Pros
Gives you physical keys to play games, extra battery to
charge your phone on the go, works with iPhone 5S and 5C.
Cons
Feels cheap, not all games support the controller, can't map
keys to the games.
The Moga Ace Power transforms your iPhone into a gaming
controller so you can get the most out of analogue, off-screen controls for
those many titles available in the app store.
Compatible with the iPhone 5, 5C, 5S and fifth-gen iPod
Touch, the Moga is the first game controller for iOS 7 - made possible due to
changes in the latest version of the Apple mobile OS.
If you’re a ken gamer then the ability to transform your
phone into a more tuned gaming device sounds like an ideal solution. Priced at
£80, is it a worthy investment compatible with enough games, and is it easy
enough to use that you’ll want to carry it with you everywhere? We've been
button-bashing like crazy to find out.
Design
The Moga Ace Power looks like a stubby Xbox 360 controller
without an Apple device mounted up: it features two analogue sticks, a d-pad,
four buttons comprised of A-B-X-Y and a further four shoulder buttons.
You then
slot your compatible iPhone or iPod Touch into the
casing and it expands to receive your phone like a huge docking station. The
Moga connects via the Lightning connector to not only deliver controls but also
extra power: there’s a built-in battery so it will extend your device’s life as
you play - or just double up as a handy charger on the go - which is handy for
long flights.
To slip your iPhone into the contraption you simply stretch
out the controller you can lock the case into place to stop yourself
erroneously opening it in a moment of frenzied gaming. The fit is snug because
the final 10mm stretch is spring-loaded to ensure that iPhone or iPod Touch
won’t come flying out. That’s why the shorter iPhone 4 won’t fit - that and the
obvious difference in connectors.
The Moga controller also features a 3.5mm headphones jack
and is charged via a micro USB cable - plug it into your computer and away you
go. You can charge and play at the same time too. If you want to charge up via
a wall socket it’s possible but worth pointing out that no power socket is
included, just the cable.
The build quality could be better though. The plastic used
feels cheap compared to something like an Xbox or PlayStation controller, and
given the price we don’t see why it’s not a little more luxury.
Games
Here’s the thing, and this is the case for all mobile
controllers we’ve played with: at the moment there are only a handful of
Moga-enabled games in the App Store, and this is likely to have a huge impact
on whether the Moga interests you. That number is growing of course, but it's
limited for now and depends on developers’ uptake.
Frustratingly Apple doesn't clearly list which games support
the Moga, and Moga only highlights its favourites - around two dozen - although
claims you should check the App store for more games. There's a lot of pot luck
involved.
There are big titles available though. Majors you might have
heard of include Call of Duty: Strike Team, Limbo, Dead Trigger 2, and Lego
Lord of the Rings. If your game doesn't support the Moga then it's little more
than an expensive and large case, but if it does then you get the benefit of
getting a far better control system.
More games will be added in good time, too, with the new GTA
promising Moga support - just don't expect it to work with all your favourite
titles from day one.
At the controls
We tested the Moga with Limbo, Dead Trigger 2, and Lego Lord
of the Rings. The options available to you vary depending on what the game has
programmed in. Lord of the Rings only lets you use the d-pad to move around,
for example, while Dead Trigger 2 takes full advantage of the analogue sticks -
which makes for a far better game.
But that also highlights the biggest problem with the Moga
Ace Power: consistency. It could improve over time based on what developers do,
but then again it might not. It’s a bit of a gamble. Or, if you only want to
play a handful of top-tier app games then it’s spot on for those needs.
When you do find a game that you enjoy and the controls are
to your liking - you cannot, however, map them yourself - the controller makes
a huge difference. We could actually enjoy first person shooters without our
grubby mitts getting in the way.
Verdict
The Moga Ace Power has masses of potential, but at the
moment is restricted to a handful of games that may or may not appeal. That’s
not the Moga’s fault, as such, and as developers get on board the device’s
breadth can also expand.
There are a few minor niggles, such as the choice of plastic
and inability to customise controls, but overall we are pleased with the
performance and package delivered here. It makes gaming with those compatible
titles on iPhone 5 that much better and we especially like the inclusion of the
built-in battery so you can play for longer.
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