Over the course of the last few years, NACON has gone big. But not only have they attempted to muscle in on the gaming scene by picking up and publishing all manner of video games, but they’ve also found a foothold in the accessories market. Buying out RIG headsets was a decent start as that immediately gave them presence in the headphones space. Yet they’ve also found plenty of traction with their controllers.
The NACON Revolution X Pro Controller is a pretty excellent alternative to the Xbox Elite Controller, whilst the MG-X is a fine example of what is required for anyone looking to play their Xbox games via the cloud, more specifically Xbox Game Pass titles through an Android phone.
Now though they are building on that with the MG-X Pro. I think it’s their best addition to a bulging range of devices yet.
The NACON MG-X Pro is a weird looking device. Whilst the standard MG-X fits much more in line with the likes of Razer’s Kishi or Gamesir’s X2, the Pro version takes the usual premise and throws a proper Xbox controller at it, hoping that bits will stick. What turns out is a weird hybrid controller, one that still manages to utterly scream Xbox.
We’ll be honest. When we first saw images of the MG-X Pro, we weren’t taken, wondering how the weirdness would sit in the community, attempting to find love with gamers. Upon using it though and it’s safe to say that we get it. We totally get it.
Utilising a spring loaded system which pulls back in order to allow you to fit your Android device inside, the MG-X Pro is a solidly built device, one that will give confidence that your precious phone is safe and secure.
It grips well, with a textured back and side grips ensuring that there’s little chance of your phone slipping or getting chipped. What’s more, a simple little shelf on the bottom of the Pro helps keep the phone even more secure. In fact, we’d go as far as say that – for a Bluetooth unit in which there is no physical connection between unit and device – it’s one of the most secure on the market.
We’ve used the MG-X Pro with a number of phones, but most of these are definitely seen as premium devices that are on the larger side of what’s available in the phone space. Our old Google Pixel 2XL fits nicely, our newer Pixel 6 Pro does likewise, whilst we’ve had no trouble with a Motorola G8 Plus either. Even our ickle little Pixel 4a has had no problem filling the Pro’s space as a home.
NACON reckon the MG-X Pro is good to cater for phones with screens up to 6.7 inches. If you have a device up to that upper limit, you should be good to go. And because this is a Bluetooth device and there’s no need to line up a USB-C connection, it makes no difference if you decide to use it with your phone cased up, or totally naked. It should fit something like a Galaxy Fold 3 fine too.
As standard all the usual Xbox related buttons are in place – including some rather neat, slightly oversized face buttons – with all working really well. The triggers and bumpers feel nice to pull – something that let the standard MG-X down – whilst the clicks and movement of both thumbsticks are a delight. And what exactly are you getting extra for that ‘Pro’ moniker? Well, over the standard MG-X, it’s pretty much some little Xbox controller-styled arms to grip onto. Oh, and a better overall feel thrown in to sweeten the deal.
We’d go as far to say that there’s absolutely nothing to worry about in terms of control schemes with the MG-X Pro, although we would like a bit more of a premium feel to the D-Pad – the one here just feels a little cheap, especially when put alongside the rest of the components.
The only additional button that is included is a tiny Bluetooth one; pressing that will allow you to connect it with your phone, via the usual process. Connecting the phone to the MG-X Pro is simple, we found it immediate, a cinch to set up and in hours of use, never once dropped connection. The MG-X Pro seems as stable as you could want.
We rarely experienced much lag either. Obviously the main aim of what NACON have created is to utilise the power of Game Pass and Cloud gaming on your phone, so you’ll always be at the mercy of your data connection, but on the whole we’ve had a great time here. Perhaps things would be nicer if a USB-C connection was in place, if only as for certain games we’d prefer the direct connection a physical port allows. But that’s being pretty picky.
And running that Bluetooth route does mean that there’s no passthrough of power here. Whilst the MG-X Pro is charged via USB-C (good work on not being tempted by old school Micro-USB, NACON), there’s not any way of being able to charge your phone whilst playing. We mostly use Cloud gaming as a little side hustle away from the main console event, so have no issues with phone battery life, but being unable to charge may be a sticking point for others. It all depends on your personal use case as to whether that will need to be something to consider.
In all though we’ve been mightily impressed by the NACON MG-X Pro, designed for Xbox and Android. It’s a brilliantly made, super solid piece of kit that should be right at the top of your list if you’re in the market for a new handheld controller.
It might look like a weird hybrid of a device, but the NACON MG-X Pro Controller works superbly well when teamed up with Xbox Game Pass and your Android phone.
Huge thanks go out to NACON for providing us with the MG-X Pro for review. If you wish to pick one up for yourself, you should hit up NACON direct.
Looks like a carbon copy of the Hori Grip for the Nintendo Switch.