Nyko Playpad Wireless Game Controller for Android Tablets and Smart Phones

Expectations weren't that high considering the relatively low price. I was pleasantly surprised by the general build quality. While longevity will be seen, I'm happy with the current fit/finish of the device, not to mention the rather convenient travel case and media stand.Right out of the box, the device would not connect to my Nexus 7 (2012, 4.4.4) or Nexus 5 running Lollipop. I searched all over the web and found various websites reporting mixed results over a firmware update. Come to find out that the firmware update app on the Play Store doesn't work above 4.3.X. Same went for the Playground app. The controller would seemingly pair, but not connect. I was thinking about returning when I saw that Nyko has a PC/wired firmware update tool on their website. Downloaded the tool then tried to update on a XP desktop. No dice. The decided to try on a Win 7 machine. Originally that didn't work either, but I noticed that the USB driver was taking forever to install. I let that finish, then tried again. Bingo! Now the controller pairs and connects to both my 4.4.4 and Lollipop devices. NES emulator runs great after mapping the buttons. Some games work right out of the box too. Used the USB cable firmware update software if you're having issues.My only complaints (for the price, that is) are the two thumb joysticks are more sliders than joysticks and the controller is a bit small, even for someone who has average size hands. Still, for just messing around with casual gaming, this can't be beat for the price.

1. I updated the firmware on mine using the Windows updater, which was found on here from someone who uploaded it to dropbox (Thank you guy). I uploaded the file to my website with the latest firmware in the zip:http://goodolgaming.com/downloads/index.php?dir=other/&file=NYKO%20PLAYPAD%20Updater%20for%20PC.zipInitially, it didn't work from my W8.1 PC but it worked instantly on a W7 PC, so not sure what the issue was, but its not hard to figure out. You flash it over the USB interface so you have to plug it in with a Micro USB cable (or that stupid dongle it comes with)2. From an Android device, you need to download the NEWEST version of the Nyko Playground app from google play. Some webpage on Nyko's site says that you need the older version to do this, but I could never get it to sync to my Playpad. You want to switch it to HID mode and pair it normally to the android device. I used a 2012 Nexus 7 3G still on stock Kit Kat 4.4.43. In the app, tap Controller Profiles to the right of HID Compatible Games4. Tap Add Profile5. On the top left, select what controller you have (Playpad or Playpad Pro)6. Now, you want to leave most of these alone since the default app profile you see in front of you already works better than HID mode on the PC. Here is what I changed:Instead of the D-pad hard mapped to the arrow keys, I mapped the D-Pad as L3/R3/Btn C/Btn Z. It doesnt matter what goes where.The only other thing I did was map Esc to the Home button. I didn't play around with it much, so I wasn't sure if another option would actually show up as a mappable button in Windows, but since 99% of games use Esc to take you to the pause menu, it seems to work fine for me. Just be careful with that Esc button when you go to shut the controller off ;)7. Once you hit Save, it will ask you to flash it. It would error out about half the times I tried it but hitting Save again would normally flash it on a 2nd attempt.8. Turn the controller off, switch it to APP mode, turn it on and pair it with the PCI use Xpadder for my games (which are mostly older games), and I just create a profile for each game and setup the Auto Profile function to choose the right profile when a game is launched. But in any case, this new APP profile will give you a controller you that Windows will be able to use fully. The only downside is the D-pad shows up as 4 buttons instead of an actual d-pad, but most games it wont matter with. Also, since the home button can be mapped as Esc, you now have an extra button to use that most people would normally bind to that. I HIGHLY suggest that unless you are using a 360 controller with games that support it, you should get a copy of Xpadder to use with other controllers like this one.***SHORT REVIEW***Controller seems great for the ~$15 price I paid for it and the sizeLost 1 star due to crappy software supportLost another star because the joystick pads needed a texture finish instead of a smooth one, does not like sweaty thumbs.But retained the other 3 stars since it seems to be working fine for me in the week that I have been using it.

