When Josh King, a 19-year-old entrepreneur, claimed that he would single-handedly redefine mobile gaming with his 3D-printed gamepad, drawing a direct line from himself to Steve Jobs, I couldn’t help but think it was a bit of an exaggeration. However, as we’ll explore in this article, OhSnap’s innovative design has evolved significantly since then, and the resulting product is truly revolutionary.
From Concept to Reality
The Mcon gamepad attachment is no longer just a 3D-printed controller. OhSnap, the company behind the excellent magnetic PopSocket alternatives that we featured back in October, has now officially turned King’s design into the coolest-looking gamepad attachment for a phone that I’ve ever seen.
Key Features and Design
So, what makes the Mcon so special? Let’s take a closer look at its key features:
- Compact Design: The Mcon is no taller or wider than an iPhone, making it easily pocketable.
- MagSafe Compatibility: It features a MagSafe pattern of magnets to attach it to your magnetic ring device.
- Retractable Design: The whole gamepad retracts underneath, allowing you to use your phone like a phone without removing the attachment. This is reminiscent of the slide-out keyboard phones (or PlayStation Phones) of old.
- Spring-Loaded Arm: The Mcon’s hinge is mounted on a spring-loaded arm that pops out at the push of a button and slightly angles your device towards your face.
Analog Sticks and Controls
But that’s not all. OhSnap has also included:
- Nintendo Switch-esque Analog Sticks: With drift-resistant Hall effect sensors for precise control.
- Fold-Out Grips: So you can hold it more like a full-size gamepad, if desired.
- Clickable Buttons: On the sticks and elsewhere, providing additional functionality.
The Story Behind the Mcon
Two months ago, Retro Game Corps came away impressed with a prototype of the Mcon. Since then, Josh King has been incredibly busy, as he explains on YouTube. Initially, he tried to start his own company around the gamepad, even attracting a few investors and manufacturing boards before running out of money. He then reached out to OhSnap about a partnership.
Availability and Pricing
The Mcon will be available in black and white at launch, though King says they’re working on different colorful parts so you can style it as you like. As for pricing, we don’t have any information yet, particularly at retail. However, OhSnap is planning to launch a Kickstarter on January 2nd to raise funds. You can sign up now to be notified when the campaign goes live.
Hands-on Experience
I’ll be getting my hands on a prototype next month at CES 2025 in Las Vegas and will share my first impressions with you. Stay tuned for that review!
Conclusion
The Mcon gamepad attachment is an exciting innovation in mobile gaming, offering a premium experience without the need for a dedicated console or separate controller. With its compact design, MagSafe compatibility, retractable mechanism, and advanced controls, it’s set to revolutionize the way we play games on our phones.
Will you be backing OhSnap’s Kickstarter campaign when it launches? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
