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Update: the developers released another quick update on September 19th, explicitly supporting the MOGA family of controllers. The NES30 mentioned below, a generic Bluetooth HID controller, is also working. Well done, Noodlecake and RocketCat!
Gamers who've been living under a priceless hand-carved ancient monolith might not know about Uncharted, a series of PlayStation-exclusive action adventure games that have sold tens of millions of copies across three titles. The odds of us getting an Android port of Uncharted are somewhere between slim and none. But you can get a shameless copy of Uncharted-style gaming with Unearthed: Trail of Ibn Battuta, available now on the Play Store.
We featured the DraStic Nintendo DS emulator way back when it launched and came away impressed. Version 2.2 of the app is probably the biggest update yet, adding a host of forward-looking features that should improve both performance and overall gaming satisfaction. Android 4.4 users in particular will be happy to hear that DraStic now supports Android Runtime (ART).
Last year, PowerA tried to change the game (quite literally) with its MOGA (later changed to MOGA Pocket) and MOGA Pro controllers. While the idea was great and execution was decent, there was still a lot of room for improvement with both. This year's models – the Hero Power and Pro Power – not only look to improve the overall form factor and experience over last year's models, but also bring more juice and the ability to charge your device while you play using the internal battery. Sounds great, right? Sure, but at $60 and $80 respectively, the question is are they good enough to warrant the price?
If you dig gaming on the go and like the idea of having a controller instead of touch controls, then you've likely considered PowerA's Moga controllers. At this point there are four to choose from: last year's Moga Pocket and Pro, and this year's Hero Power and Pro Power. Each have their own allure – for the Pocket and Hero, it's size. For the Pro models, it's the feel of a full-size controller to get your game on with. If you're sold on the idea but don't want to shell out the asking price, Amazon has a good deal going right now that may be able to sway you over the other "OK, I'm going to buy this" side of the fence.
Crescent Moon has been one of the more reliable developers on the Play Store as of late, and their newest game is definitely worth a look from anyone who enjoys a good old-fashioned beat-em-up. Nakama evokes the spirit of 2D side-scrolling fighters like Streets Of Rage or Double Dragon. At least, it's like Double Dragon might have been if you played it at 200 frames per second.
Anyone looking for a solid Android gaming controller need look no further than the MOGA series. The original controller launched a year ago, and while there were and remain some drawbacks to the bundled software, the hardware itself is top notch. The latest generation hopes to address a fundamental drawback to gaming on a smartphone, the inescapable battery draining forces at work whenever you fire up a graphically intensive game and attempt to play it using a Bluetooth controller. Both the MOGA Hero Power and the Pro Power controllers let you recharge your handset as you game, and they're now available for anyone raring to give them a go.
Update: It looks like we might not be able to plug our phones into our controllers just yet. The Amazon link has already changed to say that the MOGA Hero Power is temporarily out of stock. Keep an eye out, as it will probably reappear before or around the launch of the MOGA Pro Power.
Frequent Android gamers know that the newest AAA titles are insatiable power hogs, and more than a few are made infinitely better with the addition of hardware controls. Until someone comes out with an Xperia Play MAXX (seriously Sony, get on that), the MOGA Power series might just be the best way to address these issues. The controller/external battery combos have been a long time coming, but now they're finally available for pre-order on Amazon.
The MOGA Hero Power is the more compact option, similar to the original portable MOGA in size, but with quite a few improvements. In addition to a slightly larger and more ergonomic shape, the dual thumbsticks now have actual sticks, so they should have much more responsive movement. There's also a real D-pad, bringing the full layout in line with PlayStation and Xbox console controllers. Naturally the whole thing is rechargeable, and you can boost your phone's battery from the internal 1800mAh unit. The MOGA Hero Power costs .99.The Pro Power is designed to emulate the full console experience with a big, beefy controller and larger buttons all around, including full shoulder triggers. The design is basically unchanged from the older MOGA Pro aside from some aesthetic shifts and an adjusted grip. The Power Pro includes a larger 2200mAh internal battery, and it's going for .99.Both controllers are set to ship on November 14th with Prime-eligible shipping discounts, which is stretching the original "fall 2013" target a bit. (For what it's worth, the Power A MOGA site says that orders placed with the official store will ship in mid-October). I've got an original MOGA and I'm pretty pleased with it, but the prices are definitely crawling into uncomfortable territory for a gaming-only accessory. I wish MOGA had made some non-power versions available for $20-30 less. Even so, I'm eager to see how the new Hero Power feels while gaming.Source: Amazon 1, 2
There's an almost obsessive quality to equipping and upgrading your character that makes the RPG genre so addictive for some players. OrangePixel's long-awaited Heroes Of Loot understands that and strips out all the unnecessary fluff like story, character development, and whiz-bang 3D graphics... to make room for more loot. The game is available now on the Play Store in a $2 paid version or a free ad-supported version.
