My Nyko Playpad came in from Amazon on Friday (earlier than the estimated ship date I might add...) and here are my quick thoughts.
Summary: Very disappointing. Build quality is questionable, it doesn't work with a lot of games and their 'app' is a broken mess.
Details:
1. The device is VERY small. I have small hands and it is difficult to press the L1, R1, L2 and R2 buttons because the thing is so small. Some one with slightly larger hands would probably have a really hard time using this device. This isn't a knock per se, because it is advertised as a 'portable' solution. You just probably don't want to plan to do any extended gaming on this.
2. The build quality feels light, cheap and 'plasticky'. I feel like I am going to break the L2 and R2 buttons every time I press them. This feels like a cheap $15 knock off controller, not a $40 controller in the same price range as an XBox controller.
3. The analog controls are stiff and imprecise. They are not covered in the same rubber texture that the body is covered in, and the raised 'bumps' that are there to provide grip are VERY raised. It feels like pressing your thumbs on tiny spikes and is not comfortable.
4. The free app that exists to allow you to map buttons (which would solve the game compatibility problem) does not work. The entry in the Google Play store warns the app 'is in beta'. 'Beta' is being generous. I could not get the app to sync the controller on either my HTC phone or my Asus Infinity. The sync process crashes at 50%.
Even more strange is the fact that the app doesn't use the 'App Mode' of the controller. When starting the app, a warning appears that 'In the current version, the app uses the HID/Game Pad mode'. The 'App Switch' at the top of the controller has to be in HID/Game pad mode to work (it still doesn't sync even when you use the right mode).
I am not the only one with this problem. There are numerous complaints and '1' ratings.
5. Unless your game supports this pad specifically or has built in remap functions, the controller is probably not going to work. In Snesoid for example, only one of the analog controllers and the 'Y' button work, and the rest just cause the 'Exit App' screen to appear.
6. The charging dongle that comes with the controller is an actual dongle. It is not a cable. This makes it very difficult to charge the device.
Conclusions. Right now this was a waste of my $40. When the app is fixed the pad might be usable, but it still will not be a product I would recommend to anyone.
I bought the Playpad Pro the other day from Gamestop and I would rate it 7/10. Overall, I'm very happy with the construction of the controller. I haven't held the regular Playpad, but I can tell you the Playpad Pro has a nice rubberized, non-slip finish to it and it feels surprisingly solid for what it is. It worked perfectly right out of the box with all of my favorite emulators (anything by yongzh, fpse, etc...). I'm disappointed to report that the triggers would not work with Max Payne Mobile. But, hey, not big deal as long as you don't need Bullet Time or the ability to shoot Max's guns! :/
Also, the app, as reported by bluejay2345 is indeed a desolate wasteland of perhaps 10 games, 3 of which you have maybe even heard of. One of these titles is Grand Theft Auto III, which admittedly worked amazingly well. The game controlled (and looked) even better than I remembered on the console versions. That being said, Nyko needs to show the app some serious TLC if this thing is ever going to catch on. They've got a really great concept going here, but it's in need of some immediate support.
But overall, I would highly recommend the Nyko Playpad Pro. Especially if your main goal is to relive classic games through emulation on your beastly tablet.
Do the analog sticks work with FPSE? I've read a review on Amazon where some guy can't make them work with FPSE.
I'm pleased to report that the left analog stick works fine. I couldn't get the right one to work, but I don't believe the ps1 had a right analog stick anyway.
I wish I had bought the Pro version instead of the portable version. It sounds like a much better deal, particularly given that they are the same price.
radio five said:
I bought the Playpad Pro the other day from Gamestop and I would rate it 7/10. Overall, I'm very happy with the construction of the controller. I haven't held the regular Playpad, but I can tell you the Playpad Pro has a nice rubberized, non-slip finish to it and it feels surprisingly solid for what it is. It worked perfectly right out of the box with all of my favorite emulators (anything by yongzh, fpse, etc...). I'm disappointed to report that the triggers would not work with Max Payne Mobile. But, hey, not big deal as long as you don't need Bullet Time or the ability to shoot Max's guns! :/
Also, the app, as reported by bluejay2345 is indeed a desolate wasteland of perhaps 10 games, 3 of which you have maybe even heard of. One of these titles is Grand Theft Auto III, which admittedly worked amazingly well. The game controlled (and looked) even better than I remembered on the console versions. That being said, Nyko needs to show the app some serious TLC if this thing is ever going to catch on. They've got a really great concept going here, but it's in need of some immediate support.
