Fortunately, most modern devices (made within the last two or three years) are capable of running cloud gaming. Use this link to see which devices meet the requirements to run Xbox Cloud Gaming. Aside from the device running the game, you will need a Bluetooth controller. In this article, I will cover which controllers are a good fit.

Xbox Controllers

The Xbox controller seems like a natural progression, as the gaming service is provided by Xbox, but not all of these controllers will work. Microsoft makes controllers with and without Bluetooth, so make sure you have the right device before trying to connect to a mobile device.

Here’s how to know if your controller runs Bluetooth, and can be connected to a mobile device. The plastic section surrounding the Xbox button, between the left and right bumper, will be one of two ways; Part of the controller body or part of the bumper and trigger section.

If the controller is equipped with Bluetooth, the plastic surrounding the Xbox button is molded in the same material as the entire controller body (Pictured below).

Controllers without Bluetooth have a shiny plastic section that is part of the bumper and trigger body section (Pictured below)

Accessory clips can be purchased for Xbox controllers, to hold your phone while you play. OtterBox sells these clips for $30. This is the configuration that I use for cloud gaming because I like the familiar feel of an Xbox controller and the position of the phone is perfect.

8BitDo Controller

If you’re looking for a small form factor handset, the 8BitDo controller may be a good fit. It is roughly the size and shape of the old Super Nintendo controller. I like this device because it is very portable; good for gaming just about anywhere. It’s easy to tuck into a side pocket of a backpack and not take up much space. The small size can somewhat take away from gameplay, especially if you are more accustomed to playing on a larger (Xbox) controller. Just be aware that it takes some getting used to.

This controller has an internal battery that charges using a USB-C interface. Each charge will last for at least 10 hours of gameplay. I average about 12 hours of gameplay per charge. It can be purchased with or without a phone clip, but I would recommend getting the clip. At a price of $44.99, including the phone clip, this is a good affordable handset.

Razer Kishi

The Razer Kishi is a controller style that wraps around the smartphone, similar to the Joycons on a Nintendo Switch. This design makes for a more solid gaming device style, somewhat like a PSP (Playstation Portable). The design of the Kishi allows the controller to plug into the phone’s charging port, eliminating the need for an internal battery or wireless connectivity. As a plug-and-play device, there is almost no latency like what might be seen with Bluetooth devices.

This is one device that I have yet to test because overall device size, with a phone, is rather bulky for the way that I play. Based on the reviews of a few friends, however, this is a very good option for cloud gaming.

Everything Else

There are several controllers on the market that are similar to the three listed above. These aftermarket devices could save some money, but it’s hard to say which of these are actually worth the purchase. I’m all for saving money, but do your research before spending anything. There’s nothing worse than throwing money away on a devie that won’t work for your style of play.

Below are a few options available on Amazon.

The post Find the Right Controller for Cloud Gaming first appeared on The Gaming Column.

What games are available?

There are well over 250 games, at the time of writing this article, available to play on mobile devices. These are not just small, mobile platform games, but titles like Gears 5 and Halo 5. Visit www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-game-pass/games to see the full list of current games available for cloud play.

With the recent addition of EA Play to Game Pass, as well as the Microsoft acquisition of Bethesda Softworks, the list of Cloud-Enabled games just keeps on growing. One of my personal favorites, in terms of graphical performance on a mobile device, would be Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice.

Performance and Gameplay

Visuals are very clear and, although being on a much smaller screen, are comparable to console play. It is important to keep a solid wireless connection when playing. Lag and choppy resolution can result from lower ISP bandwidth. Loading up games can take a few minutes, and a 5 GHz connection on WiFi is just about a requirement to maintain a smooth gameplay.

I did notice more screen lag on games with higher graphical detail. Overall this didn’t take away from the gaming experience much. The occasional choppy screen refresh rates are understandable. Consuming gaming media in this form is still in its early stages. As WiFi and ISP connection speeds increase, so will the performance of cloud gaming.

I would recommend more serious gameplay take place on a console. A slow wireless connection can throw off the timing of jumps or punches in a heated battle. Gaming at this caliber on a portable device is an outstanding push in the right direction.

The Service Overall

As an overall service, Xbox Cloud Gaming has a lot of potential because it allows the ability to play virtually anywhere. Full-quality games can be played without a lot of bulky equipment or games to tag along. Microsoft states that the service offers over one hundred games on the mobile platform, but there are currently nearly double that.

To sum up the experience, there is a good amount of value with the fairly large library of games available. Slow load times and lagging screens are a minor issue, but somewhat forgivable. Cloud gaming on Xbox Game Pass is absolutely a win.

The post Xbox Cloud Gaming: Hype or The Next Evolutionary Step first appeared on The Gaming Column.