Mobile gaming is on the rise but there is a single hitch in an otherwise rosy world. The controllers. Touch controls simply cannot compete with a physical controller when it comes to accuracy and comfort. Mad Catz has put some serious effort into solving the issue, creating a gamepad for Android devices that actually transforms depending you whether you’re using it with a tablet or a smartphone.
The Mad Catz L.Y.N.X. 9 allows the user to attach a smartphone via a removable clip, splits into two halves to accommodate tablets, and even folds up small enough to fit your pocket. There’s also a QWERTY keyboard that clips in between the handles, and the purchase price includes a set of BigPlay adapters and cables that let you mirror a smartphone or tablet up to an HDTV.
Mad Catz provides a companion app with the controller that lets users tweak settings for specific apps and games, such as increasing thumb stick sensitivity for first person shooters. The accessory connects to its parent device via Bluetooth, and according to the company, will last up to 30 days on a single charge.
Unfortunately, the L.Y.N.X. 9 doesn’t come that cheap, coming in at US$300. It’s available for pre-order now and is set to start shipping in March.
