If you’re a dedicated gamer, you might have encountered the frustration of playing vertical arcade games on your phone. These games, often demanding a portrait orientation, can feel awkward on devices designed for landscape play. Enter Max Kern, a modder with a solution: the Tate Mode mini controller. But does it truly address the issue at hand?
Traditional controllers are optimized for landscape gaming, much like those used with the Switch or Steam Deck. Yet, many classic vertical shooters and retro games require the phone to be held in a portrait mode, akin to scrolling through Instagram. To tackle this, Max Kern engineered a compact USB-C gamepad specifically tailored for portrait, or Tate mode, gaming. This innovative controller plugs directly into your phone's USB-C port, eliminating the need for Bluetooth, separate charging, or additional batteries.
Max's creation leverages a Raspberry Pi RP2040 chip and features a 3D-printed case and buttons, courtesy of JLCPCB. If you're inspired to build your own, Max provides a comprehensive tutorial on his YouTube channel. You can watch his detailed explanation of the Tate Mode mini controller here:
What's Your Opinion on This Tate Mode Mini Controller?
The controller utilizes the GP2040-CE firmware and functions as a standard HID controller, making it compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. This versatility is impressive, considering its small size.
However, there are concerns regarding the strain it might place on the USB-C port. The weight of the phone partially rests on the gamepad, which could potentially lead to bending the connector over time. Users would need to support both the phone and the controller to avoid this issue.
Reactions on Reddit range from admiration to apprehension. Some gamers worry about the comfort and potential for hand cramps, while others are more open to embracing this DIY innovation. It's worth noting that this isn't a commercial product but a DIY project. Max has made the firmware and print files available on Thingiverse and GitHub for enthusiasts to explore and recreate.
What are your thoughts on this miniature gamepad? We'd love to hear your comments!
Before you go, check out our coverage on the Zombie Survival Shooting RPG Darkest Days, now available on Android.
