GoKawiilSummer is right around the corner, and if you're doing the last dash to get a summer bod, then you need to spend more time at the gym. For someone like me who has been focusing on lifting weights, this is the time of the year when the newbie gym goers throw in the towel, making for less crowded spaces when trying to perform a deadlift. There's also more time to spend lifting weights as there will be hardly a line of people waiting for a certain machine or platform. Without being rushed, I'm maximizing my time at the gym to improve my health and getting in some gaming.
Thanks to improvements in both handheld gaming and cloud streaming, you can play practically any game away from home on your phone or on slightly bigger devices. So what better way to take advantage of this tech than to use it to help pass the time at the one activity everyone needs more of: exercise.
Read more: Getting Older Messed With My Gaming. So I Changed How I Play
Cloud gaming vs. handhelds
There are two options for playing games at the gym: cloud streaming and handheld gaming consoles. The advantage of streaming games is that all you need is your phone, although some sort of gamepad is ideal, since touch controls are not great for playing a complex game like Hades 2. However, there is an issue with the internet speed.
Cloud gaming requires a minimum speed to play smoothly, and depending on your carrier and location, that might not be available. Many gyms have their own Wi-Fi, but even then, it might not cover the whole area the same way, for example, if the lockers or some workout equipment are in a sublevel. Plus, you'll want to connect to a VPN first, too.
If you're going to go with cloud gaming, here are some controllers and other items to consider for optimum gaming.
Backbone/CNET Backbone One When it comes to mobile controllers, the Backbone One is hard to beat when looking for the balance of size and functionality. It handles the controls for any game, and it doesn't take much space in your pocket. It's also compatible with many phones, so it'll be ready to go with the next phone you purchase. $100 at Amazon
MCon/CNET MCon Controller The MCon controller from OhSnap takes a different approach with mobile controllers. Instead of placing the phone in a spring clamp with the controls off to the sides, the MCon's controls slide out from under the phone. The controller has a big magnet on it, and once attached, the controls can slide out whenever you want to game. On one hand, this adds a lot of bulk to a phone that's in your pocket. On the other hand, it doesn't add length to it, making it easy to put in a pocket. While the MCon's design is praiseworthy, the controls can get uncomfortable for long periods. Still, this is an ideal option for someone who doesn't like the clamp design. $100 at OhSnap
Asus/CNET Asus ROG Tessen Mobile Controller At first glance, the Asus ROG Tessen mobile controller appears to be just like every other mobile controller with a clamp design. There is, however, one big difference: It folds in half. That means dropping it in a pocket at the gym is easy. Whenever you're ready to play a game on the exercise bike, just unfold it and pop in your phone. Even with this unique design, there are two caveats about the ROG Tessen. First off, as of now, it's an Android-only controller. Asus has yet to give any statement on whether it will be compatible with iPhones. The second caveat is that it feels a little flimsy and that it could break with aggressive play. Still, the ROG Tessen is a good option for Android phone owners who think larger mobile controllers, such as the Backbone, are too bulky. $98 at Amazon $113 at Best Buy
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