Ohsnap, the North Carolina-based brand behind some of the most inventive smartphone accessories of recent years, has officially launched MCON, a compact magnetic controller that turns ordinary smartphones into portable gaming consoles. Following a Kickstarter campaign that raised over $1.7 million from more than 16,000 backers, MCON is now available for purchase at ohsnap.com.
At less than an inch thick, MCON is built to stay attached to your phone without getting in the way. It’s slim enough to slip into a pocket and smart enough to switch from “game mode” to “life mode” with a simple slide. The idea: gaming anywhere, anytime, and with no clamps, cables, or compromises.
Compact Form, Console Feel
Ohsnap promises that MCON delivers console-grade control in a pocket-sized frame. The controller uses what the company calls Mag-Res joysticks, a proprietary design offering high precision, low power draw, and resistance to the dreaded stick drift that plagues many competitors.
Each button was refined for silent operation, and the analog triggers are tuned for responsive, fluid input. When folded, the joysticks and buttons tuck neatly away to prevent damage or accidental presses. A built-in gyroscope adds motion controls for games that support tilt-based aiming, steering, or flight maneuvers.
Comfort also gets attention here. MCON features deployable ergonomic grips that lock into place for extended sessions, reducing strain without adding bulk when packed away.
Three Ways to Play
MCON supports multiple play modes: handheld, tabletop, and TV-connected. In handheld mode, it slides open to cradle your phone securely. For tabletop use, players can remove the front cover, pop out the built-in kickstand, and connect via Bluetooth in “Kickback Mode.”
Perhaps the most intriguing setup is for iPhone users, who can dock their device and cast games directly to a TV through the optional MCON Dock. The dock’s HDMI connection delivers near-zero latency and a 1000Hz polling rate, turning any living room into a full-fledged gaming station. Combined with the Apple iOS26 Games app, players can browse, launch, and switch between titles, all with console-like responsiveness.
Seamless Transitions Between Work and Play
Unlike bulky clamp-on controllers, MCON was designed for quick transitions. Need to respond to a text mid-match? Simply slide the controller closed, and the phone instantly returns to its standard mode, no disconnecting or detaching required. The innovative sliding mechanism works with most phones and orientations, allowing near-instant setup regardless of device size.
From Dorm Room Prototype to Commercial Reality
The story behind MCON is as inventive as the product itself. The concept originated with Josh King, then a 19-year-old student frustrated by the limits of mobile gaming. King built an early prototype, a compact MagSafe controller, and posted it to YouTube, where it quickly gained traction. Facing the typical funding hurdles of independent hardware projects, he joined forces with Ohsnap founder Dale Backus to bring the idea to life.
Together, the pair refined the early design into the sleek, magnetic, and feature-packed version available today. “It has been an incredible journey evolving MCON from my initial 3D prototype to the masterfully engineered gaming controller that it is today,” said King. “I cannot wait for gamers to get MCON on their phones so they can have a console-level experience anywhere.”
Pricing and Availability
MCON is available now from Ohsnap’s official website at ohsnap.com. Pricing was not included in the initial release, but the company indicates that shipments are now live.
