PowerA

Lore & Background

PowerA is best known for its MOGA line of mobile gaming controllers. The original MOGA controller, later branded the MOGA Pocket, was released on October 21, 2012. It connects to Android phones via Bluetooth and can hold any phone up to 3.2 inches wide through its MOGA Arm, an extendable phone grip that folds in when not in use. MOGA-optimized apps can be found and installed through the MOGA Pivot app. It is powered by two triple-A batteries.

Subsequent models expanded the lineup. The MOGA Pro, released April 15, 2013, featured a larger design with an added D-pad and four shoulder buttons, resembling the Xbox 360 controller, and switched to an internal USB rechargeable battery. The MOGA Hero Power, released October 28, 2013, kept the same button scheme but was made smaller and more portable, adding the ability to charge the phone while playing via a built-in 1800 mAh internal battery, called MOGA Boost Technology. The MOGA Pro Power, released November 4, 2013, retained the original Pro design but added a built-in phone charger.

Entering the iOS market, PowerA released the MOGA Ace on December 6, 2014. It featured an all-new design that expands from the middle, allowing select iDevices to be placed in the center with controls on each side. Like recent models, it allows the device to charge while gaming and is compatible with any iPhone with a lightning port.

Reader's Guide

PowerA's MOGA controller series represents an early and sustained effort to bring console-style gaming controls to mobile devices. The original MOGA Pocket established the concept of a Bluetooth-connected controller with an adjustable phone grip, targeting Android users. Subsequent models refined the design, adding features such as a D-pad, additional shoulder buttons, and internal rechargeable batteries. The introduction of MOGA Boost Technology in the Hero Power and Pro Power models addressed a key limitation of mobile gaming—battery drain—by allowing the controller to charge the phone during use. The MOGA Ace marked the company's expansion into the iOS market, adapting the design to accommodate iPhones with a lightning port. The company's acquisition by ACCO Brands in December 2020 for $340 million underscores the commercial value of its intellectual property and market position. While the MOGA line did not dethrone dedicated consoles, as one commentator suggested, it contributed to the broader trend of smartphones and tablets becoming viable gaming platforms.

Did You Know?

• The original MOGA controller was later branded the MOGA Pocket.
• The MOGA Pro's design resembles the Xbox 360 controller.
• The MOGA Hero Power introduced MOGA Boost Technology, a built-in 1800 mAh battery for charging the phone while playing.
• The MOGA Ace was PowerA's first controller for iOS devices, compatible with any iPhone with a lightning port.