On October 21 Power A makes a bid for the blossoming Android game controller market with the MOGA, the innovative game pad/phone dock Iâve been pretty excited about since its announcement earlier this year. Now that Iâve had a week alone with the MOGA Iâm still enthusiastic, but the unitâs success hinges on much more than performance.
Power A is approaching that problem by offering developers tools that allow them to integrate support for the MOGA into their games relatively painlessly. Apps that support the device will be featured in the MOGA Pivot App, a combination marketplace / launch pad for enabled titles. This two-pronged attack has already lured the likes of Atari, Gameloft, Namco Bandai and Sega, to name a few, and the fact that the MOGA is subject to a major push at retail that includes Toys âRâ Us, I expect more mobile developer attention in the coming weeks.
Itâs a joy to use, really. Simply clip in your phone (or leave the MOGA folded and use it with a tablet), pair it up, launch the MOGA Pivot App (or just a supported game) and youâre ready to rock. Allow me to demonstrate.
Itâs compact and comfortable, well-suited for extended periods of gaming, something Iâm not quite used to doing on a mobile phone. If youâve never played an Android game long enough to know how long you can play on a full phone charge, youâll know once youâve procured a MOGA.
The face buttons are nice and responsive. The shoulder buttons make aiming and shooting in Gameloftâs N.O.V.A. 3 a breeze. The Dark Knight Rises (ha, they spelled it wrong) plays like a whole new game with the MOGA; I enjoy it much more now than I did playing with touch controls.
I only wish that I could open the MOGA a bit wider. The unitâs construction limits it to about a 135 degree open angle, which is fine. I just wouldnât mind it opening flatâthatâs how I play my Nintendo 3DS.
I have no complaints about the MOGAâs performance. It really is an excellent way to play games like Sonic CD, Wild Blood, The Dark Night (hee) Rises and the other games that support the device.
It all comes down to support, however. Currently there are more than 40 games set to work with MOGA from the get go. Whether or not you drop $49.99 on a unit come October 21 likely depends on the titles you find there. Itâs a growing listâtime will tell if it grows quickly enough.
