SteelSeries Free Mobile Wireless Controller

The SteelSeries Free Mobile Wireless Controller ($79.99 direct) is a Bluetooth-enabled, multi-platform gamepad that is compatible with Android and iOS tablets and phones, PCs, and Macs. It aims to make touch-screen gaming less frustrating and easier to control. Given its small, lightweight design and the ability to connect to a variety of devices, this wireless controller is a nice addition to the arsenal of any mobile gamer. But $80 is a steep price to pay for a controller that requires extra steps in order for it to work properly.

Design and Setup
Weighing at 1.91 ounces, this little wireless controller is small enough to fit in your pocket, purse, or laptop bag, and turns frustrating touch-screen gaming on both smartphones and tablets into something you can actually enjoy. When I first held the Free Mobile Wireless Controller, I figured I was in for a rough time considering I have large hands. To my surprise, the controller fit comfortably and I was able to play with ease. Games like Temple Run and Unicorn Rush were simple to play on a latest-gen iPad.

The controller hooks up wirelessly via Bluetooth. Following the instructions in the Quick Start Guide, I had no problem pairing the controller up to the iPad. Android and iOS phones and tablets, PCs, and Macs each require a different button combination in order to pair them. PCs and Macs also require that you download the free SteelSeries engine app.

Gameplay
The controls are similar to the standard PlayStation Sixaxis controller. On the left is the D-pad, and the right side holds a cluster of numbered buttons (1, 2, 3, and 4). In the center there are A and B buttons, and right below are two mini joysticks. Shoulder buttons sit on the top left and right. The controls for each game are set up differently, so it takes a bit of experimenting to figure out what you need to do.

You can use the SteelSeries engine in order to remap the buttons and customize the gamepad to your specific tastes. Unfortunately, the Free controller is not compatible with Windows XP, so any chances of remapping the buttons are scrapped. Also despite what it says on SteelSeries' site, there are no mobile versions of the SteelSeries engine app to customize your controller with, so button remapping needs to take place on a computer, which is a bit inconvenient.

Not being able to download the SteelSeries engine, I had to use the preset controls, and for some games it worked fine, but for others, they were a bit off. For example, when I played Cave Shooter HD with the gamepad I had to use the B button to fire. Imagine using the Select button on a PS controller to fire in a shooter game. It's awkward. When playing Temple Run, I found that using the D-pad alone was better than using the joysticks or the buttons on the controller's right side. Also, the bottom (4) button I would instinctively use to jump, made me slide instead.

Also, you can't use the gamepad to navigate through the menus on some games. I had to alternate between using the controller and the touch screen to get where I needed to be. When going through the tutorial for Unicorn Rush, I had to touch the Next button on the screen in order to move to the next step. If I'm using a controller to play through a game, I don't want to have to switch back and forth.

SteelSeries claims the controller's rechargeable battery will last for up to 10 hours of non-stop play or 20 hours of casual, intermittent play. The USB cable provided is solely for charging the controller, so playing on any device through a wired connection is out of the question.

The controller is compatible with a fair number of games, but very few big name ones, like titles from Rockstar Games and Imangi Studios, for example. iOS Games that support iCade, Zeemote enabled games on Android, and titles that are keyboard and mouse emulated on PC and Mac are all compatible with the Free controller. SteelSeries provides a list of compatible games for each supported platform on its website.

Overall, the SteelSeries Free Mobile Wireless Controller is a decent choice if you do a lot of tablet gaming and aren't crazy about touch-screen controls, but it's not exactly cheap, it doesn't work with all games, and setup isn't a snap. While other options aren't as comprehensive, the $25 ThinkGeek JoyStick-It Tablet Arcade Stick and the $20 Logitech Joystick for iPad each enhance tablet game control for a fraction of the price of the Free Mobile Wireless Controller. Plus, there's no software to download and setup is simple. Just place the joystick over the virtual one in the game and enjoy. Unless your Temple Run high score is that important, you might want to take a look at some other options before dropping $80 on the SteelSeries Free Mobile Wireless Controller.

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