Raleigh’s Innovative Mobile Gaming Controller Secures $1M Boost Following CES Showcase

The year 2025 is shaping up to be an excellent year for both casual and dedicated gamers.

While the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal will excite everyone about family gaming, a new offering from a Raleigh firm aims to enhance the mobile gaming experience.

Ohsnap, the company behind various MagSafe cases and accessories including the Snap Grip Wallet, is collaborating with an emerging tech entrepreneur on the MCON, a MagSafe compatible controller that can be attached and paired with your phone for mobile gaming.

The controller was invented by 20-year-old Josh King from Fredericksburg, Va. King mentioned that he came up with the concept because he enjoyed other handheld consoles such as the Nintendo DS.

“I’ve always enjoyed creating things,” King remarked while displaying a model airplane he constructed. “Remember the old phones that had real keyboards? When I pondered something that could fit in your pocket, it was clear to me, and when MagSafe was launched, everything clicked.” 

MagSafe is a collection of magnetically attached power connectors developed by Apple for their range of Macbook laptops. The company ceased the line in 2016 but brought it back in 2021.

Beginning with the iPhone 12, MagSafe technology was incorporated into the rear of the device, enabling it to detect other MagSafe compatible accessories and hold them securely. They exclusively attach to other MagSafe accessories, meaning other magnets cannot cling to your phone.

King started experimenting with Nintendo Switch controllers to determine which components would be most effective and ultimately fashioned a prototype. The controller began generating excitement online after King created a YouTube video presenting the prototype. The original video presently boasts over 540,000 views.

After investing nearly two years developing the prototype, King garnered the interest of Ohsnap CEO Dale Backus via LinkedIn. Backus revealed a stroke of fate led him to view King’s presentation on the controller.

“I was on my phone and received the notification,” he stated. “It contained the YouTube video link, and it had exceeded 400,000 views, all of which were organic. Upon reading the comments, it was evident there was considerable excitement for the product.”

Backus eventually recruited King, and the two parties agreed on a 1.0 design, which ejects instead of sliding out like King’s prototype and includes ample space for all necessary buttons and joysticks typically found on a controller.

With the viral nature of the initial video and a strong product to demonstrate, Ohsnap presented the MCON at the Consumer Electronics Show 2025, an annual event highlighting the latest advancements in consumer technology and ideas.

“We anticipated a decent amount of media attention and interest,” Backus mentioned. “What we actually received were Best in Show accolades from several publications and accolades from Kickstarter.”

The controller did more than just attract attention; it went viral again, with tech platforms ranging from Gizmodo and Tom’s Guide praising the functionality and innovation of the device.

It was almost not showcased at the event.

“We began discussions with Josh in August … and we seriously initiated working on the project three months ago,” Backus explained. “It was just on the brink of, ‘Man, it’d be fantastic to feature this at CES.’”

Nevertheless, the controller arrived just in time and helped kickstart a major Kickstarter campaign.

King and Backus mentioned they are still strategizing on enhancements to the design, including smaller joysticks, a slimmer version, and even a mobile application.

Regarding concerns about competition, King stated that the controller is the first of its kind aimed at phones and mobile gaming and that they intend to maintain their leadership position.

“There will be individuals attempting to replicate the hardware, devising their slightly altered versions. We possess the vision for the software and everything that needs to occur,” King stated. “I’m not sure if they will pursue it. I’m not overly concerned about others launching it before us.”

King has relocated to RTP to collaborate more closely with Ohsnap as development on the controller proceeds, with expectations for shipments to Kickstarter backers in August.