Why the Backbone Pro – Xbox Edition is the Essential Controller for Multi-Screen Gaming in 2025

If you’ve been tracking the explosion of mobile and cloud gaming, you’ve likely caught the announcement of the Backbone Pro – Xbox Edition. Officially licensed by Xbox, this premium controller released in November 2025 is engineered to bring true console-quality control to nearly any screen you own.

It’s designed with one simple, powerful goal: to let you pick up a phone, tablet, smart TV, or PC, plug or connect the controller, and instantly play like you’re sitting in front of a dedicated Xbox console. This isn't just an accessory; it's the new hub for your flexible gaming lifestyle.

Why the Backbone Pro Matters in the Age of Cloud Gaming

Gaming has fundamentally shifted. It’s no longer confined to the living room couch. With Xbox Cloud Gaming, Remote Play, mobile devices, and smart TVs converging, the future is multi-screen. The Backbone Pro – Xbox Edition enters the market at the perfect moment as a device built for that future.

As the official Xbox news highlights, this controller lets you, "play your favourite games on your phone, tablet, PC, TV… without compromise."

If you have an Xbox Game Pass subscription and crave flexibility the power to game anywhere this controller transitions from a mere gadget to the central command unit of your gaming life.

 

Premium Design & Pro-Level Hardware

Backbone reportedly went through over 9,000 part-iterations to refine the form, feel, balance, and ergonomics of this device. The result is a controller that they claim is among the most comfortable handheld gaming devices ever made.

Feature	Pro-Grade Component	Benefit for Gamers
Thumbsticks	Full-size ALPS sticks	Console-grade precision and comfort.
Triggers	Hall Effect Sensors	Increased durability and more reliable, precise feedback.
Grips	Laser-etched texture	Enhanced grip for intense, long gaming sessions.
Aesthetics	Translucent Green Shell	Nostalgic, eye-catching Xbox Edition design.
Input	Two Programmable Back Buttons	Faster input options without lifting thumbs off the sticks.

The intent is clear: the build is meant to feel like you’re holding a serious, professional-grade controller, not a flimsy mobile add-on.

Two Modes of Play: Precision Wired vs. Wireless Freedom

The most significant upgrade over the original Backbone One is the dual connectivity mode, offering the best of both worlds:

1. Mode 1: USB-C Low-Latency Handheld

   • How it works: Plug your phone directly into the Backbone Pro via USB-C.

   • Benefit: Minimal latency crucial for competitive or fast-paced action and the controller passively draws power from your phone, meaning you don't have to worry about a separate controller battery in this mode.

2. Mode 2: Bluetooth Wireless Freedom

   • How it works: Switch to Bluetooth Low Energy for use with smart TVs, PC, tablets, or even devices like a Meta Quest headset.

   • Benefit: Flexibility and couch-based play with an impressive battery life of up to 40 hours in wireless mode.

The take-away: Plug in when you demand absolute precision; unplug when you want maximum flexibility across all your screens.

Seamless Ecosystem Integration: The Backbone App

The Backbone Pro isn't just superior hardware; its software integration is a massive selling point. The dedicated Backbone app ties the entire experience together:

• Unified Launcher: One place to launch all your games whether they are mobile titles, Xbox Cloud Gaming streams, Xbox Remote Play sessions, or PC games streamed via Steam Link.

• Customization: Create custom profiles and remap buttons, allowing you to tailor the controller to your favorite games or specific screen setups.

• FlowState Switching: Easily and seamlessly transition between your phone, tablet, or TV without the complex re-pairing hassle of standard Bluetooth controllers.

The app elevates the device from a controller to a complete, cohesive multi-platform gaming environment.

Backbone Pro vs. Backbone One: The Price of Premium

The Backbone Pro – Xbox Edition is available at a premium MSRP of approximately $179.99 USD, which is considerably more than the original Backbone One (which retails around $99 USD).

Feature	Backbone One (Xbox Edition)	Backbone Pro (Xbox Edition)
Sticks	Standard Size	Full-Size ALPS
Triggers	Standard Analog	Hall Effect (More Durable/Precise)
Connectivity	USB-C Wired Only	USB-C Wired + Bluetooth Wireless
Buttons	Standard Layout	Standard + Two Programmable Back Buttons
Ergonomics	Ultra-Mobile, Compact	Redesigned, Thicker Grips (More Comfortable for Long Sessions)

The Verdict: The One is optimized for portability and mobile-only quick play. The Pro justifies its higher cost by delivering an all-in-one, multi-device solution with genuine pro-grade inputs.

