Let’s see how to turn an Android smartphone or an iPhone into a hybrid console to be used both on the home screen and while on the go
The hybrid console Nintendo Switch has been a great success in these first months of launch. A success greater even than expected. However, if we can not afford the Nintendo console we can put into practice some tricks to turn our smartphone into a Switch, or almost.
We often use smartphones to play games. This happens mainly while we are traveling, when we take public transport or in the various breaks of a day. It is true that most of the time we limit ourselves to games with little complexity, such as Fruit Ninja or Candy Crash. If we own a latest generation smartphone, however, we can also use it for video games that have nothing to envy to console titles. Why limit ourselves to playing only outside the home then?
Controller
We start by saying that a latest generation smartphone has a resolution even higher than Nintendo’s Switch, which has an LCD display limited to a resolution of 1280×720 pixels. Instead, many phones offer 1920x1080pixel HD resolutions. The real weak point though is the touchscreen. As for the controller there are several accessories to turn the smartphone into a controller. For iOS the best accessory in this sense is the Gamevice. A device that turns the phone into a controller with buttons similar to those of Nintendo. The only flaw is the cost, about 100 euros. It connects only with models higher than the iPhone 6. In the house of Apple is much cheaper choice that leads to MOGA Ace Power Controller. This accessory costs less than 20 euros. And it works with any iPhone model from the 5s. And if we have an Android smartphone? No fear in this case there will be no need to buy a cover that turns the smartphone into a controller, just buy the tiny 8Bitdo Zero Controller. A sort of keychain shaped like a joystick. It connects via Bluetooth to any smartphone and thus you’ll be ready to play in seconds. If the idea of a mini controller doesn’t tickle your fancy, then here are two “classic” solutions. The SteelSeries Stratus XL Controller for Android, and the SteelSeries Nimbus Controller for iOS. They are basically two joysticks similar to those used on Playstation and Xbox. Of course they are not useful to use around but once you connect your smartphone to the TV they turn out to be the best choices to not lose in playability. If you’re nostalgic, the perfect solution for you are the 8Bitdo Wireless NES & SNES controllers. This is a faithful reproduction of the classic joysticks from Nintendo. They connect to the phone via Bluetooth.
Video adapters
There are several ways to play from your smartphone using your home TV. The first solution, a bit inconvenient but very recommended, is the use of an HDMI adapter. In this case the solutions for Android cost very little, between 7 and 20 euros. It will take about 50 euros instead for an HDMI adapter for iPhone. We’ll have a long cable between our feet, but this is the cheapest option and at the same time guarantees fluidity. In addition, the HDMI cable can also be used on TVs at friends’ homes. If we prefer a wireless solution the best solution on iOS is obviously Apple Tv. The service that, through AirPlay, connects the iPhone to the TV. But it has two flaws: it costs almost 150 euros and we must have a very good connection to avoid constant delays. Much cheaper is the solution represented by Google Chromecast for Android devices.