But overall, I would highly recommend the Nyko Playpad Pro. Especially if your main goal is to relive classic games through emulation on your beastly tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, did you buy Playpad Pro on line. I live in the UK and I can't find any where to buy it.
What gamepad would you suggest for Android as an alternative to this device if you'd pay any price ?
maxal said:
Hi, did you buy Playpad Pro on line. I live in the UK and I can't find any where to buy it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought mine from a brick and mortar Gamestop in my town.
(sorry for the late response)
---------- Post added at 03:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:24 PM ----------
dazdaz said:
What gamepad would you suggest for Android as an alternative to this device if you'd pay any price ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the frustrating part of this whole thing. In my opinion, this is the best gamepad on the market. The build is solid and it feels like a nice, sturdy, ergonomic controller with all the necessary buttons. The problem we're faced with is the software. There is no other bluetooth gamepad out there that will do anything more than this will. Triggers are simply not recognized by any game unless it is already optimized for it, such as GTA III. Nyko's playground app is supposed to let you map any button to do what you like for any game out there. Unfortunately, it doesn't and the app is virtually worthless at this point. Once they finally come out with an update that enables the app to do what it's advertised to do, this will be the ultimate solution.
Does anyone know if this works with Bard's Tale?
radio five said:
I bought mine from a brick and mortar Gamestop in my town.
(sorry for the late response)
---------- Post added at 03:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:24 PM ----------
That's the frustrating part of this whole thing. In my opinion, this is the best gamepad on the market. The build is solid and it feels like a nice, sturdy, ergonomic controller with all the necessary buttons. The problem we're faced with is the software. There is no other bluetooth gamepad out there that will do anything more than this will. Triggers are simply not recognized by any game unless it is already optimized for it, such as GTA III. Nyko's playground app is supposed to let you map any button to do what you like for any game out there. Unfortunately, it doesn't and the app is virtually worthless at this point. Once they finally come out with an update that enables the app to do what it's advertised to do, this will be the ultimate solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When are Nyko due to release an app update ? I finally ordered my gamepad and can't wait to have a few rounds of my favourite games on the Tablet.
I think I am going to invest in the Moga, you put your phone in it or fold that part away and use it like a regular blue tooth gamepad for our tablets. It's $50 or $60 at best buy, I forgot.
dazdaz said:
What gamepad would you suggest for Android as an alternative to this device if you'd pay any price ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The PS3 Dualshock is the best controller for the TF. IMHO.
Ready2Mosh said:
I think I am going to invest in the Moga, you put your phone in it or fold that part away and use it like a regular blue tooth gamepad for our tablets. It's $50 or $60 at best buy, I forgot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck. I heard the Moga is just as bad or worse. Great idea, but again poor execution. Wish I could a sixaxis without rooting. For my phone that's what I use, but for my tablet i want to keep stock (twc app, ect...)
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I own the MOGA, Playpad and the Steelseries Free controller.
Out of the three, the Steelseries is my favorite. Its very comfortable... at least i feel it is.
The MOGA does not have native bluetooth IME support unless you use the universal driver app.
The Problem the MOGA has is that it isn't using android native drivers. Input starts out smooth but eventually lag... lag really, really bad.
If Power A figures out a way around the lag their app and drivers cause, then the controller would be amazing. Until they do, use the universal driver app.
The Nyko Playpad's Playground app is crappy and needs an update... bad. The thumb sticks/numbs are not as smooth as I was hoping, though it's about the same level of sensitivity as the MOGA.