Upon arrival I was not able to get the device to pair with my HTC One via Bluetooth. It worked fine with my Windows 7 machine. After much frustration I finally realized my phone was not updated to the current version 4.3 of the Android OS. After doing so the Playpad worked and still does work perfectly every time. I do not have any iPad games that support iCade so I was unable to test that but the device does seem to pair with my iPad 2 just fine. The App mode does not seem to work all that great, but I have not spent too much time fiddling with it to see if I can somehow get it to work properly; it is unnecessary. The thumb sticks I believe are a bit too tight but that may break-on over time. I didn't realize at the time but there are no L3 or R3 thumb stick buttons (no clicking on the thumb sticks). The D-Pad edges are a bit hard on the thumb. I like the cut-out on the underside bottom of the controller; the edges allow for a grip on the small controller that I find to be necessary. Over all I am highly happy with the device, Being mostly what I could ever ask for in such a small, convenient, and portable device. I love the L2 and R2 triggers being analog for being such a small device. One more thing. When re-mapping the buttons in my emulator app, assigning the Back button to Select did not change its function. The button still acted in the default command of being the Back button for the Android OS. I do not know why.

First off i am not complainingSecondly i read the reviews dated more than a year ago, what with all the software issues. i thought it would have been fixed.... it has not, in fact nyko playground app that allows you to customize controls for games. Well it has taken a step back there are no customization for anything now.The only game i have played that actually is supported without some funny controller layout is Sonic Episode 4 Part II, hell even gta 3 the controls are funny, R2 function is mapped to B? with no way of changing in game controller settings that i have found at leastJust do yourself a favor and don't bother there is only a small selection of games it is designed to work with and none are gameloft games, N.O.V.A. 3 for instance or Order and chaos onlineif you plan on using this controller for mobile games you have been warned

ABSOLUTELY POINTLESS - THESE DO NOT WORK - THEY WILL NOT CHARGE!Save yourself some time and just give someone £25 for nothing in return.After 2 controllers (both dead on arrival) I gave in. Amazon provided refund in the end.I tried several USB charge plugs, several different micro USB cables even different USB ports on my PC and USB Hub - nothing.Unit is meant to show it's charging via an orange led on the controller - I saw the smallest of flickers first time I plugged both controllers In - after that, nothing.Should have listened to the other reviews

after the frustration of using gametel gampad, i decided to try out nyko portable gamepad, because nyko seems to be a very professional gamepad manufacter, and their product design seems more reasonable to me.however, this gamepad is not good enough to play action game or fighting game, some of its design is rather ludicrous:1. the analog sticks are not properly aligned, there is slightly more space on the left side than right side of the stick, not sure if its a flaw.2. its extremingly hard to point diagonally by using the sticks, it always either goes horizontally or vertically, makes it really hard to do "forward jump" in fighting game.3. i dont know why gamepad manufacters seems love the cross pad design, its very stupid design introduced by nintendo, hard to use in fighting game. on this game pad, it became even worse, oppose to the analog sticks, you cannot properly point vertically, always accidentially trigger left or right, make it very hard to use in mame4droid game list menu becuz left or right will skip current page. can somebody build a game pad based on sega sature's controller?4. the x, y, a and b keys sometime stuck when you pressed too hard, make it impossible to trigger "light crouh kick x 2" etc...i gave 3 star because the dock and the finish are quite good, but still, if you are looking for a proper gamepad, avoid it.

If it worked as claimed then it would be a 5* product (price/quality). The build quality is actually quite good and the rubberised effect works well and gives it a nice finish....HOWEVER after 2 units, both of which have arrived DOA (even after overnight last chance before returning charges) they do nothing, don't switch on, despite using a variety of chargers. Amazon returns was great, but seriously should stuff this bad be sold on Amazon?I'd buy one if:1) you want to always win a 2 player gaming battle by giving your opponent one of these. They don't work so you'll win everytime.2) You like to plug devices into USB chargers and then want to come back repeatedly through the day to see that nothing has happened. Perhaps you like to watch paint dry, but would now like to move onto something more hi-tech.3) You've had a sad episode in your life and would like to move your attention away from that 'episode'. Buy one of these and focus your attention on different ways to charge the playpad, which will ultimately fail, but you may feel better about that earlier 'episode' and now have a dislike of all things 'Nyko'.4) You like returning items because they don't work.

I had similar issues as the other reviews. Mine didn't turn on after charging, and the replacement wouldn't charge at all. I decided to get a refund instead of waiting for another replacement. Its a shame as the gamepad itself feels like a good controller - its just hit or miss whether you get one that works or not.