Backbone’s 2023 holiday range included updated controllers for the iPhone 15 series and also the first Backbone One Carrying Case. Jared and I have been using Backbone One controllers for a while now. I usually use both the Razer Kishi and the Backbone One when testing games, but lately I’ve been using the Backbone One primarily for PlayStation Remote Play around the house and on the go. I was curious about the Backbone One Carrying Case and ordered one myself a while back. Jared’s praise for it got me curious, and it’s interesting enough to make me want to write a quick review about it to help any Backbone One controller owners decide if it’s worth buying. Although this review is based on the Backbone One Carrying Case PlayStation Edition, it applies to the regular version as well.
The Backbone One carrying case looks premium and sleek, maybe even a little over the top, and that’s what made me order the PlayStation version. I was curious to see how the outer material felt, if it would hold up in my backpack, and how it would handle drops or being squashed in my bag. So far, everything’s been fine, aside from one flaw I’ll address below. The white felt surface feels good in the hand, and it somehow hasn’t gotten dirty despite dropping it a few times and being in my bag for over a month when I go out.
The interior lining is also soft and reminds me of the high-end iPhone cases. Other than maybe headphones or a small charging cable, there isn’t much room for anything else in the Backbone One carrying case. You could put the adapters that come with the Backbone One controller in the case if you wanted, but there is no dedicated storage for them. Some sort of pocket on top would have been good.
The main issue I have with the Backbone One tote bag is the zipper. Backbone calls it a flat zipper that is water resistant and easy to open and close. I actually worry about the zipper getting stuck almost every time I use it. So far, that hasn’t happened, but it doesn’t feel good to use. The materials are nice and the zipper itself feels good in the hand, but this aspect needs to be improved for a new model. I finally checked with a few friends who also have the bag, and they all have the same problem with it. None of us have had issues with the zipper getting stuck, but it doesn’t feel good or easy to use.
Is the Backbone One Carrying Case overkill for a controller that most people would just throw in their backpack when they go out? Probably. Is it worth $24.99? So far, yes. The Backbone One controller normally costs $99.99, so that might seem like a lot for a quarter of the price, but I’m happy with it other than the zipper not feeling that great. I also love how the Backbone One Carrying Case PlayStation Edition looks and feels in the hand compared to other controller cases, though it remains to be seen how it holds up after several months of use.
Backbone One Carrying Case Rating: 4/5
You can purchase the Backbone One Carrying Case here and the Backbone One Carrying Case PlayStation Edition here on Amazon for $24.99.
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