The Steelseries Free just feels amazing. The Thumb Sticks are extremely smooth and every click just feels right. The only downside I have with the controller is the Price.
$80
You can get a PS3 controller for cheaper.
I just spent a couple hours playing FPSE with the Playpad and I'm satisfied although the L2 and R2 buttons do not work in HID mode. I can live without dual analog support until Nyko gets their Playground app straightened out (or someone straightens it out for them, or suggests a good alternative) but I am a bit concerned about the L2 and R2 buttons, which were the main reason I chose this pad over an iControlpad (that only has two "shoulder" buttons). I also have not yet attempted to use the Playground app and probably won't until I have a game to play that really forces me to.
As far as the size goes, I was actually hoping it would be just a bit smaller. It is light but it seems fairly durable. Gamestop promised me a 30 day no questions asked warranty so I intend to do my best to break it in the next 30 days, I already dropped it right on its shoulder buttons before I ever even turned it on for the first time and it was none the worse for wear. It's also as mash-proof as I was hoping it would be. I'm slightly concerned that the L2 and R2 buttons may break in my pocket not from mashing but from catching up under their lips and pulling/levering but I guess we'll see. Unfortunately I may not realize it if they are since as I said they don't function in HID mode. I will make a point of testing them as I near my cut-off date if I'm still not using them for games.
If the SteelSeries wasn't twice the price, I might have considered it since it is definitely smaller and I'm not surprised to hear that it has a nice feel since it looked like it had a nice build quality but the Playpad is acceptable in this department and it is the only mobile gamepad that has four shoulder buttons.
Xbox 360 wireless controller
I just use my xbox 360 controller with the wireless usb adapter, which you could get from amazon for under $20 and the usb/bt joycenter app (paid) with touch server. The controller navigates the tablet out of the box, but needs the app to play emulators and touch games like modern combat and nova. I get to use my wireless xbox 360 controller on my pc as well with the adapter which I already had. The only thing I had to buy was the app which I think was like 6 dollars. Works fine for me.
It's better now
It works great now. Especially for emulators. Every button works on Mupen64 and ePSXe, even both analogue sticks.
Is Touch Mapping supported?
just received my nyko play pad and very sad to report how poorly it functions.
neither trigger works it's as if they are not even present in any app or game. the left analogue slider constantly drifts upwards even when you aren't touching the controller at al. and the start/select buttons can not actually be mapped in any game because all they do is mimic the menu and back buttons at the bottom of the s4.
anyone who was thinking of getting this for gaming on their s4 i'd say to avoid it. after trying a couple of different controllers now i'm thinking i may have to just admit that all these bluetooth controllers are a waste of time and i'm better off just sticking to my wired ps3 dual shock pad. shame that this can not be wirelessly paired without rooting, as i need a stock/untouched device in order to run sky go app (very much needed).
another one to definitely avoid is anyone on ebay selling wii u controllers as "android os" compatible. I found out the hard way that they are just referring to it's compatibility with some android based apps on the wii, and will not pair with android devices at all.
just a heads up
Just root already
much rather have sky go than root. trust me when you have a 10 hour shift on a sunday with absolutely no custom, you need something to watch
I’ll second the notion to root. I love using my PS3 controller to play Mario 64 on my S4 wirelessly. As far as SkyGo goes, you actually have a couple of options man. I’d try Hide My Root, which looks like a few Galaxy owners verify work to use SkyGo in the review section. Didn’t see an S4 one though. It’s worth a shot. Or I even heard of a working Sky Go repository for XBMC if you’re familiar with that at all. XBMC is kind of a chore to get video playing but some people swear it’s the future.
i tried a whole host of root hiding apps on my xperia s when i had it, and not only did they not work but they required me to totaly restore the entire stock rom before i could get sky go running again.
