In the saturated mobile gaming market, you have to be quite unique in order to grab any attention. Fortunately Mad Catz’ new L.Y.N.X. 9 Mobile Hybrid Controller is definitely an interesting and very unique take on mobile controllers. Announced at the International CES 2015, January 6, the aim was to make something that is more portable than the Mad Catz C.T.R.L.-R while still being comfortable enough for long-term gameplay. The L.Y.N.X. 9 folds into itself when not in use and expands with optional wing attachments when it’s time to play. It sports a metal build and comes with an attachable clip for your mobile device and a tablet stand that can hold up to 7-inch tablets. Yet, there is much more than that, so much more…
The button layout is similar to that of a traditional PlayStation analog controller: dual-analog thumb sticks, a D-Pad, 4 main front-facing buttons, 4 top-side buttons (bumpers and triggers), and various smaller buttons towards the middle. All buttons are rated for up to a million presses and thumb sticks and triggers can be configured via the free L.Y.N.X. Android App. L.Y.N.X.
You may wonder why you see 5 buttons in the center here. A first in mobile-controller functionality comes in the form of an intergraded mouse sensor pad with left and right click buttons on each side. Combine that with the included QWERTY keyboard attachment, and you gain full browse-ability of your mobile device’s functions all straight from the L.Y.N.X. 9 Hybrid Controller. Also, just to complete the interface package, there is also an integrated microphone for use with your mobile device’s voice-related functionality, such as Google Voice.
The L.Y.N.X. 9 has three modes: Bluetooth mode for mobile device use, media mode for use with various media devices, and PC mode so that the L.Y.N.X. 9 would be recognized as a standard Bluetooth controller. The media mode is where the aforementioned integrated microphone also comes in handy for use with Google TV or Amazon Fire via voice commands. The analog thumb sticks can be used for video scrolling and the front facing action buttons can trigger play, pause, forward and back functions.
However, one of the more surprising options you get with the L.Y.N.X. 9 is the ability to disassemble the controller and reassemble it onto the tablet stand, affectively making your tablet a full on all-in-one gaming device.
From what we saw, in the reconstructed gaming-tablet mode, all of the components held together quite sturdily. Now, mobile gaming will be available to you on the larger screen that you would find on a tablet. On the top of the stand rests the mobile device clamp, just so that you can get a look at it. Don’t be intimidated! It does not necessarily have to be connected to the stand when you’re gaming on the tablet. You can go even larger than that with the included PlayBig cables that will allow you to attach your smart devices to your TV via HDMI, mirroring whatever content you currently have on your phone or tablet. You can then sit back on the couch and use the L.Y.N.X. 9 to play on your television.
If you’re in the search for a new and unique entry into the mobile gaming and media controller market, then the Mad Catz L.Y.N.X. 9 Hybrid Controller can be yours for $299. It’s quite the investment, yes. However, Mad Catz will supply you with a collection of accessories that should handle any gaming environment you would ever consider with a mobile controller. Not to mention, the controller isn’t exactly made of cheap materials either. Aside from its metal build and long button lifespan, the L.Y.N.X. 9 charges in 3 hours and will hold out for up to 30 hours of gameplay.
The Mad Catz L.Y.N.X. 9 Mobile Hybrid Controller is available for preorder now and ships in March 2015. You can check it out for yourself here:
