox Game Pass mobile phone mount clips in games that aren't necessarily designed for smaller displays. What if in that location was a better way to play Xbox Game Pass via the cloud? Say, using one of the tablets in our best Xbox Game Pass cloud tablets roundup?

This is the Ipega Android game controller, designed for use with even the largest 11-inch tablets, giving you far more screen space for play alongside tactile controls. Is this more cheap junk from Amazon, or does it actually work, though? Let's give information technology a try.

An Xbox Nintendo Switch

Ipega Controller

Ipega Android Game Controller

$37

Lesser line: This relatively cheap add-on makes Xbox Game Pass tablet gaming far better, with tactile Xbox-like controls and high levels of compatibility for a broad variety of tablet sizes. The downside is the cheap plastics used, which may encounter the bridge clench break unless handled carefully.

Pros:

Controller is comfortable and tactile to use
Gear up is easy with Bluetooth connectivity
Fits tablets and phones from 5 inches all the way to 11 inches
Clamp is good, keeping even heavier tablets locked in place

Cons:

Materials aren't the best and may easily break unless handled carefully

What I dearest about the Ipega Android Controller

Ipega Android Game Controller Xcloud Source: Windows Primal

One of the most annoying things about playing Xbox Game Laissez passer games via the cloud is the crushed UI. I don't know if it's just considering I'm getting old (RIP), but squinting at user interfaces designed for the big screen on my cell phone hurts my optics after a while. As such, I picked up a Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8-inch and Galaxy Tab S6 for playing Xbox Game Pass games on every bit an alternative and found they both piece of work very well for that purpose. Using a tablet introduces new bug, though.

Without the ability to utilise a phone clip, you're essentially restricted to using a tablet stand and a full Xbox controller while playing on a tablet, unless you're playing one of the impact-oriented games anyway. Thankfully, the Ipega Android game controller circumvents this trouble with a Nintendo Switch-similar joycon blueprint, complete with a sliding clamp.

The Ipega controller is essentially a standard Android gamepad, consummate with Bluetooth and USB-C connectivity. A switch on the side lets yous change between controller modes, including direct input, and the standard Android gamepad stack. It besides has a style that lets yous designate portions of the screen to the different buttons and sticks if the touch game you're playing doesn't support gamepads. Luckily, every game on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate does support the Android gamepad stack, so very little configuration work is needed. Information technology was a unproblematic case of flipping the controller into Android fashion, pairing it via Bluetooth, and I was instantly ready to game.

Ipega Android Game Controller Xcloud Source: Windows Central

In use, the Ipega controller is nowhere near as good as a legitimate Xbox controller from Microsoft, simply information technology's close enough to exist unnoticeable afterwards y'all get used to it. The mirror stick positions are a tad hard to get used to if you're accustomed to off-ready sticks, and the triggers and shoulder buttons are spaced out quite broadly. If y'all take smaller hands, you lot may struggle to become to grips (lol) with this controller because of this.

The downside of Bluetooth is that it introduces additional latency on top of the latency from Xbox Game Pass cloud streaming, which tin make activeness games experience a bit sluggish when information technology comes to responsiveness. You have the choice to connect it via USB-C, only you have to sacrifice the docking portion to utilise it, which is a shame. At that point, y'all might besides just plug in a regular Xbox controller or use something like the Razer Kishi instead.

Overall, though, the Ipega game controller works well and does what it says on the tin. In that location are some downsides, though.

What y'all might dislike almost the Ipega Android Controller

Ipega Android Game Controller Xcloud Source: Windows Cardinal

I am reviewing this primarily in the context of using it for Xbox Game Pass, but you tin utilize it for any Android game, especially if you pair the controller with an app as described in the instructions. The app lets you lot designate areas of the screen to different push button presses for games that don't let directly controller usage. In mobile games similar Fortnite, PUBG, or Telephone call of Duty Mobile, ditching bear on for real controls can give you a big reward. The app isn't the best, though, and can be difficult to utilize.

The biggest business I have with the Ipega set up is the cheap plastic the firm has used on the clench. You tin literally see the seams where the clench has been stock-still to each joystick at the back, and it'due south easy to envisage how information technology could snap without proper care. The clamp at least works well and holds both my 8-inch and 11-inch tablets in place, fifty-fifty if I turn it upsidedown. Nonetheless, I feel similar even the vaguest hint of force could cause the assembly to snap due to the plastic's low-cal, sparse feeling. Information technology'southward just something to be aware of. It'south too possibly unsurprising, given the controller's low price.

Should you buy the Ipega Android Controller?

Ipega Android Game Controller Xcloud Source: Windows Central

If you have a tablet for playing Xbox Game Pass cloud games on via Project xCloud, the Ipega solution is a good 1 to endeavour. The plastics experience a little on the cheap side, merely the whole product is only around $37, making it affordable to effort out.

The Ipega controller won't give yous the same high-quality controls every bit a real Xbox controller, simply the convenience is certainly a step upward vs. using a mobile phone prune or a desk mount with a full Xbox controller. If yous're a fan of xCloud Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming, I say give it a shot. Just don't accidentally sit down on information technology!

A decent option

Ipega Controller

Ipega Android Game Controller

Make your ain Nintendo Switch.

The Ipega Android Game Controller is a skilful option for those who want to use a larger tablet in a Nintendo Switch-like configuration since many Xbox Game Pass games aren't designed for a smaller display.

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