We have tested a lot of different gaming-controllers in the last time and from time to time we like to play a great game on our phone. Great is, that the PG-9021 we are testing here has a holder for the phone included. Another reason we wanted to test the controller is, the we wanted to know about the quality of the product developed by Ipega.
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The box not only includes the controller itself. You can also find in there a micro-USB charging cable to load the integrated battery. According to the developer, this has a capacity of 380 mAh and offers a use of the 
controller for up to 16 hours. The instructions are only available in english and are absolutely necessary to use the controller right.Strange is, that we could not find the described reset button on the controller.
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The design reminds us quickly on the design of the Xbox-Controller. There are the same known XBox A/X/Y/B-Buttons and even the colors of them are the same. The joysticks and the Home-Button are also on the same position as the one on the Xbox-Controller. This all has the benefit for the user, that he has not to get used to it before playing especially if the user already own a Xbox-Controller . After the opening of the installed smartphone holder you can quickly see the special function of this controller. On this holder you can find a extendable rail that holds the phone. Both sides of the holder have a pad made of rubbers that protect the phones against scratches. According to the developer, you can hold with this holder phones with a display of up to 6 “.
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We been surprised how good the quality of this controller is. The Processing of the buttons and joysticks is very good and the button’s reaction and pressure point is not quite differ to the original Xbox-Controller. Before we are talking about the connection to the devices, we would like to tell you something about the modes. There are 4 different operating modes which are available via the corresponding shortcuts:
- GamePad Mode (X + Home)
- Keyboard Mode (A + Home)
- iCade Mode (B + Home)
- Mouse Modus (Y + Home)
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The controller is coupled by choosing one of the modes and then selecting the key combination one after the other. At first you push the respective letter-button and then the home button. If you have never connected 
the controller with a device, it will switch automatically in the
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Pairing-Mode. This is shown by a fast blinking LEDs on the left side. If the controller is connected to a device, a LED will shine permanently. If you want to switch now into another mode you do not have to connect the controller with the device once again. That means that you can switch between the 4 modes at any time. The changes are implemented immediately. According to the instructions, you have to turn the controller off and than again on to switch the mode. But this was not necessary. Important is, that if you turn the controller off by using the slide switch, you have to wait a few seconds until you can choose the mode you want to use. The controller connect then again automatically with the device. The corresponding LED blinks than very slow until the controller has connection to the device. If you push a button to early, the gamepad will immediately switch to the Pairing-Mode and expects a renewed coupling with the device.
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The GamePad-Mode is compatible with Android 3.2 and higher. The LED with the gamepad-symbol on the left side will blink. While our test, all direction-controllers and buttons works very well and almost intuitive. You can find a lost of compatible games in the instruction, too. Here are some examples:
- Shadow Gun
- Riptide GP
- Soulcraft
- Innings 2013
- Zenonia 4
- Dungeon Cordy
- and a lot of emulators like the N64 or GBA
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There is unfortunately only one option: Test the controller if he works with the game you want to play. It depends on the developer of the game if they support such a controller. That also means, that other games 
which are not on the list supports the controller.
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The Mouse-Mode allows you to use a cursor on the screen like you would have connected a Bluetooth-Mouse with the device. In this mode both LEDs on the left side are shining. This mode is very helpful for playing games like Angry Birds, Plants VS Zombies, Flappy Bird, Sky Force, Air-Attack or for example Cut the Rope. After you have switch into the mouse-mode, you can use the right stick to control the cursor. We noticed that in most of the tested games it is more fun to use the controller in the mouse-mode than to use the fingers directly on the screen of the device.
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The Keyboard-Mode allows you to control a lot of different simulators. Unfortunately, we have not find a game that is compatible with it.
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And then there is the Cade-Mode for iOS. The list of supported iOS-games is very long. Here are some examples:
- Midway Arcade
- Emerald Mine
- Stardash
- Freeesh
- Battlestation
- Rush City
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Like on Android-devices, you have to test which games are supported on iOS, too. On the right side of the controller you can also find 5 buttons which are very useful to control Audio-Players or Media-Players. Sure, 
it is also possible to control the volume, too, which is very useful feature especially if you are in the middle of a game.
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We have also connected this controller with the PC. we could connect the controller without any problems and the control of the cursor works, too. But it is not very interesting how good the controller works with the pc, because it is mainly made to use it for mobile devices.
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We think, that the Ipega 9021 is a great controler. It facilitates and improves the control of many games and offers with the phone holder a permanent great look on the screen. The quality and the manufacture are close to the XBox-Controller. The controls in the supported games are great and working without problems. Unfortunately, not all games support the controller and you have to test if you can use it for them.
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