PowerA MOGA XP7-X+ Controller Review: The Perfect Game Pass Companion

Thanks to the magic of Cloud gaming services like Xbox Game Pass, it’s easier than ever before to turn to your mobile device into a handheld that streams console-quality video games - assuming your internet is above potato quality. But games that weren’t designed with a mobile in mind deserve the right controller. 

While you can hook up an Xbox or PlayStation controller to your device via Bluetooth and enjoy games on the go, it’s not an approach I’d ever recommend. There’s a serious disconnect in having my phone wiggling around in a flimsy clip while I hold my Xbox One controller and attempt to make sense of the action on a small mobile screen from further away than is comfortable. Home console controllers simply aren’t designed for mobile gaming. Sure, you can play some Xbox Game Pass games solely with touch controls, but anyone choosing to play a game such as Celeste like that is someone I simply don’t trust. 

PowerA

Thankfully, there are plenty of specially designed mobile controllers on the market these days - and PowerA’s MOGA XP7-X Plus controller might just be the best of the bunch. Certainly, it's the best I've come across on my travels. Comfortable, versatile, and packing a surprising number of great features, this is the perfect companion for anyone serious about getting into mobile gaming in a big way.

As you'll see on the box, the MOGA XP7-X Plus boasts that it’s been specifically designed to get the most out of Xbox Game Pass. That’s clear right out of the gate. This is essentially an Xbox-quality controller for mobile devices, and anyone familiar with Microsoft’s console and subscription service will be immediately at home with the thing. Simply clip your phone in, connect, and get stuck in. Within minutes I was deeply, happily invested in Tunic while my wife used the TV to watch Grey's Anatomy. Cloud gaming might not be a substitute for playing on a big TV just yet, but the MOGA XP7-X Plus certainly nudged it one step closer in my eyes.

My main issue with a lot of the cheaper mobile controllers out there I've used in the past is that they don’t feel particularly comfortable after long periods of time. And really, what good is mobile game streaming if you can’t get stuck into a good session like you would on a console? Fortunately, the MOGA XP7-X Plus is a sturdy, well-designed bit of kit that seamlessly transforms your phone into a handheld console that’s a delight to use whether it’s a quick ten minute burst on Forza Horizon 5, or a few hours of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Anything that can effectively turn my phone into the Xbox equivalent of a Nintendo Switch is alright in my book, and the MOGA XP7-X Plus' rubberised grips really sell it as a "proper" controller - one I struggled to put down once I got going.

It’s a controller that also offers an amazing level of versatility, too, giving players a wealth of options like remappable buttons, a detachable phone stand, and the choice of Bluetooth or wired connectivity to cover all the bases. You can even choose to have the controller charge your phone as you play - a quicker drain on the battery, of course, but handy for gaming in a pinch. And yes, it does work brilliantly with most emulators, if that’s your cup of tea. 

At $99.99 it’s definitely on the pricier side of the mobile controller spectrum, but it’s a worthy investment for any gamers who are increasingly finding themselves picking up their phones to stream games. If you’re after a controller that can instantly transform your phone into a one-stop shop for mobile gaming nirvana, look no further.