Post Malone’s New Backbone Controller Is Translucent Green And Glow-In-The-Dark

 Mitch Wallace

Contributor

I write about video games, technology and pop culture.

post Malone backbone      CREDIT:MITCH  WALLACE

I thought PlayStation and Lego coming together to make Lego Horizon Adventures was unexpected, and it was, for sure. But musician Post Malone collaborating with Backbone to create a limited edition, see-through, glow-in-the-dark mobile gaming controller? Well, now we’ve reached peak strangeness, and honestly, I’m here for it.

Starting Tuesday, June 25, you can order one of only 500 special Post Malone Backbone One gamepads, which will set you back a cool $199.99. This places it $100 over what a standard Backbone One controller costs, or even the white PlayStation version, both of which retail for $99.99. What do you get for that extra $100? Well, not incredibly much, I’m afraid. But hey, you be the judge. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Obviously, the entire Post Malone Backbone peripheral is a very striking clear ‘90s green (his favorite color, apparently, and maybe mine, too), a feature that already makes it cooler than the usual Backbone choices, at least in my nostalgic estimation. Furthermore, the stylized ‘P’ and ‘M’ are printed in glow-in-the-dark ink on the accessory’s backside and inner support spine, channeling even more ‘90s goodness.

Post Malone Backbone packaging

CREDIT: BACKBONE

Next, the plastic d-pad has been replaced with a higher quality aluminum one, and the buttons (ABXY)—also aluminum— are now laser-etched. Finally, the device arrives in premium packaging, something that amounts to a numbered collector’s slide-top box with a green slip-cover to match the bespoke Backbone One itself.

So, are these upgrades worth the extra cash? Well, Backbone did send over a review sample (I’m lucky #47!) and while it is a sweet Backbone variant, it’s hard to completely recommend it based on practicality alone. Because, at the end of the day, this is still a regular Backbone One controller with some flashy novelty splashed in, and perhaps a little improved functionality and button longevity.

#47!

CREDIT: MITCH WALLACE

If you’re a huge Post Malone fan, then what I say doesn’t matter, because you’ll probably be scooping this up in no time. In such a case, go for it. The bad news is that I have #47 already, so if I’m math-ing correctly, that means there’s only 499 left. Run! Gallop! Prance! Post! Malone!