Who Should Buy the Backbone Pro – Xbox Edition?

This controller is an ideal fit if your gaming habits meet these criteria:

• You are a heavy user of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and frequently use Xbox Cloud Gaming or Remote Play.

• You frequently play across multiple devices (phone + tablet + smart TV + PC) and want a single controller for all of them.

• You are an avid mobile/cloud gamer who cares about advanced controls (Hall Effect triggers, back buttons) and build quality.

In short: If your gaming is flexible, device-agnostic, and cloud-enabled, the Backbone Pro is the essential upgrade. If you are strictly a console player who only plays on a fixed screen, the value proposition may be less compelling.

The launch of the Backbone Pro – Xbox Edition confirms that high-fidelity gaming is no longer restricted by hardware, but only by your network and your imagination.

Microsoft to acquire Activision Blizzard

Microsoft is acquiring Activision, the troubled publisher of Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Diablo. The deal will value Activision at $68.7 billion, far in excess of the $26 billion Microsoft paid to acquire LinkedIn in 2016. It’s Microsoft’s biggest push into gaming, and the company says it will be the “third-largest gaming company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony” once the deal closes. Microsoft plans to add many of Activision’s games to Xbox Game Pass once the deal closes. With the acquisition of Activision, Microsoft will soon publish franchises like Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, Call of Duty, and Candy Crush. “Upon close, we will offer as many Activision Blizzard games as we can within Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass, both new titles and games from Activision Blizzard’s incredible catalog,” says Microsoft’s CEO of gaming Phil Spencer. Xbox Game Pass now has 25 million subscribers, as Microsoft continues to acquire studios to boost the subscription service. “We’re investing deeply in world-class content, community and the cloud to usher in a new era of gaming that puts players and creators first and makes gaming safe, inclusive and accessible to all,” says Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Microsoft’s deal comes after months of sexual harassment claims against Activision Blizzard. Last July, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) sued Activision Blizzard for promoting a culture of “constant sexual harassment.”

More employees have come forward with more allegations of sexual misconduct ever since, and the company reached an $18 million settlement with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in September. That settlement is being appealed, and reports indicate that nearly 40 Activision Blizzard employees have reportedly “exited” the company since last July. Microsoft doesn’t detail exactly how it will approach solving these issues, and the company says Bobby Kotick will continue to serve as CEO of Activision Blizzard for now. It looks like Kotick won’t remain once the deal is fully closed and after the transition period to Microsoft, though. Spencer, formerly head of gaming at Microsoft, is now CEO of Microsoft Gaming, and the company says the Activision Blizzard business will report directly to Spencer. “As a company, Microsoft is committed to our journey for inclusion in every aspect of gaming, among both employees and players,” says Spencer. “We deeply value individual studio cultures. We also believe that creative success and autonomy go hand-in-hand with treating every person with dignity and respect. We hold all teams, and all leaders, to this commitment. We’re looking forward to extending our culture of proactive inclusion to the great teams across Activision Blizzard.” Microsoft’s huge Activision Blizzard deal comes nearly a year after the company acquired Bethesda (ZeniMax Media) for $7.5 billion. At the time, that acquisition bolstered the company’s first-party Xbox game studios to a total of 23 and was seen as a huge boost for Xbox Game Pass. Microsoft now expects the Activision Blizzard deal “to close in fiscal year 2023,” which means we might not see this deal approved for up to 18 months. That’s a long period of time for a deal to close, but Activision Blizzard operates in a number of markets which could make regulatory approval more complicated for Microsoft.

Microsoft Brings Back Xbox Design Lab With 19 New Colors

After bringing back the fan-favorite Xbox Design Lab earlier this year, Microsoft is now enhancing the custom controller experience with even more colors and finishes to choose from. Overall, different controller parts can now be dressed in “Dragonfly Blue,” and both “Military Green” and “Electric Green” have been updated to “Nocturnal Green” and “Velocity Green” respectively.

