After Apple's introduction of support for gaming controllers with iOS 7, the Logitech Powershell Controller + Battery was one of the first gaming controller accessories available in the market.
Powershell was launched in Indian market earlier this year at a price of Rs 8,995 and offers console-style game controls on iPhone 5S, iPhone 5, or iPod touch running iOS 7. It also extends the battery back-up with the built-in battery pack and improves the sound experience. We used the device for a few weeks and here's what we think about it.
Look and feel
Logitech Powershell Controller + Battery is made from plastic and is not very heavy at 120gram. However, it does become a bit bulky after sliding in iPhone. Also, at 7.8-inch, it is difficult to carry the Powershell in one's pockets.
The shell sports a rubbery finish with a textured pattern at the back to improve grip. The back also features contour lines to give the user's fingers rest while playing games. It features a G logo that lights up when you're charging it.
The front features a D-Pad, four face buttons and a recessed Pause button, and a slot for iPhone/ iPod touch with a lightning connector. The face buttons offer good tactile feedback, while the same cannot be said about the D-Pad which needs to be pressed hard to use. There are slots for speaker outlet which means one can amplify sound output from iPhone's speaker.
The top edge sports shoulder buttons. Even the shoulder buttons get stuck at times and are cumbersome to use. There's a spring-loaded power/ sleep button located next to the D-Pad to access iPhone's volume rocker and mute switch.
To use iPhone's headphone jack, Logitech offers a rubber adapter with the Powershell. A micro-USB port is also located at the bottom edge for charging the Powershell's battery. There's a switch at the left edge to turn on charging function of the shell.
Usage and performance
It is easy to plug in and use the device with iPhone. You just slide it in and mount it on the lightning connector to attach it. Games that are supported will automatically recognise the connector and enable its controls. It is worth pointing out that not all games are supported. You can check the supported titles on Logitech's website.
Some of the popular games that it supports include Asphalt 8, Dead Trigger, Dead Trigger 2, Ms Pac-Man, Limbo, Cro-Mag Rally and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas among others. The list is increasing as more developers join Apple's MFi (Made for iPhone) programme.
We played the retro Pac-Man game and found using the controller better than the touchscreen. However, the stiff D-Pad is a dampener. Even Asphalt 8 works pretty well with the Powershell and controlling the game with a D-Pad instead of the phone's accelerometer offers the feel of a hand-held console, and a better experience overall.
The pain point is, however, First-Person Shooters or FPS games. Since the Powershell doesn't feature an analog stick, you'll need to use the phone's touchscreen to aim (in tandem with other buttons for movement) while playing the games. While playing Dead Trigger 2, we encountered this limitation as we had to use the touchscreen to aim and D-Pad for movement. This hampers the gaming experience, and plays a spoilsport. Not quite acceptable when the device is priced at Rs 8,995.
The Powershell houses a 1500mAh battery that can fully charge an iPhone 5 in about an hour and a half. You can also charge the phone while playing games.
Verdict
At a price of Rs 8,995, we won't recommend this connector. It is too expensive for what it offers. There's limited support for games; the missing analog stick hampers FPS gaming experience and the D-Pad is cumbersome to use. Also, you'll need to carry the headphone adapter and that is another part you'll have to worry about not losing. We'd suggest waiting for other more evolved options.
Powershell was launched in Indian market earlier this year at a price of Rs 8,995 and offers console-style game controls on iPhone 5S, iPhone 5, or iPod touch running iOS 7. It also extends the battery back-up with the built-in battery pack and improves the sound experience. We used the device for a few weeks and here's what we think about it.
Look and feel
Logitech Powershell Controller + Battery is made from plastic and is not very heavy at 120gram. However, it does become a bit bulky after sliding in iPhone. Also, at 7.8-inch, it is difficult to carry the Powershell in one's pockets.
The shell sports a rubbery finish with a textured pattern at the back to improve grip. The back also features contour lines to give the user's fingers rest while playing games. It features a G logo that lights up when you're charging it.
The front features a D-Pad, four face buttons and a recessed Pause button, and a slot for iPhone/ iPod touch with a lightning connector. The face buttons offer good tactile feedback, while the same cannot be said about the D-Pad which needs to be pressed hard to use. There are slots for speaker outlet which means one can amplify sound output from iPhone's speaker.
The top edge sports shoulder buttons. Even the shoulder buttons get stuck at times and are cumbersome to use. There's a spring-loaded power/ sleep button located next to the D-Pad to access iPhone's volume rocker and mute switch.
To use iPhone's headphone jack, Logitech offers a rubber adapter with the Powershell. A micro-USB port is also located at the bottom edge for charging the Powershell's battery. There's a switch at the left edge to turn on charging function of the shell.
Usage and performance
It is easy to plug in and use the device with iPhone. You just slide it in and mount it on the lightning connector to attach it. Games that are supported will automatically recognise the connector and enable its controls. It is worth pointing out that not all games are supported. You can check the supported titles on Logitech's website.
Some of the popular games that it supports include Asphalt 8, Dead Trigger, Dead Trigger 2, Ms Pac-Man, Limbo, Cro-Mag Rally and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas among others. The list is increasing as more developers join Apple's MFi (Made for iPhone) programme.
We played the retro Pac-Man game and found using the controller better than the touchscreen. However, the stiff D-Pad is a dampener. Even Asphalt 8 works pretty well with the Powershell and controlling the game with a D-Pad instead of the phone's accelerometer offers the feel of a hand-held console, and a better experience overall.
The pain point is, however, First-Person Shooters or FPS games. Since the Powershell doesn't feature an analog stick, you'll need to use the phone's touchscreen to aim (in tandem with other buttons for movement) while playing the games. While playing Dead Trigger 2, we encountered this limitation as we had to use the touchscreen to aim and D-Pad for movement. This hampers the gaming experience, and plays a spoilsport. Not quite acceptable when the device is priced at Rs 8,995.
The Powershell houses a 1500mAh battery that can fully charge an iPhone 5 in about an hour and a half. You can also charge the phone while playing games.
Verdict
At a price of Rs 8,995, we won't recommend this connector. It is too expensive for what it offers. There's limited support for games; the missing analog stick hampers FPS gaming experience and the D-Pad is cumbersome to use. Also, you'll need to carry the headphone adapter and that is another part you'll have to worry about not losing. We'd suggest waiting for other more evolved options.
Logitech Powershell Controller + Battery review
![Logitech Powershell Controller + Battery review]()
Reviewed by Anonymous
on
June 21, 2014
Rating:
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