While riding bart (public transportation), I was thinking of getting a handheld gaming system to keep my entertained on my hour long ride. However, I figured why not use the phone? It's a octa-car and can play most (if not all) 3D action games and such. So I did some research and I have two choices:
1. Put together a gaming kit with a PS3 Dualshock 3 controller, OTG Cable & USB, a phone clip
2. Get the Moga Pro Power gamepad.
The only major concern I have with the Moga, is the fact that it's primarily only a bluetooth controller. I'm not sure if I'm the only one here, but the bluetooth sucks on this phone. I love the V10, but bluetooth functionality is so unreliable. I get choppy music playback on all my stereo kits, and I know it works with Samsung and Apple devices - so it's the phone.
Rant aside, I was thinking of going with option 1, because I have the ability to use both bluetooth or wired connection for the controller to work with the phone. Though I like the all-in-one Moga controller, everything is already put together with some software to help it along the way. I am rooted, so I'm not scared to do my own research to make stuff work with my phone in terms of setting up the initial connection, but I just want to pick an item that will stick and offer a lag free experience.
I was thinking of just buying everything and return what doesn't work, but I don't like doing that.
Thanks
I have a Moga (the basic and cheaper one) and it just work with few games and the app for my controll is the same for the expensive one, beside that, my controll works great with EMULATORS like Mame, SNES, etc... If I was you I would probably prefer the ps controll with otg...
Desde V10 (LG-H901)
I have pro power and had it linked I never had any real issue with it. It worked great! I have it to the wife so she can use it now I am using steel series great controller but no clip a very big downfall so I don't play much games on my phone anymore
ilostchild said:
I have pro power and had it linked I never had any real issue with it. It worked great! I have it to the wife so she can use it now I am using steel series great controller but no clip a very big downfall so I don't play much games on my phone anymore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the suggestions, I went with the Moga Power A, because I like the feel of the XBox like form controller. So far the performance is excellent! I actually do not have any issues with it, and I've been playing native and emulator games with no struggles.
Thanks again for your responses.
Only had it for a few days now but it works great for games and in mouse emulation mode. Have tested it with Grand Theft Auto Vice City, Minecraft, fPSe, myoldboy, John NES and Chrome remote desktop(mouse emulation) if anyone has any compatibility questions and considering getting a game pad let me know either for free games or for paid games that apks can be found for(not for playing it just for testing compatibility.
The included phone mount works well. I use it with the style mod and have no issues with it being loose. The controller itself is well made and has the same layout as a ps4 controller. Most of the other controllers have the xbox stick layout which I dont care for. Gamesir also has one with this layout if anyone is interested though I cant speak for that one.
The 3Gs is one hell of a bargain at 29.99 on Amazon.
Hey guys,
I have purchased a LG phone, it's a Mediatek 8-core CPU-based K10 (2017 phone) with pretty mediocre specs for current games, but more than able to run those good-old Android games such as Modern Combat 4 and 3, as well as older MOGA-Compatible games. But I no longer own a Moga controller, as I did not enjoy placing my phone on top of a controller, I just don't like it for ergonomic reasons.. anyway, back to the issue at hand:
I'd like to play these games once again, bought myself a Saitake STK-7007X controller from Aliexpress, but the seller sent me a STK-7007F1. Anyway, it's not a Moga controller, and because of that it only works partially with Moga-compatible games (for Modern Combat, it only shoots and reloads, left and right stick don't work).
I was told by a friend he managed to workaround that using his Ipega controller, with the app ipega game center, but I'm guessing this could only work with Ipega devices.
Is there a way to make my controller work with a fake MOGA driver, so that my games understand its commands?
By that, I mean making my controller be identified as a Moga device that just works with the game, without relying on the Moga Pivot app.
If it could be done without rooting my device, it'd be better, as I'm not planning on rooting it just yet. I've got business data on it.
It's nearly impossible to request for a game dev to support Generic HID controllers, devs won't do that.
If the solution I'm asking for isn't possible, how did you manage to make your Moga-supported Android game to work with your non-Moga device? Suggestions are welcome! But then again, as long as it doesn't require root, purchasing another controller or giving up and go for a Switch instead
Thanks in advance!