 

For those looking for a touch of flair, you’ll now also be able to customize your D-Pads and Triggers will 19 new metallic finishes, including “Sterling Silver,” “Pewter Silver,” “Gunmetal Silver,” “Abyss Black,” “Retro Pink,” “Deep Pink,” “Oxide Red,” “Zest Orange,” “Gold,” “Electric Volt,” “Velocity Green,” “Glacier Blue,” “Dragonfly Blue,” “Mineral Blue,” “Photon Blue,” “Midnight Blue,” “Regal Purple,” “Nocturnal Green” and “Warm Gold.” On top of all these new shades, Microsoft is also bringing back black rubberized grips for both the back case as well as side grips so you’ll get that extra bit of comfort and control during your competitive sessions. For those interested, you can design your own Xbox controller over at Xbox Design Lab’s website now, with prices starting at $70 USD.

Xbox Series X And PS5 Are Now Available at Walmart

Walmart’s latest PS5 and Xbox Series X restocking event is back for a second day, following up yesterday’s replenishment of all these consoles. Today at 4PM ET / 1PM PT, Walmart will be selling the disc-based PlayStation 5, the disc-less Digital Edition, and the Xbox Series X. It’s the kind of big restock event that’s becoming increasingly rare as we get closer to the holidays. Like yesterday, expect to see Walmart’s new queueing system. If you load one of these pages, you’ll get a place in line, and you can keep browsing Walmart’s site as a timer runs down to let you purchase a console, assuming there’s still stock left. This should remove the urgency from having to add or update your billing and shipping info in a flash, but you should do that as you wait. Anything you can do ahead of time to reduce the friction and decrease the times it takes at checkout is worth considering. Starting first with the consoles.

PlayStation 5

• $500

Sony’s flagship next-gen console, which includes a disc drive, allows you to play both digital and physical games for the PS4 and PS5.

• $500 at Sony

PlayStation 5 Digital Edition

• $400

The PS5 Digital Edition costs $400. Compared to the PS5, this console is $100 less and does not include a Blu-ray disc drive.

• $400 at Sony

Microsoft Xbox Series X

• $500

The Xbox Series X is Microsoft’s flagship console, serving as its most powerful (and biggest) option. While the Series S is aimed at smooth 1440p performance and takes a disc-less aproach, the $500 Series X is focused on fast, 4K gameplay.

• $500 at Walmart

The consoles may be the main course, but don’t forget to order some extra sides for when you have company over. Here are a few accessories to consider for both consoles.

For PlayStation

Cosmic red DualSense PS5 controller

• $74

Like the original DualSense controller, the cosmic red model features adaptive triggers and haptic feedback but with a vibrant red-and-black design.

• $74 at Amazon
• $75 at Best Buy

Sony Pulse 3D headset

• $99

Sony’s Pulse 3D wireless gaming headset is worth the roughly $100 price tag if you want a wireless model that can let the audio in some PS5-exclusive games shine. It sounds fantastic with launch titles like Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Demon’s Souls, as well as more recent hits like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. Like the console, this headset has been a little tough to find, but it’s coming back in stock more frequently these days. Sony is also releasing a midnight black version of the headset for $100 on October 22nd, which you can preorder now from Sony.

• $99 at Walmart
• $100 at Best Buy

PlayStation Plus (annual subscription)

• $42
• $60
• 30% off

A membership to PlayStation Plus allows PS4 and PS5 owners to play games online, download free titles every month, and take advantage of discounts on the PS Store. Currently, Eneba is offering Verge readers a 12-month subscription for around $36 with the promo code 365DAYS.

• $42 at Eneba

For Xbox

Xbox Wireless Controller

• $49
• $60
• 18% off

Microsoft’s latest Xbox controller features a Share button and a USB-C charging port if you use the optional rechargeable battery.

• $49 at Walmart

Xbox Wireless Headset

• $89
• $100
• 12% off

You don’t have to miss a call while you game thanks to Microsoft’s Xbox Wireless Headset, which is selling for $89 instead of $100 at Best Buy and GameStop. In our review, we found it to be a comfortable, intuitively designed headset that’s well worth its cost. In addition to working well with Xbox consoles, it can connect to another device simultaneously via Bluetooth.

• $89 at Best Buy
• $89 at GameStop

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (three-months)

• $26
• $45
• 43% off

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers access to more than 100 games, including Doom, Gears 5, and the soon-to-be-released Halo Infinite, which you’ll be able to play on multiple devices. Right now, Eneba is offering a three-month subscription to the service for $26 when you use code 90DAYS.

• $26 at Eneba