Kanex today announced availability of its GoPlay Sidekick wireless game controller for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. The pocket-sized controller, introduced at CES 2017, can be purchased from Kanex's website starting today for $59.95. A company spokesperson told MacRumors it will also be available on Amazon next week.

kanex goplay sidekick
The console-inspired game controller features pressure-sensitive buttons, dual analog joysticks, trigger buttons, a directional pad, and a Lightning connector, while one of its more interesting features is its patent pending protective clamshell case with an integrated stand that props up an iPhone during gameplay.

The controller, certified under Apple's MFi Program, connects to Apple devices over Bluetooth 4.0 and offers up to 20 hours of gameplay on a single charge. It works with almost any controller-supported game on the App Store.

Competing products sold by Apple include the SteelSeries Nimbus Wireless Gaming Controller and HORIPAD ULTIMATE Wireless Game Controller, each $49.95 in the United States. Prices vary in other countries.

Tag: Kanex

Top Rated Comments

_Refurbished_ Avatar
110 months ago
Apple needs to bundle a 1st party controller and get serious about gaming. If they did it right, there would be a huge market to tap into. The problem is, Apple has never gotten gaming right.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
stiligFox Avatar
110 months ago
Has anyone used a mini controller such as this one? It looks like an ergonomic nightmare? Never used one so I don't know if that's actually the case.
I used the SteelSeries one which looks almost identical and I liked it. My hands are medium-large sized (I wear large gloves) and it was pretty comfortable.

Then again the Gameboy micro is my favorite console to hold, so take what I say with a grain of salt.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Juicy Box Avatar
110 months ago
I would need to hold the Go Play Sidekick, but it looks decent.


I feel like the proper way to make game hardware that people actually buy is to bundle it with a killer game.

Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, and Zelda: OOT sold the Nintendo 64.
Super Smash Bros. Melee sold the GameCube.
Wii Sports sold the Wii/Wii Motes.
Wii Fit sold the Wii Balance Board.
Zelda: Skyward Sword sold the Wii Remote Motion Plus.
Zelda: Breath of the Wild sold the Switch.

Nothing sold the Wii U, thus its total failure.

Nothing is selling this, thus it will fail, just like every third party iOS controller before it, and the Wii U, and every other piece of failed game hardware.
I bought the SS Nimbus controller for the ATV4. The controller itself is very nice, perfect size, and well made.

The biggest problem is that there is not any decent games to play on tvOS.

I had high hopes for the ATV4 prior to launch. Between loving my older ATVs and all the rumors of console quality games kept me glued to all the rumor sites to get more information. I was pretty let down watching the ATV4's CrossyRoads demo at the Apple Event. I am not saying Crossyroads is not fun, but visually, it was a pretty big let down.

Then right before launch, there was rumors about the Siri Remote requirement for all tvOS apps, which I think killed any motivation for developers to bring console quality games to the ATV4. That and the low maximum app size amount.

Between the gaming situation, and the UI of Netflix and Hulu, I find myself using my ATV3 more and more. If I could get the Siri feature on my ATV3, I would probably never use my ATV4.

Maybe the ATV5 will be everything that the ATV4 wasn't.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kingjames1970 Avatar
110 months ago
I feel like the proper way to make game hardware that people actually buy is to bundle it with a killer game.

Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, and Zelda: OOT sold the Nintendo 64.
Super Smash Bros. Melee sold the GameCube.
Wii Sports sold the Wii/Wii Motes.
Wii Fit sold the Wii Balance Board.
Zelda: Skyward Sword sold the Wii Remote Motion Plus.
Zelda: Breath of the Wild sold the Switch.

Nothing sold the Wii U, thus its total failure.

Nothing is selling this, thus it will fail, just like every third party iOS controller before it, and the Wii U, and every other piece of failed game hardware.
I bought a Wii U for Mario Kart 8!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Madmic23 Avatar
110 months ago
I feel like the proper way to make game hardware that people actually buy is to bundle it with a killer game.

I totally agree with you. I bought a controller for my Apple TV, but there really isn't a killer game for it. There are a few that look promising, but nothing like a high quality Nintendo, Playstation, or XBox game, so my controller sits in a drawer doing nothing.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4jasontv Avatar
110 months ago
Has anyone used a mini controller such as this one?
Yeah. I used a PS3 controller for a few years and it was the worst. Claw hands for ages. I'd say Xbox one is about the right size.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple Wallet ID Illinois

Apple Plans to Expand iPhone Driver's Licenses to These 7 U.S. States

Wednesday December 24, 2025 8:40 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
maxresdefault

10 Mac Apps Worth Trying in 2026

Wednesday December 24, 2025 9:27 am PST by
2026 is almost upon us, and a new year is a good time to try out some new apps. We've rounded up 10 excellent Mac apps that are worth checking out. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Alt-Tab (Free) - Alt-Tab brings a Windows-style alt + tab thumbnail preview option to the Mac. You can see a full window preview of open apps and app windows. One Thing (Free) -...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
airpods color prototypes

Apple Tested AirPods in Bright Colors

Saturday December 27, 2025 6:06 am PST by
Apple reportedly tested a version of the first-generation AirPods with bright, iPhone 5c-like colored charging cases. The images, shared by the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami," claim to show first-generation AirPods prototypes with pink and yellow exterior casings. The interior of the charging case and the earbuds themselves remain white. They seem close to some...
iPhone Fold Vertical Feature

Why Apple's Foldable iPhone May Be Smaller Than Expected

Tuesday December 23, 2025 5:21 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone, rumored for release next year, may turn out to be smaller than most people imagine, if a recent report is anything to go by. According to The Information, the outer display on the book-style device will measure just 5.3 inches – that's smaller than the 5.4-inch screen on the ‌iPhone‌ mini, a line Apple discontinued in 2022 due to poor sales. The report has led ...
iPhone SE Cosmopolitan Clean

Apple Discontinued These 25 Products This Year

Wednesday December 24, 2025 7:24 am PST by
With the end of 2025 near, the time has come to look back at the devices and accessories that Apple discontinued throughout the year. Most of the products that were discontinued this year were simply replaced by a new model with an updated chip. However, the iPhone SE line was entirely discontinued when the iPhone 16e launched, and the iPhone Plus line is being phased out. Below, we have...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Iridescent Search

Samsung Developing 'Wide Fold' With iPhone Fold-Like Design Ahead of Apple's 2026 Launch

Tuesday December 23, 2025 11:55 am PST by
Samsung is working on a new foldable smartphone that's wider and shorter than the models that it's released before, according to Korean news site ETNews. The "Wide Fold" will compete with Apple's iPhone Fold that's set to launch in September 2026. Samsung's existing Galaxy Z Fold7 display is 6.5 inches when closed, and 8 inches when open, with a 21:9 aspect ratio when folded and a 20:18...