Its an attempt that will have you leaving your Backbone at home.
One of my favorite aspects of gaming in the modern age is portability.
And thanks to mobile controllers like the Scuf Nomad, I can do just that.
One of those hungry rivals is the Scuf Nomad.
Just me making excuses?Thankfully, Ive never experienced this with the Scuf Nomad.
It just outperforms it in every way.
Speaking of the thumbsticks, unlike the Backbone One youll find full-sized sticks on the Scuf Nomad.
Grip-wise, I have nothing to complain about here.
This unfortunately means no pass-through charging, so verify your iPhone is fully charged before those long gaming sessions.
I was very impressed by the build quality of the Scuf Nomad.
Coming with every Scuf Nomad controller for free is the Scuf Nomad Mobile app.
This doesnt need a subscription and allows you to customize your Nomad in a variety of ways.
This was a feature I didnt know how much I actually needed or wanted.
It just outperforms it in every way.
However, admittedly, I would have liked a way to increase the tension of the thumbsticks.
Speaking of those back buttons, they are placed perfectly where your middle fingers will naturally find them.
These were perhaps the most comfortable back buttons Ive used on any controller to date, particularly mobile controllers.
Mapping them couldnt be easier either since its done via the aforementioned app.
Something I really appreciate about it though is you could set profiles and assign them to certain games.
If you were paying attention earlier youll have noticed I said this was a Bluetooth-only rig for iPhone.
Immediately upon hearing that when Scuf announced it, alarm bells rang in my mind.
Well, Im happy to admit I was wrong to worry.
I almost feel bad for the Backbone.
Should you buy the Scuf Nomad?
It offers a console-controller-like experience but in a portable package, along with a competitive price point.
Symmetrical sticks make this unique in a market filled with offset rivals.
Genuinely, if you prefer this style then its undoubtedly the best choice for you.
The biggest issue with the Scuf Nomad is the lack of support for Android.
However, Scufs business decisions are none of my concern.
For more on how we test the latest controllers, check out our fullhardware policy.
Hunting for the perfect gamepad?
Check out thebest PS5 controllers, thebest Xbox Series X controllers, and thebest joysticks.
