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If you’ve ever dived into vertical arcade-style games on your smartphone, you know the struggle—it often feels awkward and uncomfortable. A dedicated modder has crafted a novel solution: the Tate mode mini controller. This tiny gadget aims to tackle the longstanding issue of poor ergonomics in portrait-mode gaming.
Most controllers are designed for landscape-oriented gameplay, much like the Switch or Steam Deck. Yet, many classic vertical shooters and retro favorites require you to hold your phone vertically, similar to scrolling through social media. To address this, Max Kern, a resourceful modder, developed a USB-C gamepad explicitly tailored for portrait gaming. The compact design plugs directly into your phone’s USB-C port, eliminating the need for Bluetooth pairing or additional batteries.
Crafted using a Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller, Max 3D-printed the case and buttons via JLCPCB. His tutorial is available on his YouTube channel, allowing others to recreate the device themselves. Watch the full video on his innovative creation here.
The Tate Mode mini controller operates on GP2040-CE firmware and functions as a standard HID controller, ensuring compatibility with Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac devices. Despite its compact size, it offers impressive versatility.
However, users should exercise caution, as the design places some strain on the USB-C port due to the controller’s weight. Holding the phone and controller simultaneously could lead to wear and tear over time.
Reactions on platforms like Reddit vary—while some find it uncomfortable, others appreciate its potential. Although this isn’t a commercial product but rather a DIY project, Max has generously shared all firmware and print files on Thingiverse and GitHub. What are your thoughts? Share your opinion in the comments below!
Before you go, check out our coverage of the Android release of the zombie survival RPG, Darkest Days.
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