The Lowdown
The RiotPWR Rotor Riot Android Controller is truly plug-and-play, as it began to work with compatible games as soon as it was plugged in, no settings or tweaking required. It even works to navigate your tablet like a mouse, which is a fun feature.
Overall
Pros
- Well-built
- Buttons are satisfying to click
- Plug-and-play makes it easy to use
- The RiotPWR Controller allows you to navigate the interface as well as games with the joystick
Cons
- Nothing
Mobile gaming has evolved to match touch interfaces, but sometimes a hardware controller makes gaming smoother and more enjoyable. The RiotPWR Rotor Riot Android Controller RR1825A is a wired gaming controller for Android devices; when it was sent to me to review, my son ran off with it immediately. I eventually got it back from him, but was it worth negotiating it away from an 8-year-old? Read on to find out!
The RiotPWR Rotor Riot Android Controller is plug-and-play. We were sent the Android version, RR1825A, and it comes with a USB-C cord for easy connection to any Android phone with a USB-C connection. If you’re connecting it to a phone and want to keep the whole package compact, there’s even a cradle that can hold your phone right over the controller.
It would be amazing if there were a cradle available that could work with a tablet for even more immersive gaming.
My son mostly hooked the controller up to his tablet, but the idea of turning a phone into a portable gaming system with just a cradle is very handy.
The RiotPWR Rotor Riot Android Controller has buttons for basically everything. There are two joysticks, a d-pad, an A/B/X/Y button array, as well as two shoulder buttons on each side. The home button lights up red when plugged in, so you know if it’s connected properly.
There’s also a pass-through connector on the bottom, so you can charge your device and keep gaming, which is a really great touch. It feels solid and just heavy enough to be comfortable to hold for long periods, with rounded edges and smooth movements for the joysticks and buttons.
I tested the controller by playing some games in Roblox, and I found it much easier than using the touchscreen. My son still kicked my butt in the various weird games he likes, but I felt less like I was too old to understand the controls because using a physical controller was way easier than the touchscreen ones.
The RiotPWR Rotor Riot Android Controller is truly plug-and-play, as it began to work with compatible games as soon as it was plugged in, no settings or tweaking required. It even works to navigate your tablet like a mouse, which is a fun feature.
It’s a simple device, but RiotPWR has really done a lot to elevate it to make it worth the $49.99. The build quality is excellent, the pass-through charging makes it even better, and I managed to not completely embarrass myself in Roblox for a 40-year old parent. This is definitely going to be a staple on any future road trips!
More importantly, my son figured out how the RiotPWR Rotor Riot Android Controller worked and started using it basically the second I opened the box, which says a lot about how simple and well-designed the controller is. If you’re doing significant gaming on your tablet or phone, it’s worth keeping in your gear bag for sure!
The RiotPWR RiotPWR Rotor Riot Android Controller RR1825A retails for $49.99; it is available directly from the manufacturer. If you’re looking for one that will work with iPhone, you can find it here.
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample
What I Like: Well-built; Buttons are satisfying to click; Plug-and-play makes it easy to use; The RiotPWR Controller allows you to navigate the interface as well as games with the joystick
What Needs Improvement: Nothing