Josh King's viral slide-out MagSafe gamepad has found a

Originally a 3D-printed prototype from a teenager, Josh King’s gamepad will soon be available for purchase. When 19-year-old Josh King first claimed he could revolutionize mobile gaming with his 3D-printed controller, even drawing a comparison to Steve Jobs, I thought it sounded a bit over the top.

But now, it’s more than just a 3D-printed controller. OhSnap, the company behind the magnetic PopSocket alternatives I featured in October, is officially turning his design into one of the coolest gamepad attachments I’ve ever seen for a phone. The gamepad is no larger than an iPhone, making it easy to slip into a pocket. It features a MagSafe-compatible magnet system for attaching it to your device, and you don’t have to remove it to use your phone as usual. The entire gamepad slides underneath the device, similar to the old slide-out keyboard phones (or PlayStation Phones). A spring-loaded arm pops out at the push of a button, slightly angling your device toward your face.

OhSnap has even managed to fit in a pair of Nintendo Switch-like analog sticks with drift-resistant Hall effect sensors, plus fold-out grips to allow for a more traditional gamepad feel. The clickable analog sticks, along with a full set of shoulder buttons and triggers, round out the design. Retro Game Corps was impressed with an early prototype, and it seems King has made significant progress since. As he shares on YouTube, he initially tried to start his own company around the gamepad, securing investors and manufacturing some boards, but when funds ran low, he reached out to OhSnap for a partnership. As for the price, there’s no word yet on how much it will cost at retail, but OhSnap plans to launch a Kickstarter on January 2nd to fund the project. Sign-ups are open now.

I’ll be getting my hands on a prototype next month at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, so I’ll share my thoughts on how it feels then.