New MOGA Power Series Controllers Coming To E3, Will Charge Your Phone While You Play
The folks behind the MOGA wireless gamepads for Android announced today that the next-generation MOGA Power Series controllers will be unveiled at E3 later
The folks behind the MOGA wireless gamepads for Android announced today that the next-generation MOGA Power Series controllers will be unveiled at E3 later this month. In addition to an updated physical design, MOGA is talking up its new MOGA Boost system. Boost will recharge your phone while you game.
MOGA Pro Lightning Review: A Big Step Up From Its Little Brother
When we reviewed the MOGA Pocket (then simply called "MOGA") back in October of last year, we loved the controller, but felt it lacked a lot of functionality
When we reviewed the MOGA Pocket (then simply called "MOGA") back in October of last year, we loved the controller, but felt it lacked a lot of functionality users want out of a game controller (emulator support, anyone?). Enter the MOGA Pro ($50): a larger, more full-featured version of the MOGA Pocket. With this controller, it appears that PowerA has taken into consideration everything it did "wrong" with the Pocket, and used that to improve things with the Pro. More than just a bigger version of last year's controller, the Pro brings all new functionality to the table, along with a more familiar form factor and extra buttons. But is it enough to make this one a winner?
[Update: Winners!] Win A 32GB Nexus 7, MOGA Pocket, Modern Combat 4, And MC4 Shirts From Gameloft And Android Police
If you're a fan of high quality mobile games, there's a good chance you've at least tried your hand at Gameloft's Modern Combat series. The latest installment
If you're a fan of high quality mobile games, there's a good chance you've at least tried your hand at Gameloft's Modern Combat series. The latest installment – Zero Hour – builds upon its predecessors to offer some of the most in-depth, graphically rich, immersive gameplay that we've ever seen on a mobile device. It seems like only yesterday graphics like these were considered amazing on consoles – and now they're readily available on phones and tablets. It's kind of crazy when you think about how far the gaming scene has come in such a short period of time.
MOGA Pro Officially Launches Today, Grab Yours Now For $50
When it comes to gaming on Android, there's nothing quite like adding a game controller to give the experience a more classic feel. There are several
When it comes to gaming on Android, there's nothing quite like adding a game controller to give the experience a more classic feel. There are several options floating around out there to make that happen, like Nyko's PlayPad/PlayPad Pro or the MOGA Pocket. If none of those float your boat, however, MOGA's newest controller – the MOGA Pro – just hit virtual shelves today.
The PowerA Moga Pro is a step up from the already adequate Moga controller. A little bit bigger, with a better grip and an included tablet stand make this iteration a worthy successor. Assuming you can make do with the limited selection of supported titles (or don't mind working with some key mappers to make it work yourself), that is.
[CES 2013] PowerA Announces A New, Bigger MOGA Pro Controller, For The Large-Handed Among You
PowerA Announces A New, Bigger MOGA Pro Controller, For The Large-Handed Among You
Back when I reviewed the original MOGA controller, I had two problems with the controller. First off, the software was cumbersome (though I didn't cover using third-party drivers to use it with emulators or anything like that), and secondly, while it was a good size, it still felt just a little too small. Well, the MOGA Pro solves at least one of these problems by being bigger, better, and more button-y.
[One-Day Deal Alert] Get A Free MOGA Controller And Copy Of Modern Combat 4 From Gameloft And PowerA [Updated]
Get A Free MOGA Controller And Copy Of Modern Combat 4 From Gameloft And PowerA
Update 5: It's official – PowerA has run out of free MOGA systems. In a post to Facebook on the matter, PowerA assures readers that "Santa still has something in his bag for you," so we may see another awesome deal soon.
Back at the end of May, a gaming accessory company called PowerA announced a new Bluetooth gaming controller for Android phones called the MOGA. At the time, release date and pricing information wasn't yet available, only that the controller would be released "before the holiday season." Looks like PowerA met that deadline, because it just officially announced the MOGA would be hitting the streets on October 21st for $50.
Gaming on Android has come a long way since the early days - we're even starting to see console-quality games show up for certain devices. However, there is one major shortcoming: touch controls, for the most part, are complete crap. They're a little more manageable on a device like a tablet, but they're downright unusable on a smartphone.