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If you're a gamer, you've likely experienced the frustration of playing vertical arcade games on your phone. The discomfort is real, but a modder named Max Kern has stepped up with a potential solution: the Tate Mode mini controller. But does it truly address the issue?
Traditional controllers are designed for landscape mode, akin to those used with devices like the Switch or Steam Deck. Yet, many classic vertical shooters and retro games require holding your phone in portrait mode, similar to scrolling through Instagram.
Enter Max Kern's innovation—a compact USB-C gamepad specifically crafted for portrait, or Tate mode, gaming. This device plugs directly into your phone's USB-C port, eliminating the need for Bluetooth, charging, or additional batteries.
Max constructed the Tate Mode mini controller using a Raspberry Pi RP2040 chip and utilized 3D printing for the case and buttons via JLCPCB. If you're interested in building your own, Max offers a detailed tutorial on his YouTube channel.
Watch Max Kern's YouTube video on the Tate Mode mini controller here.
The controller leverages the GP2040-CE firmware and functions as a standard HID controller, ensuring compatibility with Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. This versatility is impressive for such a small device.
However, there are concerns about the strain it might place on the USB-C port. The gamepad's design means it supports part of the phone's weight, which could lead to bending the connector if not handled carefully. Users would need to support both the phone and the controller during gameplay.
On Reddit, opinions are mixed. Some users admire the ingenuity but worry about potential hand cramps and discomfort, while others are more open to the concept.
It's important to note that this isn't a commercial product but rather a DIY project. Max has generously shared all the necessary firmware and print files on Thingiverse and Github. What are your thoughts on this innovative little gamepad? Share your comments below!
Before you go, don't miss our latest news on the Zombie Survival Shooting RPG Darkest Days, now available on Android.
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